I think you did the right thing and it sounds to me like your SS might be a little on the spoiled side. How old is he? If you had chipped in, not only would it have been unfair to your SD's and your son (who didn't get anything), it would also not have taught him the value of money. With him only having the $15 to spend, he had to learn to spend it wisely, like his sisters did. If there's a toy out there that your SS really wants but can't afford, explain to him that he needs to save the money (from allowance or future gift cards) so that he will have enough to buy the more expensive toy.

No you shouldn't have added on to the gift cards, you're right, gratitude is what they should be feeling. DH responded with a sigh because he probably doesn't like any conflict especially during a lunch break phone call. How old is your SS? I think when your DH has a chance to think on it he will hear your voice of reason. I bet if you had just told him you'll discuss it when he got home he would have had a chance to relax and see your point.

One of the many reasons I personally hate giftcards--I NEVER buy or spend them! Most people know better than to give me one because I just regift them--but only as part of an additional present. I'll only gift a present for shopping to a kid or elderly relative on a fixed income, and then I send CASH! (in the form of a check, of course)

A giftcard from Target's not so bad because it's not really someplace you have to make a special trip to go to, but cards all the ONLY present my SDs stepdad's family gave them for EVERYTHING, and every single card was for a different place! All little out of the way "boutique" shops, and each individual card was never enough to really buy ANYTHING they wanted there. They would come back with nothing but 20 of those stupid cards, leaving me "on the hook" to help them out.

Did I chip in? Yes, but only because I then deducted it, not from their allowance because we didn't give them one, but rather from their salary! They both worked for me helping out in my business, which they volunteered for and enjoyed because I paid them far better than their friends made working at McDonald's, Wal-Mart, etc.

To teach them the value of money, for big ticket items such as computers, cameras, and other electronics they had to thoroughly shop for the "best deal" and present the results of their research in excel spreadsheet format.

They now budget and manage their money very well.

Funny you posted this now!

My DH's dad sent SS and my DD each a $25 gift card to Toys R Us. Today, DH has to work ( until 8 pm, arrgghhh!) and so I am with the kids all day.

My DD has an acting class this AM and Toys R Us is just down the street from there. While she's at acting class, I am taking SS to spend his gift card, and then when DD is finished with class, we'll go again.

Anyway, DH JUST finished telling the kids that the gift card is IT---that it is their responsibility to find something within the budget, or else they need to bring extra money from their banks to chip in.

I think you did the right thing and your DH is just being a typical guy, wanting to avoid any sort of conflict.

You did the right thing and DH should have been supportive. He could have taken the kids shopping, what would he have done? Would he have let just one kid go over while the others stayed within the limit? Or would he have let them all go over?

On the issue of gift cards, a salesman was in my office last week. He was trying to get me to sign up with his company to run credit cards. Part of his sales pitch included that some of the machines accept gift cards and told me that, I think it was 15 or 20 percent, of all gift cards are never redeemed. He told me that's pure profit.

I've always had a problem with giving a store my cash money before I get anything in return for it. Then, when you use the gift card, they would not want to give you cash back if you don't spend the full value of the card so you would either have to go over and spend more cash, or leave a few dollars on the card... I remember having to add a snickers bar to use up the rest of a card. I think the laws have changed and they now have to give cash back if you have less than a certain dollar amount on the card. Wal Mart has a policy that they don't advertise. If you have a gift card from Wal Mart and want to trade it for cash, they have to. (unless they changed their company policy in the last two years) They may say they don't do that, but the company policy is that they do.

Gift cards are the DEVIL!

You did the right thing.
Last year my skids recieved 25$ gift card from my sister in law for toyrus.
We went and told them the limit as well. SD remained in her limit and SS also pulled this move and wanted something 5$ more or 10$ and complaining in front of his dad and me...lol..my Dh said , that is the limit and if you dont like it and dont want to buy anything then Sd can have the rest of the money since you dont appreciate this nice gift.
We bought their gift also at xmas and told him that this gift was 25$ ...no more.
I think its a child lesson for all .

You did the right thing. DH didn't want to hear the conflict probably. Yeah, chipping in the extra $5 might have seemed easier but then what about all of the other kids involved, where was the fairness to them?

Gift cards are not that great for all of the reasons above. The old gift certificates they replaced were better since you got cash back from them. If I have to give a gift card, I give the VISA or American Express ones that can be used anywhere. Target was good as a choice since it's not usually a special trip, but I avoid everything else. When I get them they sometimes sit unused.

you did the right thing, they had gift cards, they bought stuff and there was no need for you to chip in. not like you don't spend enough on the kids. next time send your Dh shopping wiht kids, see how he will feel when they ask for stuff. don't feel bad, you did the right thing