How much would you spend on a parent's birthday present?

Amber07

Or how much would you spend on your in-law's b.day?

I ask this because in our family we don't make a big deal about b.day's. It's normally some flowers, chocs and a card. Usually around a tenner, no-one expects any more. (For the adults anyway)

My sis's MIL (to be) asked her son and my sis the other day where her b.day pressie was. (They were pretty skint so hadn't been able to afford anything) tuns out she had been expecting them to buy her a garden table and chair set costing nearly £100. (His sisters had bought her a BBQ) :eek:

I was pretty shocked that A- she should EXPECT them to buy her something and B- that it would be so expensive.

Is it just me thinking it...or is that really quite cheeky?

misswig

Amber07 wrote: »

Or how much would you spend on your in-law's b.day?

I ask this because in our family we don't make a big deal about b.day's. It's normally some flowers, chocs and a card. Usually around a tenner, no-one expects any more. (For the adults anyway)

My sis's MIL (to be) asked her son and my sis the other day where her b.day pressie was. (They were pretty skint so hadn't been able to afford anything) tuns out she had been expecting them to buy her a garden table and chair set costing nearly £100. (His sisters had bought her a BBQ) :eek:

I was pretty shocked that A- she should EXPECT them to buy her something and B- that it would be so expensive.

Is it just me thinking it...or is that really quite cheeky?

I would say that it is a bit cheeky!!

Its supposed to be the thought that counts not the amount you spend on the gift.

I generally spend around £10-15 on a present and card. I generally concentrate more on the card and making sure that that is right for the occasio as i feel that can be more thopughtful than the gift

moneypooh

Our family decided quite a while back; when all of us were feeling the pinch; that we only send a card. It's worked well, and now includes all adults. We do give presents at Christmas as it tends to be a family affair when we meet up.
My Parents never bought anything people wanted anyway so it became a great way of my husband not getting any more unwanted cardigans and socks.

poppyolivia

We give £25 to each parent and they give the same back.

Was qite chuffed though I got my dad 4X4 magazine subscription with my tesco vouchers!!! hahaha!!

TangledMemories_2

We usually give vouchers of £20 max. Having said that, I bought my grandfather a buddha for the oriental garden he's creating and that cost £50 but to see the look on his face was more than thanks enough to me.
I think your sister's MIL is a cheeky so-n-so. If she wanted it, buy it herself!

Amber07

TangledMemories wrote: »

I think your sister's MIL is a cheeky so-n-so. If she wanted it, buy it herself!

Lol - that's what I told my sis.

Even more surprised to find out that she has never even got my sis a b.day present for the past 2 years....and she told her son not to expect much now he was working. Some folk, eh? :rolleyes: :rotfl:

TangledMemories_2

Amber07 wrote: »

Lol - that's what I told my sis.

Even more surprised to find out that she has never even got my sis a b.day present for the past 2 years....and she told her son not to expect much now he was working. Some folk, eh? :rolleyes: :rotfl:

Ah well I'm going to tell you a little secret here.
Me and OH both work full time even though OH is riddled with arthritis and can barely move some days. However, his mother sits on her butt all day claiming benefits for this that and the other even though there is absolutely naff all wrong with her medically. Yet, she's just been on her 2nd trip this year to America. I now object to spending more than £10 at xmas on her seeing as she never buys her own son a birthday present - all he gets is a card.
When his sister had her first child, WE bought a cot because his mother couldn't be bothered. We've done so much for his sisters, but they're really grateful for it and help us out any way they can. I just feel a bit peeved sometimes that we work our backsides off, help his mother out whenever she wants and get naff all back!

This sound familiar to you?!

Amber07

TangledMemories wrote: »

This sound familiar to you?!

My sis is sitting here nodding and agreeing that she knows only too well!

TangledMemories_2

Yay! So it's not all in my head!!!

fascinated

Hi Amber,

Your MIL's actions do not surprise me in the least, but she is a cheeky mare.

My in-laws are exactly the same. In the run-up to MIL's birthday FIL will contact my DH and tell him what she is expecting him to buy. I wouldn't mind but usually they want us (and DH's brothers and sister) to pay for them to go on holiday. This means FIL gets paid for as well and it' s not even his birthday! I seem to be the only one who thinks this is out of order. Maybe I'm just a miser or possibly it's because we have small children and not much money!!

I've lost count of the number of holidays we have paid for them to go on (split between DH's brothers and sister of course), or large expensive items of jewellery or the like. I've never even been on a blinkin plane and we certainly can't afford to take ourselves off on holiday.

Ooooh, moan over. Thanks. I feel much better for that.

Families eh?

Fasci xx

robnye

they could have given her one from freecycle........ lol