Christmas Present Dilemma

sukysue

Hmm why a black pig...... why not a pink one is there a reason you say a black pig? Methinks you may be trying to stir a lil trouble... apologies if I have you wrong.

Errata

victory wrote: »

Uhm another thread full of animosity:rolleyes:

Christmas spirit seems to kick in earlier every year

Captain_Starlight

sukysue wrote: »

Hmm why a black pig...... why not a pink one is there a reason you say a black pig? Methinks you may be trying to stir a lil trouble... apologies if I have you wrong.

Yes you have got me wrong. No, I'm not trying to to stir 'a lil' trouble, why would I? I asked the original question in good faith and all honesty. Unfortunately a number of people on this forum have chosen to have a field day slagging me off, but I'm immensely grateful to those of you who've chosen to provide a sensible solution; thank you for that. If any of you have nothing better to do than post offensive replies, please don't bother - you've made your point and I'm really not interested in your family counselling advice.

And, SukySue, the term 'Black Pig', where we live, is synonymous with ignorance. I mean no offence to pink pigs anywhere.

LegalBlonde

I don't know if you count me as someone having a field day or giving you sensible solutions - I hope it is not the former!!

jackomdj

I would get a tin of chocolates & leave it at that.

I know you have said you don't want comments on your family, however I am going to add my view. Children learn their manners & behaviour (sp?) from their parents/parent & I know you have said you adore your Neice however this is where they have learnt their attitude to presents from.

Additionally you have said about partner not doing any painting etc. It could be that he does not feel comfortable doing work in the house if it is not his. Or it could be he simply is not the DIY type.

Good luck in finding something suitable.

pretz_2

hey could you not do a family evening in i.e dvd, popcorn, coke for the kids, bottle of wine for adults and put some nice bubble bath in for your niece as mums deserve a nice soak lol

Captain_Starlight

LegalBlonde wrote: »

I don't know if you count me as someone having a field day or giving you sensible solutions - I hope it is not the former!!

Now you've posted that reply I'll take you off the 'field day' list! No, I wasn't being sarcastic, I genuinely want to get this right, and I would so like - SO LIKE - to make niece's children understand that a simple 'Thank You' isn't life-threatening. I like your idea of the family cinema ticket - it's twigged up loads of other possibilities that I hadn't thought of, as well. As for 'their parents' we live in a different world to the one most of us grew up in, so not an option.

Thank you, and thank you especially for a straight reply which doesn't make me feel like the !!!!! from hell. So many of the replies to this thread have been unhelpful and offensive; no need for it, really, is there?
(Just read the latest reply from McKneff ... isn't it time this forum was moderated? Apparently, according to him, my 'personality stinks'.)

Thanks to McKneff this thread is now getting scary. so I'm bombing out of it. Sorry, and thank you all for your help.

MrsTinks

Just don't buy a present... There are people who were friends of ours, that have been "downgraded" to "aquaintances" because although we really like 1 of them then the rest of the family don't meet our criteria for being "friends" (oddly I take offence at people critisising my home and family to my face...) so this year they'll get a card and nothing else - being as I didn't even get a happy birthday greeting on FB then I shan't loose any sleep... Especially after going through a lot of trouble to buy their daughter a really good pressie (that will save them a lot of money in the future!) and having told them in advance they were put out as nan had bought something similar that was now obsolete... well I ruddy told them what we were buying! Was so tempted to take it back and just give her a box of chocolates instead!

So... no I can't be bothered to spend my energy on picking their pressies - why should I?
Although I am REALLY tempted to buy the 1 person we like something and not the rest of them... because I'm a horrid person like that.

Oh and I never send thank you cards - never have and probably never will. Those who know me know that I can't organise myself enough to send cards to save my life - but I always say thank you in person next time I see them And as it's usually because I've invited them to dinner to feed them and ply them with booze I don't feel too guilty!

sukysue

I suppose your history of so few posts automatically makes one suspicious of your motives, there are so many troublemakers on here it really makes one so cynical.I do apologise for taking you the wrong way and for what it's worth I would buy them a charity present or adopt an animal. That would serve the ignoramii right and do some good as well!

red_devil

Captain_Starlight wrote: »

OK, guys ... you're all smarter than me, so please help!
Problem is ... we have a niece who has two children aged 8 and 17, and a live-in partner. Oldest child's working, youngest child has the manners and the behaviour of a black pig. 'Partner' appears to do nothing around the house (bathroom/stairs need paint on the walls and the fittings ... fitted ... but he hasn't lifted a finger since he moved in). The other problem I have is that neither niece nor her children seem capable of writing a Thank You note for presents received, or making a phone call - all we get is one text from niece, saying 'thanx 4 our przzies rlly lved them', when we've gone to enormous trouble to buy them stuff they wanted. Do I sound like an Old Grumpy? Possibly, but make no apology for it.

So .. this is where I need your help! Adore niece ... wouldn't think of not giving her a present she wants, but don't know what to do about unspeakably ignorant/ungrateful children and partner. The simple option is to throw money at the scabby kids, but I refuse to do that any more. We've been trying to think of something which could be labelled 'To All of You', but have scored zero on the inventiveness scale, particularly because we're looking at ages between 8 and 35.

Help! :grouphug:

she did thank you just not in the way you wanted.

Thats the problem people expect everything to be perfect all the time and too their liking and its not! She dosent know you want her to write to you does she? Just accept that she has said thanks just not in the way you want. How do you thank people for your presents btw?

As for calling the kids scabby wonder what they think of you!