Am I completely unreasonable?!

Soot2006

gymfiend wrote: »

They will buy us some absolute rubbish - as always. Last year I received some sick inducing jewellery - clearly because they don't know me well enough to buy me something I might actually want.
Glad I am not being totally unreasonable, they will be received whatever I can find from last year that was no good to me now hahaha

Sick inducing jewellery sounds like a luxury ... A few years ago a relative gave me a 5-pack of "assorted scissors" from the pound shop.

wannabe_sybil

I once had my sister in law show up on my doorstep saying, this is what you are getting my daughter for Christmas, can she play with it now?

The child had one of the worst tantrums I have ever witnessed and I do not believe the £25 toy (15 years ago) was ever played with again. After that I always got the child a gift in good time, and let my sister in law know.

My sister in law bought us a cat for a wedding present, but only paid part of the money, so we paid £10 towards the cat from the RSPCA and all that was needed for food, food bowls, litter trays etc.

She herself is really easy to buy for. As long as it is 40% proof or more she is happy.

However, for the OP. Sometimes it is useful to know what someone would like. I usually give my dear heart a list of things and he can choose one off the list to buy me. I regularly beseech my sister in law for bubble bath for Christmas. I would be best pleased with something like Asda own brand, plenty of bubbles and not to complicated. Is this person likely to ask for (giving an example) 'bubble bath' or 'Harrods bubble bath'. If the former you may be able to obtain it without too much trouble and it could save a lot of time and effort.

Then around February I suggest that you say that due to the credit crunch perhaps next Christmas you should all just buy for the children of the family.

I do hope this helps.

ZoeGirl_3

Sounds like they are trying to be greedy, I have never heard of "we choose, you pay" myself, what a damn cheek!!!

As for the little known part, what are they? Some kind of cousin or something? I understand buying for parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, grandparents, and close friends and maybe some other close family, but I don't buy for aunts/ uncles or cousins myself. For extended family we do the $10 mystery present for all those present on the day and everyone draws one out. Saves everyone a heap of hassle.

If they are family are that rude, I wouldnt even bother replying. Let them buy the things and never pay them for them, pretend the text must have just never arrived!! :P

Meadows

Is this the first time they have done this, or is it a thing you do every year, telling each other what you would like?

If you have done it before, just let them know money is a bit tight and you can't afford to spend as much, if this is the first time, then tell them to get lost!
The idea is to give gifts to the people you love & like, not just anyone that thinks they should get gifts!

ZoeGirl_3

liney wrote: »

Send this text:

We would like a 37inc plasma. Can we please have your credit card details... and when we order it do they want it delivered to you to wrap up for us, or it ok to come straight to our house? Or if it's easier for you we can send your token gifts over Christmas week, and you can do the same for us.

Of course this assumes they have a sense of humour, understand irony, and will not be terribly offended. LOL

Excellent that is the perfect response!!! Does OH agree they are unreasonable or not??

gymfiend

They're step family of my OH [who incidentally, we see maybe twice a year] - not only for the text sender are gifts expected, also for their OH and children. The gifts would be the best of the best, and specific. And expensive, i.e. £30+ for each child. Last year I heard nothing as I make no contact with them I avoided it well, unfortunately this year they evidently feel a little more comfortable!

[Deleted User]

Ignore the response. If you don't like them anyway.. why bother with them?

You can choose what family you buy presents for

miserly_mum

Don't reply right away. Give them a chance to buy the stuff.....THEN let them know you aren't going to pay for them

skylight

BIL and his family are like this - you're not alone!!!

He has 2 kids, we have 4 with 1 due just before Xmas (which I have put my foot down and told people not to buy for - its pointless), so granted, then tend to spend a bit more than we do. Not a lot more though as I can buy "better"! So they suggested this year we just give them £100 as thats what they would spend on our lot. My bottom they would ever spend that much on my lot in total throughout the year etc.

I've told them not to bother this year, as OH is about to lose his job plus baby on the way, its just not possible. So. BIL and co have been rubbishing us to anyone who will listen that their darlings are not getting a Wii now, and its all our fault! :rotfl:


Xmas is about giving, not getting. Unless its my OH, then I tell him what I want... And his kids will still get a small something - as I said, its about giving.

Purple_Sparkles

I can't believe the cheek of them! I'd not even bother replying, give them a token gift if you have to but I'd be more inclined to donate whatever money you may spend on them to a charity and then wrap the receipt up in a big box and give them that. You can bet they'll never have had a gift like that before.

Nowt wrong with being a Witch by the way