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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Moving forward - present buying nieces/nephews

3 replies

Iliketulips · 23/12/2025 17:18

DH has always said once they get to 18, we'd stop buying (we only have nieces/nephews on his side). I've always said if we still clearly have a relationship into old age, I'd like to give them a little something.

So at 18, we stopped.

N/N 1 - we haven't had contact for 18 months or a card (gave one last year), but were invited to a special birthday at that time. Lives locally.

NN 2 - only see if families are getting together and she's at home with her parents - lives locally. Has given us an Xmas present this year via parents. My godchild, who is absolutely lovely

NN 3 - never see or hear from. Parent is clearly still upset we're not buying for.

NN 4 - lives away, comes back occasionally. Asked to see us last year and gave us a present. Asked to see us again tomorrow.

I'd really live to give NN4 a little something, but is related to 1 and 2, who will see over Xmas. DH says 'no'. If not, I've suggested we buy 4 a drink when they come to us (pub very close), and suggest meeting up with 2 for coffee which they like.

What's fair?

A sideline, BIL always said he'd stop at 18, but now gives to our DD as he sees her 2/3x a year, she'll babysit/take his children out then. It's clear for him as he has no contact whatsoever with rest of N&N

OP posts:
TheCurious0range · 23/12/2025 17:30

I would buy each of them a little something, I don't base present giving on contact levels. We see DHs extended family over Christmas and get nice boxes of chocolates or similar something for the family to share, it's a token. Some of them we only see once or twice a year, some we haven't seen at all this year.

This year we found some really beautiful tins of spiced ginger biscuits so each family will get one of those and a card. To the smiths from the jones' merry Christmas etc

LighthouseLED · 23/12/2025 17:35

I’d want to give to both NN2, as they’ve given you a present, and NN4.

UxmalFan · 23/12/2025 17:44

If someone gives you a present, you should normally give them one. But you could just give presents to the N/Ns that you see over Christmas.
They may not be so bothered about it that they compare notes with their siblings about who got what.

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