Going "halves"

zagfles

Brighton_belle wrote: »

well, I see where you are coming from OP - your sister and DH have 2 incomes coming in and less expenses going out most probably (based of 2 living cheaper than 1)
I imagine all conversations with your sister were based on what you and her as your mothers daughters were going to get her.

However, I think you have done the right thing to not make as issue of it and spoil the whole thing. I know my married older siblings in this situation when I was single always ensured they paid a bigger share, but not everyone has that amount of thought for those on their own/less income.

But the married ones will have 2 sets of parents/relatives to buy for.

Brighton_belle

zagfles wrote: »

But the married ones will have 2 sets of parents/relatives to buy for.

True.
And if the both were in a couple then it would be even stevens for a 50/50.
It just wouldn't occur to me to expect a single friend/family member to match a couple's share if both were working. I would at the very least suggest a 60/40 split.

pink_princess

Brighton_belle wrote: »

well, I see where you are coming from OP - your sister and DH have 2 incomes coming in and less expenses going out most probably (based of 2 living cheaper than 1)
I imagine all conversations with your sister were based on what you and her as your mothers daughters were going to get her.

However, I think you have done the right thing to not make as issue of it and spoil the whole thing. I know my married older siblings in this situation when I was single always ensured they paid a bigger share, but not everyone has that amount of thought for those on their own/less income.

They may have two wages but it also gives them two mothers!

maman

I think you've done the right thing OP. Your mum's birthday certainly isn't something to be falling out over and it does seem odd that you asked what BIL was buying her. Did you really think he'd buy a separate gift or was just your way of questioning the way of paying?

I agree that although it is accepted etiquette it doesn't make a great deal of sense. Only today I was out for lunch: 2 couples and a single woman. When we split the bill, it was 5 ways!

Brighton_belle

pink_princess wrote: »

They may have two wages but it also gives them two mothers!

Yup, entirely true.
Whereas I tend to think, they don't have to pay to go out for company on the same way a single person does and can have cheaper food/utility bills etc.

Gloomendoom

Husband and wife are one entity.

Person_one

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Husband and wife are one entity.

Well I wouldn't go that far! :rotfl:

They are generally seen as a 'unit' for stuff like this though. That's why you get Christmas cards from 'Dave and Sarah' rather than one from each separately.

Half the present is from you, the other half is from your sister and her husband jointly.

poet123

Your sister is correct, you two are the children so you pay half each and if either or both have partners their names go on the gift tags.

Gloomendoom

Person_one wrote: »

Well I wouldn't go that far! :rotfl:.

No, based on your previous posts, I wouldn't expect you to. However, not everybody thinks like you.

PasturesNew

I'd expect it to be thirds. It's from 3 people... it's 1/3rds.