Gifts that force recipient to spend lots of money?
3Background: My folks bought my son a freestanding basketball goal. I do not want it in front of my house because… reasons. Instead, in order to let my son enjoy his gift, I have to spend thousands on building an asphalt half-court.
Today is their anniversary, and my day for revenge.
What gift can I get them that will cost them many, many times more than what I spend?
Ground rules:
- No animals
- No gift cards/certificates
- 25 comments, 17 replies
- Comment
A Mediterranean or other European cruise but no plane tickets. If that’s too rich for your blood, look at Groupon getaways for weekend vacations in the US in your price range, but far from where you live.
Couple’s retreat in the Poconos, $99 night
https://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-bk-cove-haven-resort-38
Romantic getaway in Texas wine country, 2 nights for 2 $269
https://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-serenity-farmhouse-inn-resort-5
@moondrake Not enough maintenance or recurring expenses.
@moondrake Good ideas, but they could just choose not to go. I wonder if there’s some landscaping feature that they “must” have… They already have a pool and a koi pond.
@JerseyFrank A time share.
Another grandchild. (Technically may be considered an animal, but…)
@cinoclav
That comes with long term “at home” expenses, doesn’t it?
@JerseyFrank
How about just punishing them by whining endlessly about the cost without ceasing?
@f00l It does but what he spends on the child is up to him.
A tablet that needs a cell network
Satellite Radio. My brother got me that as a gift with a 3 month subscription. Once I went to the trouble of installing it, got hooked on the content, I was forced to spend money on a yearly subscription.
Worst part – it’s in my wife’s car so I don’t even get to enjoy it.
Tell them you’re divorcing and discovering your ‘other side’. That should lead to untold monies spent on therapy.
A brand new used RV. Guaranteed to bankrupt them.
One of those single serve coffee makers. Over the life they will spend far more on coffee (in terms of Price per pound). Yet the gift still looks thoughtful.
How about you gift them a class for a hobby that they can do together, like glass blowing or doll making or quilting. Seems harmless at first, but they are crazy expensive hobbies. My coworker quilts, and they end up costing her hundreds of dollars to see to completion.
@ConAndLibrarian
Amish and Mennonite quits sell for thousands, sometimes lots of thousands, around here.
I don’t know if people not associated with those communities can get those sorts of prices, unless they are astonishing visual designers with great workmanship, or if they develop a strong individual reputation.
@f00l Etsy quilts are mostly in the $200 range
@Kidsandliz
They have these enormous quilt auctions or sales here and in Florida, at least; people I know have bought Mennonite or Amish quilts both places.
I have never been to one, but have been told over $1000 is quite common.
Are the quilts you mention on Etsy Amish or Mennonite quilts, or no? I think the aura of a legit cultural association to a classic traditional lifestyle can jack up the prices.
@f00l I live in PA, and Amish/Mennonite quilts, sold in the in their own stores, aren’t that expensive.
I also quilt, and including fabric, thread, batting, and quilting, it’s only $200-300 for a king size. If I included my time at my current hourly, it would jump to over $3000…but I am not a fast quilter.
a boat!
Gift certificate for animals
Is there a super-amazing version of something they like you could get, which will make them unable to tolerate the cheaper versions anymore?
Why not buy them a Juicero?
You should be able to get a good deal now, and if you want to use it, you pay for a monthly juice subscription (or a big upfront yearly fee).
A membership card somewhere fancy?
A big donation from them to a charity?
Tell them your kid is now interested in a different, more expensive sport (maybe ice hockey, or professional gaming w/ the mandatory equipment upgrades every year).
Pool pump and filter.
So far I like the boat, the RV, and the idea that the kids is now into a much more expensive sports that requires bi-weekly private lessons and daily practice that they really need to spring for.
If the kids gets into golf, perhaps they could buy him private lessons, a wonderful set of titanium clubs or similar, and buy your whole family a nice golf/tennis/swim/social club membership.
Sounds reasonable to me. ; )
One of my groomsmen bought me tickets to a music festival as a wedding gift…a music festival on the east coast. I live near Los Angeles. It will be a week of food, booze, transportation, lodging for the first night, and plane tickets. Also time off work.
/giphy get them a timeshare
@connorbush but to somewhere terrible
@JerseyFrank Put the hoop up at their house. Kid can visit, eat them out of house and home, and bounce the ball at all hours. You can present it as getting to watch him enjoy the gift they chose. Bonus for you getting the quiet adult time.
@speediedelivery they live over an hour away.
@JerseyFrank
I’d say the kid might need to spend a lot of time at their house then. Perhaps he outta practically live there a lot.
Hmm… when I was a kid, we just had to use a part of the side yard for basketball. Just needs a little over-inflation of a cheap ball and it works alright. Plus, you get better at ball-control because of the random bounces you get off the turf.
/giphy grass basketball court
@thejackalope
/giphy giphy is weird.
@Pantheist
/giphy YES!
I just couldn’t pass it up.
A boat. Most any kind of boat, but larger and inboard and open water are all pretty much guaranteed to cost them money.
Sailing lessons
Do they show the koi? Would they want to get into it if introduced?
Show quality Japanese koi = thousands just to buy, many more to raise and show.
@Mavyn I think they would. Do you mean that they’d make thousands or spend?
@JerseyFrank Spend. Making money requires years of establishing yourself as a breeder and investing thousands in brood stock and facilities to raise fry.
You could also suggest they setup a reef aquarium.
Really fancy wine cellar/refrigerator thing. A big one.
@medz Bought a wine fridge for my mother years ago. It was definitely incentive for her to buy more wine to stock it (and to drink). Definitely not a bad idea if they’ll use it.
What about buying them gift certificates and discount coupons to a bunch of attractions in NZ and Australia?
Movie tickets, but no popcorn voucher.
will definitely break the bank and eat into your inheritance.
Another thought, SCUBA lessons, or gear.
Got it!
A printer with no ink.