A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Gifts (VIP)
When it comes to Very Important People gift giving, the recipient might be your child’s teacher, coach, or the neighbors hosting you two doors down. If regifting is your thing, then CPEing this card can be easy and straightforward. Alternatively, this cardholder may wish to spend more time personalizing gifts and writing heartfelt cards. Either way—or somewhere in the middle—gift giving is an opportunity to connect with and thank the very important people in your life, which requires year-round CPE. Exception: Other kids’ birthday gifts stay with the “Birthday Celebrations (Other Kids)” cardholder.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
You give gifts to family members
Planning
- Noting occasions (invite to someone’s home, end of season coaching party, holiday time) and people (friends, coaches, teachers, childcare helpers, service providers such as mail carrier) that may require gifts
Execution
- Purchasing birthday cards and presents (having children/partner sign)
- Wrapping presents
- Shipping gifts if necessary
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Are thoughtful gifts given at the appropriate times?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- The holder owns all of it: noticing, planning and doing. No “just tell me what to do.”
- Agree the Minimum Standard of Care together, then let the holder meet it their way.
- Not working? Bring it to the weekly check-in and re-deal it. Don’t take it back mid-week.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.