Should I bail my Dad out?

[GirlinContempt]

Every year, my Dad only has to deal with one Christmas related thing: My Mums stocking. And every year I end up doing most of it for him. I already tried going out with him this week, but he wanted to go to the most ridiculous places and very little was accomplished.
I just talked to him, and his big plan is to 'figure it out tomorrow'.
Christmas Eve.
So, should I just throw on some clothes and go hit the stores down the street, drop some cash, and bail him out? Or should I let him learn from his mistakes by running around Christmas Eve trying to find good stuff (and parking)?

[judaspriestess]

1. he does this every year?

His good intentions are there. Sometimes its just best to do the right thing and move on. I say bail him out.

[GirlinContempt]

8. Every year.

[some guy]

2. do both

you can be his backup if he fails miserably tomorrow, and if he does okay, you can have either a stocking for your Mom from you, or an extra one from you.

:)

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas! :hug:

[GirlinContempt]

7. thanks

[EFerrari]

13. Right on! The middle road is a good one.

:)

[skygazer]

3. He's not going to learn from his mistakes if he does this every year

Some people just aren't good at that sort of thing. I'm one of them. I hate shopping, I never have a clear idea of what I'm looking for and I stand around the middle of a mall like a deer in the headlights. Just desperate to get out of there.

I've been late with my kids birthday presents practically every year since they were born. I know it hurts their feelings (though now that they're adults, they kind of chuckle about it). It's not because I don't care, or that I don't want to, or that it's not a priority for me. It's because I get nearly paralysed by just the idea of going shopping.

I say bail him out.

[GirlinContempt]

6. Yeah, I will

but I'll feel minimally resentful about it for maybe 10 mins. So there.

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Yeah, bail him out, feel resentful, and then enjoy the holiday.

Not worth trying to change him at this late date. Maybe next year you can encourage him out for a shopping trip earlier in December and show him the error of his ways.:-)

[skygazer]

11. I can't blame you for that

I know my family does. ~hangs head in shame~

[RetroLounge]

4. Is he in Jail?

sorry, your thread title was funny...

RL

[GirlinContempt]

5. harrrrrrr

[SoCalDem]

10. Probably bail him out this year, BUT in about September

of 07, find some stuff you know Mom will like, buy it and tell dad he owes you $xx.00. Then have him come and get it from you a few days before Xmas.

That's one reason I quit Xmas around here. My husband would make kamikaze trips at the last minute to get "gifts"..Everything's picked over, nothing fit or was useful, so we just stopped.

-I got tired of being disappointed every gift-y occasion, so I just buy what i want and get stuff for people whenever i see it..Xmas or not.

I figure if someone who's been with me for 35+ years does not have a clue what i might like for Xmas, why bother?

I get more the way I do it anyway:evilgrin:

[Fleshdancer]

12. definitely bail him out....

At the risk of sounding like Debbie Downer, its the little quirks you miss about someone when they're gone. I lost my dad to cancer in 2000 and some of my fondest memories of him are the weird things he did that bugged the crap out of me at the time.

For example, it was absolute hell to go shopping with my Dad. He was in the military for a little over 20 years and he shopped like a man in battle...literally. He liked to plan out his mall route before getting there and I had to almost jog to keep up with him as he zigzagged through the people to get to the stores asap. I swear he could shop for 15-20 family members and friends in a crowded mall the week before Xmas in 15 minutes or less. It was insane and I complained about it every year but now the memory makes me laugh and I miss it.

Bail him out. This little stocking dance is part of your relationship with him and you'll treasure the memory some day.

[Nicole]

16. I agree

on all points you made.

Bail him out.

[uppityperson]

14. Is it his responsibility to do your mum's stocking?

Or can you just do it for your mum since getting a mostly empty stocking when everyone else gets full ones is a bit disappointing and after all, Santa is the spirit of christmas and giving stuff when the receiver doesn't know who they are from is fun.

[Rosemary2205]

15. MEN!!!!!!!

sheesh.

:evilgrin:

[BluePatriot]

17. Both my parents do this to each other and ask for my help

Sometimes I think I should step back and force them to communicate with each other, lol. But it is a bit fun to be Christmas co-ordinator. It depends on your situation, I guess.