I'll give you the "Readers Digest" version: My Dad's rich, I'm not. He doesn't really care about me, and I don't really care about him. We still exchange xmas presents just to keep up appearances. Every year all he does is send me $200, and I kill myself trying to come up with something, ANYTHING that isn't the same old crap I get him every year (booze, cigars, last year, if I recall correctly, I got him Omaha steaks). I haven't the care or the energy to try anymore. Anyone have any ideas?
He's retired so he doesn't need a tie or anything like that.
And a picture of me is out of the question because despite how many pictures my sister and I have given him over the years (school, my wedding and such) he hasn't put one up in his house. He only has pictures of himself and wife #3.
I should just send him a check for $200, shouldn't I? That would be funny.
2007-12-13 09:59:28 · 5 answers · asked by Dolyn 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Our parents divorce when I was 4, so not many memories of him except bad ones where he made us feel like obligation every time he saw us (which was maybe once and month and he only lived a mile down the street).
I get that people get divorced for all kinds of reasons. But, he didn't just leave our mom, he left us all. He decided he didn't want a wife and kids, and that was it. So, no, there are no good memories to relive. Why we all keep up the facade, I'll never know. It's like a nuclear standoff, and no one is brave enough to just hit the button already.
2007-12-13 10:19:47 · update #1
I have been telling everyone to check out http://www.whatgiftstoget.com. I found the best gift idea for my husband there. It's worth a look. Good luck
2007-12-14 02:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by angermeierlaurajane 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You know, he needs to have a connection with you and your sister. With wife #3, he probably doesnt feel the need for a 'connection', but that is what you can give him, whether it sinks in or not.
Did you enjoy him as a daddy when you were a little girl? If that was the case, with some precious memories, you could recount the things that mattered to him, in a beautifully done letter on vellum paper, and inserted into a lovely card.
Right now, I have somewhat the same situation, with a dad that really doesnt care, wife #2 just died and he's onto #3---and come to think of it, he last gave me a check for $200! But one of these days I am going to do just what I said, because thats all we have in common anymore, the past and the sweet memories, and the relationship back then!
Best of luck, and have a merry one.
2007-12-13 18:12:51 · answer #2 · answered by Jeanne babe 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your ideas in the past sound fine to me. 200 bucks hey! At least that is worth a fruitcake, fruitbasket or cheesecake or something right?
2007-12-13 18:12:02 · answer #3 · answered by Smiley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send him a postcard from Hawaii.
2007-12-14 06:47:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get his anything. Send him his card - done.
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2007-12-13 18:19:27 · answer #5 · answered by twowords 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋