Every year I devote a column to meaningful gifts for children of all ages — gifts that might grow in value or spark an interest in financial matters, or just be a relief from the online games that take up so much of their time.
Dear Anna, I’ve tried to tell myself it’s not about the gifts, and he’s a good partner in other ways. He’s kind, supportive and we have a lot of fun together. But I can’t shake the feeling that the lack of effort he puts into presents means something about how he feels about me.
Q. I don’t hate my ex, and I’d like to get him a little something for Christmas. What’s good ex-etiquette?
Dear Eric: I don’t believe I should be responsible for half the cost, which he thinks is unfair and disloyal to our agreement.
Dear Eric: I’ve been going to the same neighborhood nail salon for nearly 10 years. They are usually great, but about two years ago, I continuously began to be relegated to a nail technician, “Sue,” who is very inconsistent, doing just OK sometimes and then on occasion was truly awful.
Dear Eric: My gut has been telling me something is not right, so I went through his phone.
Dear Eric: My hosting friends are too nice to say anything to her.
Dear Eric: I’m a 75-year-old amateur songwriter who enjoys recording what I write. I’m also a widower going on three years. When my wife of 42 years was alive, I wrote songs for and about her and us. I’d record them at home and send the recordings to our boys and in-laws who always responded positively.
Dear Eric: We keep thinking someone will offer to at least pay for their own family. So far that hasn’t happened. The fact that it’s “expected” and taken for granted, has limited our desire to get together with them as a group.
Dear Eric: I’m a woman in a new relationship with a fabulous man who doesn’t seem to understand an issue I’ve brought to his attention. I noted recently that when he checks out other women in front of me, I feel disrespected.