UGH! More presents to buy!

[semo233]

We had some family friends give everyone in our family presents!! We did not give them presents, but now I feel guilty and ungrateful. So I need to buy something for this family with two girls ages 4-7.
Any ideas?

 

[May05 preemie mom]

I'm big on board games that the family can play together or arts and crafts type of gifts.

 

[KibbyCat]

How about a gift card to a movie theater, so that the whole family can go out and enjoy a movie together? (Throw in a few boxes of theater-size candies for the girls if you want.)

 

[horseshowmom]

I'm probably going to be the oddball, but I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure you thanked them very nicely. Christmas has passed now, and I would leave it as is. JMHO

 

[pixiewings71]

We did family movie night kits, couple boxes of theater candy, couple bags of popcorn and a good family movie.

 

[msmayor]

I'm probably going to be the oddball, but I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure you thanked them very nicely. Christmas has passed now, and I would leave it as is. JMHO

You're not the only oddball. I'd leave it be as well.

Some people give gifts because they want to, not because they expect any in return.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I'm with the oddballs don't worry about it until next year. Or just do some baked goods and put it in a basket.

 

[hlane]

Yep, I agree, I'd just thank them & then make sure to remember to add them to the list for next year

 

[msmayor]

Yep, I agree, I'd just thank them & then make sure to remember to add them to the list for next year

Personally...I wouldn't do this. Just because someone gets you a gift one year does not automatically mean you must add them for the future. This is how gift-giving gets out of hand, and over-budget.

Unless you really and truly WANT to start exchanging gifts with these friends, I would perhaps mention as the Christmas shopping season begins next year how kind it was of them to get gifts for you, but its really not necessary...that their friendship is gift enough.

 

[horseshowmom]

Yep, I agree, I'd just thank them & then make sure to remember to add them to the list for next year

What I've actually done the next year is make up a basket of some sort (family movie night, etc. as others have mentioned) to have on hand in case they give me something again. If they don't, I usually can either use it myself or have another idea of what to do with it. (I generally wait to see if they do it again, because I really don't want to set a precedent if I can avoid it - not that I don't want to give gifts, but I kind of think that gift giving can easily get out of hand ).

 

[sk!mom]

Yep, I agree, I'd just thank them & then make sure to remember to add them to the list for next year

I would leave it alone but I would NOT add them to next year's list unless you WANT to start exchanging gifts with them. Recieving a gift does not require you giving a gift. I would thank them nicely and move on.

 

[mom of 3G's]

I wouldn't do it. Christmas is over, the gift was given, and getting one for them now looks like an afterthought. I agree with PP who suggest letting them know early next Christmas season that it is not expected for them to give gifts, or to have one on hand "just in case."

 

[3boymthr]

I wouldn't give them a gift either.

Sometimes it happens that someone surprises you with a gift.

DM and DF are re-modeling their house. Everyday they make coffee for all the workers. Their coffee maker doesn't work right (it makes coffee but you have to manually push the button to get the coffee into the pot with a spoon). DM was waiting until after the remodel with all it's dust was over to replace it. One of the workers got her a new one for Christmas. Eeek. Not something she anticipated or someone for whom she had a gift or plans to exchange gifts with in the future. She wrote a nice thank you and that was it.

In other words, you're not the only one and sometimes you just have to roll with it.

 

[wovenwonder]

I would not give them a gift at this point. You could invite the children to join your family for a movie night at home, or out. Not necessarily as a Christmas gift but I'm sure the family would appreciate it. Give Mom and Dad a night out while you entertain their children for a few hours.

 

[dex08]

I wouldn't give them a gift either. And for next year I ask myself if I was putting them on my gift list only because they gifted to us or if I really want to give them a gift.

 

[TheRatPack]

We've bought family members gifts before and know they can't buy in return.....it doesn't bother us at all. We are so thankful to be able to buy for their children and find great deals so we can....but we would feel odd getting something in return since we know they have a single income....etc. So I wouldn't worry about getting them a gift....but a nice thank you note would be appreciated I'm sure

 

[*BTMRR*]

I've been in this situation before. What I do is write a nice thank you note, and then if it seems appropriate, sometime in the near future we'll take the kids/family out for mini golf or pizza or something like that. I don't try to reciprocate with a gift when Christmas has already passed.

 

[mafibisha]

I'm with the oddballs don't worry about it until next year. Or just do some baked goods and put it in a basket.

Yes, I'd only make and give them a little plate of something (cookies, bread) with a thank you note.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I would send a nice, hand written thank you note and invite the children to your house sometime soon for pizza/movie night...and give the parents a chance to get out for a few hours by themselves.

 

[gillenkl]

I'm sorry but I wouldn't give them a return gift either.

I have a friend whom I specifically tell "we are not exchanging gifts this year" - I tell her point blank several times. She still insists on sending my children each a $25 gift card. I think it's rude since I told her we aren't exchanging. I do not reciprocate.