MarkRaby Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 As a kid, I was always the most excited about Christmas, more so than my two siblings, and more so than my parents. Of course, back then, it was because of all the cool presents I was sure to be getting. I'm 19 now, and I still think of myself of being the most excited, but for different reasons. For the past 4 or 5 years, I've really turned from being the wanter to the giver. For example, last year, I believe at least 30% of the 120+ presents under our tree were from me. I got my mom a new computer monitor, a new TV, and more. Got my dad a fancy weather station (really wanted one). Got my sister and brother both a TON of DVDs. Just to name a few of the things I bought. Now I think my parents are as excited about getting presents as me when I was a kid, and they probably haven't been able to have that excitement since when they themselves were kids. So, you parents with old teens and twenty-somethings, when (if ever) has this metamorphasis happened with your kids? -Mark-
eve Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 I'm 22 and i think it also happened about age 15-16
biomajor Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 I'm a mother of a 16 yo and it hasn't happenned yet--you really are a sweetie Mark!! I would be proud to have you as my son. I started doing the gifts/presents for everyone else when I was about 14-15. I had jobs and money and I like to give.
starshine Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 I started looking forward to giving at Christmas when I was about 19 and I had a job and was in College. It was nice to be able to buy nice stuff for my mom. Now I'm 31 and broke! Hopefully my son will get that giving felling at 19 or so. LOL
Guest all2tired Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 My kids are still little but I know how excited they get about giving presents that they bought themselves. The school has a Christmas shop with inexpensive things so the kids can shop without parents around and the kids pick out what they want and not what the parents would want them to pick. My son knows how much I love Swarovski crystal so he bought me what he thought was crystal. That was the best gift he ever gave me. Even though it was glass, he knew what I liked and he got it. Now when he's old enough to know the difference between glass and crystal, he's gonna say...I can't afford that. LOL I got more into Christmas when I was 17 and had my first job. It really is a great feeling when you're the giver. I think that's when I finally understood the saying it's better to give than recieve
erh12275 Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 Changed for me when I got a real job. I actually HAD money to buy them stuff...instead of having to get money from dad or mom to buy the others gifts.
sheshagirl Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 I think it's wonderful at such a young age you learned, what most people don't learn till they have children of their own. We have a 8 y/o and she goes to the dollar store and picks out something for everyone, useing her own money. The gifts she comes up with are a trip. Two years ago she bought tooth picks for my FIL who has dentures...lol
eve Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 I think it's wonderful at such a young age you learned, what most people don't learn till they have children of their own. We have a 8 y/o and she goes to the dollar store and picks out something for everyone, useing her own money. The gifts she comes up with are a trip. Two years ago she bought tooth picks for my FIL who has dentures...lollol i bet she picks them with all her heart
copados1993 Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 I think it's wonderful at such a young age you learned, what most people don't learn till they have children of their own. We have a 8 y/o and she goes to the dollar store and picks out something for everyone, useing her own money. The gifts she comes up with are a trip. Two years ago she bought tooth picks for my FIL who has dentures...loli think this is a wonderful idea. I did the same as a kid!
copados1993 Posted November 7, 2005 Posted November 7, 2005 Changed for me when I got a real job. I actually HAD money to buy them stuff...instead of having to get money from dad or mom to buy the others gifts. I know how that feels!!
Jenniferharrison82 Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 Same here changed when I actually had my own money to spend.
alimfp Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 I'm 22 and I think it turned around for me around 12-ish. I really got the big idea around 15 as well when I got my first job. :)
aeraen Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 Just yesterday, my 12 year old checked his allowance account (we don't just hand him money, we keep an account on the computer and add or subtract like a bank). He was unusually delighted at the amount of money he had ,and I almost felt disappointed at his attitude. Later, though, he called me in his bedroom and showed me the Christmas list he had for the family, HE WAS PRE-SHOPPING ONLINE for all of us! He had a $20 item on his screen that he wanted to buy for Dad. So far he hasn't asked us for anything for himself so far, but is absolutely giddy at the prospect of buying for his family. My teenager has a job this year and is already looking through the store she works at for ideas for the family.
WELUVKDS79 Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 Hmmmmm...My 9 year old can't seem to go to the store without buying for someone else. I am not sure when it officially began or anything but he started being more concerned with everyone else at about 8.
Princess7915 Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 I think I was about 7 and my school had a Saturday workshop where kids could come up and make gifts for mom and dad. My mom STILL puts that ornament on her tree (I'm 26). I think after that, I really starting wanting to give her something for Christmas and as I got older it turned into wanting to buy her something from stores.
cami_reardon Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 My 16 year old took me to dinner the other night when I took her to the ballet. It was our mother/daughter outing for the Christmas season. She even took me to a sit down restaurant (not BKing either *L*). It was very nice. 18 year old DS #1 was just this past year 18 year old DS #2 two years ago 29 year old DD about the time she turned 19 and had her first child.
deborahc281 Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 My kids are 28 and 19 but have small children themselves and are in Graduate school so the tables have never turned I guess I will just cash in when I am old and they HAVE to take care of me. Deborah
kalle1212 Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 My son who is five loves to give people presents and I want to enforce this at christmas time as it is easy to get caught up in the "I want this, I want that" phase. So through out the year he saves all of his money and I take him to the dollar store where he picks out presents for grandparents, uncles, his brother and his favorite friends. Last year his grandfather recieved plastic ice cubes? He still uses them.
beth_m Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 Im 23 and I think it changed for me when I was 17 or 18 once I had babysitting jobs. Now that I'm out of school and have a real job it was nice to get my parents and lil bro nice parents last year, and I am already planning on what to give this year. I was very lucky as a kid, with all the awesome presents I would get and I think it is only fair that I want to repay my parents. I guess it comes with age. I understand now that they put us kids before there wants and now I would to give them really cool gifts that they probably wouldnt spluge on for themselves. I also love surprising people and getting the seeing there reaction. It's great, I'm smiling right now just thinking about it.
chineena Posted November 19, 2005 Posted November 19, 2005 I'm stilll waiting for my 22 yo to get his act together. Go with your heart.
timbermommy Posted November 19, 2005 Posted November 19, 2005 I am 23 .. ive bought for everyone scince i was like 14 with my babysitting money! now my son is 4.. and he is sooo excited when i take him to shop for other people..im very proud he has such a love of giving
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