My mom asked for suggestions for christmas, but i told her i didn't care what i got, and she got mad at me
971446
as people get older, parents of older kids, it's hard to know what to give your kids and she really wants some ideas so she will give you something that you need or really want. when my kids got to that point, i had them make me list and I'd choose from the list because i didn't have a clue what to buy without it. now, we go in together and adopt a child for Christmas instead of buying gifts for each other and have a good time shopping for the child we adopted. It seems to mean more to do for them since they don't have family.
1051243
Im trying to support my own family...not everyone else
338841
i promised mom a turkey
743252
Exactly how i feel. Everywhere i go People ask me what i want. Last year i was all into the gifts but it seems in the last year i just value having my family together more than any gift. I am tired of hearing about presents. I just decided to tell my family to give the money for my presents to a charity.
497237
Listen they are worried about you, you shouldnt get upset cause they care for you - I know it sometimes gets frustrating, my mom was exactly the same way - your yelling at them is not going to change things - just assure them that they should wait and see
427678
I'm very sorry to say, but telling her will only make her want it more.  Unfortunately, she needs to learn for herself.  I know first hand from experience (as the child, not a parent) that my mother telling me I didn't need a boyfriend and not to have one made me just sneak around and do even more stupid things than I think if she had just been  less demanding and more open about it (of course this is all retrospect and after I hit those bumps in the road that taught me to start missing potholes, so to speak).  Best of luck to you  and your family.
222266
For real, I would call her up (right now) and ask her if she had time to talk, then I would say well (name) you know the other (day, week) when I was telling you all about my daughters open house reception that I was planning, you just blurted out that you weren't going to help me because some stuff about too many people in the kitchen, what was that about? (then let her answer; if she says 'what do you mean?' you reply 'Was that really why you didn't want to help') If she says she just didn't want to be a bother, then tell her that you really need her help and that your mother can't do it and that you would really appreciate her help.  If she comes up with some lame excuse that she's too busy or that she doesn't really like doing those things or something Corny like that then you politely say (with no type of animosity) well I didn't say that when your kids had their thing? I mean, is this really what you do to people who helped you in your time of need.  And if she acts funny at your daughters party pull her to the side and let her know you don't appreciate her childishness and never help her again
891809
Give her yourself for Christmas---spend time with her---tell her you love her----sit with her and look at old picture albums and let her tell you stories about the photos taken.\n\nYour mom needs nothing but YOU!
448603
well if she didn't reply to your letter i would say no don't get her a gift just maybe a card.her not replying to your letter mean she probably isn't interested in you that way and doesn't want to hurt your feelings and if you get her something she may feel uncomfortable getting something from you cuz she knows your feelings and she knows hers and she might feel guilty she doesn't like you that way. i could be wrong to just thought i'd give you some advice.
570898
yep, i told her this morning.  to honor my mother, i brought her myself, wife, two daughters, and our hound dog.  we all wished her a happy mother's day before i gave her a new comp, which i'm using to type this answer.  sorry about your falling-out with your mom.  i hope it is not too late for you both.  good luck - you seem like a nice guy.
755975
I asked my wife what she wanted for X-mas, she said "nothing". So I got her nothing and she was really pissed.
936115
you hurt him as well remember?  he probably missed you as well as you missed him and that was it.  even if he did want to get him for christmas real cheap it wouldnt have mattered you would have found out and he would have been the jerk not you.  but like you said you had insecurities and you asked a question that hurt yuu both.  and it was probably just that... an insecurity.\ngive him time.
869303
I think a better question would be "What should I GIVE for Christmas?" If you don't know what you want, obviously you already have much more than you need. Maybe you should think of giving some of it away to people who need stuff and be happy with whatever somebody decides to give you.
1036414
The worst gift I can think of at the moment is a set of colored socks from my mom.  She knows I only wear white socks (I think it looks corny to have your socks match the rest of your clothes).  She got my sister a jewelry box the same year when she knows my sister doesn't wear jewelry.
559761
One year not so long ago...I found myself in a similar situation.  Money wasn't really the problem, it's just that I was so tired of the "traditional" gifts. Mom once told me that the most valuable thing you can give a person is your time....so that year I got some real pretty stationary and wrote her a long letter.  I thanked her for all the things that she taught me and how that I wouldn't be the person I am today without her as my mother.  I was real specific, even using particular examples both from childhood and adulthood.  Just to give you an example:  From you, mom, I learned honesty.  Remember when I was 5 and we were playing checkers and the phone rang?  You got up to answer the phone and because I was losing I decided to move some of the pieces.  When you came back you noticed and punished me by not playing any games with me for a week because you didn't play with "cheaters". From you, mom, I learned how to get the most for my money.  We were in a grocery store one time and I noticed that you were counting the slices in a loaf of bread.  I asked what you were doing and you told me that you were trying to get the most slices for the money.  I was a teen-ager then and rolled my eyes. Now that I understand the true value of money, I understand.\n\nI'm sure that you get the idea.  Mom cried when she read my letter, it was probably about five or six pages long.  What it did, was point out to her what she accomplished.  It honored, acknowledged, & respected her.  She said that that was the BEST mother's day gift I could have given her.  It took some time and thought but it was worth it...for many reasons.....mom passed away in October of last year.  I am so thankful that I was able to let her know how much I learned from her.  This Mother's Day will be my first without her, and I'm trying hard not to think about it too much.  \n\nOn another note, your mother and mother-in-law probably know your financial situation.  They won't (and shouldn't) be expecting a lot.  Acknowledging their special day with the meals you have planned is more than enough.  Maybe you could combine both meals into one????  This would be less expensive.\n\nAs far as the baby shower...concentrate on the mom. Buy her some pamper stuff...bath stuff, candles, chocolate, hair ties, etc.  She'll be getting plenty of stuff for the new arrival...she'll appreciate it and won't feel so unimportant.  Hope some of this helps.
965843
Get tickets for something to do together or for her and your father.  A play, a concert, a bike tour, a gym membership, an art exhibit, manicures and pedicures, an imax movie, etc.  She might have a lot of things or be very picky about her things, but she loves you and she would most likely be very touched that you got something for the both of you to do together.  If that's not your thing, think about a hobby she truly enjoys and perhaps get something to go with it.  For example, my mom knits, so one year I bought her some really beautiful wool online from a farm in Vermont and a pattern for a pretty sweater that I thought she would like.
905868
My parents had six children and they had to put a set amount on each of us because they didn't have very much money. When we were younger, it wasn't set and Christmas stressed them out greatly! Now, Its $100-200 (depending on the finances) and there was one present that was the main present. You don't want to teach your children that Christmas is all about tons of presents and it how much that it was. They wont know the difference and if you do this at a young age... putting an emphases on giving and love, they will appreciate you more and what they get. \nWhen my parents didn't have a set amount growing up, it stressed me out and I hated Christmas and receiving presents. My youngest sibling, however, only cares about what she can get and how much it is. \nwhether you see it or not... figure out what you want to teach them (even if you dont realize it, you are teaching them) and how much that you can afford without going overboard.