In a heartwarming (and slightly controversial) twist on holiday gifting, single mom Ciearra Baker from St. Louis, Missouri, surprised her young son and daughter with a fully stocked vending machine for Christmas 2021. Instead of toys or gadgets, the 30-something mompreneur opted for a practical lesson in business basics, dubbing her kids “young bosses in the making.” The move, shared via a viral Facebook post, sparked a heated online debate about parenting, privilege, and the value of “real-world” gifts over instant gratification.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving (Literally)
Baker, who runs Kidz Glam Kloset—a mobile children’s fashion boutique—posted a photo of her beaming children posing beside the snack-filled machine on Christmas Eve. In her caption, she explained her philosophy: “I’m not buying toys… my kids most definitely will understand life is not easy and making the right choices with money & etc… So I came up with the idea to invest in vending machine for the kids as Christmas gift.” The machine came pre-loaded with starter snacks (think chips, candy, and sodas), turning playtime into profit time. Her goal? Teach them inventory management, customer service, and passive income from day one—skills she’d honed in her own business.
At the time, her kids were young (exact ages undisclosed, but estimated elementary-school range), and Baker involved her daughter in promoting Kidz Glam Kloset, hinting at family teamwork from the start.
Viral Fame
The post exploded, racking up thousands of shares and comments. Supporters hailed Baker as a visionary: Reality TV star Masika Kalysha called it a “dope ass gift,” while others shared stories of wishing their own parents had done the same.
