Argh! Please help: daddy present for my ex

[twirlypoo]

Ds dad is here visiting at the mo so I have until Tuesday to get him a present from Ds (so too late to order anything online - more fool me!)

We get on ok, and I know he has got me a restaurant voucher from Ds for £30 (which was actually very well thought out as he said if he got me voichers for a shop he knew I would spend it on Ds not myself)

I don't really know him any more and an really broke so £20 max. What do I get him? He has to take it on a plane too so can't be large. In the past have done Ds painted canvas and photos etc.

While we are at it, if you know of Any grandparent gifts for his parents too I would be super grateful

My mind has gone blank this year - not helped by having no money spare

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

How old is DS? Personally I only started getting xh presents from DS when DS was old enough to participate in choosing them. Aren't you just buying each other gifts? And gifts for his grandparents? Your ex in laws? Don't be daft. When he's old enough he can make/choose a token present for them but if he's too small to do that you really don't need to get them anything.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

I doubt your ex has bought your parents grandparent gifts - surely it's his job to buy gifts for his parents from his son if he wishes?

[twirlypoo]

Also, while we are at it - his girlfriend (fraught relations with me in past but not spoken in years, never met Ds but been with ex 4 years) has got him some presents for christmas. If I send over a bottle of fizz addressed to them both from me and Ds would that be weird or an ok olive branch thing? I don't want Ds to get her just a present for her as he has no idea she exists really (Ds coming up 4 and they live abroad so that's circumstance rather than planned) but I do want to acknowledge she has tried / made an effort.

I'm over thinking this aren't i?

[twirlypoo]

Sorry, cross posts! We get on okay so I would like to get him a present on Ds behalf - he would be sad if he didn't receive anything, and whilst Ds has very little interest in it, he would want to hand over a present of you see what I mean!

[tinkerbellvspredator]

Bottle of fizzy sounds fine to me. With my DD we always get the the choose the present, and yes at 3 she chose a toy but that was sweet.

[twirlypoo]

Oh, and his parents are brill - they get me a present as well as Ds, so I don't mind getting them something.... But cheap and what?! I make ex get presents for his sister on Ds behalf cos I don't like her if that helps redress the balance?

[tinkerbellvspredator]

Plus you should start training your DS to be a present chooser now and get him interested in thinking and choosing gifts. Or you'll end up with a grown up son buying you Justin Bieber CDs...

[twirlypoo]

Play doh all round then tinker that's a good point though, I will see what Ds wants to choose and take that as a starting point. Thank you

[Scarydinosaurs]

Photobox are still doing Christmas delivery- or is that too late for you? Does he leave before Christmas Day?

A few prints in a book for grandparents could be nice?

[twirlypoo]

He leaves on tuesday so I need it before then really.

I know it's terrible but I was hoping to avoid the effort of making a photo book (I am crap, I know) I don't know what's the matter with me tbh - im usually so organised but I feel like the grinch this year!

I need to suck it up I think! Thank you :)

[SweepTheHalls]

Cinema vouchers for him to take DS?

[whatdoIget]

I usually get my ex a box of chocolate from the pound shop, generous, I know. It's just something for dc to hand over.

[Scarydinosaurs]

As he's abroad could you get a little good luck charm for when he flies home to see your son?

Are the grandparents abroad too? Does your son see them? Some seeds and a plant pot so they can do some gardening together?

[revealall]

Can you buy a nice frame or display box for the grandparents to showcase a bit of his art? Would they a similar voucher for trip out? National trust did notecards that give you free tea at their properties.
Maybe a coffee table book for ex if he likes glossy photos of something.
Bottle of Baileys to remind him of the UK ( seems very British somehow).

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

I give the dc £1 each and they go round poundland and choose something themselves. Could do that for part of his present.

[attheendoftheday]

Nice photo in a frame or a photo mug? Tescos can get photo presents done pretty quickly in store.

Otherwise booze or chocs would be fine.

[Makemineacabsauv]

I ha r always let my DC choose something for their dad - last few years it has been a Primark t shirt. This year they couldn't be arsed (he hadn't seen them for 5 years - his choice but still sends them a gift at Cmas), so I've sent him a school photo of each of them (bloody expensive but got enough for most relatives). I sent photos to his parents plus a proper present for them too as they still see DC and his behaviour is t their fault. Got xMil posh hand cream and body lotion and Yankee candles as she loves them and xfil alias of books. Think ASDA and yes I do instant photo gifts or you could let da choose - or do a t shirt and smelliest.

[twirlypoo]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions

I went to tesco and got a photo block thingy made up, and a Christmas decoration with Ds inside the bauble. Dad has a present chosen by Ds from pound shop on top and a bottle of wine for me and his missus. Grandparents have chocolates from me and £1 shop present chosen from Ds too.

You lot are brilliant! Thank you

[twirlypoo]

Haha, wine is for him and his missus.... Not me and her. That's crossing a boundary too far