A recent “Dear Abby” column in my local newspaper entitled “Gifts for grandchildren can be fun and practical” reminded me of my family and why I’ve cut down on gifts this year.
I remember one year when she was 4. She had opened the box containing the Sponge Bob hat with brightly colored yarn tassels. She plopped it on her head and started running around the dining room table. My bichon frise Sparky followed her, trying to get the hat. He’d chase her and she’d turn around and chase him. And then the hat fell over her eyes and she couldn’t see. She couldn’t get that hat off her head fast enough to throw it on the floor—and then she and Sparky continued playing. It was great entertainment while it lasted. Not so practical after all.
At the end of the evening, as she was leaving, she motioned me to bend down to her level so she could whisper in my ear. “Thank you for all my presents, but Grannie Annie, but didn’t you ever hear of toys?” I looked at her, smiled and said, “Yes dear, that’s what Santa’s for.”
As she is getting older, I’ve given this some serious thought. I don’t think she ever wore that hat again; I had wasted my money.
What else had I wasted my money on? What could I do that would be meaningful to her? I thought about opening a 529 college plan, but then I decided to go to my credit union at work. I have an account for myself and I thought I would open up a separate joint account for the two of us and have money taken out weekly for her—even $10 a week amounts to $520 per year and college is still many years away. Every little bit will help. And the funds won’t be restricted like with a 529.
Not a toy, but a good bet for her future.
