How to stop the same cheque going round and round every year

Newly_retired

We have a relative that we never see. Every year she sends us a cheque for £30. We do likewise. It is my husband's relative, so I don't have that much involvement, but nor does he, to be honest.
How do we bring this to an end. It's crazy.

Money_maker

That's not a lot to go on. Does she live near? Are there any other relatives near her? Can you ring her and suggest just cards. Can you pop in and make her day? Exchanging cheques for the same amount is just insane.

Owain_Moneysaver

Wait until you get the cheque from her, then endorse it on the back and return it to her. She can pay it into her own bank account then :-)

Or bank the cheque for £30 but surprise her with a nice bouquet of flowers by post (you should be able to get one for £15, so you'll make a good profit on the deal)

Newly_retired

She lives many miles away and is not in good health.
I think the flowers are a good idea. Thanks. Now to persuade DH, who doesn't do flowers.

Owain_Moneysaver

Newly_retired wrote: »

Now to persuade DH, who doesn't do flowers.

He doesn't have to "do" flowers, he can order them online. No different from buying a nice toolkit from Screwfix.

sheramber

You can get flowers with chocolates tucked in beside them.

Or a plant instead of flowers.

e careful who you order from. A local florist, if you can find one online or yellow pages, means fresher flowers and often do local deliveries.

I have had a few deliveries of Marks & Spencer flowers which were good.

Have also had flowers from Flying Flowers which were also good.

koexelek

Money_maker wrote: »

Exchanging cheques for the same amount is just insane.

Instead of making it £30, why not make it £300

This is the total hypocricy of Christmas though, people either just give each other the same amount of money, or spend the same amount each on unwanted gifts for each other.

GothicStirling

I have a 97 year old aunt who is pretty much house-bound, We send her a 'hamper' each year. This year it had a bag of Cadbury Roses, honey, marmalade, jam and a Northumbrian calander (she was born in Newcastle, but moved down south on her 20s). In previous years my Mam has crotcheted blankets for her. Get creative!