Do you buy for your mum & dad separately?

[daisydee43]

Hi

The jury is out - do I buy for mum and dad separately or as a joint gift have no idea. Have 3 sets of parents to buy for (don't know mums boyfriend that well, don't see much of them)

I've always bought different things for my mum and dad, although I might get them a joint present as well. Something like personalised coasters.

I always buy separately. Joint presents would complicate things too much as my parents have completely different tastes!

Always separately for my P's but we often get joint presents for DH's. They're harder to buy for and like getting things like restaurant vouchers etc.

Always separately, Dad is single though so that's less of an issue as I don't have a partner for him to worry about, just my step-dad. And I leave the ILs up to DH!

I try to buy separately, but there's often a bit of overlap - e.g. this year one of the things I've got them is a a book about walking in Italy, because I know they are thinking of going.

Me and DH have clubbed together with SIL and her DP for years now to buy the PIL a UK mini break as a xmas present. They are very difficult to buy for, as like many couples of their generation, they have homes over full of everything they might want anyway. The only problem is trying to agree a reasonable budget with SIL as she has no DC and is very devoted to her parents and would spend silly money on the joint present if we didn't put the brakes on!

I have started getting my DF and SM a joint present also the last couple of years. Last year a voucher for a cream tea, this year restaurant vouchers.

I also get both couples a present from the DC (usually framed school photo, etc) so they don't have just the one small gift to open between them.

I do a bit of both. I always buy them a joint present like theatre tickets or National Trust membership. Then I buy them something separate from the kids each.

Good God yes, she's a romantic novelist and he's a steam train enthusiast engineer. He's getting some chunks of fancy wood to play with on his lathe and she's having a teacosy (it's what she wants!) PiLs, however, are getting a pre-loaded digital photoframe this year - pretty sure it will blow their minds.