Christmas pressie help for the ungrateful

Mupette

the_cat wrote: »

In all honesty I don't think it matters much what you get. The primary reason for doing so is for the sake of your mum/grandad, yes?

If she is of a mind to, she will pick holes in whatever it is but that doesn't really matter because it is the act of giving something which is important to mum/grandad

Spot on, mum adores her dad, and each year we talk about how it might be his last, she has said that once he goes she won't bother with that side of the family, they all have mum's phone number and address, all promises of keeping in touch, none of them bother, that upsets her. She has done so much for the family. but even to an outsider it is obvious what nan and her children are like, she does treat them differently,

doodoot wrote: »

OP, I'd just put the tenner in a card and pop it through the ruddy door!

Tell your mum that you aren't prepared to go round there anymore on her behalf as you don't even get invited in, and that whatever you give her gets whizzed.

Suggest that in future she send a card with the cash from France to save you the upset and time taken to post on a forum to vent your anger.

You could have been sat down reading or watching TV eating a box of chocolates instead of tapping away on this thread. :rotfl:

tbh i am glad i don't get invited in, the less we talk the less she can sl ag me off to the other members of the family.

BitterAndTwisted

That horrible woman sounds just like my Scottish granny and she was a blood-relative, not some stranger.

To be honest, I would have a chat with your mother about her making the delivery-arrangements in future, even if it means you buying your grandfather's presents and mailing them over to her in France.

I just could not make myself go round there and be made to stand on the doorstep if you're not even invited inside to say "hello" and have a cuppa with your grandfather.

Seanymph

How about some books of stamps and a nice packet of notelets? Everyone uses stamps.

margaretclare

Be careful of buying 'diabetic' sweets. What are they sweetened with? Look out for items sweetened with sorbitol, which is a powerful laxative, and I mean powerful. Not good news for people with reduced mobility who can't get there quick enough.

I never buy chocolates or any kind of sweets for anybody. Particularly older people - I know so many who've been diagnosed with diabetes late in life or are in danger of developing diabetes. I send flowers: https://www.charityflowers.co.uk/index.php/

Have never known anyone complain at receiving flowers, but I've often known of people giving chocolates away.

Mrs.W_2

Gotta echo GlasweJen, Oxfam Unwrapped sell giving certificates from a fiver. A couple of relatives who take a less than grateful attitude to whatever they are given, always receive a goat.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/content/unwrapped/5to25.html?intcmp=shophub_tabs_giftsfromfivepounds_111111

Marisco

margaretclare wrote: »

Look out for items sweetened with sorbitol, which is a powerful laxative, and I mean powerful.

Now that's a good idea Mupette;):D

Murtle

I'd say the charity virtual gift ideas as well. There are lots of places that do them, so may be find something that would mean something to her or your Mom.

Families are odd things at the best of times, Christmas brings out another whole dimension.

xxx

building_with_lego

Marisco wrote: »

Now that's a good idea Mupette;):D

As long as horrid step- gran eats the chocs though and not grandad, eh?!

luxor4t

margaretclare wrote: »

Be careful of buying 'diabetic' sweets. What are they sweetened with? Look out for items sweetened with sorbitol, which is a powerful laxative, and I mean powerful. Not good news for people with reduced mobility who can't get there quick enough. ....

MC is quite right, my diabetic MiL just would not listen to the advice she was given about sorbitol. "But I CAN eat them, it says "for diabetics"! Oh dear... :o:o

Mupette

no we tried one year with diabetic turkish delight from boots, her indoors kicked off about that so no chocolate was ever bought from us for him ever again.

I dont mind the door step thing, sometimes gramps answers the door, he's not aware of who i am anymore (his mind is going too) but it's lovely to see him, then i can ring mum and let her know i saw him etc..