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

Paparika

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?

very cheeky

If i was the couple, i would explain they were skint and didn't have money to throw away on items that would only be used a few times and then be left to rot/rust in the garden.

count_rostov

My word - I can't imagine ever sending my parents/parents in law on holiday for their birthday! I'm the eldest of 4 (aged 20, 23, 25, 28) and non of us earn very much so my parents would definitely NOT expect it. Usually I would get them a book, nice chocolates, make them a meal if I'm really broke. However, they're very good to us and gave fiance and me a very big deposit for our house so last year we got my father the best seats at the opera. My fiance is 33 and his brother is 31 and has a baby and pregnant wife, so their parents would never expect anything huge, although both brothers splash out when they can afford it, for example my fiance got his mother some fruit trees for mothers day this year.
I suppose they probably spend about £80-100 on christmas/birthday presents for us, but it depends really on what they think we would like as the present/object is more important than the value. Oh, and they all get things for their children in law too.

OrkneyStar

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?

No its not just you thinking it. As far as presents go we spend what we can afford. I have decided to get my sister a slightly more expensive birthday present this time as I want to, and will forego something for me. I will make her card and maybe some fudge if I can get round to it!
So much today seems to be about spending OTT and getting big presents which people are struggling to afford. It is a shame thats the way things have gone!

OrkneyStar

fascinated wrote: »

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

:eek: Are they for real ? I feel sorry for you in a situation like that, some people just expect too much! I hope you don't have to fork out.

mshappy

I spend about £30-£40 on my parents birthday presents.

luxor4t

Ooooh, a MiL worse than mine! :j

I spend approx £25 per parent on my side for christmas and at birthdays so I budget for £50 max a year each.

MiL is a widow so OH feels obliged to spend more, eg birthday = flowers (£15) plus a £75 plane ticket (she grumbled that it was not quicker than the coach!). Christmas = approx £45 of carefully chosen stuff. I think she said 'thankyou' then spent ages telling OH that his brother had named a star after her - she had a printout to 'prove' it. I wish we had spent 15p worth of ink on making a certificate... :rolleyes:

Amber07

luxor4t wrote: »

I think she said 'thankyou' then spent ages telling OH that his brother had named a star after her - she had a printout to 'prove' it. I wish we had spent 15p worth of ink on making a certificate... :rolleyes:

Well, you know what to do for christmas.....a little printout saying 'you own an acre of the moon'

:rotfl:

Amber07

fascinated wrote: »

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.

Goodness :eek:

I take it it's not counted as a joint present for the both of them then?

Out of interest - would they ever contribute to a hol for you and your DH?? Maybe you could ask for a donation for your next birthday

*Louise*

I'm in agreement that it sounds cheeky.

Most people would just be grateful to recieve a token gift, it's the thought that counts more.

We are usually around £10 for birthdays, more if it's a special year.

Turtle

This is not cheeky - it's disgusting and I'm absolutely stunned to be honest. My OH and I both have good jobs but we also both come from families that don't see any need to spend a fortune. We spend £15 max, or £20 if it's a special birthday. There's no way our parents would accept a gift of that amount. Last year we spent £50 on a meal for their Ruby wedding and they were over the moon. That is by far the most that I've ever spent and no doubt will be until the Golden wedding!