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What to do about valuable gift of collectible doll received as birthday present from family friend?
Our daughter recently celebrated her birthday and received many wonderful gifts. One in particular, though, has raised some questions from us, and I'd love your feedback.
The gift is a collectible doll that we've learned could be worth $200 or more. The person who gave it to our daughter is a family friend we've known for about 7 years. She's married, with 2 children, and isn't poor but isn't rich either. Though we don't see them often, we have a great relationship with her family. However, she and her husband aren't the 'God parents' to our daughter. So I feel a little uncomfortable accepting such a valuable gift, and our daughter is having a hard time understanding or accepting that she can't take it out of the box and play with it like her other dolls.
At first, I wondered if it was a knock-off (which would make me feel better about the gift and would change the no-play policy). However, it's authentic: she got it at a private school auction fundraiser. While likely bought at a steal of a price, I still suspect she spent far more than our group of friends typically spends on each others' children.
I sent a gushing Thank You note (and thanked in person), but wonder if I should do more? What do you suggest? I'm not in a position to reciprocate by spending hundreds of dollars on her children, but am considering selling the doll, giving half of the money to my daughter and half to our friend. Would that be rude? How else could we handle this?
In Topics:
Parenting / Our Family, Friendships and peer relationships, Family fun / holiday celebrations
The gift is a collectible doll that we've learned could be worth $200 or more. The person who gave it to our daughter is a family friend we've known for about 7 years. She's married, with 2 children, and isn't poor but isn't rich either. Though we don't see them often, we have a great relationship with her family. However, she and her husband aren't the 'God parents' to our daughter. So I feel a little uncomfortable accepting such a valuable gift, and our daughter is having a hard time understanding or accepting that she can't take it out of the box and play with it like her other dolls.
At first, I wondered if it was a knock-off (which would make me feel better about the gift and would change the no-play policy). However, it's authentic: she got it at a private school auction fundraiser. While likely bought at a steal of a price, I still suspect she spent far more than our group of friends typically spends on each others' children.
I sent a gushing Thank You note (and thanked in person), but wonder if I should do more? What do you suggest? I'm not in a position to reciprocate by spending hundreds of dollars on her children, but am considering selling the doll, giving half of the money to my daughter and half to our friend. Would that be rude? How else could we handle this?
> 60 days ago
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Best Answer!
what's this?from a fellow member
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Additional Answers (2)
I believe folks today give what they want to give and they don't expect anything in return. You don't know if the item was a re-gift, purchased on clearance or even something that they didn't like having around. You really don't know if the item was valuable to them or not. What's more, I believe that once someone has given you a gift it's yours to do with what you want. I would do exactly as you have and thank them. From there on out, I believe it's your perogative to do with the item as you wish - even if that means selling it.
> 60 days ago
Sligthly deviating from the topic...
When it's an item that is not age approriate, my mom usually holds onto the gifts until my sister is old enough. For example, when she was a baby, she received jewelry that she was not old enough to wear (choking hazard, etc.) Now that she is older, she is able to enjoy and appreciate her present without the family worrying that she will hurt herself.
When it's an item that is not age approriate, my mom usually holds onto the gifts until my sister is old enough. For example, when she was a baby, she received jewelry that she was not old enough to wear (choking hazard, etc.) Now that she is older, she is able to enjoy and appreciate her present without the family worrying that she will hurt herself.
> 60 days ago
