My oldest nephew (via DNA) celebrates number 17 today. At least he doesn’t have to go to school during the four-day break. Maybe it’s longer. A friend of mine who specializes in education law stuff said Texas schools extended the school days by 10 minutes to get the whole week off. It seems that our backwards Science-denying SBOE still knows how to do math for spurious goals.
Last year we scored him a gift certificate to a local skateboard shop. He sent us a photo of what he bought with the money. Now if I could only find it.
I’m waiting for his response to see what we can cover this year. Nick was enormous help this Summer when it came to picking a gift for his sister Anna. I should throw in an extra few bucks as a reward.
He is at the tough age like his father. Teenagers only want money. I was guilty of the same attitude because 90 percent of the adults in my life were clueless about my tastes or preferences. The parents, oh they knew, they just felt what I liked was “impractical.”
This just in, he answered my SMS…he’s in Hawaii, flying back today. There’s a kick-ass Thanksgiving break for the ages. Nick did say he went surfing for a day. He’s definitely turning into a California kid. I’ve asked for pictures through e-mail. Today’s teens callously forget adults have to pay the data surcharges when they send photos over SMS.
OK, I want to cover a nice gift. Money is sweet but it it’s shallow, thoughtless. I like to hunt down something I know the recipient, especially children, will enjoy and remember. They don’t need to recall me who gave it to them. No! Remember all the fun, delight and whatever something gave them. Cash can work toward it, sure. Odds are against it.
The other aspect toward nailing a present which is spot on is how you “get” the recipient. I’m not the cool relative, I’m just the one who is trying and wants to help nurse their passions, even if it’s an interest I’m baffled by. Nick is the example here. I have no clue about skateboards. I know who Tony Hawk is yet I have a feeling he’s “ancient history” to my nephew. The guy is near my age. I’m also not a super fan of skater culture. When I was in college, we called those kids skate rats and many were dicks. However, it’s Nick’s thing, plus I know he’s not a jerk, Brian would straighten out any mean behavior, so I can get behind it.
Happy birthday Nick!