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The World’s Most Practical Five Year Old

Written by Nickel - 10 Comments

Every year my parents give our kids a variety of Christmas gifts including money for their bank accounts, some clothes, and a toy of some sort. But this year they decided to forego the latter, and give the kids gift cards instead, such that they could pick out their own fun stuff.

Out of curiosity, I asked our kids what sort of gift card they’d like to have if they were to (hypothetically) receive one as a Christmas gift. I was expecting answers along the lines of Toys’R'Us, Target or Wal-Mart. I was therefore pretty surprised when our five year old answered “Kroger” (in case you don’t know, that’s a grocery store).

When I asked him why he wanted a gift card to Kroger, he answered “Because they have all kinds of food.” Wow. That’s a pretty practical, down-to-earth answer for a kindergartner. In case you’re curious, he ended up with a Toys’R'Us gift card. Thus, he was able to buy that Might Morphin’ Power Ranger that he’s been dreaming about rather than having to spend his Christmas gift on groceries.

On a related note, when I asked our eight year old what he wanted to get his mom for Christmas, he thought about it and then replied: “Well, she likes to shop. How about a gift card to Toys’R'Us so she can by diapers for the baby?” Needless to say, mom didn’t get a Toys’R'Us gift card. But apparently practicality runs in the family.

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Published on December 28th, 2005
Modified on September 19th, 2011 - 10 Comments
Filed under: Family & Life

About the author: is the founder and editor-in-chief of this site. He's a thirty-something family man who has been writing about personal finance since 2005, and guess what? He's on Twitter!

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10 Responses to “The World’s Most Practical Five Year Old”

  1. 1
    FMF Says:

    Ha! Good call on the gift card for mom! You’d have been “paying” for that one a long, long time. ;-)

    FYI — Kroger is one of the biggest sellers of Moose Tracks. You should humor me and get some. (in the Kroger Private Selection brand) ;-)

  2. 2
    nickel Says:

    Been there and done that. Moose Tracks is goooood…

  3. 3
    Blaine Moore Says:

    I can’t imagine that Kroger’s moose tracks is as good as Beal’s moose tracks.

  4. 4
    jim Says:

    FMF is always working… :)

    Moosetracks are delicious! (when do I get my coupons?)

  5. 5
    FMF Says:

    Any of you guys live in areas where Dean’s or Stroh’s Moose Tracks is available?

  6. 6
    Blaine Moore Says:

    I don’t think that I do, unfortuantely.

  7. 7
    jim Says:

    I’m near Baltimore, MD but I’ve never looked for moose tracks honestly. I mean… i look… all the time… :)

  8. 8
    FMF Says:

    Jim — You shop at Giant stores? Great Moose Tracks there!

  9. 9
    Frugal Momma Says:

    Very cute and practical kids!

    Happy New Years!
    Theresa :)

  10. 10
    FMF Says:

    Kids?

    Mom, is that you???

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