HAHA Pulling My Uncles "gift idea" on MY grandchildren tonite...

ambro51 · December 24, 2011 3:47AM

I still remember it.

My two cousins, and myself...were waiting with anticipation of the 'special gift' that their dad had made...my uncle, and when it came out...It was a box with a hole in the top.

you reached in, and inside a ball of newspaper..was a COIN .. not, you know, the 1804 dollar, just a half dollar, quarter, a dollar bill here and there

rule was you had to wait your turn, reach in, grab one, get it out, unwrap it , take it across the room and get in line for the next shot...

It was agonizing memorable fun that fifty years later I still remember that day. My cousin Fred got more money than me boo hooo

so now my four grandchildren (girls, 16 to 3) set loose on this box, now filled with balls of news paper, in which, are fifty brand new dollar coins, twenty two dollar bills, three Bicen Ikes, three kennedy half..(none to be found in my town).......

This is gonna be fun!!

OldEastside · December 24, 2011 3:52AM

That is a wonderful Idea, and perhaps the girls will
do it again in 2061 or sooner

Steve

WTCG · December 24, 2011 3:55AM

Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family.

RGJohn · December 24, 2011 4:04AM

I think that's a lovely tradition to help establish.
May we others 'borrow' it please?
Merry Christmas.

Absolution · December 24, 2011 4:06AM

Haha that idea is pretty cool. Might have to use that on my kids when they grow up!

ambro51 · December 24, 2011 4:08AM

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family >>

thanks.

My Wife (aka Santa) does 90% of it....

WTCG · December 24, 2011 4:41AM

<< 

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family >>

thanks.

My Wife (aka Santa) does 90% of it.... >>

That's not a compliment. In a few years when the girls drive cars and need extra money they'll learn the hard way those coins grandpa gave them years ago are worth only face value or a bit over face value. It'll take them a little time to figure that out but once that stuff hits the fan you'll experience that bitterness and resentment faster than you can say "tightwad".

A box of crayons would go farther with the girls. At least they'd be put to productive use.

PerryHall · December 24, 2011 4:48AM

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family. >>

PonyExpress8 · December 24, 2011 5:35AM

What a fun gift tradition passed down in your family. Merry Christmas Ambro51 to you and your family.

littlebear · December 24, 2011 6:03AM

<< 

<< 

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family >>

thanks.

My Wife (aka Santa) does 90% of it.... >>

That's not a compliment. In a few years when the girls drive cars and need extra money they'll learn the hard way those coins grandpa gave them years ago are worth only face value or a bit over face value. It'll take them a little time to figure that out but once that stuff hits the fan you'll experience that bitterness and resentment faster than you can say "tightwad".

A box of crayons would go farther with the girls. At least they'd be put to productive use. >>

OUCH! I would hope that the tradition and fun of the moment would mean more than if expensive rarities were used. As we get older, we remember that the memories far exceed the monetary value of a gift. Merry Christmas.................

Larry L.

GoldClause · December 24, 2011 6:16AM

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family. >>

ricko · December 24, 2011 6:19AM

Interesting...would make a fun Christmas Eve game.... Cheers, RickO

ambro51 · December 24, 2011 6:24AM

Well Locked and Loaded! $97 in coins and $2 bills wrapped in little balls of newspaper... In a gift wrapped box with a hole on top! When they're done I'll ask them if they would have rather had a box of crayons.

grip · December 24, 2011 6:30AM

<< 

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family >>

thanks.

My Wife (aka Santa) does 90% of it.... >>

LMAO............ZOOOOM it's a plane

NotSure · December 24, 2011 6:55AM

you reached in, and inside a ball of newspaper..was a COIN .. not, you know, the 1804 dollar, just a half dollar, quarter, a dollar bill here and there

I don't see it as being a prime motivator to get them into coin collecting, per se...I see it simply as 'Xmas money', simply for spending (not having to ask mom and dad for $$), and not 'collector coins/currency'. I see it as an 'extra' gift, where the challenge is to see who can luck out enough and get the most $$.

Besides, if one is 16 already, she WILL be needing 'spending cash' for the mall, gas money (soon!!!).

I think it's a great idea for the 'eve before the holiday'....how many kids ask 'can I/we open just ONE gift tonight?' Kinda like an Easter egg hunt, AND the 'one gift' thing.....I'm sure you'll get looks when it comes to the 'deuces' and Ikes, but other than that.....great idea, and very cool to bring back that tradition....they'll be cutting the line before you know it...good thing there are only four of them, and all girls at that, as with boys, well, it could get a little rough with the line cutting!!!

66Tbird · December 24, 2011 6:57AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family >>

thanks.

My Wife (aka Santa) does 90% of it.... >>

That's not a compliment. In a few years when the girls drive cars and need extra money they'll learn the hard way those coins grandpa gave them years ago are worth only face value or a bit over face value. It'll take them a little time to figure that out but once that stuff hits the fan you'll experience that bitterness and resentment faster than you can say "tightwad".

A box of crayons would go farther with the girls. At least they'd be put to productive use. >>

OUCH! I would hope that the tradition and fun of the moment would mean more than if expensive rarities were used. As we get older, we remember that the memories far exceed the monetary value of a gift. Merry Christmas.................

Larry L.

>>

The tradition of fun for the moment during the holiday does mean more than the practicality of the gift. If the teenage girls think Grandpa's a tightwad years later then there are bigger issues than the value grandpas gifts. Which I'm sure the gift of odd coinage would of long been gone by 'car' time. Hopefully by then they'll know that extra money means extra work. Unless they are 'trust fund kids' or 'silver platter served from birth' then all bets are off.

mustanggt · December 24, 2011 7:11AM

Sounds like fun, enjoy......

johnny9434 · December 25, 2011 5:24AM

<< Sounds like cheapskate runs in the family. >>

or sings like the birds cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap lol i had an uncle whos picture was next to the word cheapskate to

Broadstruck · December 25, 2011 5:42AM

Wow WTCG... Sorry that the grinch who stole christmas pooped in your breakfast cereal this morning

Mar327 · December 25, 2011 6:00AM

Well, I like it! There's a lot more to Christmas than monetary motive/future gains. Most of my grandkids are too young and rowdy for this, but in a few years it or something similar might work! It's all about memories! At Easter we hide lots of eggs with (non-collectible) nickels, dimes, quarters and Hershey kisses in them, so everyone gets both cash and sweets - this is very much like that.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

comma · December 25, 2011 6:06AM

Awesome idea ambro!! I don't have grandkids yet (or kids), but when I do, this is going to happen as soon as it can!

And whoever WTCG is, if he's serious, must be a very very lonely person today if that is his/her attitude.
It's Christmas, jeez.

ambro51 · December 25, 2011 6:26AM

WELL That was great fun! those kids really really enjoyed it. totally. even the little one, age 3...she was on fire and found all three Ikes ! I GOT A BIG ONE! haha..yes it was a blast, took awhile and they all got really revved up...at one point my daughter (their mother) said JULIA Calm down!! Julia says ITS MONEY AND WERE BROKE ....the income potential of many 11 year olds includes christmas. Each got roughly $20 out of the deal, and yes, fairly inexpensive as gifts go but it was an experience theyll long remember.

and you know, these are semi numismatic, $2 bills Unc Garfield dollars, bicen Ikes and halves....may plant a seed yet.

when they were all done I asked them if they'd rather had a box of crayons, and they all said NO

Cameonut · December 25, 2011 6:36AM

<< when they were all done I asked them if they'd rather had a box of crayons, and they all said NO

>>

I'm glad all had a good time - I'd bet crayons would have been a bust.

TexasNationals · December 25, 2011 6:57AM

Very well done, mind not WTCG, sounds like he got a wreath (and not a cent) shoved up his arse or he needs gas money and tried to cash in his collection of Bie Ikes and Pres. Dollars and this is still fresh and stings.

Edit: My grandfather did a similar thing with myself and my brother and we both still love him though my brother never picked the hobby up, but rest assured his resentful feelings have resided over the years to a low, gentle burn.

gonzer · December 25, 2011 7:22AM

Nice gesture Ambro, although I do have a question...is there a reason that you used upper case letters in "My Wife"?

OldEastside · December 25, 2011 7:38AM

Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas Eve
that you will always remember, oh and trust me the girls will
always remember it as well

Steve

Bochiman · December 25, 2011 8:13AM

Ambro,

Glad it went well, and I can imagine it would be fun for many kids (of varying ages).
Like others have said, it's the experience, it's the extra money sure, but it's the experience.
If they like the different coins, and that motivates them, then great. if they see them as money and spend them, that's cool too.

We (extended family) and I have done similar things at different times and the kids have all enjoyed it. It's the thrill. It's the game. And, it's money.

Those that called you "cheapskate" or thought the kids would like something else, obviously haven't done things like this with their kids or had it done when they were kids (as you mentioned your uncle did with you guys). Sad for them that they had to comment so negatively.

PerryHall · December 25, 2011 8:44AM

<< Nice gesture Ambro, although I do have a question...is there a reason that you used upper case letters in "My Wife"?

>>

She has him well trained.

DieClash · December 25, 2011 8:54AM

This was a fun read. And thanks for sharing the outcome!

Merry Christmas!

Kirk

HAHA Pulling My Uncles "gift idea" on MY grandchildren tonite...

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HAHA Pulling My Uncles &quot;gift idea&quot; on MY grandchildren tonite...

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HAHA Pulling My Uncles "gift idea" on MY grandchildren tonite...