Buying a Gift for my Daughter's Boyfriend for Christmas...

[JanetRose]

My 18 year old daughter told me today that her boyfriend's mom does not go all out in buying gifts for her son. It sounds like she spends about $20 or so for a gift so my daughter doesn't want me to spend more on him than what his mom is going to spend on him so he or his mom won't feel bad about it. What do you all think? I was going to buy him gift cards at different restaurants totaling about $50.

 

[grinningghost]

I'm in the same boat - sort of. I guess you could get him a gift card for a restaurant that would be just enough for him and your daughter. Pick a place that's relatively inexpensive, that way you won't have to spend as much. Don't want to get on his Mom's bad side, even if he does deserve more than a 20 dollar gift.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I am kinda in the same boat also. My DD18 has a very nice boyfriend who goes all out for her all the time . His Mom and Dad do not make alot of money so they dont do a big Christmas . I bought gift cards also and then I also bought something special from me to him that would make him think about the funny things we talk about . My DD said his Mom already asked her what we bought her son for Christmas . I am worried about making them feel bad but I also want him to know he is part of our family and loved .

 

[Blueeyes101817]

when i was dating my (now ex) boyfriend, his family did not have alot of money..they had 5 kids and 2 grandkids...so they did not get much for christmas....
My mom and his mom were friends, so my parents always gave him a movie gift certificate and a dinner one..that way we could go out on a date ..haha

 

[disykat]

I think $50 is a bit much to spend on other people's kids. I spend about $25 each on nieces and nephews and I think that would be appropriate. Honestly, my oldest is only 12, but I can imagine he would freak if he got that kind of gift from you - he'd think you were planning the wedding. I agree with others that it would be easier to get away with spending more if it was a gift that both your dd and he could use like movie passes etc.

Coming from the prospective of someone who doesn't "do big Christmases" in a monetary sense (we celebrate very big, we just don't do it with expensive gifts), I really think something that he knows cost a lot could make him uncomfortable.

 

[Beauty]

My mom was the opposite. She knew our first Christmas (as did we) that he was THE ONE. She always bought him as much as me....LOL! His mom bought for him as well, but we have always been his family (long story).