WWYD, a Christmas gift scenario.

[mrs.jacinthe]

My mom likes to do extravagant but helpful things for Christmas gifts.  Like, last year, they paid for us to have our too-close-to-the-foundation trees removed.  They've also done a $$$ sewing machine for me, a giant rolling tool box for R, etc.  My parents are not wealthy, but I'm an only and they're comfortable, so they like doing things like this.  It makes them happy and I let them do it, because ... well, parental issues aside, who's going to be like "thanks for offering me $1k towards this pending project, but no thanks!"  

So right now, we have the following options on the table (all of which were suggested by my parents as potential options):

1. $$$ towards building a shed in the side yard so we can get R's workshop/tools/projects out of the damn dining room.
2. $$$ towards finishing the downstairs bathroom (would likely go towards an upgrade on the shower stall, which is the only truly expensive thing we're considering for that room).
3. $$$ towards having a professional painter come out and do the back of the house (R isn't comfortable doing it himself because of the slope that's there - it will require scaffolding or some sort of rappelling off the roof)
4. Ask for actual gifts - R would like a tow hitch for his car and I would love a high-quality pressure canner - this would likely come out around half of the total $$ they would spend, but feels a little more Christmassy.

Obviously, there are other things we could ask for, but this is kind of where we're sitting at the moment.  Which would you do?

[mrs.jacinthe]

And yes, I'm fully aware that this is among the FWP-iest of FWPs.

[Deleted]

Which one can you live with the least/want done the most I'd start there.
Or is there a project this money would fund entirely or close too? I'd do that.

If it was me, I'd do the shed. Random sh*t not in a home makes me nuts.

[YahYahs]

All would be awesome in their own ways. Just from the details you've given, I'd choose shed because that would free up your dining room, making it feel like you're getting two "things" out of the money. And it's a gift for both of you (you get your dining room back, he gets the shed).

[emoflamingo]

Ditto. H got a (small) shed for a Father's Day present from his parents (they are pretty well off and like to give gifts - I think it's a "keep things even" thing with them because they spent about a grand on SIL's basement remodel recently) and while I was happy to have the riding lawn mower out, I wish I had gotten them to get a bigger one and let us put money in on it. Only because I still can't park in the mf'ing garage. (Child FWP, it's because we have too many Powerwheel toys and bikes.)

[nomad100]

I would probably say the painting since that isn't something you feel comfortable doing yourself.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Oct 20, 2014 14:47:50 GMT -5 @justdairy said:

Which one can you live with the least/want done the most I'd start there.  Honestly, I think I'm at the breaking point with the "no shed" situation, so that's what I'm leaning toward, but it's also the one that would be least paid for by this gift.  LOL
Or is there a project this money would fund entirely or close too? I'd do that.   Maaaaaaybe the painting.  Maybe.  But professional (bonded/insured) painters ain't cheap, even for only one wall.

If it was me, I'd do the shed. Random sh*t not in a home makes me nuts.

[pitterwoo]

I would lean towards the painting, but it sounds like the shed might be the most preferred to have happen right away.