I don't think Denise and Martin gave Olivia a hand-me-down tricycle because they couldn't afford a new one. After all, they weren't even paying for their own living quarters. So what possessed them to give their daughter an old tricycle for her 4th birthday? I am all for hand-me-downs if they are needed, but it was unnecessary to package it like it was a real birthday present. They should have just given her the old trike on any ol' day of the week. The show sure painted this as a nice gesture, but am I the only one that did not find it NICE?

I think that to use a old tricycles like a gifts for a 4 years old girl is a good idea. A guy of this age use it for few time: it's not correct spent a lot of money for a gift of that kind.
Then, I like the old things... In this period I'm preparing a old motorcycle (Gilera 98 Giubileo) that my father bought in the 1960. It's a fantastic gift for me!!

Well vintage motorcycles are awesome. It's in a different class than a hand-me-down tricycle. I just couldn't imagine my BIG gift at age 4 because like my older cousins tricycle! It seemed rude, because Martin and Denise could afford to buy her a new one.

I guess I was just taught that gifts should have a little more thought put into them, then just grabbing an old trike from a garage and slapping on a bow.

Yes, it's true that a 4 years child don't like an old repainted tricycle, but considering the style of the show, it's naturally that the Huxtable family, that have a lot of money and a lot of economic possibility, try to teach to reduce the cost of the gifts. It's also true, that Cliff and Claire spent a lot of money about electronic robot for the kitchen, pictures or jazz disco!!!

Originally posted by thecosbyshow75

Yes, it's true that a 4 years child don't like an old repainted tricycle, but considering the style of the show, it's naturally that the Huxtable family, that have a lot of money and a lot of economic possibility, try to teach to reduce the cost of the gifts. It's also true, that Cliff and Claire spent a lot of money about electronic robot for the kitchen, pictures or jazz disco!!!

Well, Olivia liked the old tricycle. JOY! Everybody do a happy dance. The show and it's beautiful message was displayed perfectly. ;) Seriously though, you're right, about the way money was spent on the show. Clair and Cliff sure had money to spend ON THEMSELVES!!! Apparently they passed on their "ways" to their kids, because Denise thought it would be cool to give Olivia that trike. Cliff and Clair were gung-ho to shell out the money for college educations though, which is decent.

:wave:

Yes, it's the only defect that I have founded in the show: Cliff and Clair try to teach their sons that the money are important for the life, but it's necessary to save them.
To the contrary, they spent a lot of money for apparently dull objects: ok, Cliff is a doctor, Clair is a lawer, but I think that their behavior in same situation it's not educative.

Well, when Olivia saw the tricycle what was her first reaction? I think she said something like "it's old" or something of that nature, but after that she got over it. I thought it was a cute idea to hand down a tricycle that someone in your family had. I don't think it's that big of deal. Besides, after that episode, it's not like we saw her riding it! (lol)

Originally posted by felicitylen


Well, when Olivia saw the tricycle what was her first reaction? I think she said something like "it's old" or something of that nature, but after that she got over it. I thought it was a cute idea to hand down a tricycle that someone in your family had. I don't think it's that big of deal. Besides, after that episode, it's not like we saw her riding it! (lol)

Yes, she eventually got over the fact that it was "old," which it was still in fine condition anyways. So the point of the show got through--that it was a thoughtful gesture. I still can't get past that they would give her a hand-me-down for a special occation that was probably collecting dust in their garage or basement. My younger sister got my used tricycle too--but she just pulled it out of the garage on a regular day and started playing with it right there. If my parents put a bow on my old tricyle and gave it to my sister for her 4th birthday, she would have been horrified, as would I. But that's just how my family differs from the Huxtables... THANK GOD!

:wave:

I'm not gonna lie, it was a good lesson they tried to teach but a lousy present for a 4 year old kid. They could have given her that bike any day of the year. It's not like the bike was lost and they went all through NYC looking for that particular bike. They just went in the basement, They tried to teach her a lesson which I respect them for doing, but the girl deserved a nice present on her birthday.