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Christmas gifts

9 replies

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 14:14

I'm not sure if this is the right thread.

My little sister currently lives with us (probably not for much longer, tbh).
I obviously love her, want the best for her etc. she asked if her boyfriend could come over to celebrate Christmas and we agreed that he'd come for a small Christmas lunch.

Inthought it would be good to give him a small present... however, what kind of present? DH has no idea and neither have I. DSis is rather unhelpful...

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SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 14:15

*The right board to start this thread

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ShotsFired · 01/11/2016 14:25

Ask your sister?

(Realise by the time I post this loads of others will probably have already replied!)

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SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 14:29

shots :D

No, first reply ;)
She says she'll give him some sort of alarm clock (don't ask me, it's apparently a "great" gift)....

Generic gifts are usually alcohol, chocolate or maybe gift cards. All these things are probably not appropriate (or too generic).

The only somewhat decent idea was tickets to some sort of show they might like...?

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ShotsFired · 02/11/2016 09:26

Do you mean generic gifts are not suitable for the recipient or that you'd prefer not to buy them?

Because if it was me, I'd find out what they drink and buy a nice version of that a special brand not just supermarket or mass label etc (say, Sipsmith Gin rater than Gordon's, for example). Or fancy coffee beans or a new title from an author you know they like. Basically, play it safe.

Def wouldn't get show tickets. If they like shows, theatre tokens and then they can choose.

(Anecdote: I was once given - with great ceremony and an excited squeal - tickets to a musical as the recipient "knew" it was the 100% perfect present for me.... I HATE musicals and didn't even much like the original story the musical was based on!

It was just awful having to pretend I was pleased, for their benefit. (Ended up giving them away in the end, so their money was just wasted )

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Joysmum · 02/11/2016 09:33

By 'small present' I'm assuming you'd mean up to about £15?

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DoubleCarrick · 02/11/2016 09:41

When we have additional guests my family always buy biscuits, chocolate or deodorant. E.g. I often have a friend or two join us. My parents and nan will buy something small for them. Enough so that they have something to open but nothing big enough so that the recipient feels awkward

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FishyWishies · 02/11/2016 09:51

I think it needs to be age appropriate, are they teens?

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skilledintheartofnothing · 02/11/2016 12:43

How old is the boyfriend?

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SpunkyMummy · 02/11/2016 14:14

shots no, the boyfriend is 16 (so is my little sister, btw). So, obviously no alcohol. And chocolate, idk... good advise on the musical things.

joy the money isn't all that important (not that we're rich or anything). As long as it's a suitable present (that won't embarrass DSis too much).

carrick exactly. He's a lovely young man, and up to now he has always brought something as a "thank you" when we invited him.

fish skilled yes, teens.

I was on an other thread about Christmas gifts and decided that maybe concert tickets (I'll ask DSis what kind of music they both like) or something for his dog (maybe doggy treats) would be good?

Christmas is incredibly important in our family. But gift giving isn't really very "big". As long as it's something funny/suitable etc it's fine. I once got a grumpy cat shirt from my cousin and his DW, for example. DH and I made "coal lumps" (some sort of biscuit) last year for our relatives.
And I'll probably give onions to MIL (also inspired by mumsnet, but MiL will think it's entertaining).