I think I am being unreasonable but it’s just bothering me and I’d like to get over it. So tell me.
Me and sisters have an unspoken budget for Christmas/birthday presents hovering between £15-20. Being self employed, sometimes I’m flush, sometimes being very careful. On occasion I go beyond budget for fun, for big birthdays or for the exact right thing. I’m a Christmas Eve birthday btw.
Last birthday I had one sister give me a reject from her beauty advent calendar which she and the other sister mutually bought for each other. It kinda hurt. I had chosen her something that she loves, that I consulted her on to make sure I got right. To avoid getting hurt feelings again, I said this Christmas let’s co-buy each other a certain item, it’s £30, we both admired (she also has a December bday) and she said no, moneys too tight. I said if you want you can get me this cheaper item (£10 for birthday and Christmas) she said no, she’s already got me something. Uh oh.
The other sister recently asked me what I want. I named something well within budget that’s a bday Christmas combo, Great. Yesterday eve, out of the blue she texted me a pic of an item saying “get me this” and a price tag. It’s wayyy over budget, and I hadn’t asked her what she wanted as I was having fun thinking of something. Plus I’m a little tight rn, and already overspend on her kids.
I just feel a bit… deflated and confused by it all. I put a lot of thought into the gifts, thinking how to treat them/get them something memorable/special. What’s in their mind? AIBU?