Need gift idea: Sister's ex and his 8 year old son! (tough one!!!)

[missypie]

We've are traveling to Austin for Christmas dinner. Cast of characters will be my mom and dad, sister, her boyfriend, sister's two grown kids...and the kids' father who remarried, divorced and has sole custody of his 9 year old son.

I'd like to bring a small gift (under $50) for the ex and his son. They don't have a lot of money (I think they're still using as a couch the couch I got when I married in 1981!). It's useless giving gift cards or money if I want the little boy to have anything because the ex will just keep them (he used to cash and keep the birthday checks I'd send the neice and nephew when they lived with him).

Does anybody have any ideas whatsoever? I was thinking of maybe homemade cookies, etc. Perhaps a small electronic game like 20Q?

 

[krcit]

Do you mean 2 seperate gifts for the father and son or a joint gift? If you want to get the little boy something alone, how about Legos? I know they are a big hit with my nephews(9 and 10) and my own daughters also. i think I would concentrate on the boy-maybe just a token gift or homemade cookies for the dad. I think it's nice of you to remember them

 

[missypie]

Do you mean 2 seperate gifts for the father and son or a joint gift? If you want to get the little boy something alone, how about Legos? I know they are a big hit with my nephews(9 and 10) and my own daughters also. i think I would concentrate on the boy-maybe just a token gift or homemade cookies for the dad. I think it's nice of you to remember them

It could be two gifts or a joint gift. Legos is a good idea...even if you "already have Legos", you can always use more. I get the idea that the little boy doesn't have many toys.

 

[Disney Doll]

How about one of the handheld computer games??? I don't know the cost of them, so they may be outside your budget. Legos are also a good idea. The year my brother brought his new girlfriend (now my DSIL ) and her 8 year old son over to meet our family at Chjristmas, my parents got him an electric race car track which "the boys" had a lot of fun putting together and playing with.

As far as the father...how about a gas card or a grocery store card or a Home Depot card??? Is he "into" something....Nascar, Harley Davidson, a sports team???? Maybe a sweatshirt of something he's "into".