A few months ago, DH’s nephew, who has joint custody of his two sons, remarried a woman with three kids. We aren’t close to his side of the family, but for the last few years he has sent Christmas and birthday gifts to his nieces’ and nephews’ children, until they graduate college, to keep alive our connection and to honor his Mom and Dad who both passed in 2010.
We only learned about the wedding on Facebook (this is his nephew’s third marriage) so don’t even know the names of the three young family members, but do not want to create a problem by leaving them out of this Season’s gifting. I’m wondering how others have handled this situation in their family?
You could send a family gift- gift certs to movies or restaurants, zoo etc… . Ice cream sundae basket or bucket with toppings, bowls ,scoops. Some kind of food gift . There is a thread floating around here with loads of mail order goodies on it.
I like Veruca’s idea and you can add in a Family Game for Christmas; but I would continue the individual birthday gifts in memory of the parents/grandparents.
Being part of a blended family, I can tell you this can be a very sensitive issue.
There is no “right” way to handle it, but if you can afford it, my suggestion would be to be inclusive and get fairly similar gifts for all kids, if they are fairly young. The family gift idea is a good one.