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.

Published on December 28th, 2005 - 10 Comments
Filed under: Family & Life
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About the author: Nickel 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!

Comments (scroll down to add your own):

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)
Comment by FMF — Dec 28th 2005 @ 7:07 am
Been there and done that. Moose Tracks is goooood…

Comment by nickel — Dec 28th 2005 @ 8:12 am
I can’t imagine that Kroger’s moose tracks is as good as Beal’s moose tracks.
Comment by Blaine Moore — Dec 28th 2005 @ 9:38 am
FMF is always working…

Moosetracks are delicious! (when do I get my coupons?)
Comment by jim — Dec 28th 2005 @ 12:31 pm
Any of you guys live in areas where Dean’s or Stroh’s Moose Tracks is available?
Comment by FMF — Dec 28th 2005 @ 1:32 pm
I don’t think that I do, unfortuantely.
Comment by Blaine Moore — Dec 28th 2005 @ 2:20 pm
I’m near Baltimore, MD but I’ve never looked for moose tracks honestly. I mean… i look… all the time…
Comment by jim — Dec 28th 2005 @ 5:18 pm
Jim — You shop at Giant stores? Great Moose Tracks there!
Comment by FMF — Dec 29th 2005 @ 6:59 am
Very cute and practical kids!

Happy New Years!
Theresa
Comment by Frugal Momma — Dec 30th 2005 @ 2:52 pm
Kids?

Mom, is that you???
Comment by FMF — Dec 30th 2005 @ 10:05 pm