Hard to buy for... Xmas help please?

[Happy Dope]

Ok, I need your help

My FIL is one of the hardest people to buy for that I have EVER met. If I ever tried to MAKE him a gift, he would probably be disgusted. He has expensive taste, but only when it suits HIM. For example, he went out and bought a brand new Lexus SUV... and when he offered to send my hubby and I on a weekend vacation down the Cape (2 nights only), he flipped out about the price ($300 total, and included breakfast both days!!!!!).

SO anyhoo, how do I go frugal on Scrooge? Anyone have someone like this, too?

Oh, and BTW... he's married to my MIL, who's the Qpon Queen. Go figure. No wonder my husband is confused when it comes to finances. He has always watched his dad pull a wad of hundreds out of his pocket while his mom is saving every penny she can!

[druthb00]

Sounds like she has to save every penny she can lol, with a husband like that. I don't know how to go about giving a person like that an Xmas gift. I've never had to deal with that...thank god lol. I think that a "food" gift might be in your best interest. If he has a sweet tooth, or maybe really likes beef jerky...spices, things like that. If it's a food he really enjoys, then there's just no way he can complain about it lol. Unless of course it's the wrong "brand" or whatever. Oh boy....nevermind. LOL, maybe talk to you MIL? I mean, she's had to give him gifts for years, she must know how to deal with him

[Happy Dope]

Thanks for the suggestions!

You're completely right about the whole "wrong brand" issue... one thing that annoys me is that everything has to be perfect, or everything "sucks." All or nothing. I've tried talking to MIL, but... he just doesn't want anything. He doesn't DO anything. He sits at his store all day long, in the back, watching TV and complaining. THAT'S IT.

We usually end up getting him a gift card, but seriously are trying to be frugal this year.

UGH!!!!

[craftypam]

I have had to deal with mil and fil buying gifts but for a totally different reason. They are happy with what they have and never will tell you they would like anything.

What I have done for a long time (I don't know if it will work for you). In September I start listening to everything people say about what they'd like to have. I've come up with some good ideas that way. In your situation the ideas might be too much. Does he read? How about a subscription to a magazine of a subject he might be interested in.

[Momto5RN]

does he collect anything ??
i would probably stick with a gift card in a $ amt you can afford-to a restuarant- coffee shop etc he will use .

if he doesnt seem appreciative oh well - cant win them all at least you know you gave something he really can use .

[LeeCee]

I would just buy a gift card to a restaurant they like.if not then I honestly wouldn't buy anything since he is so fussy.just bring over some dish to dinner or something. that is his problem I would not go crazy.I had people like that also I stopped buying for them.some people just do not appreciate anything you buy for them and are never grateful.

[piney]

You have my sympthy i have one son inlaw that hard to buy for the things i get for sons and other son inlaws dont seem to be good enough for him.

[cuteoldlady]

My suggestion is to flat out ask him and tell him it needs to be affordable. Otherwise make a gift and put it to BOTH of them... and just dont bother with a personal gift. If something is said, tell them why - your not going to waste your money that could be spent/saved for his grandkids on something he wont like! Just MHO

[sunshine]

These are the people that I buy something from here:

Charitable Gift Giving that Makes a Difference | Heifer International and just send them a card that says "I bought a duck in your name for a person in xxxx country. Merry Christmas"

[Early Bird]

I'd send him a fruitcake.

[Lady_V]

You are not obligated to give him anything... handmade does not equal cheap. He would pay more for hand-crafted leather, would he not?

BUT - if you feel the need to get him something, may I suggest a pair of driving gloves or a scarf.

Not knowing him personally, I can only tell you what I gathered from your post. Status is important to him. High-end names, high-end car... poor wifey clipping coupons doesnt matter to him because it isnt seen.

The high-end stores have high-end names that can be found online for MUCH less. You can always pop in to the store and tell them "I bought a ______ and it didn't come with a box" and there you have the high-end gift (for much less) in the box.

~~ Personally, if he was my FIL and snubbed anything given to him, he would find himself watching others open their gifts and when he said something about not having anything I would say

"I know how much you dislike hand-crafted gifts and we didn't want to insult you by giving anything less than you deserve"

[krbshappy71]

Home made food. Don't knock yourself out, these people can never be satisfied and its not our job to do so. Cookies in a tin from Goodwill, done and done. He doesn't like them? Someone else will exclaim, 'YUM MM THOSE LOOK GOOD!' and he will look stupid.

True gifts are from the heart, anyone that shuns the heart can go to...a very warm location south of here. *smirk*

[valerian]

I'd just get him a gift card or it would be dh's problem to figure out. I have never bought for my inlaws...of course, I can't stand mine.

[craftypam]

True gifts are from the heart, anyone that shuns the heart can go to...a very warm location south of here. *smirk*
__________________
Love this part of your post. I'm cross stitching something that I am hoping will be liked because it is going to take me hours to make.

[Kitten20]

I was going to suggest a joint gift for both FIL & MIL to a restaurant, but other people beat me to it. Or maybe to the movies. Who doesn't like to go to the movies?