Whenever your kids are invited to a birthday party, the first thing you think about is what you’re going to get as a gift. While some kids are pretty easy to shop for, others are not as easy. Plus, parents don’t want to look like they’re “cheap” and get something that’s on sale or super inexpensive, just in case the parents end up returning or exchanging the gift for something else.
It’s no secret that kids’ toys today can be very expensive.
No matter what kind of toy you decide to buy, many of them are overpriced and extremely expensive — especially when it comes to toys that children will eventually outgrow playing with.
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Sometimes, people decide to go the “original” route and make something that’s handmade.
That way, the gift can be unique and special.
While handmade gifts are sentimental and hold a great deal of value, not everyone sees them that way. In fact, some people see handmade gifts as “tacky” and cheap.
Recently on Reddit, one mom shared the story of how her handmade gift was deemed “tacky” by another parent.
The mom shared that she had become skilled in crocheting and had even begun making her own patterns and designs. With the products looking so great, she began making handmade crocheted jumpers for kids as birthday gifts.
The mom makes each original item specially for each kid.
“I always check with the birthday child’s parents for clothing size and favourite character/animal/whatever so the child will like the sweater,” she explained on the Reddit post.
The mom also shared that she usually gets warm praise and affectionate responses over the jumpers.
Many parents swoon over the thoughtfulness that goes into making the jumper and the kids, of course, love having something made specially for them.
However, it seems that not everyone likes thoughtful, handmade gifts.
“A friend of mine (unrelated to the party in any way) and I were talking and I mentioned my daughter getting to go to a birthday party for the first time since all the craziness started this year,” she said.
Apparently, the friend said the sweater was a bad idea.
“She looked me dead in the eye and said, ‘You’re not making a sweater this time are you?’ I was hurt and asked what she meant,” the mom wrote.
The friend made it seem as though the mom “couldn’t afford” a gift.
“She went on to say how it’s really tacky to bring a handmade present and if I can’t afford a present I shouldn’t let my daughter go. I didn’t know how to respond,” she added.
In reality, the gift costs money and time!
The mom shared that the jumper actually costs $80 to make and takes two weeks to complete — which equals her time and money.
The mom asked the Reddit community if she was wrong, or her friend.
“I always enjoyed giving children something unique and special that’s made just for them. Now I’m confused is it really tacky? Or is it thoughtful like I thought,” she asked the website.
People online said that this friend is so wrong and out of line and that the mom should totally cut her out of her life.
“That’s some homegrown bull[expletive] right there,” said another. “You’d get off cheaper and easier if you went and bought an overpriced piece of plastic. You keep doing what you’re doing. And when it comes time to present that ‘friend’ with a gift, make sure she gets an overpriced piece of plastic,” one person wrote.
Many said it’s her friend who is the tacky one.
“This friend of yours is the one being tacky thinking a store-bought plastic gift is any better than a gift you made yourself and so much thought [and] love went into it.
“Your gift is something the parents will cherish and keep, not throw away after it breaks after playing with it twice,” they wrote.
Other people commented, saying hand-made gifts are so special.
“If someone [hand-crocheted] my daughter a sweater for her birthday, that would be something that I keep forever and then allow her to give to her child.
“That handcrafted stuff is always such an amazing thing to give! Especially since they’re one of a kind patterns and tailored to the child. Makes me tear up a bit thinking of a kid unwrapping such a cool gift,” a Reddit user said.
Another pointed out that handmade gifts are often the most treasured of all.
“Hand making sweaters for kids and their special days is so sweet! [It’s] really thoughtful and definitely not tacky at all. The homemade gifts are often the most treasured,” someone else added.
Many people pointed out that her friend seemed a bit materialistic.
Some people on the thread said that this woman’s friend seemed to be more interested in the material items than the meaning behind them, which sets a “poor example” for her kids.
People encouraged the mom to keep making her handmade sweaters.
“If someone knitted my kids an $80 blanket I’d probably cry of joy. There really is nothing like a nice homemade gift,” added another user.
What do you think? Are homemade gifts “tacky” or is it the thought that counts?
h/t Kidspot
