On my side we don't go all out for Christmas gifts. I make family calendars, one SIL makes baked goods, and the other SIL shows up. We decided to make Christmas boxes for the kids (during our celebration as a craft project) and fill them with things that we've bought at the dollar store and what not, so everyone gets something and none of the kids get left out.
My question: What do I get for my dad's lady friend? They have been together for a year, and I've only been around her a handful of times. She seems well educated and interested in our family (thank goodness). They do not live together and don't plan to. I made a calendar of our family and didn't include her....didn't even think about it until I was falling asleep last night. I can't make another or add her to the ones I've made. They were photo calendars on Snapfish - already paid for and arrived. I thought about ordering one more an adding her name to the calendar and writing it in on the other 6, but my husband said that sounds like an after thought (which it totaly is!).
What do I do? Do I find something else for her? She doesn't have any kids of her own and only a sister who lives in another state. She travels a lot, reads a lot, and gardens. That's about all I know!!! HELP!
BTW, I will call my dad, but he is of little help. He is very private and you have to DRILL him with questions to get any information. I wonder if he even knows her birthday. Seriously.
TIA!
Can you use store gift cards on electronic devices like a Kindle? I'm not sure if she has one, but would she still like it to buy a real book?
I love to read and I always LOVE getting a bookstore gift card!
And considering you don't know her very well yet, I think a gift card to a bookstore is a great idea!
You could even apologize for a gift card but say that you thought someone like her could use a Barns and Noble card, but you didn't want to pick it out for her. I'm a stepmom and if my stepkids at least put that much thought in when we were first dating (they were little, they are excused) I would be appreciative of being thought of. You could even make up a little mug or treat jar for her and put the card on top.
I believe you can get ebooks with gift cards. Most gift cards can be used online. Ask the store.
You could put a little package together with the gift card for a cozy evening.
Maybe she likes scented candles?
Wind chimes?
Some gourmet coffee and a new coffee mug?
Some nice fuzzy warm socks?
An indoor plant?
Soft bedroom slippers?
Not sure if this pertains, but regarding the gift cards with books/ereaders, I have a Nook color that I can use gift cards on to buy ebooks, or buy actual books online or in the store. Hope that helps!
I agree with a gift card, or maybe an ornament?
i would maybe find a picture of her with your family or dad and frame it and give it with the gift, or have the kids make something for her to make her feel included. Its been a year I would say shes family or close to it.
Why not get her a Christmas ornament? Is she living with your dad? Either way, can't go wrong with a neat ornament :) ...unless she's Jewish, LOL
What about making collage (even through Walgreens or something like that) with a large picture of her and your dad, and a smaller one of two of them w/ the kids or just the kids? Put it in a nice frame.
A personalized bookmark might be nice if she still reads actual books. I've purchased things like that from personalization mall or things remembered. It will probably be $10-20 depending on what you get.
An inexpensive and thoughtful gift if you are the crafty/cooking type would be to put together some spice mixes in nice jars. For example, if she is into Indian food, you can do a really nice tandoori mix. If she likes to bake, you can do pumpkin pie spices, apple pie mix, etc etc. But ask if she likes to cook and/or bake.
Or a nice framed photo of her and your dad.
Or go to a craft store and see if there's something else nice to make her...you might get an idea once in there.
If you've only been around her a handful of times don't stress about it.
A gift card to Amazon
Give your Dad a gift card to a nice restaurant (as a hint)
A charm bracelet with a Christmas tree for starters
A gift card to a nice spa
Since you've only been around her a hand full of times, she really doesn't belong on the calendar.
I love the book idea. I think that a recently published fiction book would be lovely with the gift receipt tucked in. This way, she can return it and buy what she likes.
Don't worry about electronic gadgets or gift cards - it's nicer to get the gift with the gift receipt so that she can have something to open. And if you're feeling generous, get a nice bookmark, too!
It's nice of you to be concerned about her feelings!
A gift card in this case would be a lovely solution. I agree that books are best, but maybe something for her favorite restaurant would work, too.
You might ask your dad and see if she has a favorite nail or hair salon and see if they do gift certificates.
A third thought, and this is based on my own experience, perhaps a gift isn't even necessary. By the time my parents got to their 3rd or 4th spouse, I was politely told I didn't need to "worry about" a gift for them. In the case of my stepfather, that was a huge relief...he was so hard to shop for. In the case of my stepmom, I always felt a touch awkward about that since I really liked her, but they (my dad and stepmom) were insistent. Again, I'd ask your dad his thoughts.
Good luck!
I would do bookstore too. I could spend all day in there!!
A fancy candle!! I give them to some women in our lives that we don't know real well and they always seem well-received. If you get into the gift card idea then you've got the dollar amount dilemma. If you're sure she's into gardening, there are always gardening tools that make nice gifts or even a bird feeder. Good luck!!
I wouldn't worry about not including her on the calendar. Maybe get her a nice pair of gloves or a scarf. This way you did give her a gift and you didn't go overboard. As you are opening gifts pay attention to her reaction to the calendar, if it looks like something she would like to be a part of and she and your dad are still together next year make sure you don't leave her out.
Here's an out of the box thoughtful idea for relationship building. Why don't you pick a good book and buy two copies of it. Tell her you want to read it together, as sort of a bookclub. You two can read a few chapters and then share your thoughts by phone or email.
If that's too Hallmark American Movie for you, you could get her a flowering potted plant. You can decoupage a cheap clay pot to add your crafty touch or let the kids do that part. Not a gift card. Opening a gift card feels like an afterthought as well.
Based on many of the answers here, I think you could put together a small, yet pretty and thoughtful little basket (or for the gardener, put them in a flower pot - terra cotta if she really plants her own). Gardeners can always use another pair of (inexpensive) garden gloves and some good-quality hand lotion. Pick up a box of grow-your-own paperwhites (narcissus) or an amaryllis to grow/bloom on her window sill, also inexpensive. Toss in a copy of the latest gardening/landscaping or homesteading magazine, and maybe add a $10 gift card to the nearest bookstore. Dress it up with some tissue paper or ribbon and a sweet bunch of silk flowers (spring or Christmas). If you use the flower pot idea, sign and date the bottom so she'll have a nice memory!
