so, would you assume a 10 year old boy would adore....

[SparklyUnicorn]

an 80 piece makeup set as a gift because he takes drama classes?

 

My BIL seems to think so.  I am truly baffled by this. 

 

Now granted my BIL doesn't know our kids so well.  And I'm currently in a cranky mood so I'm not seeing the humor or something here.

 

DH thought he was kidding.  Nope. 

 

 

[Jean in Newcastle]

My dd uses make-up kits to make fake bruises, scars or blood stains.  I think that a lot of 10 year old boys would get a kick out of that. 

[mamakelly]

Uhhhhh that's a really odd present for a 10 year old boy!

[SparklyUnicorn]

My dd uses make-up kits to make fake bruises, scars or blood stains.  I think that a lot of 10 year old boys would get a kick out of that. 

 

Ok, that's an aspect I didn't consider.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Uhhhhh that's a really odd present for a 10 year old boy!

 

Heck, I bet a lot of parents wouldn't think it was awesome for a 10 year old girl either.

[regentrude]

My friend's 10 and 12 y/o boys were thrilled when they received a makeup kit - they spent weeks learning to make up horrible scars and gross wounds. But that was a kit designed for such purposes - not sparkly pinky girlish stuff

Edited June 4, 2016 by regentrude

[Farrar]

If it's stage makeup or face paint type stuff then maybe... I mean, I could see how that could be a good gift for the right boy.

 

But just regular makeup? No.

 

I mean, right now, we have a makeup bag, the only make up in the house, and it's for my 11 yo boys, both of whom need make up for performances periodically. But if they got make up as a gift, they'd totally be like, wtf? (because my 11 yos swear... sigh.)

[SKL]

They do require boys to wear make-up in theater, right?  If he's an avid theater kid, I don't think I'd be offended.  I probably wouldn't choose that gift myself for a boy.  :)

[SparklyUnicorn]

Ummm... my 10yo son would be, um, displeased.

 

Yeah my kid would really wonder what in heck.

 

He refused to let anyone put makeup on him for the show last night.  Not even something like a mustache.

[SparklyUnicorn]

They do require boys to wear make-up in theater, right?  If he's an avid theater kid, I don't think I'd be offended.  I probably wouldn't choose that gift myself for a boy.  :)

 

I'm sure in the "real" theatre world they do. This isn't like that.  They provide a makeup artist, but they do not require anyone to wear makeup if they don't want to. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Now if he wanted a makeup kit, I would have no problem with that!  I'm not trying to insist boys cannot like makeup.  I just think it's such an odd idea without being fairly certain this would be something he'd want. 

 

 

[SKL]

I'm sure in the "real" theatre world they do. This isn't like that.  They provide a makeup artist, but they do not require anyone to wear makeup if they don't want to. 

 

Hmm, my kids' theater camps require all the kids to wear make-up for the shows.  (And to apply it themselves using their own stuff.)  So maybe your BIL assumes that's the case for your sons.

 

Edited June 4, 2016 by SKL

[Spryte]

Sigh. My 12 yr old boy would like it. And he'd be painted like a zombie for the entire summer. He adores face paint and makeup, for gruesome effects. Ugh.

 

But no - I wouldn't give make up to a kid just because they take acting classes.

[Spryte]

Now if he wanted a makeup kit, I would have no problem with that! I'm not trying to insist boys cannot like makeup. I just think it's such an odd idea without being fairly certain this would be something he'd want.

Did he send it? Or just float it as an idea?

 

Because I think if he just asked about the idea, it's kind of a cool, unusual idea and he did try to take something he knows about the kiddo and apply it. So there's that. :)

[SparklyUnicorn]

Hmm, my kids' theater camps require all the kids to wear make-up for the shows.  So maybe your BIL assumes that's the case for your sons.

 

 

Yeah both of mine were in Nutcracker and had to wear it.  But thing with that is you try out for it and it was a professional show.  The drama stuff is something I pay for and the woman who runs it is big on making the kids comfortable.  So she doesn't push them to do stuff they don't want to do.  The plays are very low key and fun.  Nothing super serious at all.

 

If he had to wear it, he'd probably do it.  But then all the kids would be doing it.  And it would be a lot about just making sure their faces could be seen on stage.  That seems very different to me than a big mega kit of makeup to just play around with.

[Jean in Newcastle]

10 years old isn't too young to learn that sometimes people miss the boat on presents.  The BIL obviously (to me anyway) meant well and was trying to find a gift that matched your son's interest in drama.  Many kids (girls and boys) who are into drama would like a make up kit.  It's not a weirdly out of line present within that context.  You can teach him to say "thank you" and donate it to Goodwill.  If you want, you can replace it with something else he might like better. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Did he send it? Or just float it as an idea?

 

Because I think if he just asked about the idea, it's kind of a cool, unusual idea and he did try to take something he knows about the kiddo and apply it. So there's that. :)

 

I sure hope he did not.

 

Honestly, my BIL is a nice guy, but he tries too hard with gifts.  My kid would be thrilled with a small Lego set or stuffed animal.  No need to get fancy.  KWIM?  But 9 times out of 10 times my BIL sends something my kids absolutely do not want.  My husband apparently doesn't have the heart to tell him so.  I don't think there is anything wrong with telling him not to waste his money on something they won't look at. 

 

My BIL sends a list of things he wants.  It is kinda like a business transaction. 

 

He once bought me men's cologne.  He was amused that the bottle was in the shape of Benedict Arnold.  Why would I care about Benedict Arnold, men's cologne, or what amuses my BIL when it pertains to a gift he is giving me?  I mean seriously he is very odd.

[SKL]

Yeah both of mine were in Nutcracker and had to wear it.  But thing with that is you try out for it and it was a professional show.  The drama stuff is something I pay for and the woman who runs it is big on making the kids comfortable.  So she doesn't push them to do stuff they don't want to do.  The plays are very low key and fun.  Nothing super serious at all.

 

If he had to wear it, he'd probably do it.  But then all the kids would be doing it.  And it would be a lot about just making sure their faces could be seen on stage.  That seems very different to me than a big mega kit of makeup to just play around with.

 

I'm just thinking why your BIL would think your son could use this since he's in theater.  Maybe in BIL's observation wherever he is, theater boys have make-up kits.

 

In his defense, it can be hard to know what to get a 10yo boy whom you don't know well.  I tend to be pretty random when I buy Christmas gifts for my step-grand-nephews.  So far no make-up kits, but science stuff, target practice stuff, etc. which isn't everyone's thing either.  :)

 

[happypamama]

I would think it was a little strange as a gift, for girl or boy, unless you knew the kid well and had parental approval.

 

Now, special effects makeup, my boys would think was cool to make weird effects. And my daughter would probably appreciate real makeup now, but she's fourteen. (I think she was around eleven or twelve when I let her start experimenting with makeup at home, and now she's got a good eye. She likes to try out dramatic looks at home, which she's not allowed to wear in public yet except for rock concert sorts of events.)

[Arcadia]

Not odd a gift. You should send your BIL your family wish lists to make life easier. Now my boys just want more Lego power functions to make a great ball contraption. Makes it easy for relatives to buy gifts.

[texasmama]

At age 10, my sons would not have appreciated that gift at all unless it was specifically stage type make up for gore.

[myfunnybunch]

No.

But now I think I'll get my 11 yo a bruise/wound kit for his bday. That is an awesome idea.

Can you exchange the makeup kit for something like that?

 

ETA: Now I am giggling at my computer because Amazon carries a fake blood called "I Can't Believe It's Not Blood." Tickled my funny bone. :lol:  :lol: :lol:  :lol:  

Edited June 4, 2016 by myfunnybunch

[Paige]

I wouldn't be super happy about an 80pc makeup set for a 10yr old boy or girl. So much mess....

 

Since he already has it, if he's not into being pretty, I'd play up the special effects options. Maybe show him some cool youtube videos of things he can try. I wouldn't want him to be disappointed in the gift even if I was.

[MEmama]

Well, my mother once sent my son a book on how to grow micro greens--for his 8th birthday.

 

There's no telling about taste, apparently.

[FriedClams]

No.

[Farrar]

Mil once gave ds a game intended for 3-5 yos when he was 10. The intended age was well marked. People be weird. Especially when it comes to gifts.

[Mimm]

I would never get a ten year old boy a gift of makeup unless I'd been told he wanted it. I would never assume it. That does seem very strange.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Mil once gave ds a game intended for 3-5 yos when he was 10. The intended age was well marked. People be weird. Especially when it comes to gifts.

 

Oh yeah.  My older kid was given fat coloring pencils at 10 by in-laws. 

 

People definitely be weird.  LOL

[SparklyUnicorn]

Well, my mother once sent my son a book on how to grow micro greens--for his 8th birthday.

 

There's no telling about taste, apparently.

 

:lol:

 

Sounds like some of the weird books my BIL has sent me.  I assume he got them out of the bargain bin or something.  And what is worse, they are in German.  So I can't really read them anyway.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Usually those 80 pc sets aren't great quality, so I wouldn't appreciate it for a girl or a boy. Proper theatre makeup, sure.

 

Oh yeah, that's a good point.  He has very sensitive skin too.  Who knows what that would do to his skin.

[MEmama]

:lol:

 

Sounds like some of the weird books my BIL has sent me. I assume he got them out of the bargain bin or something. And what is worse, they are in German. So I can't really read them anyway.

A relative got a book for DS when he was very young, in German. It was cute though, something about blueberries, so we just made up a new story every.time we read it. We still joke about that one. At least it was appropriate and pretty. lol.

[SparklyUnicorn]

A relative got a book for DS when he was very young, in German. It was cute though, something about blueberries, so we just made up a new story every.time we read it. We still joke about that one. At least it was appropriate and pretty. lol.

 

Oh yeah.  I have about 200 kid books in German.  I keep slowly trying to convince my husband we should sell them.  We could make quite a killing I think.  

 

I feel VERY bad about that though.  These books are not cheap.  Shipping is not cheap.  Most of them are hard covered books.  Some are parts of nice high quality sets.  Nobody here looks at them.  : (

 

Speaking of which I can't wait until we go to Germany so I can hear my MIL bitc* about the fact our kids don't speak German.  That'll be fun.  It'll be part of the long list of things I've done wrong.

 

I plan to drink a lot of beer.  :glare:

[HS Mom in NC]

No, I wouldn't assume it.  I'd ask the parent beforehand if the kid would like it and then I'd only give it as a gift if the parent said the kid would like it.

[TrixieB]

 

He once bought me men's cologne.  He was amused that the bottle was in the shape of Benedict Arnold.  Why would I care about Benedict Arnold, men's cologne, or what amuses my BIL when it pertains to a gift he is giving me?  I mean seriously he is very odd.

 

I got all excited.  I thought you said Benedict Cumberbatch.  Then I read more carefully.

 

[katilac]

I think that theater to makeup is an easy leap to make, and that some people don't understand that it's a special kind of makeup. 

 

I wouldn't sweat it. Odd gifts are clearly coded into his DNA, lol. And remember, you do not have to use his wish list, or not offer one for yourselves. 

 

My kids hear this from me a lot about both sides of the family: They're weird, honey, but they love you! 

 

[regentrude]

Oh yeah.  I have about 200 kid books in German.  I keep slowly trying to convince my husband we should sell them.  We could make quite a killing I think.  

 

I feel VERY bad about that though.  These books are not cheap.  Shipping is not cheap.  Most of them are hard covered books.  Some are parts of nice high quality sets.  Nobody here looks at them.  : (

 

Keep them and have your kids take German as their high school foreign language. Childrens books are a good reading level for learners.

 

I can understand your MIL a bit; it must be sad for her that her grandchildren do not speak her, and their father's, language - especially if she is not fluent in English. I know that I will find it difficult when my future grandkids don't speak German (even though it is different since my kids grew up in the US); they will be missing that side of their heritage. I think it is normal to wish one could pass on one's culture. It is very important to many immigrants.

Edited June 5, 2016 by regentrude

[heartlikealion]

I don't even think of makeup immediately when I think of drama. I know it's used, but it just doesn't come to mind right away.

 

Yeah, agree, that if the kit was made for something like bruises, blood, etc. it might seem more welcomed with the avg. boy. Ds got some Halloween makeup to be a zombie last Halloween.

[Baseball mom]

 

I plan to drink a lot of beer.  :glare:

 

Drink up my friend! :cheers2:

Edited June 5, 2016 by Baseball mom