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Gift for parents, right or wrong??

Sorry, probably wrong place to put this :(

We owe parents some money. We now have the money in a separate account to pay them back but they refuse to take the money!! After seeing our new tv, they have decided they need a new tv.

Me and hubby are considering just buying them a new tv - and saying we have some money put aside to pay you back and you refuse to take it, so we thought that we would get it for you (OH is from an electrical background, so is good at choosing good makes blah blah blah).

Is this a good idea or not?? (If they are upset about not having the money I can specifically set aside some money to make up for it and also, there is still more money that is owed that is sitting in this separate account for them!!).

I'm asking because we thought it was a good idea to pay them back in some way but now I'm going through my usual doubts, despite knowing that it's something they want :o
«13

Comments

  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    Just buy the TV with a gift receipt - if they don't want it they can return.

    And you can discuss the money afterwards!
    :cool:
  • Mips wrote: »
    Just buy the TV with a gift receipt - if they don't want it they can return.

    And you can discuss the money afterwards!

    Strewth, you're quick :beer: thanks very much for your opinion :D
  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    Why_oh_why wrote: »
    Strewth, you're quick :beer: thanks very much for your opinion :D

    They would be proper chuffed :D
    :cool:
  • I wouldn't.

    I think the issue of repaying your parents the money borrowed should be kept separate from buying a tv.

    But if you do want to repay them by buying them a tv I would get them involved in choosing it - I can't think of any thing worse that being bought an expensive item and it not being exactly what I would have chosen.,
    2014 Target;
    To overpay CC by £1,000.
    Overpayment to date : £310

    2nd Purse Challenge:
    £15.88 saved to date
  • Thanks for the responses :)

    I must apologise, the title should not have been 'gift for parents'!!

    mountainofdebt - I totally agree but I do have 100% trust in my husband's choice and my parents have always relied on his opinion when buying anything electrically related - but completely take your response into consideration :D
  • Alikay
    Alikay Posts: 5,147 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If they really won't accept you repaying the loan, I think the TV is a lovely idea. I'm sure they'd be delighted with it and it'd be harder for them to refuse when it's bought and paid for and being carried into their living room :)
  • tealady
    tealady Posts: 3,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Mortgage-free Glee!
    I think it is a lovely thought, I am sure like many parents they feel they have to support and worry about their children (even though the children are adults). I know my mum worries about her kids even though they are mainly pensioners!!
    Buy it, get it installed and show them what it does (eg if it has integrated DVD or freeview) and all enjoy in time for the Xmas repeats!
    Find out who you are and do that on purpose (thanks to Owain Wyn Jones quoting Dolly Parton)
  • VfM4meplse
    VfM4meplse Posts: 34,269 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    Why_oh_why wrote: »
    Me and hubby are considering just buying them a new tv - and saying we have some money put aside to pay you back and you refuse to take it, so we thought that we would get it for you (OH is from an electrical background, so is good at choosing good makes blah blah blah).

    Is this a good idea or not??
    I think it's an excellent idea if you can wait for another 3 1/2 weeks or so for the Christmas sales to start! Make a judgement about your first and second choices, and then buy from John Lewis / anywhere that gives you a 5-yr guarantee, I'm sure your parents will love it, and the fact that you are being a little careful with your money.

    You do need to clear your debt first in order to stop clouding the issue - if you have ever transferred any money to them previously by BACS, then you have a means of doings so (cheques to may parents would mysteriously disappear or get shredded :D). It's their money, you appreciated it when it helped you out of a spot and now it's theirs to enjoy.
    Value-for-money-for-me-puhleeze!

    "No man is worth, crawling on the earth"- adapted from Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio

    Hope is not a strategy :D...A child is for life, not just 18 years....Don't get me started on the NHS, because you won't win...I love chaz-ing!
  • victory
    victory Posts: 16,188 Forumite
    Gift them the money in a cracker for xmas or wrapped amongst other stuff in a hamper that type of thing but no not the tele, they need paying back, you borrowed it, they don't want it back but they will need it in the future, let them have the choice of having it in their bank account to do as they please with it in later years, no tele, money.
    misspiggy wrote: »
    I'm sure you're an angel in disguise Victory :)
  • Wilma33
    Wilma33 Posts: 681 Forumite
    I assume they don't want the money back because they feel you need the money more than them and they want you to spend the money on your family unit. So spending a lot of money on them goes against their wishes. So I wouldn't do it.
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