**UPDATE** #43 Would you spend $50 on a Christmas present that would be loved, but used for a... - Page 3

[Lisa1970]

I voted no. This is because I do have a son who swallows books. Unless it would be loved books that others would read or she would hold on to to reread in the future, I would say check them out from the library or get them used at least. I had to give away more than half our books around here when there just was not enough room for them all. I had put up a few extra shelves and needed even more and finally had to concede that the library is a great thing and we would simply need to use that. We donated the books to the library that we decided to not keep. 

[CatsCradle]

Playing the devil's advocate here but I see a some responses recommending that money could be spent on something with "lasting effect."  What does that mean, lasting effect?  Does it have to be a physical object that must have a long physical life?  Are tickets to a play not something with lasting effect?  How about a paint kit that gets used and then the materials are gone?  What about a coloring book?  What about a one-time pottery class?  A trip to the museum and dinner afterward?  All these things have very short term lives, yet their impact can be great.  

One of the best gifts I ever received in my youth were tickets to a Broadway musical.  Expensive by those time's standards?  Yes.  But it set the stage (no pun intended) for the rest of my creative life.  It wasn't something that I could physically put on a shelf and take down from time to time.  It was the acquisition of knowledge and ideas and exposure to music and dance and all things theatrical.

That being said, ultimately, OP, if I were going to spend money on books for a child, I would spend it on reference books.  I find that a child can use these for a very long time, and if getting your money's worth is important, then that may be the route to go.  I would never think that books are a bad investment, but you may want to consider the type of books.

[LynnS6]

**UPDATE**

Well, I searched on Ebay and got a set for $25 + $4 shipping. THAT I can live with. And she'll be really surprised, since it wasn't on her list. (Her list consisted of: Playmobil and Webkinz.) I'm glad, because I'm pretty sure this will be her last year for full-on Santa enthusiasm. (She's read two books that should have given the secret away, so I think that cognitively, she knows, but emotionally, she wants to believe.)

[emilysmama]

Originally Posted by LynnS6 

**UPDATE**

Well, I searched on Ebay and got a set for $25 + $4 shipping. THAT I can live with. And she'll be really surprised, since it wasn't on her list. (Her list consisted of: Playmobil and Webkinz.) I'm glad, because I'm pretty sure this will be her last year for full-on Santa enthusiasm. (She's read two books that should have given the secret away, so I think that cognitively, she knows, but emotionally, she wants to believe.)

That's great! $25 is much better than $50.  Your dd will be so excited.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Awesome!!  You'll have to let us know how surprised she is, and if she's excited about it when she opens them on x-mas!

[pianojazzgirl]

Great update mama!  I bet opening that gift will be one of those magical childhood Christmas moments.  :)