Real life MMD: Should I buy the girlfriend a present?

katespencer

Short and simple.

NO!

Augustus_the_Strong

The girlfriend 'took the credit' for what? Bothering to think about what you might like for Christmas and getting it and wrapping it up and giving it to you? or supplying the money? What's important, the gift, or how much it cost? You sound rather mean-spirited, not sure you deserve a present at all. But if Wealthy Uncle doesn't care enough about you to get you a present (or even give you some money, easy enough), thank Girlfriend by giving her something nice (maybe home-made if you're on a budget) and don't bother about him. Merry Christmas, may Santa bring you all you deserve.

Cimscate

by the sound of it, you should have told them you don't want to do presents at all if you can't be bothered to buy them yourself. Get over it - we all do things that we maybe don't want to for the sake of family and friends.

pennypinchUK

Ooh, sounds like there's bad blood between you and your uncle's girlfriend....

I'd just give a present that's clearly only for him and label it up to both of them.

Meadows

MSE_Penelope wrote: »

Should I buy the girlfriend a present? My wealthy uncle can never be bothered to buy us gifts for Christmas. Last year his girlfriend bought all the Christmas presents with his money and took the credit for it, gushing about how good her ideas were. So we felt we had to get her a present as well as for him. I know she's doing the same thing this year but I'm on a budget and I don't really want to get her another present. I don't want it to cause a fuss though.

She is doing nothing different to all other wives and girlfriends so why shouldn't she take the credit, forking out the money is the easy part. Thinking of a gift, buying a gift and wrapping a gift is where the thought lies, if you don't want to get her a gift get them a gift jointly, as there are so many bargains and glitches posted on here you can buy a lot on a budget if you shop around.

Sublime_2

I would get her a present, because she took the time, and trouble to get others them.

chrimson

If it was your sons girlfriend or Daughters boyfriend would you still feel the same?
Your Uncles girlfriend put all the effort into Christmas last year. Surely by now she counts as family.
You could always tell them that you are not buying any Christmas Presents this year and ask them not to give you one.
Try to remember the spirit of Christmas. Oh and you have a whole year to budget for it

JayD

Yes you should - nothing expensive, just make a gesture - and prefereably give something to both of them to share.

Box of biscuits, a small box of chocolates, n inexpensive bottle of wine - plenty of choice out there.

I find it sad that you feel so begrudging towards someone who has finally got your rich uncle to spend his money on treating you all at Christmas

vbhalla

Quote:
Originally posted by toastiest
If the girlfriend had gotten herself a temp job and used that money to buy the presents then that would have been much better and I'd bet that the questioner would have gladly returned the favour.
"Why should she? They're not HER family - they are HIS family - and if HIS family begrudge buying HER a gift because she used (what they see as) HIS money to buy HIS family a gift why should she waste HER hard earned money on the ungrateful receipients? If I was the girlfriend you'd all get £shop smelly sets and I'd spend the rest on a treat for me and the uncle or make a donation to charity where it would be appreciated."

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This is quite an interesting response. I wonder if people's responses would be different if the roles were revesed. Let's say that it wasn't a wealthy uncle but a wealthy aunt.

Would people feel the same way towards a boyfriend who buys all the family members gifts using the aunt's credit card however does not work regularly or refrains from spending his own money on them?

I suspect, at least some may see this scenario as the boyfriend taking advantage of the aunt?

In anycase, an interesting dilemma by the OP.

Meadows

vbhalla wrote: »

This is quite an interesting response. I wonder if people's responses would be different if the roles were reversed. Let's say that it wasn't a wealthy uncle but a wealthy aunt. Would people feel the same way towards a boyfriend who buys all the family members gifts using the aunt's credit card however does not work regularly or refrains from spending his own money on them? I suspect, at least some may see this scenario as the boyfriend taking advantage of the aunt?

I don't think sex comes into this, the person buying has taken the time and trouble to get gifts that the Uncle or 'Aunt' couldn't be bothered to do and as long as the partner is not ripping the relative off why should it be any different for a woman or a man.