To gift or not to gift?

that is my question to ya'll. We're off to Texas this weekend (hope those storms don't mess us up!!) to see friends for his 40th bday. They have 2 kids, i think 4 years and like 10 months or something. We obviously bought our friend a bday gift. Should we also bring something for the kids?? Also it's his wifes bday this week too!! Something for her too??

Re: To gift or not to gift?

If it's both of their birthdays, you could always do GC's for them...depending on what you are looking to spend, you could do a restaurant card and a movie card...date night out, you know?

If you're already set with his gift, I'd still get her something...even if you normally don't exchange gifts, you'll be there for her birthday as well (or, the days right around her birthday, whatever the case may be).

I don't know about gifts for the kiddos. I'm never good with that. I feel like if I don't get something, then I'm mean and if I do get something, then it seems like I'm spoiling them. Unless it's a holiday, I usually steer clear of kid's gifts.

Re: To gift or not to gift?

Question: Are you staying WITH them or at a hotel?

b/c if you are staying with them this is my opinion

its tough b/c the 10 month old doesn't even know whats going on and the 4 yr old is old enough to see unwrapping by both parents and probably think "oh I want something too" I'd probably get them something small like $10 - $15 a piece, just something they can open and play with. I would do the same witht he wife if I got along with her, something small.



If you are flying out there and staying at a hotel...then I would't.

Message edited 9/9/2010 12:16:33 PM.

Re: To gift or not to gift?

I like the idea of getting the couple something they can use together, like a restaurant GC. But if you're equally close to the husband and wife, then separate gifts is good too.

I usually bring gifts to my friends' kids if we're visiting from out of state -- a toy or game we can play together or a book or something else small and inexpensive.

Re: To gift or not to gift?

Thanks for the replies It's always good to get a sense of what others do.

We're staying with them, and i'm friends with him. Dh and I get along fine with the wife, although she is a next-level control freak, and apparantly its worse now that baby#2 has arrived. I actually had asked her for a gift suggestion for him since I have no idea what he would want. She gave a good suggestion and told me she bought him a Kitchen Aid mixer (he's a cook) and if we could get him some accessories for it that would be good. So we did. I'm not sure what I could get for her tho gc I guess. And i'll find some cheapo books for the kids.

His mom and sister will be there as well so we'll have buffers

Re: To gift or not to gift?

Posted by Mushesgirl

Thanks for the replies It's always good to get a sense of what others do.

We're staying with them, and i'm friends with him. Dh and I get along fine with the wife

Re: To gift or not to gift?

I might bring a bottle of wine for the wife because you can do that for relatively cheap. As for the kids, I always bring kids gifts if there's a new baby. It's really hard to watch the new baby getting all the nice things and attention. It makes the older children feel included.