You don't give to receive but...

Spendless

This is why presents should be about what someone would like to receive, not what the giver wants to buy regardless of thought into what the person likes/would welcome having.

I must admit I did think you meant a wall thermometer at first, and I personally would prefer that than chocolates I shouldn't really be eating.:o but reading on I think you mean a thermometer to take your temperature which is a bit ermmmm random:huh: Unless you have a particular reason to need a thermometer??

My Nan bought my son a Galileo Thermometer that was full price at £10 but paid £2.99 and both labels were left on...oops!:o But Nan has dementia and me and Mum wrapped the pressie so either didn't notice the labels, or were too busy keeping an eye on Nan to spot we'd left them on! Unfortunately I smashed it today:o Son had left it in a stupid place though:mad: but I've said I'll replace it. It came from B&M which was my fav place for finding bargains this year. Son also got a metal noticeboard with magentic perfect for his bedroom and organising him it was reduced to £1 and no-one would guess.

I can very easily buy gifts for a fiver, that look far more expensive. I'm good at it.;) It takes a bit of time (and poss legwork) and you need to buy early and when you see it. Boots gift sets are down to 50% today. In previous years they've gone to 75% in a few weeks with what's left and if you have a Boots advantage card with enough points on, you can pay that way- depends on whether you are prepared to use your points that way, it'd mean spending no physical cash though. I've also bought Glamour mag Jan edition for £1.50 in my co-op, there's a joy card in there for Bodyshop it's worth varying amounts-you have to take it in and see, but it's worth at least £3, so for £1.50 you could have £3 of bodyshop something (assuming they do something that cheap-not sure)

Gillybean103

A thermometer, why would you buy anyone. Thermometer??

I'm a bit annoyed really, we always buy one of my cousins children's presents, only about £5 but we make an effort. When we had our little girl in August everyone bought her some lovely presents, they got her a sponge! And nothing for Christmas, so am not bothering again!

Casperthefriendlyghost

Every year I send both my sisters, their husbands and kids money for their birthdays and xmas.

I don't even get a card or gifts for my birthday or xmas. I get a text from my little sister for my birthday and xmas and nothing from my middle sister or a text about ten pm at night on the day if I'm lucky.

This xmas I got a text from my middle sister at 10pm saying hope you had a good xmas. My little sister, who lives in NZ texted me on Monday night as it was already xmas in NZ. My little sister in NZ and her family are struggling and really have no money but she texts me at least once a day every day. My middle sister who has no money problems is selfish and never gives me much of a thought any time of the year, and this after us all losing dad 8 months ago.

The reason I send stuff is obvious. My little sister can't help struggling with two small kids to raise and has a job with a minimum wage and so has her husband, but she manages to text me every day. My middle sister can't be bothered with me, she's to wrapped up in her little life to give anyone any thought, even my little sister never hears from her.

I do it because in the last 6 years I've lost my brother (30), my mom 2 yrs ago (59) and my dad (63) 8 months ago and I know I've done what makes me happy, regardless of what they do. I can only be responsible for what I do. I have to live with myself.

That's why I continue sending money. Gifts get lost and cost far to much to post and at least they can buy what they want. Or my little sister can use the money for whatever they need.

Cheers
Casper
xx

Rev

I don't think it's about giving to receive, it's about the complete lack of thought that has gone into the gifts they gave you.

I've always been very close to my cousin (no brothers or sisters), when she had a baby I spoiled him rotten, if he needed anything, he got it. I bought him toys practically every week, if I saw something I thought he's like, I'd buy it. Bought him a new pram when his broke etc. I really spoiled him. And always got my cousin nice gifts for her birthday and Christmas.

All the time she never so much as bothered giving me a card from him fr my birthday, I don't expect gifts, she's a young single mother with a baby to take care of, all I wanted was a card, if she can't afford one, give him some paper and make one. But no, she never bothered. When my 30th came and went without so much as a card again I was so peeved I just stopped. I buy the baby something for his birthday and Christmas, and don't so much as get her a card any more.

It's not about money, giving to receive, it's about somebody being completely thoughtless and selfish towards you while you rack your brain thinking of something they'd like and appreciate.

Just don't bother in future, save your cash and treat yourself.

pleasedelete

I wouldn't mind a thermometer. useful. Better than a bought in the sale generic boots crap sorry gift set.

juno

I always get my daddy something with a reduced sticker on. He finds it funny. He also knows that I get staff discount on top!This year I got him a bottle of Black Grouse whisky in a badly damaged box; I also got him a Terry Wogan book as "old people love Terry Wogan!"

skintandscared_2

We are having our big family get-together tomorrow, and as usual we have done a secret santa. I put all our names in a hat and a work colleague pulls them out. I tell everyone who they have got, and ask everyone for ideas of what they would like. I then pass on the ideas to the relevant person. So tomorrow, everyone will bring one £20-ish pressie, and everyone will get one £20-ish pressie. And it will be something from their wish-list of things they would like. It saves us all a lot of money and stress and we think it's good fun.

mum2one

we have exactly the same situ with our family, - its been brewing for 10 yrs, basically my cousin, my friend and I were all expecting the same time, - due order was cousin, friend, then me - but DD came first meaning she was the 1st grandchild on my mums side of the family, the rumpus that caused, - all through the pregnancy was comments - weight related was one, - best thing was I only put on 11lbs and DD was 7lb 15oz, while cousin put on 4 stone!

Que birthdays and Christmas - DD's presents, been late, recycled (I'm not against re-gifting I do it my self), but for her 1st xmas - cousin gave DD a fimbles toy not boxed and dirty, we've had clothes with labels cut out, items that are 2 yrs too small, - all the time we've brought nice gifts, this yr they forget DDs birthday - annoyed me as I remember cousin her hubby and her now 2 kids.
So I popped a note in the post saying that as we had previously stopped buying for the adults and the girls are now 10, that just do cards - (there kids have ipods, ipads, laptops, - u name it they have it)

I had a 4 page letter back, how she works full time (part time as she works at a school), the kids go to 4 clubs a week, (is that my fault???), and aren't her presents good enough... and £15 for DD for her bday.

I just smiled and thought yep, you've realised youve been buying awful presents and feel quilty.

I reckon it will cause a family rift, not a strong link as it is, but its saves us £80 a year not buying the 4 of them! xx

gixer750

why dont you women grow some balls, sod what the other half thinks or everyone thinks, buy them some potatoes next year, wait for them to go a bit mouldy and rap them, that will be sure to drop the hint, if not after that just tell them straight,

Savvy_Sue

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

I would love to!! If it was down to me I would but unfortunately every year we have the same argument and I'm forced to buy them something nice. I would find it hilarious to give them a bit of junk back just to see their faces. :rotfl:

err, no, you tell him "if you want to buy something nice then off you go ..."

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

Well I have shared this page with my hubby and he had agreed next year birthdays and Christmas it's going to be a £5 present for them...Not junk as such but something not that special or costly.

Well I'm getting somewhere!

That's progress, especially if he gets to do his own shopping!

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

I could get them 5 yellow scarfs from Poundland but don't think I would be allowed! He said it would have to ''Look decent but not be expensive'' so probably just a gift set but from somewhere not as nice as the body shop etc.

Bayliss and Harding: they look nice, and they smell nice, but they're not as good as they look, IYSWIM. For example, the body lotion is really runny!

£5: socks! DH and I both got socks from the Secret Santa at work (different places). His are 'sandal socks', which is a joke because he wears sandals very late into the year. I got two pairs, one pink with hearts on and one white with pink roses on, and also a bar of very posh looking B&H soap. I said I hoped the socks had been in the sale, because the price was still on them: I'm assured they were ...