Presents for couples

Buzzybee90

My friends got married in January this year - we are cutting our Christmas budget this year and I'm wondering if it's ok to get them a joint present, as opposed to one each?

Or should we just get two smaller presents?

lazer

I think joint presents are sort of OK.


Are you in a couple - would you be happy for them to buy you a joint present back?


Couples who buy you a present for your birthday from both of them, and then you have to buy them one each for their birthdays is not right.


However in some circumstances they are fine


My brother and his OH, buy me and my husband a joint present.
My husband and I, buy my brother and his OH a joint present.


It works well when both people are in a couple.

Buzzybee90

lazer wrote: »

I think joint presents are sort of OK.


Are you in a couple - would you be happy for them to buy you a joint present back?

Yes and yes, but I wouldn't have bought them one together before they were married as they didn't live together.

To clear up confusion (I've just re read and can see it can be read two ways)

In the past we have always got them both present between us (as have they) but am asking if it's ok for us to give them one present between us, instead of giving them one each.

fairy_lights

I don't mind receiving joint presents if there is something that we specifically want or need that we will both use, someone gave us a set of saucepans a few Christmases ago which was brilliant as it was something we needed but would have been too expensive as a present for one person.
We are different people with different tastes and interests though, so just because we're a couple doesn't mean we are going to want the same things.

Georgiegirl256

Depends on whether or not they've got similar likes tbh. For instance, anyone who knows my husband, knows he has got an extremely sweet tooth and an ideal present for him would be some Hotel Chocolat or a massive selection of various sweets....I on the other hand wouldn't think you for it and my husband would end up getting the lot!

I drink things like JD and Southern Comfort, my husband doesn't drink at all. So for us as a couple (for one example) I think it'd be hard to come up with a joint present to suit us both.

Maybe your friends will be easier? Do they do to the cinema or certain places a lot? Maybe you could get them something to do with that? Or an iTunes card? Or is there anything they need for the house?

If it was me, I'd go for 2 seperate gifts. But I guess you know them well enough to know if they be happy with a shared gift and if it would suit them both.

wiogs

There are no rules so if you think it is okay then go ahead.

Lots of people do that.

We get given presents jointly every year, and give joint presents as well.

I do have one relative who gives "us" booze every year despite the fact I don't drink so not much of a joint present really.

Georgiegirl256

Buzzybee90 wrote: »

Yes and yes, but I wouldn't have bought them one together before they were married as they didn't live together.

So why change now then? You don't just become one person when you get married you know! :rotfl:

blueneleh

Have a look at the Christmas Hampers 2014 post under the 'Christmas and Other Yuletide Festivals' forum for some fab ideas on inexpensive hampers which tend to be well received.

Buzzybee90

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Depends on whether or not they've got similar likes tbh. For instance, anyone who knows my husband, knows he has got an extremely sweet tooth and an ideal present for him would be some Hotel Chocolat or a massive selection of various sweets....I on the other hand wouldn't think you for it and my husband would end up getting the lot!

I drink things like JD and Southern Comfort, my husband doesn't drink at all. So for us as a couple (for one example) I think it'd be hard to come up with a joint present to suit us both.

Maybe your friends will be easier? Do they do to the cinema or certain places a lot? Maybe you could get them something to do with that? Or an iTunes card? Or is there anything they need for the house?

If it was me, I'd go for 2 seperate gifts. But I guess you know them well enough to know if they be happy with a shared gift and if it would suit them both.

I think they'd be fine with a shared gift, but you're right - thinking of something is hard. However, thinking of something for them individually is also difficult - I suffer brain freeze when thinking of presents. Thanks for the ideas, they don't really go "out" much, to the cinema I mean. So maybe that would be a nice gift!

Buzzybee90

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

So why change now then? You don't just become one person when you get married you know! :rotfl:

Because they didn't have a joint 'base' where they could use something so a home item would have been useless - anything joint and edible the same.

Buzzybee90

wiogs wrote: »

There are no rules so if you think it is okay then go ahead.

Lots of people do that.

We get given presents jointly every year, and give joint presents as well.

I do have one relative who gives "us" booze every year despite the fact I don't drink so not much of a joint present really.

That's infuriating, I'm guessing they know you don't drink?

blueneleh wrote: »

Have a look at the Christmas Hampers 2014 post under the 'Christmas and Other Yuletide Festivals' forum for some fab ideas on inexpensive hampers which tend to be well received.

I think this is probably the safest bet- I know they do like these sorts of things. Will have a look now!