At present my son lives in a house which is owned by his partner’s mother. They both pay rent (50/50 each) and have been together for ten years. The mother lives elsewhere. DS has invited us, his siblings and his uncle to a pre-Christmas "family get together" – there will be 10 of us and each family is bringing a contribution : drinks, dessert, cheese etc. His partner will not be there….. we’re not sure whether she just doesn’t care to socialise with us or if she has something else planned that day. We don't see too much of her.
I have had a message from DS suggesting that we bring a gift for his M-out-Law "as a thank you" for letting us meet at her house. But it’s not her home, it is his and he pays rent. We have never met his "landlady". DH and I think this a really weird request – of course we will take something for the woman if it is important to DS, but, really ? Are we being unreasonable to find this request rather strange ? The reason we are going there is a) it’s his home and he invited us and b) it’s conveniently between where we live and where most of the rest of the group live (a four hour drive for us)….. and it suits DS not to have to travel to us as he doesn’t drive !