I want money, that's what I want

[venta]

Help me, o LJ.

Next week is the birthday of a small girl of my acquaintance. She'll be 6.

I haven't seen her in a year, and am not sure what she'd like (requests for advice from parents have not yet produced results). Last year she was all about pink stuff and craft supplies. However, shopping is a bit difficult at present, so I'm tempted by the idea of sending her money or a voucher.

If one is turning 6, what voucher would suit? Where would one wish to shop? Am I overestimating the consumer-awareness of today's kids? It was all book tokens in my day, but I don't think she's a huge reader. I'm not sure whether she has an iThing, so don't know if iTunes is the right answer.

Comments

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

I asked Judith, who wasn't really sure of vouchers, but when asked which shops she likes, said Toys R Us. Of course, she may not have a Toys R Us near her, but presumably any toyshop would do.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Please thank Judith for her answers :)

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Book tokens are still a thing...

[venta.livejournal.com]

I didn't actually know they still existed, but am very pleased!

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

I tend to send some money, what my grandchildren call *spends* are always welcome. I know it's a risk to post so I put the birthday card envelope into a dull looking brown envelope and so far the spends have always got there.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Useful advice, thank you!

[venta.livejournal.com]

I went for cash, and it made it there :)

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

Book tokens are what my nephew and niece (now 9 and 7) ask for and have been getting for some time now; WHSmith vouchers cover a lot of bases; Amazon vouchers are awesome (if you know the parents have accounts, which is probably 85% of the population now, but check); actual hard cash is not to be underestimated (though can lead to obscene gloating for brief moments).

[shermarama]

I was going to say I've been going to WHSmith to buy the books I've been giving to my nieces, now 7 and 4, and since they have other things like games and activity kits too, that seems like a useful option. (Although still check there is one near them.)

[venta.livejournal.com]

There is definitely a Smiths, yes!

[shermarama]

Small pedantic anecdote I can no longer prevent myself telling: back when I were a lass, I lived in Wigan and went to school twenty miles away in Southport. Southport had a WHSmiths but Wigan didn't, because it had a big independent stationer's, called Smiths of Wigan. Sometimes school stuff would come up that we were told could be bought at WHSmiths, which us in Wigan couldn't get because we only had Smiths. Therefore WHSmiths and Smiths are, in my head, definitely not the same thing :)

[venta.livejournal.com]

That seems an eminently reasonable distinction! I actually grew up calling it WH Smugs (or just Smugs), but I think that might just be a family weirdness!

[venta.livejournal.com]

Ooh, hadn't thought of Amazon or Smiths, good call!

[exspelunca.livejournal.com]

If the 6-y-o is who I think she is, a reminder that our Toys 'R' Us is now a Brighter Homes and Lamb's recently closed. Our WHS is still extant and has a wide range for its size. Yellow Pages claims there is a Toys 'R' Us on Teesside Park. However, Alan Y's Emily was tickled pink with some money to be taken to spend when she was similar age.

[venta.livejournal.com]

You're correct :) I didn't know Toys R Us had shut, and I'm horrified that Lamb's went into administration :(

Good to know Smiths is still there! Think Smiths or cash is probably the way to go.

[dr-bob.livejournal.com]

Argos is the other option, as the experience of ploughing through the catalogue is an adventure in itself for a 6 year old..

[venta.livejournal.com]

I concede I had forgotten the fun of the Argos catalogue!

[venta.livejournal.com]

I went for cash in the end, mostly due to realising I was out of time for voucher-organising. I put a note in the card explaining that I'd hurt my knees and couldn't walk to the shops, but that she should choose something herself.

Apparently said small girl declared her intention of buying me an Ocado delivery with it, since I can't go to the shops. Which is rather lovely of her. I believe her Mum is trying to convince her that I will be happy with a "thank you" and that she should spend it on something for herself...