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  1. 12-14-2004, 02:36 PM #1
    gkp1031
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    Default What would you do?

    Ok, I'm not sure what to do, I don't want to be a "scrooge" or a "meanie", but I'm getting tired of this...

    Mike's younger brother has a girlfriend, she has 3 girls ages 8, 12 and 16. They started going out last year right before Christmas, so we ended up buying each of the girls a small gift. We didn't want them to feel left out while Mike's nieces were opening presents. Low and behold, they break up 2 weeks after Christmas.

    And, guess what, they just got back together the week of Thanksgiving. They are invited to Christmas dinner, and of course she is going to show up with her girls. Do we buy them each a gift again, do we get something that the 5 of them can use/do together, or do we just get his brother something?

    We already have a lot of gifts to purchase (large family), so even an extra 3 small gifts will hurt the budget.

    Ugg, if its not one thing, its another.
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  2. 12-14-2004, 02:53 PM #2
    Michele Annette
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    Gina,

    I can understand your frustration, but if it were me, I would feel bad if they didn't have anything to open. What about one game for all the kids to share? Do you have a Dollar store near you? There are some great things at the Dollar store too! Good Luck!!
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  3. 12-14-2004, 03:02 PM #3
    santoria
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    I would get a group gift. that they can all use together.

    that is a good question...

    c
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  4. 12-14-2004, 03:03 PM #4
    guest2
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    I think a game for the entire group would be a great gift and not break the bank. That way they get something to open (and don't feel like the 5th wheel) that they can all enjoy together. They are children after all and it would be hard on them to see everyone else get gifts while they are left out.
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  5. 12-14-2004, 03:06 PM #5
    matt&roxy
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    Gina while I understand totally where you are coming from, I wouldn't be able to leave the "kids" out either. Now the girlfriend who comes and goes, I would have no problems not giving a gift too, and she should totally understand and not care especially if her kids did get something from you............
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  6. 12-14-2004, 03:17 PM #6
    gkp1031
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    I've been leaning towards getting the girls a small gift, and getting the brother and girlfriend a gift certificate to dinner.

    The thing that I have the biggest problem with is last year, that family went home with a carload of gifts from everyone. And, I don't ever remember hearing a thank you, from them or the mother.

    But, I'll just do some bargain shopping and find some deals.

    If I sounded "witchy" in my earlier post, I didn't mean to. I totally agree Christmas is for the kids and I wouldn't want them to feel left out. But, its hard for me to be generous when I feel people expect it. Ok, I'm stepping down off my soap-box now!
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  7. 12-14-2004, 03:20 PM #7
    guest2
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    Gina

    I know that you have a tender heart and I can understand "why" you feel the way you do if there was no thank you last year.
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  8. 12-14-2004, 03:38 PM #8
    matt&roxy
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    Just remember that the girlfriend is the kids mother so they learn from her.........
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  9. 12-14-2004, 04:18 PM #9
    bamamomto4
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    hmmm...thats a hard one. I would hate for them to feel left out so,I'd prob get a card,or make each of them a card and put $5 in it. And do what you said for the brother and girlfriend...
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  10. 12-14-2004, 04:28 PM #10
    pip
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    It would be hard to leave the kids out. I like the idea of a small token gift each or game to share, and a gift certificate to a restaurant for the adults. I don't blame you for noticing no thank you for last year's gifts, but I guess if it were for me, I'd try to take the high road. I would just feel better in the end by being more generous.
    Sandy

    My Blog: http://mysimplelifebysandy.blogspot.com/
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  11. 12-14-2004, 04:33 PM #11
    baronmom
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    we have a store close to us that is called 5 Below. Everything is $5 and under. They have some neat things there too, and it would not break the bank. If you check out www.5below.com you should be able to see if there is one close to you. Take if from someone who was a kid that went to Christmas at my step-father's parents house and got nothing to open. It was not fun, and I still remember those days clearly. One small gift at least says that they are being thought of.
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  12. 12-14-2004, 05:16 PM #12
    PrairieRose
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    I've been in almost the exact situation and I got small gifts and wrapped them nicely.

    ~48 yr. old sahw, livin' it up in our empty nest, smack dab in the middle of everywhere.~
    *We're debt freeeeeeeee! (including the house)*


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  13. 12-14-2004, 07:01 PM #13
    Kimmomo3
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    I must be a scroog, I wouldn't have gotten them anything last year Or this year. I have 3 kids 10,6,4 and if we are going someware we don't expect to get a gift when others will be opening we either prepare the kids before hand or bring a gift from us for each kid to open.
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  14. 12-15-2004, 02:52 AM #14
    Julia Kimber
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    Just a small gift so they won't feel left out, but definitely nothing expensive! Or, as some of the others have suggested, a game between them.
    Julia
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