Hi :-) I'm very lucky to have a job where I am getting a substantial bonus next week. I'm getting new tires on my car, taking my daughter shopping with me, putting some in savings, plus saving some for Christmas shopping.
I want to do something nice for my family. Including kids & everything there is 13 of us. Any ideas? I was thinking of treating everyone to a nice dinner out - my family is not very well off (we do OK) but they don't frequent nicer restaurants normally. I was thinking that would probably run me 300-400ish $ ........... Any ideas of a nice thing I could do for my family to show my love & appreciation for them?
Great thoughts about saving - I just thought it would be nice to give people some kind of "treat" that they normally do not get.
What about dinner and a movie? There are a few cute family movies coming out next week. Maybe a movie and the local pizza shop? Don't forget to hit up the Dollar Tree for snacks beforehand ... :)
SAVE. You put some into saving but consider saving that money for a rainy day. Family know you appreciate them. Make them a gift during Christmas, it will show more effort and appreciation than a monetary gift. If you want to, throw a dinner party and get everyone together. My family goes out to dinner alot and it's okay but it's definitely not as intimate as you would think. Also, if there are kids, try giving the adults a break and take the kids out. Think simplicity and it's the little things that you do that show appreciation more so than the money you spend.
I will start off by saying I am not a financially stable role model...however...I am so touched by your post because it does not sound like your family comes into $$ and when you do you immediately think what can you do for them. That is awesome and exactly what I would do if I came by a nice chunk. While most would tell you to save (and they are most likely correct) you also need to splurge and enjoy it while you can. Can you go on a boat ride or a dinner cruise. I know my kids would get a kick out of that as well as the adults. God Bless you for thinking of others...I am guessing you have a strong and great family!
How about a Buca di Peppo or Maggianos. They are family style restaurants and it could cut some costs, but you still have a great night out. 30 of us went to Buca for my mom's birthday, and it costs us @ $450. Or maybe do a great family activity. Bowling, picnic at a park, or Dave & Busters. For my family we would have a great time at Top Golf.
Lucky you to have a bonus coming! One nice treat to remember to give is a written thank you to your employer. It couldn't hurt.
It is also nice to want to treat your family. I am guessing that you mean extended family (or you have 11 or 12 kids)!
While lovely, I can only imagine how my parents would react--they'd feel self-conscious and they wouldn't want me to spend my money that way. I'd go as far to say that they wouldn't enjoy themselves. Please make sure people would enjoy themselves.
If you are convinced that they will, I think it is very sweet that you want to give them an experience together rather than a thing to take home. Those are moments to add to memories.
Another option is to attend a performance, say a play or musical performance. Eat cheaply together before you go. Or go to an amusement park. There's no rush. Take your time to decide upon the best idea I also liked the go on a boat ride idea.
And save yourself a lot of trouble and tell everyone that this is your Christmas gift to the adults in the family. My aunt once treated the family to a Thanksgiving dinner with her bonus.
One drawback to the restaurant idea is that it will be difficult for 13 people to talk with one another, and you may only get to stay 1 1/2 hours. And depending on the ages of the kids, it may be hard for them to sit in a restaurant long. Perhaps you can reserve a private room, but them that may cost more.
Or it could be the best time ever. Enjoy fully whatever you do.
Depending on the ages of the children, I don't know about the restaurant idea. It may be difficult for the little ones to sit thru a long formal dinner.
My suggestion would be some type of event (play, zoo, amusement park)that you could all attend together. Maybe include a picnic lunch or go out for icecream afterward.l
Why not save it until your family needs something? What I mean is you are trying to come up with something loving yet frivolous so then the money is gone. So then later on something catastrophic or at least bad happens to your family, what then?
How sweet of you!
How about instead if you, make a nice dinner at your house (even steaks, baked potatoes, nice salad, appetizers & drinks are cheaper if you make it) & give each person $20 to spend on what they need/want?
I'm not trying to bring you down at all, You sound like an open loving generous person. It seems to me though that that "treat" mentality is what keeps some people from being finacially stable. $300 for a dinner out seems like a big treat to me.
I think you should look at this bonus as just an extra paycheck for you. If you want to blow 25% of it that might be ok and ifyou want to treat them, do dessert or a cheaper resturant like someone else suggested. I"m not getting if the 13 people are adults or kids.
Do you have 3-6 months expenses saved?
Is your IRA fully funded?
You could everyone to your house for something taken away from a nice place--buffet style dinner.
Updated
Do you have 3-6 months expenses saved?
Is your IRA fully funded?
You could everyone to your house for something taken away from a nice place--buffet style dinner.
If you want take everyone to dinner, that is a lovely idea.
Alternately, you might do something that lasts longer. How about hiring a professional photographer to take family photos? You could all coordinate your outfits if you wanted (it doesn't have to be fancy, I've seen really cute pics of families all wearing jeans with white shirts and going barefoot, for example). Have the photographer help you find a fun location that makes a nice background like a park or garden, or maybe a location that is more personal like grandma's back porch, or a historical building in your town.
Follow your photo session with a pot luck picnic (be sure to take pics first while your clothes are all clean). When the pictures are done, you can give everyone a framed print.
Or you could buy family memberships to whatever your town has...a museum or zoo or something like that, then plan a few weekend trips there all together over the next year. Our family membership to our local zoo is the best gift we've ever gotten.
I think it's lovely that you want to do something for them. We have been in tough financial times and when that happened, I did a photo calendar at target of my son for his grandparents and my hubby. It didn't cost much, but it meant a lot to them. Perhaps something like that - which will last a while - might have the impact you're looking for?
But a big, fun family dinner is cool as well - as long as it doesn't negatively impact your finances.
