there is absolutely zero stress and resentment here...all in fun....my ex-wife is a dear friend/family and of course mother to my children. Seriously, we sit together in church many Sundays.

great idea but over my $25 budget...and yes she is Grandma to the best GRANDdaughter

EVIL it is the thought that counts...not that I have seriously thought that much about it OH...and on re-gifting...she is excellent at that...she is...re-gifted me right to Angie!

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works (conduct and behavior) and glorify Him!!!!

CIAO I agree that is a great gift, one I think she would like but, knowing her she would probably not eat anything from it.

Last night my kids were over for dinner along with my ex-wife's sister. None of them were able to give me an idea. When I brought up maybe a bottle of wine, because I know she has a glass here on occasion...not sure white or red...my son laughed and said ...

"She can put it next to the 3 I've bought her she hasn't touched yet"...when I asked why he said she always says she'll only have a glass and doesn't want it to go bad.

So maybe my thinking of wine is out of the question....dang!

My daughter did mention that she wanted a cookbook that had a menu and shopping plan in it on healthy eating....but she also mentioned that it would sit right next to the healthy eating cookbooks they have bought her that she rarely uses....dang!

See...after 21 years she is still making my life difficult..........

Gary, stop the stress and give her a gift certiificate, if she won't use that go to the bank and get a new twenty and a new five. I bet she will use cash, if she wont have her send it to me.

I do know she would love to get her hands on any of my money!

No stressing here!

So what if I get her something she doesn't like...what can she do to me now?

I like the Body shop or BATH BASKET idea, simply becuz I think she WILL use that -- one with shower gel, lotion, powder, body spray, sponge, etc. It's tasteful, classy, and practical, all in one.

Thank you ROSEBUD also a great idea that she would probably use...

but...

I picked her up a gift card today. We took my step-d and her boyfriend out for brunch after church since tomorrow is her birthday. We went to a cafe near the beach we frequent often during the year. My ex-wife has never been there but our daughter and son have and they like it too. So I figured if I got her a gift card there she might go and take one/both of them...

Gift Card ~ NAKED CAFE

I am absolutely serious!

Thanks again all of you for your input it was fun!

And just a reminder....I had zero stress! My ex and I have been divorced 21 years now. We remain good friends. She is like a sister to me and my family and, after the initial pain and a few years, has always been. It has been a long time since I felt pain from it...heck, I've had a great marriage to Angie just a few weeks shy of 16 years. She did break my heart but my life turned out so much better....

soooooo much

When I am in Southern California I want to look that place up. I was getting a big kick out of this thread , I knew you were putting us on and I was having a good chuckle at some of the response. Most really wanted to help you out and gave good suggestions.

There are 4 of them in our county BARGOO, one just 5 miles from my house. We love to go there when we walk the dogs at the beach. Very good food...a lot of vegan and vegetarian choices available for those that wish. I will be happy to buy your breakfast/lunch!

I know some know I was joking a bit, didn't want to lead anybody on just wanted to have some fun. And I really appreciate all the good ideas...they were all considered!

And I would be happy to accept.

Then it's a date!

Why not just go with a smaller size cordial? Then you can just give a smaller quantity that she would drink or a selection of minis.

I was at Target the other day and they had a cute set of ice cream bowl, scooper, etc packaged as a gift set. I was sitting there thinking -- if someone put a small kahlua or bailey's in there I'd be sold!

If you are going with the snack basket idea thing that could work out. Just add some tiny bottles of amaretto, kahlua, bailey's etc. The ones that are good over ice cream. Could even throw in some maraschino cherries or piroutte cookies and similar.

A.