[stellart]

ok, so for starters i dont have alot of money. but...

i need some advice on xmas gifts. im going back to the states to see my family for the holidays and ive been trying to think of inexpensive gifts for them.

well today, my bf's sister and bf gave me a gift of liquor and very cool card wrapped nicely. my bf's parents gave me a nice card with 50$ in it, a very pretty pair of gloves, and some candies.

even though i wont even be there!!

i didn't get them anything. i feel kinda bad about it. i want to do something nice for them. should i get them something from the states and bring it back. is it too late to give them something after the holidays when i return.

also what are some ideas... come to think of it, what are some ideas for my own family too....

[justkeepsmiling]

i don't think it would be too late if you brought something back from the states. maybe you could ask them if there was anything in particular they wanted to try or liked?

i personally feel that gifts that take effort like baked goods and stuff are the best kind of gift, but it can be hard not to eat them when you make them!

[joyra]

I'm a notorious procrastinator at Christmas and also am always vacationing some place exotic after the holidays as well so people usually get an IOU for Christmas. This year it's IOU something from Thailand. Last year it was IOU you something from Belize.

Justkeepsmiling's suggest of food is good too. It sounds like you are pretty creative in the kitchen, making them baked goods, or even something fancy, like a quiche would be just as thoughtful as something store bought.

Hmm, if I were you, I'd give them some food and a stateside souvenir IOU.

Have you been dating a long time? I've always thought the longer you've been together, the more effort you should put in with the SO's family. First Christmas is usually okay to scrape by.

[stellart]

we've been dating for a year. oh hmm, actually to the day it seems. hah

but last year, i didn't spend xmas w his family, and we had just started dating, so it wasn't really necessary. but his parents gave me gifts for my bday a few months ago, and now for xmas too. and even his sister gave me a gift. they are just really thoughtful ppl ya know. his mom is always giving me things. she gave me a pair of earrings from her store last week she thought i'd like, she gave me a sweater of hers she doesn't wear anymore. she's a really nice lady.

i dont think food will be possible at this point since i'm leaving for the states tomorrow. maybe i'll get them some wine or something.

[carcar05]

I think bringing them something from the States is a cool idea. It'll let them know you were thinking of them while you were over there (here, haha) and that you didn't forget to get them something, you just intended to get it from the States so it had to wait.

I don't know WHERE in the States you'll be going, but maybe some non-tacky touristy thing would be cool. Like classy shot glasses from the State you're visitng if they collect stuff like that. Or some See's chocolates, I think that is a US only thing, but I could be wrong, but man that candy is freaking amazing, and they'll gift wrap it for you.

[aml]

i've been having the same problem, sort of.

i didn't think it was necessary to buy my bf's family gifts because we haven't been dating that long but then his dad asked me what i want for christmas and when i said it wasn't really necessary he get me anything, i think i sort of hurt his feelings. he's asked me again since then.

i found a cd his dad wants, and i guess i'll get him that. his mom is harder, she's got the fascination with roosters, and i found a set of wine glasses with roosters on the stems so i think i might get her those.

[PrincessHoagie]

My bf's parents will never let us pay when we all go out for dinner, so for Christmas I am getting them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant (Olive Garden!), that way they get a free dinner out and they can't escape the fact that I bought it for them! I got my brother-in-law a Thai/English dictionary (his girlfriend is Thai and he mentioned wanting to learn to speak it) and I am chipping in on an Ipod for him. I'd say get them something from the States and bring it back for them. First, it will be nice that you are bringing something from a foreign country to them, which is always super cool. Secondly, you can get away with spending less, since you will have to transport the gifts and go through customs blah blah blah. I'd be super flattered if someone thought about me while traveling abroad and brought be something back, even if it arrived after Christmas.