Friendship Gift Advice Needed

[MollyElise]

This is for my best friend - Sunny, who is a single mother who lives at home and though works full time is barely making it financially

 

Sunny has an old friend JG from high school, used to be very very close but had a falling out 4-5 years ago and recently have begun hanging out again. Both have little girls. Well JG just mentioned to to Sunny that she has a xmas present for Sunny's little girl. Sunny doesn't have the money or inclination to get JGs little girl a gift.

 

What should she do?

 

My immediate reaction is to smile courteously and say thank you without a return gift, but there is also a little girl involved and this is a relationship that is in a mending type phase. And I can't imagine how akward that would be unless put just so (and I don't know how that just so is!!)

 

Any advice would be appreciated!

[waveseer]

I would have my daughter pick out one of her own things to give to her friend.

[25thfloor]

I would be very honest with my friend. if i really had absolutely no money for even a little gift, i would ask my friend to please not bring a gift. i would make a meal at home where the girls can play and spend the evening together.

[alli]

Sunny should just tell JG asap that she doesn't have the money to buy her daughter a gift.

[25thfloor]

might i also add that perhaps, if you are able, to buy a little something for your best friend to give to the little girl? that would be a very sweet gift from you.

[MollyElise]

25th that would be really sweet of me, but there are multiple issues with that.

 

1) I live 2,000 miles away and can't even get myself to send my BF a gift

2) I really really really dislike JG and have for over 10 years

3) My rule this year is if I don't see you on Xmas day, you don't get a gift

[MollyElise]

I'm sure Sunny could get her a cheezy $5 gift, would that be better than nothing? I don't know if it's worse to give something that embarrases you or nothing at all.

 

Maybe a pair of earrings from Claire's?

[alli]

Oooh. Maybe she could get a stuffed animal at the Dollar Tree. I found a really cute bear there for a dollar once. Everything in that store really is a dollar (as opposed to the Dollar Store or other Dollar imitators) Can she afford $1?

[MollyElise]

I think she can afford a buck, I mean, come on! lol

 

I just wrote her with these ideas, we'll see if one of them works for her.

 

Thank you all for your help!