When asked about what LO wanted for Christmas from our in-laws I suggested money towards a Children's museum pass. The pass is $80, but I said any little bit would be awesome and we would come up with the rest. I'm wondering if this was an ok thing to ask for though, or should I have just stuck with some type of toy? LO has so many toys already, we thought a museum membership would keep her busy all year.
Have you ever suggested a gift of a pass/membership rather than a toy?
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
I love love love this and would ask for the same if we weren't asking parents and it's to go in on a play kitchen. My girlfriend asked her parents for ballet lessons for her daughter and her parents loved the idea.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
My hubs and I often ask our parents for experiences rather than things!
pineapple / 12802 posts
My IL's used to get my step kids zoo passes for Xmas. They don't anymore because we didn't get them enough to use them, maybe they will start it up again now that we have our son.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
I think it is a great idea!! I want to ask for a pass to the Children's museum for her bday.
pear / 1823 posts
We're asking for something similar. I asked my MIL for a music class and my mom for a Gymboree type class. I figured he'll get enough toys from all the aunts/uncles/friends. Neither of them seemed to mind and it's a present that keeps giving!
pomegranate / 3401 posts
I personally think that's a great idea! Even for myself, I enjoy getting activity/ticket presents vs. things. My favorite presents that I ever got was tickets to see "Wicked" and then a cooking lesson with my BFF!
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I think it's a great idea!
(btw, we do an activity with SIL and BIL instead of exchanging gifts)
honeydew / 7687 posts
I add them to our amazon wish list but so far w eve only received toys and clothes. It's the thought that counts but I wish we had received some fun activity passes!
pomegranate / 3872 posts
I like this idea too! We might ask for a music class next year!
pomegranate / 3779 posts
I used to buy a family pass to the zoo for my brothers family each Christmas. His kids are older now and not really into the zoo, but I still look for activities rather than things. It saves on the shipping costs which was huge when they were living in Canada.
pear / 1718 posts
All the time! I think it sounds like a great idea and I hope they are receptive to it.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Just to play the other side of the coin. This is something my parents and ILs would absolutely balk at. Not because they don't support something like a museum but part of their joy in giving LO a gift is to see her open it, play with it, and enjoy it. They do t get that with a gift like that.
honeydew / 7811 posts
I love this idea and wish I had thought of something like this myself this year! LO already has way too many toys and a music class would have been cool.
However, I get what @T.H.O.U is saying too!
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
My mother in law ended up saying she thought it was a good idea and they would like to join us for a day at the museum since they have never been. She did say she would contribute a little but wants to get her some things to open as well. 
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@T.H.O.U.: yeah me too, but like you said she still wants to see her open something, which is totally understandable
pineapple / 12053 posts
I asked for passes to our zoo for our family but I think the gift is even better because then our families have an excuse to come with us! I could see my mom paying for a ballet class for DD in the future and then getting to watch her take the class too! The joy lasts longer for everyone. @T.H.O.U.: @Bao: if they want LO to open something, it could also be something that pairs with the activity: ballet shoes with the class, a stuffed animal or book for the zoo, etc.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
This year, I asked my parents to buy my son's soccer clinic lessons. He really doesn't need more toys, but is at the age where he needs stuff to do.
eta: on opening up something, my parents will give my son a soccer ball.
honeydew / 7283 posts
My parents got us passes to the children's museum for m's birthday and we all went together yesterday. It was fun for them to see her enjoy their gift while we were there!
pomelo / 5720 posts
Great idea! We are asking for $ towards gymnastics for LO this year. He has waaaaaaay too many toys and really enjoys activities. I'm glad your MIL was excited about it too!
pomelo / 5178 posts
We asked people to "gift" DD a month's worth of gymnastics lessons for her birthday. She also got gymnastics clothes fromsome family instead of money for her classes. It's worked out really well! She loves gymnastics, and our family has loved to see pictures/videos of her in class!
pomegranate / 3779 posts
I would also add that my aunt always took my sister and I to a play/musical/ballet for our birthdays and that is one of my favorite childhood memories. We would get dressed up and go to a "fancy" place for lunch (fancy in a ten yr olds mind) and go see a show. We loved it, so something they could make into a tradition might be fun.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
27 comments