Question About Gifts

[Byzantine]

If someone gives us a gift of money and tells us why to do with it, (for example, "go buy yourself a sundae," "you'll need it for the Pirates game tomorrow") are we required to do it? What should we do if the time has passed to use the gift the way they suggested? Thanks!

[Jaime]

This wouldn't be considered a question about Catholicism. This is more about etiquette. And let me warn you, the scholars here at Phatmass know nothing about etiquette. That being said, if you were given a gift of money and you were told "buy something for jaime (the artist formerly known as hot stuff)" you should definitely do it. Other than that I have no suggestions for you.

[CatherineM]

I'll have you know I went to finishing school. Didn't help, but I did go.

Emily Post says that the spirit of the gift is more important than the gift itself. If someone gives you money for your education, and you blow it in Vegas, that's an issue. If someone gives you money for popcorn at the movies, but there was a long line, and by the time you get in, the movie is getting ready to start, so you skip the popcorn so you don't miss the start of the movie, not a problem. In the first case, they are trying to help your future, and you have thrown it away. In the second, they are trying to make your movie experience more enjoyable, and missing the movie would have defeated the purpose. If you forget your sundae, or if the guy scooping the ice cream looks dirty, or if the temperature falls or it is raining, stuff changes.

If this is the biggest sin you are worried about, you must drive your confessor nuts.