I used to give my friend's kid a $20 bill for his birthday every year, but this time I saw his mom just put it in her purse without letting him have it.

Honestly, it felt wrong because I gave it for him to pick out a toy or something fun. I stopped doing cash gifts after that and now just bring a small present instead. Is it overstepping to ask a parent to make sure a gift actually goes to the kid?

4 comments

4 Comments

roberts.anna1mo ago

Ever feel like you're just funding a parent's coffee habit? I switched to toys after a similar thing, lmao.

anna_ellis881mo ago

What's the worst gift cash grab you've seen?

hall.joel6d ago

My buddy got his nephew a crisp $50 bill for his tenth birthday. The kid was so pumped, talking about a new video game. Two days later, my friend sees the mom post a brand new designer candle on her socials, caption said "treating myself with birthday money." He was so mad, the gift was totally for the kid, not her home decor. Now he only buys physical gifts the kid asks for.

the_troy1mo ago

Saw my niece's birthday cash go straight into a grocery envelope once. Felt like I just paid for milk and eggs instead of a cool new book for her. Now I buy those gift cards for the movie theater or the ice cream shop down the street. The kid gets the fun, and the parent can't just take it.