Anonymous wrote:Yes I would give her a gift. $50 would be what I’d give, not the same as what you’d give your child.
I’m honestly surprised you don’t give her birthday gifts too. They live together! And they’ve been dating for years. It costs very little to be kind. DILs are the ones who can control access to grandchildren.
Dh and I met young (19). No one paid any attention to me and I was ignored quite a bit at family functions. We waited until 25 to marry. When dhs siblings were near 30 they started bringing girlfriends home for the holidays and everyone fawned over them. They were treated so very kindly. MIL was teaching them her family’s recipes and making sure their favorite pies got served. I think that people just don’t treat young women kindly but when their kids are close to 30 they get worried and want grandkids.
This sounds very transactional (give gifts bc it might increase access to future grandchildren). Does she celebrate Christmas? I second the advice to talk to your son; if you give her a gift and she doesn’t get you one (which would be normal, since she’s not even visiting) she might feel awkward.