u/Emergency-Wear5182

▲ 13 r/Advice

Hi everyone,

I’m meeting my boyfriend’s parents (and brother+wife) for the first time this weekend, and it happens to be the day before Mother’s Day. We’re just going out for dinner at a casual place, nothing super formal.

I’m wondering if I should bring his mom a small gift? I was thinking something simple like a small dried flower arrangement (in a small vase) as a thoughtful gesture.

The thing is, my boyfriend is advising against it. He keeps saying:
•his parents are rich and can buy whatever they want
•their family isn’t big on gifts

Sometimes I doubt this because, back in Christmas his parents gave him a few gift cards worth $1200 in total and even practical stuff like toilet paper, while his brother and his wife gave tools + chocolates + a card.

So I’m a bit confused about their family dynamic. His brother’s wife also recently became a mother and it’ll be her first mother’s day and I was thinking of giving her a little something too.

Also, I don’t know much about his family at all. I just know that his parents are retired and travel a lot.

I don’t want to:
•come off as trying too hard
•make things awkward

He’s not stopping me or anything but now I feel self-conscious about it. I’ve always given a small token when meeting parents for the first time so this is kind of foreign to me. But I also feel like showing up completely empty-handed (especially right before Mother’s Day) feels a bit off?

Appreciate any advice!

Thank you!

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u/Emergency-Wear5182 — 17 days ago