I am heading home to NY from Alaska, where we are stationed, in three days. Since we got here we have sent home souveniers to everyone in both families. I decided I would bring the kids all home a tiny something. "The kids" is my 12 year old sister, my husband's 12 year old sister, our 8 year old neice, and our 18 month old neice.
The question is, my husband also has a 19 year old sister and an 18 year old sister. I know them well enough to know they will be crass enough to ask where their gifts are. How can I tell them they are too old for such things without being rude (and making my MIL mad at me)?
Posts: 784 | Location: Fairbanks, AK, USA | Registered: 08-17-02
Why don't you just bring them a little something? If you *know* what's going to happen - that they will expect a gift (and BTW, there is no law that says you cannot show up bearing gifts for the teenagers and adults in your family) - why not just BRING them one? Do you enjoy fighting with people? It doesn't have to be expensive. A gift is a gift is a gift.
The point is that I just sent those two expensive gifts. The one just graduated from High School, and the other just had a birthday. Last month I spent like $40 a piece on them!
If it comes down to it, I'll bring them "Gold Nugget" candy bars or something.
No, I do not generally enjoy arguing with people. I do, however, do enjoy helpful hints when I have a dilemma.
Posts: 784 | Location: Fairbanks, AK, USA | Registered: 08-17-02
I understand your point about just buying expensive gifts. But those gifts were for special occasions and I doubt were representative of your stay in Alaska. I'm sure all family members would enjoy a small remembrance of a place they may never get the chance to visit. This can be as simple as post-cards with scenes representative of areas you seen. Souvenirs do not have to be expensive. They just need to be a symbol of a place many might never see - or a sample of culture one may never experience. A souvenir could even be a leaf from a tree one would never find in NY.
And keep in mind - this is ALASKA you visited. It's not like you in a nearby state. You were in place where even nature is way different from what many experience!
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Actually, the gifts were Alaskan because we live here and that is all anyone wanted. We sent my one SIL a pair of Alaskan design socks and a sweat shirt with the name of our base on it, and the other one a jar of gold flakes and a gold necklace with a big ole' nugget on it.
I went out and just bought them gifts. I got one a moosie angel pin and the other a moose doll dressed like a fighter pilot. SPOILED!
Posts: 784 | Location: Fairbanks, AK, USA | Registered: 08-17-02
