A friend of mine on Facebook asks what people think she should get her kid as a gift commemorating his first big performance (I think it’s with an orchestra?). She mentions there’s a tradition of buying women flowers on such an occasion, but she doesn’t think he’d appreciate that.
Is there a standard thing to get? Or if not, what do you think might work?
How old is the kid? How invested are they in the performance?
When it was a fairly straightforward performance - not a lot riding on it except nerves; no big solos - we would just go get ice cream.
Age seems to be the big question.
My son’s been in various middle school and high school performances (choir, drama) and we always just did the “Pick out a place for dinner” thing. If we’re talking a professional orchestra, the answer might change.
The manchild is 12.5 years old.
Letting him pick out the restaurant and winding up at Steak & Shake seems appropriate for that age.
I have relayed that suggestion. I think it may be the winner in my book. I also suggested, though, a card for a game he plays that takes cash infusions, with a bow on.
I also suggested a pair of socks, like a really nice pair of socks.
Also I suggested a kitten. Thrown at him right after he takes his bow at the end.
A cool pair of sunglasses.
Nothing. Why does every occasion have to be marked with a present? Tell him “you did a good job” and that’s it.
I gave my nephew flowers for his first big play role. He seemed kinda tickled. (I mean, all the girls were getting flowers, why not?)
Cigars obviously, or a good scotch.
And a hooker.
? Flowers are what you give for a performance. They aren’t a gift in the usual sense. It’s more like a commemoration of an achievement.
Despite possessing a vagina, I don’t like cut flowers. I don’t remember my preferences ever entering into it. It’s more like a ritual.
So I’d say, flowers are fine and nothing is also fine. Picking the restaurant is not a gift, but then perhaps it’s the perfect nongift for a nongifting occasion.
I really want to see this. So instead of flowers people throw dozens of kittens at the prima ballerina.
If he is going to be in any groups that require a tie for performance wear, a tie wouldn’t be a bad idea. Even if he already has a tie, a special tie would be good.
Or ice cream.
Give him the bill for all the music lessons.
My (8 yr old) son dances and I usually try to give him something related to the show he’s in on opening night. For instance, when he was a mouse in the Nutcracker, I gave him a little mouse stuffed animal; when his show had a theme of stars, I gave him a necklace with a pendant showing a constellation. Something very little, just so that he has something while all the girls are receiving their flowers. Adult men, in my experience, usually get flowers on opening night.
I also like the kitten throwing idea.
Oh, that kind of a performance. :o
The kitten would like to raise an objection.
A trophy. One of those plastic jobbies with the columns and a little gold plastic music something on top. Boys like trophies.