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A Family Gift

My dad and stepmom have been married for about 10 years (but have been together for about 16 years.) When they married she kept her maiden name. When I asked her why she told me that she was married once before and it was a pain in the rear to change her name just to end up changing it back two years later. I don't see why that would cross your mind when you marry someone (the "D" word, that is...maybe it's a second-timer thing.) Anyhow, I've been thinking about what I want to give to them for Christmas and I saw this really beautiful cutting board on Etsy that has the family name carved into it ("The Jones Family.) The problem is that I don't know which name to put on it. Could I use both names hyphenated (The Jones-Smith Family)? I always see really nice family name decor and I want to get it, but I don't know if it'd be appropriate. Thoughts?

Re: A Family Gift

  • If it were me, I would probably choose either "Jones-Smith Family" or "Jones & Smith Family".
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  • Use first names?
  • Jones & Smith is a good idea. First names might work, too. Thanks.
  • Hi, 
    If you call her mom, you could do mom and dad. 

    Are you set on this particular gift for them? If so, I would seek out how each party feels about the other being called the other ones last name. In other words, how your dad feels about her not changing her name and how she feels about her being called his last name. The reason I say this is because she might mind the legal part of it but embrace his last name when it comes to gifts and monogrammed stuff. This would sure make it easier this year and for years to come. 

    If she is totally against being called a "jones" for example and he is against hyphenation or her not changing her name in general then this gift probably wouldn't be that good to give in the first place because all it would do is bring up a sore subject that they may argue about behind closed doors.  I would do some more digging, ask people that they know or fish around with them to see what they are thinking. Then make a decision. There are lots of great couples gifts out there that don't need monogramming. 

    If all else fails I would do first names before last names. In other words, if you love the gift, don't want to do any digging and think they will love it too I would definitely go with first names. 
  • Yes use first names like Cindy's Kitchen. That's what my mother in law has. 
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