Am I completely unreasonable?!

gymfiend

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I am liking the idea of a cow Not only would I get the satisfaction of something they would hate, I would be helping someone else and enjoying the satisfaction of giving a cow to a cow :rotfl:

Bobbed in to the pound shop already this morning & eyed up some absolute rubbish that I will be passing on :rotfl: Now...let hope OH doesn't catch wind of my plan & just lets me buy and wrap then give them over without asking!!!

pinkshoes

gift /gɪft/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [gift] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.
2.the act of giving.
3.something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned: Those extra points he got in the game were a total gift.
4.a special ability or capacity; natural endowment; talent: the gift of saying the right thing at the right time. –verb (used with object)
5.to present with as a gift; bestow gifts upon; endow with.
6.to present (someone) with a gift: just the thing to gift the newlyweds.


I would just send them a card, and inside print the definition of "gift".

blottedcopybook

Eeeeeek! See, I have to say that I've done slightly similar with my family this year. I am a hoarder and never throw anything out, and with a huge extended family my kids have been spoilt rotten over the years and my house is so cluttered it's not funny. It's actually very stressful! Hubby and I spent a good few weeks clearing up the kids' rooms and selling off/giving away toys that they didn't play with anymore and I'm NOT prepared to have to deal with this again after Christmas so I've given our parents a list of books that the kids haven't got, and their CTF bank details so they can either get books or get money. A lot of our family would ask our parents what to get for the kids too so hopefully they'll take the hint.

That said, I have zero expectations on what people spend on our kids because God knows I have so many kids and it's tight for everyone right now that we're grateful to just be thought of!

duchy

I'd send a text back saying.....we've already bought your gift. We;re sure you're going to love it ..............and then order that cow/well/sponsor a child for a year.
They can hardly complain about the gift (but can about pound shop stuff) without sounding vile-and it's a very clear message you are sending them which will probably pay off in future Christmases.

Any

I think would I receive a message like this I would just got really worked up about it, thinking what is the cheeky cow thinking and then I would send some message back - as I would be in rage it would be probably something along the line "If you have heard somewhere that we have won the lottery then I am really sorry to advice that that is not the case. We certainly couldn't afford to buy a presents without even knowing the cost of them. As the reallity about the finances is actually the other way round, I suggest that I don't buy you any presents and I won't be expecting any presents back."

SDH

I enjoy the shopping for & giving of gifts much more than christmas itself. So would be totally outraged if I recieved message like the OP did!

Along a vaguely similar line, I emailed OH mum for xmas pressie ideas for OH Grandma. Reply back sugguested we (me & OH, OH Mum & OH Aunt) all chip in for a laptop for her. Eeeek, I have 20quid limit for pressies.
Have sent a polite "no thanks" back but am now totally stuck for ideas, and i suspect won't recieve any more 'assistance' with ideas!
What I also find confusing is that OH Mum always appears to be strapped for cash - so was she expecting us to shell out a 'bigger' chip?
Some people!

robnye

in the words of catherine tates grandma character 'wot a ferkin liberty'

i especially like the cow for third world idea...... just dont tell them
or let them buy and then tell them you arent buying anyone anything due to credit crunch - so they have to cover the cost

Miss-spent_2

SDH I know it is difficult and embarrasing when you ask for ideas and then are horrified by the replies you get because of the cost.
However I do think it is better for relatives to chip in for one big present which is useful rather than sending lots of bits and pieces that no one wants and that take up room ( I have so many scarves and so much stationery!)

I have always spent a lot on people at Xmas and got a lot back and to be honest wish it would stop now. I notionally set a figure of £100 each close family member (6 including DH) and they spend the same back. This year there is nothing anybody really wants and I would rather we all saved our money but can't suggest it.

AnnieM_3

Ozzy Osbourne's wife Sharon sends gifts of Tiffany boxes with her pets' turds in to people she doesn't like :rotfl:

~just sayin'~

What on earth does your OH think to this? What sort of person has the brass neck to do something like that?!

elona

SDH

DD bought her dad a laptop cushion or laptop rest for about £13 last Christmas and he uses it every day much to all our surprise. It stops him burning his knees and gets the laptop at the right height for him as well.

I like the idea of a charity gift and think the OP's relatives have a real cheek.