Should I buy my boyfriend a plane ticket to come home for Christmas?

[Anonymous]

He lives across the country from me and his family, and only has Christmas day off. I found a ticket that will leave after he gets off work on the 24th, and fly back early on the 26th. It's over $400. I'm 20 and make about $1700 per month...I can afford it but it's a huge chunk of money. I already pay to fly and visit him sometimes. But it would be really nice because I know he's going to be sad and lonely if he stays there. What do you think I should do?

Updates

+1 y

I guess some history might be good: I'm 20 and he's 22, both out of college and working full time but not a lot of money. Dating for over 2 yrs.

Updates

+1 y

Ahh I have a follow-up question. So I'm going to do this, but now my question is should I ask his parents if they want to help out, or should I have it be a surprise to them? I kinda told my boyfriend because I needed to find out the exact times he has off and can fly. But I didn't tell him the price. Should I just do it and bring him back to his parent's, or should I let his parents know what's going on?

[niewiemkto]

This is a really nice gesture, and I think you should go for it if you feel you could afford it. I currently am also a recent college grad working full time, and I can now finally buy my friends and family nice gifts because I can afford them, and it feels great! I think if it was a short-lived relationship, I would not do it. But if you have been together 2 years and it won't place a major financial burden on you, it would be amazing. And if you think about it, it's an awesome gift to his family too! I am surprising my mom with a visit in another country 3,000 miles away this Christmas, and I spent $1,200 on a ticket to do that. You can't put a price on spending the holidays together. $400 is honestly not that bad, I've gotten more expensive things for friends... but I guess it's all relevant. And who knows, maybe he will surprise you with a nice gift next time ;) Not to say you should expect it, gifts should be given without expecting anything in return. But, I am sure he would really like this and it would make him extremely happy. And it will make you happy to see him happy and surprise him and his family. So all in all, I'd go for it :)

[Asker]

I know what you mean about buying nice stuff for my family! It does feel nice. :) I really want to do this for him, but I'm just careful about spending money. Part of me feels like it would make more sense to buy a ticket for a time he can be here more than one day. I like your answer though, very nice!

[Anonymous]

does he buy you things too? Personally that sounds like a lot of money..

[Asker]

We generally don't buy each other stuff that much because neither of us really likes gifts. He pretty much always pays when we go out and stuff though (when he was here), and we've been splitting travel costs since he moved. He got me $80 earrings for Christmas, that's the most expensive thing he's gotten me haha.

[kambo_trick3y]

Talk to his family, have them chip some in. Try not to go at it alone, it's a really nice thought.

[Asker]

Yeah...I feel kind of embarrassed to do that though...I mean I know his parents, but not very well. Honestly, they could afford to pay for it all, but they are very conservative with money so I don't know how they'd respond if I was like, "Hey, want to pitch in and bring him home for Christmas?" How do you think I should bring it up?

[kambo_trick3y]

If you're shy around them or haven't broken the ice too much, you can take some solace knowing that at least you have a common ground, and that it's to bring their son back home. So, I would call, and then slide into it from there. It'd be better than just showing up automatically and breaking right into it.

[Asker]

yeah...thanks for the encouragement. I may try that!

[fallbaby]

I agree with Kambo trick3y