What do I tell my son when he asks...
By DW Davis
@DWDavis (25812)
Pikeville, North Carolina
December 11, 2018 4:50pm CST
...so what do you want for Christmas, Dad?
Son2 is a "poor starving grad student." He has a full-time position as a graduate research assistant and makes enough to pay the rent, buy groceries, and put gas in his car - not much else. So, when he asks me what I want for Christmas, I have to keep his budget in mind.
Telling him he doesn't have to get me anything is not an option. It would hurt his feelings. My job as a Dad is to come up with something I actually need or want that is within his budget. The problem is that there isn't really anything I need, and the things I want are much too expensive to suggest to him. (Just ask my wife. She says they're too expensive period.)
After much thought, I have come up with something I both want and need that I think will fit well within his budget and will make me happy to receive it. Now I just have to find one I like and pass the "hint" to him via my wife.
Do you have trouble coming up with something when a friend or family member asks you what kind of gift you would like?
17 people like this
18 responses
@JudyEv (325405)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Dec 18
@TheHorse I've asked for a small diary to carry in my handbag, bedsocks, Lindt chocolates. Vince likes a glossy magazine about yachting, cameras or recipes. Hardware stores often have some cheapish odds and ends in the hardware line.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48272)
• Canada
11 Dec 18
My husband told me that all he wants is peace on earth and good will to men.
I laughed at him and told him that's why his eyes are brown.
But seriously, I don't have anything for him yet, he can buy anything he wants, and all he really wanted was a new pair of suede gloves with pile lining like I got him last year. But I cannot find them this year. And they would have been so easy to wrap...……
Do me a favour and ask your wife what my husband would like too.
3 people like this
@shaggin (71659)
• United States
12 Dec 18
Oh man you left the best part out. I was dying to see what it was you can up with to tell him. I would love a weighted blanket but they are costly so I know no on would get me that. My boyfriend might but I'm guessing he is going to break up with me before Christmas.
2 people like this
@shaggin (71659)
• United States
12 Dec 18
@DWDavis because he won't take his dog to the vet and I won't allow her to come here anymore until he takes her to a vet and gets the rectal bleeding and stench stopped. He is being mean about it and pretending there is nothing wrong with her. He breaks up with me once a year and it has been 13 months no so I assume he will use this excuse that it's my fault he can't see me and break it off.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Dec 18
I'm glad you figured something out! :)
I wouldn't know what to say if asked that. Lol. Really I don't need or want anything.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (94806)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Dec 18
Hubby said nothing to me this year. So after a search for nothing on Amazon he is getting a roll of t rump toilet paper
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Dec 18
I hate that question. No surprising when you tell people what to get.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169653)
• United States
11 Dec 18
I usually buy things I know they will like, even if they are not expensive.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81539)
• Onaway, Michigan
12 Dec 18
Most of the time I tell them a giftcard so I can pick the item out like for my birthday I got a Starbucks giftcard from my girlfriend. I hope you enjoy whatever he gets you
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
13 Dec 18
What about telling him you want a written promise that he will visit you a certain amount of times during 2019? He is already going to do that, isn't he?
@just4him (305561)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Dec 18
I hope she passes the hint to him soon. Only two weeks to Christmas.
My son asked me yesterday and I didn't know what to tell him. So, it will be a surprise on Christmas.
@MommyOfEli2013 (81911)
• Rupert, Idaho
12 Dec 18
I understand, from his side of things as that's sort of my situation. I want to give a nice gift, but it's hard being on a budget. That's great that you did think of something that you want and need and that can fit in his budget!
@allknowing (130067)
• India
12 Dec 18
Looking at just your title I wondered whether you son was asking you about the birds and the bees
I do not get such requests but am dumped with things I do not need (lol)
I do not get such requests but am dumped with things I do not need (lol)
@GreatMartin (23677)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Dec 18
I only allow people to give me one gift every 4 years when I celebrate my Leap Year birthday---and I supply all with a list!!! I do! And no it's not only a 1971 Caddie convertible---there are books, gift cards, things I need, etc. in all price ranges.
I do refuse gifts at any other time!
@RasmaSandra (73241)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Dec 18
Funny about gifts. I have not received any for ages. I just like to give more than receive. I always get myself some things I really want and then thoughtful little presents for my friends.
