Am I completely unreasonable?!

Zazen999

In the words of my mate from Mansfield - I'd tell them to 'Jog On'.

Surfbabe

I'd send them a text saying oresents already sorted and then log onto World Vision, Oxfam etc and buy them a cow, or pig. If you know there email then send them the link from agelavdavis post.

I've supported WV for a number of years but had never seen that advert. Its brilliant

Northern_girl_2

I've just been looking at Oxfam's gift schemes and they do have one to 'build a bog':
"Here’s a present worth spending a penny on - buy someone a loo. These simple structures are clean and hygienic, which helps prevent the spread of disease in crisis situations and makes schools and communities healthier places."

It's £50 so might be a little pricey but possibly worth it to make a stand against such rudeness! I would be fuming - fortunately my family are very sensible about gifts and only very close relatives and friends ever receive presents.

Although I must admit I do send a list of things I want to my mum but only because she begs me to! I have said there's no need anymore but they still like to send something to be opened - I know approximately how much they would spend though and never take the p*ss. It's usually a list of CDs and books so they can choose a couple of thing. That way it's still a 'surprise' on the day - I think it gets to the point where us 'kids' are still keeping the magic of Christmas alive for our parents!

tommygun

I have a very very large family. I always say christmas is for children. My OH and I didn't have children for 9 years and so could buy for our cousins children, sisters and brothers children etc. I always had all items at latest each yr by October and used the January sales to pick up bargains for the coming year. I would always get my parents something and his mum. If they needed household replacements, cookers fridges, TV's Carpets Holidays I would get my sisters and brothers to chip in early. Anyone who was a student or Unemployed did not pay. But it would be worked out over the year and planned. I now have 3 children. My brothers and sisters also have more. We never buy for the adults and the same principle applies. The family never take the mickey.
If money is short we communicate freely and pressies are scaled back. The parents of the kids always say what they would like clothes, toys or what the child needs. The message is always clear presents aren't important but they are. A good meal together or time together is how we share our love. Thank heavens. Remember christmas comes the same time every year so it shouldn't be a time for bad feeling. You have time to prepare!! Don't send a text, talk to them.:rolleyes:

1sttimer_2

Northern_girl wrote: »

I've just been looking at Oxfam's gift schemes and they do have one to 'build a bog':
"Here’s a present worth spending a penny on - buy someone a loo. These simple structures are clean and hygienic, which helps prevent the spread of disease in crisis situations and makes schools and communities healthier places."

It's £50 so might be a little pricey but possibly worth it to make a stand against such rudeness! I would be fuming - fortunately my family are very sensible about gifts and only very close relatives and friends ever receive presents.

Although I must admit I do send a list of things I want to my mum but only because she begs me to! I have said there's no need anymore but they still like to send something to be opened - I know approximately how much they would spend though and never take the p*ss. It's usually a list of CDs and books so they can choose a couple of thing. That way it's still a 'surprise' on the day - I think it gets to the point where us 'kids' are still keeping the magic of Christmas alive for our parents!

I got a letter from Christian Aid which had loads of gifts from £10 upwards. One was for a can of worms £15.00 This is to help the soil so that farmers in 3rd world countries can get more produce from their fields. It sounds like it could be taken eitherway for your 'family' - a good gift in the true sense, and also tongue in cheek in what they've asked for. This thread has definitely opened a can of worms!

You can also gift aid your purchase so that Christian Aid will get some tax back.

Personally, I would NEVER EVER give anyone a gift in this way, it is not a gift, it's a blatant take! I have discussed with friends and family and we've decided to just buy for our children/grandchildren plus a token gift (£20 max) per family (my sis' and my nephew's only -my BIL & SIL don't want to exchange) plus I give a small gift to my 2 best friends. That's it! We've all agreed that's fine so no one will expect anything. Same with birthdays, it's now cards only (except for my children/grandchildren/OH).
No one has fallen out over it and we alternate christmas day with my BIL & SIL and everyone is happy.

This year we now have got our first GC :j but he will only be 3 months at Christmas so it will be a token gift this year!

Gymfiend - you are definitely NOT being unreasonable, I don't have to tell you who I think are being though:rolleyes:

*Louise*

Bluddy cheek of them!!

Gymfiend - you certainly shouldn't feel bad about being annoyed. I would text back saying you like to choose your own gifts for people.

I do sometimes ask people what they would like for christmas for themselves.their chirdren etc...but to be so presumptuous as to TELL someone that you will by it yourself and just hand over the money! It's beyond cheek!

moggylover

robnye wrote: »

either cos they are both full of doodoo

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

beckseven

Some people are unbelievable! My SiL is incredibly childish about Christmas and thinks it's all about her opening a huge pile of presents-she writes a list and gets excited about it and she is her 30s. She also sulks if she doesn't get what she wants-one comment to her husband one year when it wasnt' something she wanted was-read the effin list-it's not brain surgery and this present is not on my list! She now has kids of her own and is always bleating about being skint but you should have seen the pouty lip when Oh said to her that why didn't we just buy for the kids this year! She said to him 'Oh don't you want a present from me then?' making out as if it was him who was obsessed about presents! anyway it's sorted now and OH handled it really well by saying 'Well we agreed this last Christmas didn't we?' Last christmas she asked for a Radley handbag (the one she wanted was £80) so Dh who has great Northern bluntness just sent a text back saying 'P*** off you cheeky cow!' Do you think this would work with your family?!!!

Barneysmom

I'd just delete it. You never got the message.
Don't buy the greedy ungrateful bunch anythihng at all.

loobylou2

I like the can of worms option:D