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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Buying son's girlfriend presents

122 replies

Sunnysky2016 · 01/11/2016 09:59

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. My ds1 (16) has been with his gf for over a year and they are the same age. She's a lovely girl and we love her to bits.
Christmas in our house is always full of presents as we like to treat each other. However I've been reading other posts on the number of gifts people buy and I know it varies hugely.
I have bought gifts for gf from me and my dp, ds2 and of course ds1.
These have included a necklace, watch, candle, smellies, pj's, cuddly toy, and other little bits. However having read some other posts, I don't know how her family celebrate? Would giving so many gifts been seen as not the done thing? I've done it, because we love her and see her as part of the family, so she has a stocking and sack as well. Also things like smellies, pj's are a kind of 'female tradition' in our family, (gp's buy for dm, dm and mil buy for me, so it was automatic I done for her).
It's not a worry as in, her parents may not be able to afford things, but in worrying that will they think I've gone overboard. I've asked ds1 and he's just said it's fine and she will love everything. I just don't want to upset her parents if this is not how they do Christmas. Also I don't want to ask her parents, because I don't want them to feel that they then have to buy ds1 X amount, because this is not about that. We've done it because we enjoy given gifts, not because we expect anything in return.

OP posts:
SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 15:10

I know that DSis will give him some sort of alarm clock (it's apparently "perfect") and he will most likely bring something. The last few times we invited him he has always brought something... so, I suspect that he might do the same for Christmas.

And seeing as my DSis had an extremely difficult year (she couldn't live at home anymore) I want her to have a lovely Christmas.

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 15:12

And yes, I'm a terrible gift giver as well.

Last Christmas we made "coal lumps" (their actually biscuits). That's what most family members received from us...

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 15:12

*they're

Roussette · 01/11/2016 15:13

Yes, I would agree if you're going to see them over Christmas.

But for instance ... my DD who lives 100 miles away... her bf from up where she lives, I'm not seeing over the Christmas period. I wouldn't expect anything from him and wouldn't be buying him anything, and likewise he won't be buying for us. He will spend it with his family and DD will be with us. I think he'd imagine I'd lost my marbles if I posted my DD a present to give to him!

PhantomPringles · 01/11/2016 15:18

Spunky does the boyfriend have an Xbox or similar? A voucher for use on that is always well received - it's what my son buys his friends for birthdays and Christmas. Or aftershave, smellies, cinema voucher, that sort of thing.

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 15:35

phantom

I don't think so? I know that my little sister doesn't...
I did think of giving them some tickets for something... but I think they can buy their own cinema tickets.

This is so complicated. Maybe I'll simply give him coal lumps. Or an old jumper... Or maybe a mug? I will send his family a Christmas card.

I'm socially inept, so, I'll just hope he won't hate me after that.

SirChenjin · 01/11/2016 15:39

There isn't a 16 year old boy who wouldn't appreciate a lump of coal, or an old jumper, or a mug (with 'you're one of the family' written on it) Grin

What is he into?

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 15:47

sir

The "coal lumps" are actually homemade biscuits that look like coal... We gave them to the whole family last Christmas :)

I know that he likes sports, my little sister and he has a dog. He's also into politics. He's actually a rather lovely young man.

SirChenjin · 01/11/2016 15:51

I know - I was only joking about the coal Smile Blush

Could you get him something for the sports he plays? A good piece of kit that might be a bit beyond his pocket normally? Or if there is a politician he admires, perhaps their autobiography/biography? Is there a band he likes - maybe tickets for a concert?

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:00

Sir, you are absolutely brilliant!

I think he has everything he wants/needs for his sports.

But concert tickets might be appreciated. I'll ask DSis what she thinks... if she can't think of anything I'll buy him something for the dog. Maybe doggy Christmas tickets. Or running socks (I think these are always useful)

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:01

"Doggy Christmas treats"

SirChenjin · 01/11/2016 16:10

Doggy running socks?! Grin

Headofthehive55 · 01/11/2016 16:18

I agree with they are part of the extended family, for now. But then we count our pets too. You never know whether they will be there a long time or short
I think if you don't make an effort to get something, should it turn out to be a longer relationship then you might have more difficulties making them feel part of things later on.

Headofthehive55 · 01/11/2016 16:21

I mean would you decide to give a gift after ten years? Five? Two? On marriage only? If there is children?

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:22

sir

Doggy shoes actually do exist ;)

But no, running socks for humans. Or doggy treats.

I'll go with the doggy treats or concert tickets.

SirChenjin · 01/11/2016 16:25

They think of everything Grin

Hope you have a lovely time, whatever you decide to get him - he sounds really nice Smile

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:31

sir
They really do :D

And yes, he's a lovely young man. I wish my first boyfriend had been this nice (mine really was a bit of a twit. But then again, so was I...)

Buying son's girlfriend presents
SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:32

And I hope yiubhave a lovely Christmas as well :)

Wendalicious · 01/11/2016 16:37

When we had Xmas with boyfriend (now husband) his parents gave me so much stuff and my folks just have him a cd and I felt a bit awkward but diff families have diff ideas and over time not a problem but at first, yes x

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:38

Well, the first year I got chocolate from DH's parents.

Nowadays his wife gives me dead animals... 😂😂😅

SpunkyMummy · 01/11/2016 16:40

His mother.

DH doesn't have another wife.

Trying to do work and mumsnet is terrible... bye 😅

Sunnysky2016 · 02/11/2016 09:53

Now see after having 2ds's I can buy for boys but girls I find harder as apart from dm, dmil and gm, I've all males.
I think to be honest that's why I have gone over board as well- it's nice to buy girlie things, even though I haven't chosen them ds1 has, just the looking aspect is a novelty.
As for the pressures on their relationship etc- I'm lucky, they are both A grade students, done extremely well in their GCSE's both currently doing 5 A-Levels, and have a small group of friends which they see as often as each other, so none of the 'ditching friends' so they can see each other. Are they really serious about each other? Yes they are. Will they stay 'together forever'? I've no idea they are 16. Am I alreading 'marrying them off'? Mmmmmm that's a hard one- she's a lovely girl, bright, funny, hard working, goals set for what she wants to achieve, ensures my ds1 completes all work and doesn't slack. What more could I ask for Wink
I guess when I say she's 'part of the family', maybe we have different views on what that means. For me, it's means she is always welcome here, she doesn't have to tiptoe around, she can help herself to food and drink without asking, she helps out with chores when needed, she will look after ds2 if I have no one too, if I'm doing shopping she will ask for certain drinks etc. Thats how she is 'like family' to me.

This was installed in me, when dp and I got together, and that's how his parents treated me. Mine were hardly around and I had and still do have a very difficult relationship with mine (but that's a story for another day!), so I guess I'm following how I was treated, and how comfortable and welcome
I felt.

As for her family, they also have welcomed my son with open arms, and he himself commented a while ago that he feels really comfortable there and he gets treated like family- I.e- xxxxxx will you bring the washing down out of xxxxx bedroom and also Hoover the stairs lol. And as I had xxxxxx changing the bedsheets the other day, I think we are similar!

But back to presents, I asked ds1 what Christmas was like at her house, and also showed him this thread. He said her parents are really generous, and Christmas is also a big deal in their house. But I explained my reservations on gifts, and he still wanted to give them all, so we had a little pro's and con's, and he's agreed with me that I can hold back a few of the gifts, but he may give them to her spontaninsly throughout the coming months.
So basically I've looked at all of your advice, the 'go for''s and the 'OTT' comments and taken the middle road Smile.

Thank you everyone though for responding. I had asked dp and dm their opinions, and they basically said 'everyone knows you go OTT at Christmas' which didn't help me at all!!

As for the poster above looking for ideas for presents- Xbox points (if he has an Xbox), iTunes (again depending on device), clothes (but find out if he wears a particular 'brand' first), aftershave, shower radio, book, DVD or boxset, chocolate.........

The poster who makes 'lumps of coal'- how do you make those? I've never heard of them but sounds like an interesting gift I can install on some difficult to buy for family members! (And yes I mean blood relations).

Once again thank you all, I've appreciated ALL of your responses and have enjoyed reading them.

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