Christmas gifts for DS's dad and DM?

[chikastuff]

Traditionally I've take. My son shopping or purchased a gift for his dad from him. This year his dad is engaged. Should I have him get a gift for her as well or should I leave that for his dad to worry about?

[chikastuff]

please excuse the typos, I was on my phone.

[ssmjlm]

Has your son said anything about buying her something? I would probably leave it up to dad to worry about.

Or if you son wants to get them a couple gift vs just something dad would like.

You're a nice mom to do that.

[Velvetshady]

I would think it would be nice for you to have him get a gift for her as well. Worse case, his dad has him get something too and she gets two things from him--which isn't a bad thing. Just don't "overdo" the gift (nothing super expensive, etc).

[spankswife]

Tough call. Really his dad should do it, but you don't want to send the wrong message by sending a gift for him and not her. I agree with something small, or a joint gift.

[sproutmd]

I would pick out something for her, as well. You are very thoughtful.

[chikastuff]

My son is three, so he's not really going to think to get her something, lol. We have a somewhat strained relationship, we're all new to the whole blended family thing and still trying to figure out boundaries and what's appropriate or not. I've been accused in the past of being cold towards her, so I'm trying to make an effort.

So what's a good price point? $20-$25? The parent gifts are typically $50 (it's what we agreed to when we split and set up Christmas plans/expectations. We didn't think to discuss SOs). Should I just split it this year and do $25 each?

[mbcdefg]

If your son can come up with something his dad would like, help him get it ... and then maybe just grab a $10-20 bottle of wine or a box of chocolates for his dad's FI. Just a little something to be polite.

[chikastuff]

Cool. Sounds like a plan

[SusanBAnthony]

I thinkretty much anything is fine for the SO. 10$ box of chocolates, etc. it isn't like you can be expected to know what she would really want. I would do a quick check to see if she has a public amazon wish list, but other than that I would get something small and generic.

[tacom]

This is sweet of you and something your son will really appreciate one day. I agree that a $10 box of chocolates or wine would be thoughtful and well worth the money spent. No need to make everything even. It's just a nice gesture.

[M]

I also like the idea of a $10 box of chocolate. Honestly though, I think it shouldn't be your problem to get her something. His dad should be the one to take care of that...but then again, you both agreed to do gifts to each other from your son so...what do I know.

[rikki]

Being polite is never wrong. I think something small would be a very nice gesture and go a long way in hopefully making the relationship less strained.

[dexteroni]

Dec 6, 2013 11:34:20 GMT -5 rikki said:

Being polite is never wrong. I think something small would be a very nice gesture and go a long way in hopefully making the relationship less strained.

I agree. This is very nice of you and in this situation, extra niceness is probably more helpful than normal.

Is your DS able to come up with ideas yet if you ask him? Some of my favorite gifts when my nephews were little resulted from my sister asking them what they wanted to get me.  But I forget what age that started; it might have been older than three.  My go-to impersonal adult woman gifts are chocolate, wine, and leather gloves. But wine or leather gloves would be odd coming from a three year old. So I agree with everyone else that chocolates are probably the way to go.

[formerlyak]

I help ds get a gift for his dad, but if his dad wants to have a gift from ds to his live-in girlfriend, that's on him.

[SusanBAnthony]

I just asked my 3.5 and 6 year olds what they wants to get their aunts. They said a pencil and a sharpener to go with it, and water, a bucket, and a garden hose.

So there you go, lol.

ETA: and yesterday DS picked out a light up snow globe ornament for his grandparents.  There is comedic gold in the random crap kids will pick out.  Take him to walmart and let him loose!

[ellipses84]

SS usually makes something for each parents and I will remind him and assist him as necessary.You can't go wrong with that or a framed photo. The dollar store is also a great place to let a 3 year old pick out a gift. If you are feeling especially nice, you could her a real gift, too.

Ever since I've been on the scene, I take SS to get DH gifts and vice versa. I know his grandparents take him to get his mom something.

[nonsenseabound]

Chocolate or an ornament would be a good generic gift from a kid. I think that this is a very mature route to tkae

[polarbearfans]

White Barn (can get at Bath and Body Works if you don't have a White Barn) Candle. Kind of fancy, but not odd coming from a 3 year old.