This weekend, I bought my six-year-old daughter a $75 lunchbox. She hadn’t asked for this particular lunchbox, and I didn’t consider it a splurge. But once I was unpacking it and pointing out its features to my friends, I started to wonder –
Was I a total chump, or just completely obnoxious?
Sheepish as I felt explaining why I had just spent $75 (plus tax!) on a friggen lunchbox, I’m glad that I did. I am not a person of great means, nor am I frivolous. I had done a good deal of research into lunchboxes, and this one fit the bill – many compartments, but all one piece; easy for little hands to manipulate; made by a company with a strong environmental ethos and with materials that I feel good about spending my money on and storing my child’s food in, and appealing to my aesthetic. Sold.
But even though I really, really like this piece of necessary equipment, I feel the need to justify the price seven ways to Sunday. Which means I sorta must feel like a chump. And then I think, Whatever, Karen. Just own it. Since you know, you already own it.
So I will try to get the stone in my stomach to stop dropping every time I think about my daughter’s new $75 lunchbox. (OMG – should I insure it?!) And even though I cut the price tag off the lunchbox before my husband could see it, (He’s busy. It’s my money. I don’t have to bother him with details.) I am telling you the truth, no matter how much it may hurt my pride and chequebook.
And hey! People spend money on useless things for their kids all the time. This one is useful! And can be handed down to my younger daughter in a few years! And it’s not like I ever have to spend money on my kids clothes, thanks to two shopaholic grandmothers! And did I mention the useful?
So please, please don’t call me a chump because I spent $75 on a lunchbox for a six year old.
Unless she loses it at the park on the second day of school.
Euthanasia
image via H4UM4N
Ok that’s a tease! What is the lunch box. Maybe others have extravagant tastes. I spent lots of money on diaper bags with insulating compartments so I completely understand.
We need a pic of this fancy lunchbox! For $75 it must be completely AWESOME!
FunkyErin´s last [type] ..Your Hand in America’s Future
I felt weird putting the name of the lunchbox in the post, since this is not a review nor is it a review site, but it was a Planet Box lunchbox, and the price is what I paid in CDN.
oooh – would love ot know which one! I LOVE my 1 piece, compartmentalized Tupperware one I bought years ago, but soon it’ll be too small for my hungry child..
Piece of advice: Label it!! ;o)
I am one of those moms as well that splurges on her kid’s stuff only once annually LOL and I tell you every other time I swear by australian baby clothes since they are not only offering high quality items there prices are also easy on the pocket.
Ok, I have to admit it. At first, I thought you were crazy. I would never do a thing like that. Now I’m thinking, that’s a damn fine lunch box. Might I suggest getting your name and address engraved on the box somewhere? You’ve got to “protect your investment”. ;)
Hahaha! I love it when I’m a complete hypocrite. When I read $75, I agreed with your concern that you may be a chump. Ooooh did I feel smug having only paid $35 (US) dollars for my 6-year-old girl’s eco-friendly, kid-friendly lunchbox. Ahem, a Planet Box lunchbox.
where did you get a planet box lunchbox for $35?!