Home Theater or Hawaii?

[kilroyperrywinkle]

After the birth of our first child 3 weeks ago, my wife and I started a little fun account. Every pay check we put in about 10% of our money. The idea being that in a year or so we'll do something grand with it.

Since this was all my idea, I am in charge of how we spend it. The two front runners are:

A home theater with HDTV, PS3 and all that crap...

Or a 7 night cruise around the Hawaii.

We're both leaning towards the trip, because we're not really the type of people who need toys. (Also I've survived this long in standard def, another couple of years doesn't seem so bad.)

So I'm pretty much locked into going, but I wonder what you all would do with 10% of your cash over 2 years? (that's when we're playing on going).

The idea of us getting way after 2 years of parenting, doing something romantic and perhaps trying for a second child while on holiday.

[mikec]

If you can sustain 10% over that time period that is good for both of you.

Will she be able to leave the kid for the week? Bringing the child would ruin the romantic trip. Something to talk about.

TV's should go down in price. How expensive of a surround system would you look at?

In two years a trip to Hawaii may be real expensive, doubt that fuel will get cheaper, air fare probably will get worse.

Any thought of vacationing on the mainland? Key West? Wine country of California?

[tsmith15]

I'd go for the home theatre because I wouldn't feel very good about leaving the kid for a week, also the home theatre lasts for years and years.

On the flip-side, the 7 days on the trip would be better than any 7 days with the home theatre, but I am not the sentimental memory-type person.

Also, my answer could change if I found a real special lady.

[aerodash84]

Short post but how often do you get to travel especially as the child gets older. My parents went on a honeymoon in Hawaii when I was about 5. I was fine and stayed with my grandparents. I say trip.

[fashiondr]

After 9 months of carrying your unborn kid around, avoiding drinking and certain foods, then going through giving birth, I think your wife deserves a cruise.

Oh and congrats on the baby!

[kilroyperrywinkle]

I might also add that grandpa and grandma are like 2 blocks away and have already promised to take the kid for ANY amount of time. So that's not an issue...

[babnert]

Defiantly the trip a home theater may be nice and all but romantic things like a trip make being in a loving relationship that much better.

[aerodash84]

After 9 months of carrying your unborn kid around, avoiding drinking and certain foods, then going through giving birth, I think your wife deserves a cruise.

Oh and congrats on the baby!

I didn't even think of that, no being insensitive or anything just didn't think. Yeah your wife deserves a little time to relax and have a good time. A theater is just a material thing, but memories are irreplaceable. I hope I'm using the correct words or spelling just now. Also, I'm babysitting to make money for now, and I see what family life is like. Enjoy some time alone.

Congrats as well. I'd offer a cigar, but little difficult through the net. I'll have a drink instead. Cheers.

[tsmith15]

I might also add that grandpa and grandma are like 2 blocks away and have already promised to take the kid for ANY amount of time. So that's not an issue...

The only thing I can think of is that a child probably shouldn't be away from his mother for a prolonged period of time at such a young age.

[ryudo]

Geek side of me says home theater but as mentioned she went through labour she needs a break.

Let's not forget in a few years time things will be replaced as just objects in the theater esp with a kid growing up to ruin dads tv somehow(it's in the nature of little kids to ruin dads toys).;)

Memories with the spouse on a cruise last a lifetime.

Go on the cruise and congrats.:)

[kilroyperrywinkle]

Baby Photos (http://animoto.com/play/0AQJSCUZnrM80zWutV7tFw)

[misspiggy]

By that time, you'll both want some time alone. I have friends with toddlers and if they can get away for a ski weekend or something, they try to, just to recharge their batteries and reconnect.

Plus, if you set that pace early on, of taking time for the two of you, it can only strengthen your family as a whole in the long-run.

Congrats on the new arrival!

[keltic-rage]

I say turn it into a three-four day trip to the Bamhama'a and scale back on the HT set up.

That way She gets her cruise, you get your toys, and you don't hafta leave the kid alone for so long.

[stubadub]

The trip sounds like the right choice, but it might be pretty hard for your wife to enjoy that much time away from your new child. My wife kind of freaked out the first night away from our son. I'd try a cheap weekend trip away a few months beforehand and see how she does with that, and to get her more used to being away from the little one. It would stink to get out to Hawaii if she couldn't relax.

[missbombpop]

When you are old grandparents you will ALWAYS be able to say "Remember that amazing trip that we took to Hawaii after our baby was born?" but do you really see yourself saying "Remember that kick-ass home theater system we used to have?" (unless you will be talking about how lame and outdated it seems in 2040?)
On top of that, you'll get the stuff anyway eventually, probably just a little at a time. You can't do Hawaii a little at a time!

[tokenuser]

Home Theatre this year.

Try two long weekends (Fri-Mon) away somewhere instead of a full on vacation as well. It will help minimise seperation anxiety. Our rule of thumb for weekend getaways is "where can we go nonstop". That has resulted in two great mini vacations (Florida Keys, San Antonio).

The home theatre is something you can enjoy for many years to come (you need it to watch videos of the baby and the vacation), as you save for the next vacation (you will still be doing the 10% thing) when your child is 3 (and stays with the grandparents), and 5 when you take them on the obligatory pilgrimage to Disneyworld.

[joedubbs]

If I were you I'd go on the trip. You'll be making a lot of sacrifices as the kids get older it's important that you enjoy time with your wife.

I hear Hawaii is amazing. I see pictures my friends have taken and it's nothing like I have ever seen before. As you get older the less likely you'll be willing to travel so I say TRIP.

[frank_syntax]

i alway lean on the side of travel on these sort of things, which is why my TV and car are shitty but i've got some great stamps in my passport!

[owlboy]

After the birth of our first child 3 weeks ago,

Hawaii

[dstrack007]

Congrats on the baby! Go to Hawaii and buy a Vizio HD TV to hold you over.

[iccanui]

All i needed was the title for this one.


Hawaii. Hands down.

[dolson]

You could watch romantic movies in glorious 1080p Blu-ray if you went with the Home Theatre... I'm just sayin'.

[msmags]

Go on the trip. As mentioned before, you'll have lasting memories afterwards, plus maybe an additional kid to add to your brood. :p

[absolutemayhem]

Hawaii!! No questions, those are memories you and your wife will have for the rest of your lives.

-MayheM

[gonzooo]

This thread disappoints me.

[stubadub]

You could watch romantic movies in glorious 1080p Blu-ray if you went with the Home Theatre... I'm just sayin'.

I know I said we were going to Hawaii, but instead we can see Hawaii from the comfort of our living room and avoid the jetlag!

I'm glad I'm not your wife, for probably as many reasons as you have for being glad I'm not your wife.

We would be able to listen to lots of Maiden, though.

[d0ug18]

My 2 cents - take the trip.

My friends just had a kid and I know how hard it can be on the parents. You can think of it in these terms... take a long trip to Hawaii (where I assume someone else will watch your kid)

or... have a kick ass system at home, but also have a kid around... so there might be times where you can't enjoy it all that much and there is a chance it could get damaged (depending on how it's setup.) But on the flip side you can enjoy it longer...

Oh another thing, if you're on a cruise, do you or your wife get sea sick?



PS. I'm from Hawaii (Oahu), it's very different from the mainland and everyone should try and come down here.

[dolson]

I know I said we were going to Hawaii, but instead we can see Hawaii from the comfort of our living room and avoid the jetlag!

I'm glad I'm not your wife, for probably as many reasons as you have for being glad I'm not your wife.

We would be able to listen to lots of Maiden, though.

I'm glad you're not my wife, mainly because you're a man.

The wife and I just got back from our vacation in Niagra Falls (Honeymoon Capital of The World I'm told). :P

And a couple years ago we went to see Maiden live, and you can't beat that. :)