When should I stop buying presents for my friend's children?

expat_granny

I give money to nieces, nephews, grandchildren etc (£5, £10, £20 according to age) and so on up to the age of 18. At 18 I write a letter explaining that this is when I "sign-off" for presents and enclosing a much larger sum (usually £50) with all my love and best wishes for the future. They don't all say thank you, but I don't do it for their gratitude.

lulu_92

If you really don't want to anymore, may I suggest a Chocolate Orange?

If you have some left over from Christmas that would be ideal, and very MSE!

patricia_elizabeth

this depends on several points. 1. do they buy for you.2.do they thank you.3 does your friend buy for your children (if any) or for you.
As the eldest is 18 I think now is the time to stop,I'd get her something special this time as a (now you are grown up present) and explain to her that as she's now an adult you got her something special to celebrate it.then stop,and do the same for her siblings

pennypinchUK

Surely, the question is "How long do you WANT to keep buying presents for them?". If you want to, keep buying. If you don't want to, age 18 is a good time to stop.

bananasandcustard

I agree this is a dilemma. My oldest nephew was 18 last week. I never get a 'Thank you', so I begrudge giving him anything. On the other hand, his parents continue to send my son a gift (he's 22). I decided to give him a big cheque for his 18th and that's the end of it. I'll just get him a small token at Christmas, as he has two younger brothers. I might think differently if he showed any gratitude!

j.e.j.

lulu_92 wrote: »

If you really don't want to anymore, may I suggest a Chocolate Orange?

If you have some left over from Christmas that would be ideal, and very MSE!

ha ha that thread'll go down in MSE history :rotfl:

JuliusCaesar

If I had been in this situation, I would have given a 'special' 18th birthday present, perhaps a sum of money (and plan to do the same for the other children on their 18) but make it clear that this was a their final present as they are now an adult.

NAJR

My friends and I all agreed as our children grew up that once they reached the age of 18 they would get a nice present then just a card till they turned 21 then another present then just a card to acknowledge said birthday. This seems to work well for us

System

I haven't has this dilemma yet, but my best friend's baby is due next week, so 18 years sounds reasonable enough

rev229

Well I decided this year that as I no longer see much of my ' best friend' that I was stopping gifts for her 3 kids. Also I got fed up with no thank yous and her constantly forgetting the dates of my kids birthdays! I always managed to remember her kids 3 bithdays!