Brother in Law is Upset with Us

Fredula

Person_one wrote: »

Just remember what the point of giving a gift actually is. Its to show a person that you care about them, that you were thinking of them, and that you wanted to do a little something to make them happy. The result should be that they feel loved, valued, cared about and ideally pleasantly surprised.

That doesn't have to cost a fortune by any means, but do you think your chocolate orange did that? Were you even trying to do something like that? Why did you think you were giving a gift?

It was hubby who decided to wrap it up for him and give it to him. I wouldn't have given it to him to be honest.

I will remember that though about the reason behind gift giving. Sometimes it can just feel like there's so much pressure and commercialism.

System

Just hope you spend more on the MIL :rotfl:

Lily-Rose_3

How did a thread about a Terry's Chocolate Orange get to 7 pages (over 120 posts) in just over 1.5 hours?

We must be bored tonight! :rotfl:

Lily-Rose_3

windup wrote: »

I wonder what he'll think when he finds out you've told 7 billion people that he's sulking.

Well 1) Nobody knows who he is.

And 2) I doubt 7 billion people are reading this.

purpleshoes_2

There is often a fine line between being thrifty/frugal and just plain tight. It is fine having to save money but when that saving money (or having expenses) impact on your family relationships maybe you need to re evaluate a bit. A lot.

I seriously would find it hard to justify giving a relative a second hand chocolate orange for any birthday, never mind a 30th. Id rather give nothing.

Spendless

Fredula wrote: »

Yeah, it could possibly be her way of saying that. Maybe it's something I've got to learn from. Hubby says he thinks BIL is overreacting, so he's not fussed about it. I worry about what I buy them though - not this Christmas just gone, but the Christmas before we'd spent about £20 on FIL and MIL and it didn't 'feel' like a lot, so I went out and spent over budget £30 extra to buy MIL a bird table (which was actually so much fun to wrap up!). Just sometimes, you can try, and it still not be good enough, so sometimes it does feel a bit like 'why bother'.

You could decide your budget and look through the other boards on here, there's a Christmas thread runs all year round, or the grabbit board.

I am considered good at present buying by family members, because I think about the person I am buying for, their likes, dislikes, hobbies, personal circs etc and buy accordingly. My family would be amazed if they knew how little I'd paid for a gift that they've adored.

If your OH thinks his brother is overreacting, then maybe just let things blow over.

purpleshoes_2

Lily-Rose wrote: »

How did a thread about a Terry's Chocolate Orange get to 7 pages (over 120 posts) in just over 1.5 hours?

We must be bored tonight! :rotfl:

To be fair, its not often you get thread like this popping up.

pinpin

Just learn from your mistake and move on.
Next year remember to get the DARK chocolate version instead.
Job's a gooden

gettingtheresometime

purpleshoes wrote: »

Now this

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1356/dark-chocolate-and-orange-cake

could make someone a pretty fine birthday cake

I keep planning on making these but always forget:

http://www.handbagsandcupcakes.co.uk/2012/12/recipe-chocolate-orange-christmas.html

Fredula

Spendless wrote: »

You could decide your budget and look through the other boards on here, there's a Christmas thread runs all year round, or the grabbit board.

I am considered good at present buying by family members, because I think about the person I am buying for, their likes, dislikes, hobbies, personal circs etc and buy accordingly. My family would be amazed if they knew how little I'd paid for a gift that they've adored.

If your OH thinks his brother is overreacting, then maybe just let things blow over.

Ah, yes, maybe a bit too late. I've messaged him on facebook apologising and explained the reasoning behind it (and admitted it was regifted, but was hubby's idea to regift it).

It is difficult though, I don't really know BIL too well. If we ever go over their house, he'll come and sit at the table for dinner, then disappear up into his bedroom to play computer games. I don't really know much he's into. Perhaps I'll make it a new years resolution to try and be more thoughtful and get to know peoples likes / dislikes for instances like this!