mortensorchid Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 I am a gifter with people. That is, I like to show others that I care for them by buying a gift for them. I am not sure where this comes from but it is kind of my nature. I don't hand out gifts at will in the hope people can and will like me, I try to balance it the right way without going overboard. It backfired on me in the past, but I am in the infatuation / crush phase and kind of want to buy something for someone. What is a good present to buy a single Dad with 3 kids? Link to post Share on other sites
Woggle Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Find out what he likes and buy him something related to it. Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 (edited) Does he have a "popcorn popper"?? I like the hot air version. My thinking... He can make popcorn for the kids when he has them. Then, he can make popcorn (for DVD/Movie night) for the two of you, when he doesn't have the kids. Or maybe a waffle iron... Waffles ROCK!! Edited September 27, 2019 by Happy Lemming Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Based solely on the info you have given that he's a single dad with 3 kids, the perfect gift for him could be anything. You didn't supply enough info. Think about him. What does he like? What does the family do together? What are their needs? What's your budget? I mean a mini-van would probably be a great gift so would an RV but I suspect you didn't want to spend that much. How close are you to these people? I gave a dear friend of mine who I have known for 40 years a big picture frame around the word FAMILY. I inserted photos of her, her husband, their kids, her parents & Grandparents, his parents, their siblings in the individual photo holders. She loved it. Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Box of condoms? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
basil67 Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 A six pack of his favourite beer. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
nospam99 Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Know your target. Example: My ex-wife's language of love was gifts. It totally backfired on me. When I was a child I almost always was given what my parents thought was 'just as good' as what I wanted, as long as it cost 50% less. The result is a visceral anti-gift feeling on my part. I actually get angry when I'm given something material, doubly so because I have to suppress that anger against a person who is trying to be nice. What works for me is being treated to an event: dinner, movie, food, the 'usual stuff'. For me it's the thought that counts, having taken the time to know me well enough to pick something that I will enjoy. On the other hand, a dozen red roses for Valentine's Day was a big success with Natalie. Maybe because that's one of the widely culturally acknowledged messages of love. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Blind-Sided Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 ..... What is a good present to buy a single Dad with 3 kids? As a single dad of 2 kids... a roll of duct tape is always good. LOL. So... it's going well? I'm glad to hear that. I think happy lemming has a good idea. I would make popcorn once in a while... old school. It was work, and made a bit of a mess. After the ex moved out, I actually bought a cheap ($19) air popper, and me and my youngest have sat and had movie nights a few times. Even my older kid wants some when I make it. My only thought with that is... it may be a gift better for a few months from now. If things are working out, and you are introduced to the kids... it's a good "Family" gift, and indicating you would like to be at his house to hang out. How about this... buy a couple movie tickets in advance. Not a gift card... but actual tickets for a future date, and wrap them in a little box. It's not expensive, but it is thoughtful. With that said... while a small gift is a very nice thing to get... since you are in the beginning stages... a physical gift may seem "Clingy" to some people. Maybe the best plan of attack would to simply say at the end of your next date... "I'm enjoying your company, and I would like to take you out next time." (Then plan/pay for the date) Honestly... since I am in his position... I would think that would be great. Also, it would show that you were very interested. GOOD LUCK !!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
chillii Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 I am a gifter with people. That is, I like to show others that I care for them by buying a gift for them. I am not sure where this comes from but it is kind of my nature. I don't hand out gifts at will in the hope people can and will like me, I try to balance it the right way without going overboard. It backfired on me in the past, but I am in the infatuation / crush phase and kind of want to buy something for someone. What is a good present to buy a single Dad with 3 kids? A bloody good holiday Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 What is a good present to buy a single Dad with 3 kids? a babysitter Link to post Share on other sites
CautiouslyOptimistic Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 A housecleaner. Link to post Share on other sites
Gretchen12 Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Bake a cake or a batch of cookies. It's not too gifty, no monetary value attached. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
NuevoYorko Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 Just keep it inexpensive and not "meaningful" in a romantic or too personal way. Sometimes the receipt of a gift can push a person away because it can be perceived as the other "getting serious" when the receiver is not ready. Some kind of tool or item he doesn't have and could really use - like if you were at his house having ice cream and he was scooping it with a soup spoon you could get him an ice cream scoop. Or you saw that he was having trouble attaching something to something else because all of his bungees are trashed, so a package of bungees. Or his cat is eating out of his cereal bowls; a cat food bowl. That type of thing. But NOT EXPENSIVE. Link to post Share on other sites
Timshel Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 How about buy nothing at this time Mortensorchid. Have you met his children yet? Buying gifts before a relationship is established hasn't worked in the past...learn from the past. I get it, you are excited, brilliant, great. Slow down. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author mortensorchid Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 How about buy nothing at this time Mortensorchid. Have you met his children yet? Buying gifts before a relationship is established hasn't worked in the past...learn from the past. I get it, you are excited, brilliant, great. Slow down. I should have not posted when I was just "thinking" on something. Ha ha ha ... Yes, I am excited but not going to go crazy at this moment. I haven't met his kids yet. I was just thinking. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
elaine567 Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Forget the gift and spend the time "thinking" about whether you can be step Mom to three kids. If his plan to take the kids away from their mother and stay with him full time comes to fruition, then you will be on the front line... Link to post Share on other sites
major_merrick Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Don't buy. Make! If you like him, you want him to see you as partner/parent material. That means domestic skills to most guys. Buying stuff won't impress him, and will probably make him feel obligated to buy something in return. Make cookies or bread or something like that. More personal and less dollar-oriented, and it aligns more with traditional gender stuff. While that may not be something either of you value, it works subconsciously to make you attractive and comfy. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 I did have one girlfriend buy me a very expensive watch (early in the relationship). It is a beautiful watch and I wear it every time I leave the house. It is a cherished possession and I very much appreciated the thought (and expense) that went into this gift. This gift did not affect our relationship in any negative way. I didn't feel like I had to reciprocate. It brought her happiness to see me enjoy it and wear it. Other factors (beyond our control) forced us apart, but I will forever remember her and the wonderful gift I received. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 what a heart warming story HL, none of my exes have bought me nice, expensive gift. Link to post Share on other sites
Author mortensorchid Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share Posted September 29, 2019 I did have one girlfriend buy me a very expensive watch (early in the relationship). It is a beautiful watch and I wear it every time I leave the house. It is a cherished possession and I very much appreciated the thought (and expense) that went into this gift. This gift did not affect our relationship in any negative way. I didn't feel like I had to reciprocate. It brought her happiness to see me enjoy it and wear it. Other factors (beyond our control) forced us apart, but I will forever remember her and the wonderful gift I received. I bought a former bf a piece of jewelry- a chain bracelet - to celebrate our one year anniversary. He treated me very badly, rebounded and married another woman barely a year later, then got divorced three years later after she and her lover took him to the cleaners. I wonder if he still has it or if be or his ex wife pawned it. Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 He treated me very badly... I'm sorry that happened to you. In life, sometimes you run into mean people and sometimes you find a person that treats you great. Unlike others on LS, I do like your "gift" giving gesture. To me, a small gift sounds like a nice idea, especially if it is something that he can utilize to make his life easier. Being a new single parent, my mind gravitated toward small kitchen helper appliances like a "popcorn popper", "waffle iron", "electric griddle" (for making pancakes or other items) or something along those lines. Whatever you decide... (gift or no gift), please know I'm pulling for you and hope you find happiness with this gentleman. All the best... Link to post Share on other sites
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