Socks and Underwear as a gift?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
United States
November 21, 2008 8:33pm CST
Would you give anyone, like your children, socks and underwear as a christmas gift, especially if it was something they needed?My kids go through socks like there is no tomorrow, so I do end up giving them socks as a gift. I will also give them underwear. Actually it seems to be a running theme in my house, I have a picture from the last 3 years of my oldest holding up the underwear he recieved as a gift. 3 years ago they were tighty withies as he calls them, but that was the year he decided he didn't like them anymore and wanted to be a boxer man. So I have a picture of him last year holding up his boxers.
I bought him boxers again this year, because he can never have enough. I also bought my 6 year old underwear, the character ones.
My daughter does not need underwear and the babies are still in diapers, but all 5 of the kids will be getting socks.
Granted they'll have a total of 11 gifts each (at least that's what I'm thinking at the moment, but it may be more), so they aren't getting ONLY socks and underwear.
Have you ever given or recieved socks and underwear?
6 people like this
23 responses
@camomom (7535)
• United States
22 Nov 08
As kids, My sister and I got socks and underwear every year for Christmas. We get his son socks and underwear for Christmas too, if needed. I think it's a normal gift for kids. I've also gotten my fiance underwear for Christmas if I notice that he needs them.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
My husband is forever needing socks, underwear, pajama pants, and work pants, so those are usually gifts at every holiday for him. Then I'll get him a couple extra things on top of that. Unfortunatly I can't get him much because I've already spent so much money on the kids.
This year I haven't even gotten started on him. I tried to buy him pajamas yesterday, but had already spent too much money, so I had to put them back. I did get my daughter's easy bake oven though.
1 person likes this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I haven't even thought of what to get my fiance yet. He, of course, says not to get him anything but I probably will.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
22 Nov 08
As a rule no I do not normally buy socks and undies as pressies I just buy them as they are needed. This year though I have bought my hubby and eldest son socks to go in their christmas stockings, only because I could think of nothing else instead! They need them anyway so it will not be too bad and they will get a bit of something else!
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
22 Nov 08
Personally I wouldn't, I know when I was a kid I hated getting these things for Christmas, I prefer to give people something they really want and not need if I can...especially kids, i think they think in their little minds and underwear is what is normally provided, just my opinion...
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I see your point.. but as I said, they are getting a lot more than just underwear and socks. They're getting 1 outfit each, a pair of pajamas each, a book, and the rest will be toys that they will absolutely love. The oldest is getting a ps2 as well as some other toys, my daughter is getting an easy bake oven along with other toys. My 6 yr old son, I haven't decided his big gift yet, but so far he has a remote control car which he has wanted. So over all they'll love their gifts. The socks and underwear are just fillers I guess, lol.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I told my son tonight as I was looking at the holes in yet another pair of socks that he was getting nothing but socks for Christmas. He stuck his tongue out at me. He needs new socks, but he has plenty of underwear. He is really hard on his socks. I had to throw away 2 pairs last week. So, he will be getting at least one package of socks for Christmas.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
That's my boys too. My daughter honestly didn't even need new socks or underwear when school started, but we got her some anyways just because. But all of them got brand new socks and underwear when school started, and I believe I even got my oldest a package since school started, now the boys need new socks. My daughter is still fine, but I got her a small package anyways just to keep things even. I did not get her underwear though.
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
24 Nov 08
My daughter loves to get anything she would even love opeing a package of socks or underwear with the economy so bad this year I bet alot of kids will get things like that things that they need. I am lucky that my mom helped me out and gave me some money to buy Christmas presents with this year but I will probaly get my daughter some underwear anyways she is 5 and she loves Little Mermaid. My 12 year old would probaly cry if he got underwear though although he has gotten sleep boxers before with things he likes like wrestling characters.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
24 Nov 08
My kids don't necessarily like getting socks and underwear, but they need them. I've also decided my daughter is getting her ballet shoes that she needs as a Christmas gift. They're nearly $20, and that's difficult to afford when I'm trying to shop for Christmas.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
22 Nov 08
My grandkids always get socks along with clothes from us. I've even given them to our grown kids. They love socks. They like different kinds, so I have to be sure to get everyone the kind they like. Our granddaughter loves all kinds and colors, as long as they are the kind you can hardly see in your shoes. The boys also like those kinds, but they have specific socks they like - each of the 3 older boys. My other grandson wears the kind above his shoes. It can be tricky buying them socks. By the way, it's a running gift around here - buying undies for the boys! They love the picture kind, boxers, too. I think my son's 10 year old is the only one that will wear jockeys. So, I try to find a pattern kind for each of my daughter's boys, but I always have to find out what size, considering all but the oldest is still growing. That's one reason I hate to even buy them clothes. The soon-to-be 15 year old is smaller than the soon-to-be 13 year old, both in height and size. He may wear slim or he may wear regulars, according to when it is or what size he's in. 
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Yes, buying clothes for kids is ridiculous. Most of the time I get them used clothing, only because it's such a waste of money to buy them brand new things that they'll outgrow in a few months. They usually only get new clothes at holidays. But since they're my kids, I know exactly what size they're in today. The only thing I'm never sure on is shoe size. I only buy them shoes every 6 months or so, and it's usually a different size each time, so I always end up forgetting or not knowing if their feet have grown.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
My oldest goes through shoes like his feet are on fire, I swear. I just bought him a brand new pair in September for school, and already there are holes in the toes. So I bought him a new pair last week at the Salvation Army, $5 for Reebok, nice! Well hubby doesn't want him to destroy those, so he's only allowed to wear them for his sports, so he's still wearing holey toed shoes to school.
So yesterday I was at the Salvation Army again and found a pair of 7.5 size shoes and bought them for $4. I get them home and have him try them on, they're too tight. Turns out they're women's 7.5 not men's. Ugh! Good thing they were only $4.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Shoes for children are definitely tricky! You almost always have to have them with you to buy shoes. But last year, I went with my daughter and 3 of her kids to buy Christmas. She wanted to buy the 2 younger boys tennis shoes, so her daughter and I went where they had seen them and bought them. We didn't check to make sure they had the right size in both boxes - we trusted them. Well, we found out later, after the 14 year old had worn his, that he had one 1/2 size too small - yet he never told us! Just looking down at them, you couldn't tell it. Well, that was money lost, since he didn't wear them that much. Had he tried them on, we would have seen something wrong with the shoes.
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
23 Nov 08
My kids get socks and underwear nearly every year. I see Christmas as a time to give them things that they need along with a few things things they WANT. Gifts are nice when they are things that you just see as a bonus but it is also nice to know what I spend my hard earned money on will be used throughout the year.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Very true, my kids always get a decent balance of things they need and things they want. Sometimes the things they need are a bit expensive to buy on a whim, so that's when they would get it at Christmas or a birthday.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
23 Nov 08
My kids are adults now and I still buy them socks and underwear. My grandchildren also get socks and undies. They appreciate getting the new stuff. My oldest granddaughter gets red-faced when she opens her bras and quickly hides them behind her back!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
23 Nov 08
LOL, that's funny. I haven't had to buy bras as a gift yet... but give it a few years. My daughter is only 6 right now.
@silvergillies (65)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I know most kids hate it, but my family does it every year. When I was little I would get a pair of pajamas a pack of socks and a pack of underwear every year. I needed them, I had to have them anyway, why not wrap them and throw them under the tree. Now that I'm grown, I do the same for my little girl. She always gets a gown or pjs, pack of socks, and some undies. So I'm with you, why not give them an extra present under the tree.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Yep, it just adds to the stuff they get. I think it helps to keep them well grounded, you know. They aren't being spoiled by a ton of expensive gifts, because they're getting those things they groan over as well like socks and clothes and such.
I'll probably continue to do this until they've left the house, but maybe I'll still do it even then especially for the boys, until they have a wife who will buy the stuff for them.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I need new underwear, so I'm planning to ask for some for Christmas of my parents.
*shrugs* If the kid needs it, they need it. So what if it's not their favorite gift, there's more than one package for them under the tree isn't there?
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
That's right. I don't think it would be right if that were the only gift for them, but as long as they get other gifts it's fine. I have also asked for socks and underwear from my husband.
@sameroad (3179)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I have gotten both as gifts before and i have even asked for them as gifts.
I usually get some new clothes for christmas too but i always usually need them too.
I like getting new clothes! plus they are getting other stuff too. so it sounds like they will have a nice christmas! em]happy[/em] and your right, you can never have enough underwear and socks!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
My kids are rough on all their clothes, especially their socks. When I do laundry I end up throwing away more socks than I fold because they all have holes in them. Now I have a whole basket full of mis matched socks because they were either lost, or the partner was thrown away. I go through every few months and match what I can, and toss the rest.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I never got any clothes for Christmas except a bathing suit, because I was a swimmer and those are expensive. If I wanted to continue the sport I had to take one as a Christmas present, lol. Anyhow, otherwise they didn't believe in giving clothes. My MIL on the other hand gives socks and undies and what not each year. Never mind that we don't like them. Her choices are terrible and often the wrong size anyway, lol. I rather stick with my parents decision. My kids don't get that many presents anyway. But I can understand why you make it part of the Christmas present;)
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
My mom also didn't believe in giving clothes. She asked my brother what he wanted one year, and all he could think was boxers and clothes. She didn't want to, but in the end that's what she got him.
I've always given my kids new clothes for Christmas, and as I said, the underwear has become a tradition, but I make sure to give them more toys than clothing items, and they get things they really like.
@morningstar369 (495)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Hi, Part of my business was tye dye so I would fill the bottom of the stockings with tye dyed underware and socks. Everyone got a kick out of it. I try to keep the gifts to something special not necessities. There were some years when the necessities were the gifts because of some financial stress. I just tried to buy something fun too. Christine
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Well everyone is feeling financial stress right now.. and we've been financially strapped every year. But as I said, my kids are getting quite a few gifts including the socks and underwear.
@jeffsback2223 (156)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Giving non designer clothes as a present for Christmas is a horrible gift. Buy underwear and socks in your normal shopping because you're children need it.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
23 Nov 08
That's your opinion. We've always done this, and will continue to do so.
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I hated getting those things as gifts when I was a kid. I used to think that asking for those was crazy too but I can see that if you truly need them and ask for them, there isn't anything wrong with asking for them or recieving them as a gift. I mean, they are useful so there isn't anything wrong with it. I'd probably buy them the gift but I wouldn't present them as a gift, it'd be something I'd give them on the side so they don't think they're getting jipped, haha.
@Anne18 (11029)
•
26 Nov 08
I would give my children socks and underwear as gifts in there stockings, but I would buy posh labeled ones ie powerrangers, barbie etc. These ones I can not afford to buy everyday as the value ones you get more for your money. But its nice to get character ones once in a while.
I have recieved socks for a gift as an adult but they have been novelty socks
@despompa (472)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
i am very glad that i still didn't receive any gift like socks and underwear in my entire life. if i will be given the chance to choose what gift i wanted to have this Christmas, it'll going to be scented candles. i remember when i was still a kid, the thing that i fancy receiving are candies. and i think that's what every other kids love to have for Christmas. i also received money but i appreciate it less.
@Couch08 (36)
• United States
23 Nov 08
Yes i got these stuff and i use to laughed if i received this kind of gifts and in return i will give this kind of gift to any of friends jsut for fun.
But who give me nice undergarment is my lover and i jut keep it and put date and year when it was given.
