Christmas Poll

[mynewplace]

Attention please all divorced parents and products of same:

When I was small my mother gave me money at Christmas time to purchase gifts for her and my stepfather.  My mother also gave me the money to buy my father and stepmother presents.  (and gifts for their children) She didn't like doing this but felt it was necessary, despite the fact that my father never gave me a CENT to purchase anything for my mother, or to purchase anything for him, my stepmother, or any of his children.  My father is a stingy selfish bastard. 

So now it's my turn. Granted, I don't have the money to give Scarlett to buy gifts for anyone really, but my mother has once again taken it upon herself to give Scarlett money to buy gifts for HER father and his family. Scarlett has actually saved her own money to buy gifts for me and her grandparents.  I don't like this practice, and neither does my mother.  However, it would make Scarlett VERY sad if she had no gift to give her father for Christmas.  She is very understanding when we tell her that we don't have the money for things, and I know if we told her that in the case of a gift for her father, she would understand. And she would likely repeat it in her own form when she saw him. (which I LOVE by the way.  "Sorry I couldn't get you anything daddy, mommy didn't have enough money. CHILD SUPPORT ANYONE????)

Question is this:  What did your parents/what do you do in this instance?  What has been the norm or common practice within your family?  ALLLL comments are welcome, encouraged even. 

 

Comments

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

In my family, growing up, gifts were given from parents to children, and grandparents to grandchildren, and that was it. We didn't give gifts to our parents or grandparents. However, I'm not crazy about the idea of giving someone money to buy someone else a gift unless they ask for the help.

Every family is different, of course.

EDIT: I didn't read carefully enough. I'm neither a divorced parent nor the product of same, so feel free to disregard this.

[sapphirescarlet.livejournal.com]

NOAH! I wouldn't disregard your opinion for nuthin! I so respect you for the job you and Connie have done with your children. I like the idea of parents to children and that's all.