Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

We have my stepson on Christmas Eve. We have a pretty busy day, everyone wants to see him. So, First we will be opening our presents with him in the morning, then we'll be going to my FIL's and opening with DH's family and at night we're going to my mother's and opening presents there. So my stepson is going to be pretty busy and based on what we got him alone, have a ton of stuff to open.

Now to the awkwardness. His friend is coming from Florida to stay with him for Christmas and he'll be with us on the eve all day too. Now first, I don't know how someone could let their kid leave for the holidays, I'd never let my kid go at the most familyish time of year, did they take into account that they may make people feel pushed into buying stuff for their kid now, people like me, because he is here. I now feel like I have to go out and get this kid gifts.
I promise, I am not a scrooge, all for the more the merrier, but not when I find out a week before Christmas.

So now I have to go get some stuff for this kid, who I don't really know anything about. I can not have him come here and watch my stepson open tons of gifts, then go to FIL's and watch tons of gifts be opened and then go to my moms and watch tons more opened. So I really have to get stuff...I don't want to make things even more awkward for him.

So here's where I need help...What and how much should I ge this kid??
Should I get him stuff for everywhere he goes with us, so he has something?? And what the H E L L can I get him in such a short amount of time. He is 14 and lives in Florida, Any ideas and cheap ideas at that. I still didn't finish buying for my family, let alone an added guest I just found out about today.

Thanks!! Sorry if I sound like a scrooge about the kid coming, but I am so stressed with the holidays, and all I have to do in the week ahead for work before I go on vacation, this is the last thing I needed added. I'll get over it.Thanks for letting me vent and for any suggestions you may have!!

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Personally, I would get him one or two small gifts - no more than 30 bucks total. And give him the gifts when he opens with your family at your house.

The fact that you are opening your home(s) for this kid for the holidays should be enough, he shouldnt make out with a trail of gifts from all of your families houses.

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Thanks..thats the other thing, I can't really get him much anyway, he'll eventually be flying back home!! And I am sure my stepsons mother is going to get him stuff to when he is with them on Christmas Day!!

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Thats a good point about the flying, I didn't even think of that.

That pushes me more towards get him a gift card to Target and be done with it.....

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Not to be mean, but who why let your Step sons friend come visit over Christmas in the first place. Why couldn't he wait till the following week. Maybe come in the day after Christmas. I don't get it
How could this Kids parents let him go away during this time. Also, why would this kid want to go somewhere else. Kids are obsessed with presents, you would think he would want to stay home.

Anyway, I guess I would buy him some similar things that you bought your Stepson. They probably like the same things. The only things 14 yr olds like now is video games, sports especially (Skateboarding, snowboarding, Bike), Ipods. Which are all expensive. Go with a gift certificate to best buy.
Good Luck!!!

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Posted by Zaus06

Not to be mean, but who why let your Step sons friend come visit over Christmas in the first place. Why couldn't he wait till the following week. Maybe come in the day after Christmas. I don't get it
How could this Kids parents let him go away during this time. Also, why would this kid want to go somewhere else. Kids are obsessed with presents, you would think he would want to stay home.

Anyway, I guess I would buy him some similar things that you bought your Stepson. They probably like the same things. The only things 14 yr olds like now is video games, sports especially (Skateboarding, snowboarding, Bike), Ipods. Which are all expensive. Go with a gift certificate to best buy.
Good Luck!!!

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

You could burn some music cd's for him or movies if you have a burner.

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

I think gc's are a great idea. When he's hanging out here this week, he can go get something.

I wouldn't think twice about getting him something. I think I would feel bad that he has a mom that thinks nothing of shipping her kid off somewhere else for the holidays. If this was in fact the scenario, I'd overcompensate to make up for his crappy parents.

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

I think small gift cards are perfect. Maybe give him a 20 dollar gift card from you to Best Buy, then have him get a 20 dollar gift card to Best Buy at the other two houses you visit (obviously, you'd supply them), and call it a day. It's not like you can even buy him a cheap pair of gloves or anything since, hello, he lives in Florida! Maybe buy a cheap little stocking and fill it with travel toiletries? Maybe little games he can play on the plane on the way back?

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

I think the suggestions made already are good.

I really don't get what kind of parents would allow their kid to fly from FL to NY for Christmas to visit a friend. that is extremely odd! unless he's Jewish or doesn't celebrate Christmas.

Re: Somewhat Awkward Situation..Need Ideas!!

Thanks girls. I don't understand the whole thing either. Supposedly this boys family does not make a big deal of Christmas, so they didn't have a problem letting him go. I am going to go get him a couple t-shirts ans some small novelty stuff like a 2007 calendar with some sport stuff and thats it. I just want him to have something to open while we open stuff. My mom is such an angel. I told her about him going to be there and she insisted she is going to pick up something small. And thats it. Not going to let it ruin my day. Hopefully his parents told him not to expect anything. Thanks for all your ideas.