Present Ideas for one Dear Relation Family

[snarlingcoyote]

I have a niece who just turned 20 and has a new baby and a DH. They are on public assistance and she's on permanant disability. (This seems to be the main source of income for their little family ) as her DH refuses to work unless he gets paid cash under the table - we all think he's likely on the lam from SOMETHING, but other dear relations who work for law enforcement have made inquiries and if he is, it's low level enough that a casual review of his current name doesn't find it - although we can't find evidence that he legally exists either, so .)

Anyway, not asking for advice about dear niece and her DH. (Trust me, that's been hashed and rehashed with plenty of experts and we're all just waiting for the shoe to drop and pricing used trailers for her to live in on family property at some point.)

What I need are gift ideas for them. Last year, I gave DN some beautiful earrings and her DH some Godiva chocolates - there was no baby. This year???? I'm at a loss. Any ideas would be appreciated. Her younger brother and sister are getting gift cards to Aeropostale. (That's the only "trendy" store in their local mall.) Her mom is getting some gourgeous ruby earrings I found for a steal on Amazon, and her dad is getting a gift card to JCP and a box of World's Finest Chocolates.

Gift cards to Walmart for the family? I get my Dear GodChild and her family gift cards to Old Navy. (DGC the sales at Old Navy and her kids always look sooooo cute for cheap! In another year or two, I guess it'll be time to get toys, but right now her girls are little and prefer dollar store toys!)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How is their lifestyle while being on public assistance?

If they are in dire straights, I would focus my gifting on needs.

If they manage, I might include a "luxury" item. ("luxury" for someoen who is low income).

I don't have any specific suggestions--but those are the guidelines that I would use.

I certainly wouldn't be buying them gift cards to trendy places to shop if the money would be better suited to groceries or items for the baby.

 

[monkeybug]

I have a niece who just turned 20 and has a new baby and a DH. They are on public assistance and she's on permanant disability. (This seems to be the main source of income for their little family ) as her DH refuses to work unless he gets paid cash under the table - we all think he's likely on the lam from SOMETHING, but other dear relations who work for law enforcement have made inquiries and if he is, it's low level enough that a casual review of his current name doesn't find it - although we can't find evidence that he legally exists either, so .)

Anyway, not asking for advice about dear niece and her DH. (Trust me, that's been hashed and rehashed with plenty of experts and we're all just waiting for the shoe to drop and pricing used trailers for her to live in on family property at some point.)

What I need are gift ideas for them. Last year, I gave DN some beautiful earrings and her DH some Godiva chocolates - there was no baby. This year???? I'm at a loss. Any ideas would be appreciated. Her younger brother and sister are getting gift cards to Aeropostale. (That's the only "trendy" store in their local mall.) Her mom is getting some gourgeous ruby earrings I found for a steal on Amazon, and her dad is getting a gift card to JCP and a box of World's Finest Chocolates.

Gift cards to Walmart for the family? I get my Dear GodChild and her family gift cards to Old Navy. (DGC the sales at Old Navy and her kids always look sooooo cute for cheap! In another year or two, I guess it'll be time to get toys, but right now her girls are little and prefer dollar store toys!)

We have family members with little money too and last year we got them a membership to Costco along with a gift certificate for the store. They really loved using the gift card to get items they can't normally afford with their regular food budget and to stock up on some of the items they use the most. We have also gotten them gift cards to restaurants and movies as those are luxuries their budget doesn't normally allow for.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

I love the idea of the Costco membership and Costco gift card.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Old Navy has clothes for every age from infants to adults. I would probably get one gift card for their family from there. They do have good sales and prices are reasonable. So it isn't trendy like Aeropostle, but more on the practical side, while still allowing the "luxury" of new clothes.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Well, you've already got your doubts about the husband....Sorry, but I don't think I'd trust their judgement to even give them a gift card to Walmart or Costco. I'd be giving them things like baby clothes, and diapers, toys for the baby and NO gift receipt. Definitely focus on the baby, and maybe some necessities as a group gift for them, like kitchen items, bath towels, or other household items they might need.

 

[clh2]

It sounds like money might be tight. I may get flamed royally for this comment...so be it. What about a plain old generic gift card to a store like Target, Walmart, Kmart or whatever discount retailer is in their area? Even the grocery store would be nice.

As much as I like a luxury item or two - if I had problems buying diapers, food, and other necessities, like utilities etc, I would welcome the "relief" to my budget.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I love the idea of the Costco membership and Costco gift card.

I've been doing that for wedding, and baby gifts the past few years. It goes over great

I agree w/ everyone that says to keep it practical. Walmart, or grocery store gift cards. Maybe a smaller gift card to Aeropostale. They do have some great deals, and Mom could probably get a lot w/ a small amt.

 

[babytrees]

It sounds like money might be tight. I may get flamed royally for this comment...so be it. What about a plain old generic gift card to a store like Target, Walmart, Kmart or whatever discount retailer is in their area? Even the grocery store would be nice.

As much as I like a luxury item or two - if I had problems buying diapers, food, and other necessities, like utilities etc, I would welcome the "relief" to my budget.

Money is extremely tight in my house (don't flame me for the internet...it is a need in my job search and my girls school work) and I would prefer a gc to Target than Old Navy...we really need underthings around here and I refuse to get them where I normally get our clothes (ARC....a thrift store like Goodwill...but with better deals).

Other than a generic card like that I would love to have a gc to the movie....with $25 I can get all 3 (or 4 depending on the situation) of us in to a first run movie theater for 2 hours where we can escape reality. (If you go on certain days before noon it is $4-$6 a person). Or a gc to a restaurant...it doesn't even have to be fancy, McDonalds or Chik Fil A....almost all eating out has been eliminated in my house so for a break from cooking I would be immensely grateful!!

 

[EthansMom]

These are people in need. I would give them gifts that they can use to meet their needs... GC for their local grocery store; clothing basics, diapers, formula for the baby; and/or warm clothing for Mom and Dad. Another idea... call the local utility company and pay their electric/gas bill for the month.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably do lots of stuff for the baby and a grocery store GC for the adults.

I wouldn't want some skanky guy being able to spend any of my hard-earned money on anything for himself that he could possibly buy at Wal-Mart, Target etc. At least at the grocery store, it's food mostly.

I'd also question the ruby earrings, since whenever that "shoe" drops, he'll be taking them to hock for the $$$.

 

[minkydog]

It sounds like money might be tight. I may get flamed royally for this comment...so be it. What about a plain old generic gift card to a store like Target, Walmart, Kmart or whatever discount retailer is in their area? Even the grocery store would be nice.

As much as I like a luxury item or two - if I had problems buying diapers, food, and other necessities, like utilities etc, I would welcome the "relief" to my budget.

Hear, hear When I was young my family were often the recipients of food boxes and Christmas presents from strangers as well as wealthier relatives. Sometimes the gifts would just leave us shaking our heads--plastic bead necklaces for a 10yo, knock-off Barbie for the 15yo, a plastic dino with only 3 legs. The food boxes were pretty odd too-cans of rutabagas, a can of asparagus, some red clam sauce, and some spicy Cajun vienna sausages just screams Merry Christmas--NOT. My parents were very embarrassed to get these gifts any way, but when the gifts were just odd it made them feel even worse. Back in the day, there weren't any gift cards, but my mother would have loved a special "line of credit" at our small-town grocery store or even at the fabric store(she made all our clothes).

If this couple is struggling to gain the basic necessities, like diapers, formula, vegetables, fruit, jeans--then I'd go that direction. If they are making their ends meet, and you think you'd like to give them something kind of special, perhaps you could give them movie passes and an offer to keep the baby one evening while they go out.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Ooooohhhh I love the idea of gift cards to McDonalds and such! I hadn't thought of that.

No Sam's Club or Aero or Old Navy near them. I think maybe there's a McDonalds, not sure. (Some. . .ahm. . .well. They got moved up the list for public housing and got into one of the best public housing apartment places when she got PG. I have no idea how this happened. Getting moved up the list was probably due to being PG, but getting into THIS complex. . .I wonder if my mom, her grandmother, put in a word or two, but I'm not asking. at any rate it is WAY OUT in the country.)

Ruby earrings are for DN's momma, my SIL. Aero cards are for her younger sibs. . .just trying to give everyone an idea of what level of gift giving we do.

I love the idea of movie tickets, but not sure if they ever get that far out of the woods. I might do that for my Dear GodDaughter though. She likes going to a theater that has Mommy and Me days .

Maybe I'll buy them something small and start a quiet little fund for Dear Great Niece's future.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Aha. No McDonald's close to them.

Ryan's Steak House, Popeye's, and Pizza Hut are in the next town over, where my family lives.

I think they're getting gift cards to those places!

 

[3boymthr]

I'd second the grocery store GC. Even if they don't have a chain grocery near them, many of the local stores also do a nice certificate. They are such a help when you are struggling.

 

[RangerPooh]

I like the GC to a grocery store or Target/Walmart. While you would hope that it goes towards the family, you can not always guarantee it. Aside form the GC for groceries or staple items I would consider a small GC (under $20) to Popeyes or Pizza Hut as that's what is close to them. If your niece is realistic, then she might view it as a splurge. Finally, I would make a designated baby gift. A package of diapers, clothes for spring, a new book, or other age/stage appropriate items. This way you know that it is going to the baby, and if they use the GC unwisely the baby won't be short changed.

 

[Lisa_M]

I think a grocery store GC would be good or packages of diapers and clothes for the baby. If they are on assistance, WIC and food stamps probably covers the formula, but not the other stuff. I would try to ensure that baby is well taken care of with gifts for the baby. Besides, I know once I had my daughter I enjoyed gifts for my DD, more than my own. Maybe your niece is the same way.

 

[KirstenB]

It sounds like money might be tight. I may get flamed royally for this comment...so be it. What about a plain old generic gift card to a store like Target, Walmart, Kmart or whatever discount retailer is in their area? Even the grocery store would be nice.

As much as I like a luxury item or two - if I had problems buying diapers, food, and other necessities, like utilities etc, I would welcome the "relief" to my budget.

This is exactly what we do with dh's sister. I buy them a gift card to Walmart and send them a Heavenly Ham with the fixings. They live in NY, we're in VA, and we haven't seen them in years. Obviously, dh and his sister aren't close, but I try to do something practical for them. They don't reciprocate, which is okay with me (they don't have money, are chronically unemployed).

 

[babytrees]

Aha. No McDonald's close to them.

Ryan's Steak House, Popeye's, and Pizza Hut are in the next town over, where my family lives.

I think they're getting gift cards to those places!

They will be grateful.

I agree with other posters about getting something specific for the baby...it is too easy to think that money/gc could be used for something other than for the baby. How about books? Cuddle time is wonderful and you can never have too many books!