Collectibles - what should parents do?

When people give gifts such as collectible coins or rare coins to a
young child, what should be done with them? Should the parents put them
away until the child is old enough to understand that they're for
collecting and not spending? Then let the child decide what to do with
them? Or should the parents do whatever they want with them, including
spending them?

dragonlady...

How about putting it in some sort of display case, so the child can
admire it and see it, rather than "away"? I think most kids would "get"
the difference between a coin that's just sitting about (even if it's in
a small plastic box of some sort) and one that's framed and hanging on a
wall.

I think parents need to exercise some judgement when it comes to
something like this. Now, if it's an older child who wants to "cash in"
(sell the coin) and use the money for something else, that's one thing.
Generally, once a gift is given, it's the recipient's to do with as he
or she pleases -- but allowing a child to use, say, a $1 coin that's
actually worth $20 to buy a $1 item wouldn't be a good thing.

dragonlady...

When I wrote this, I assumed you were the parent asking for advice;
however, other's seemed to have assumed you were the gift giver -- in
which case, you are probably writing because you are annoyed at what the
parents did.

If you ARE the gift giver, my advice is different: once you give a
gift, it is gone, and it is inappropriate to attempt to control how it
is used. However, in the future, it might be wise to NOT give
collectibles to someone without first checking with them to see if they
will cherish them. If it's something they won't cherish enough to want
to keep, you need to figure out how to find out what THEY will like to
receive.

Aula...

A gift once given is no longer the property or in the control of the person
who gave it, be it given to a child, youngster or oldster. It is the
recipient's choice what will be done with the gift, be that irresponsible in
the eyes of the giver or otherwise. The giver can decide if they will
repeat such a gift in the future, but that is all.

So, if you ask from the pov of the giver, let go and move on, its no longer
in your control. If you didn't like what happened but still want to give
the collectibles to the child, put them aside in your home for giving at a
time when the child will be in control of the item and, hopefully, of an age
and developmental level that they will be most likely to appreciate the gift
for what it is.

If you ask from the pov of the parent of the child, its all up to you what
will be done with it. If you are not certain, perhaps a polite conversation
with the giver for suggestions would be in order.