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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this was really cheeky of my friend!

392 replies

BreezyFish · 10/11/2025 15:02

So my friend has just told me that she’s “only gonna spend a cutla quid” (her words, not mine ) on my DS this Christmas because she’s “saving for Center Parcs next year.”

Now, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but a cutla quid?? I actually thought she was joking at first. My DS is 7, not some random kid from school you pick up a selection box for. I always spend properly on her DD with last year it was a LEGO set, a book, and one of those slime-making kits that exploded glitter everywhere. Easily £25+.

So I said, “Oh right, just a couple of quid?” and she said, dead serious, “Yeah hun, can’t go mad this year, Center Parcs isn’t cheap.”

Sorry but since when did her holiday mean my son gets shortchanged?! It’s not my fault she wants to go be in a beige lodge with a swimming pool.

She’s now acting like I’m the unreasonable one for being “materialistic.” But surely it’s just basic decency to reciprocate roughly what someone else spends?

Would I be unreasonable to get her DD something from the pound shop this year and see how she likes it?

OP posts:
deepseaargyllfish · 10/11/2025 16:00

Don’t sweat it. It’s only Christmas, not his 18th. People get far too involved in Christmas. It’s just a day. Get her kid something low value and forget it.

ImogenBrocklehurst · 10/11/2025 16:00

Wtf is “cutla”? Do you mean “a couple of”?

And she can spend what she likes, including nothing at all.

Nightlight8 · 10/11/2025 16:00

RessicaJabbit · 10/11/2025 15:04

Well, why not just agree not to buy any gifts for the kids this year?

Presumably your child will receive gifts from other people and not just your friend?

Edited

This. Rather than fall out OP. This isn't what Xmas is about surely?

TokenGinger · 10/11/2025 16:00

Just agree to do a cheap exchange this year. Christmas gets so expensive. I have an agreement now with friends that we just do a pyjamas and selection box exchange. I said a few months ago, please do not spend a fortune on pyjamas for my kids, I’ve found sets in Asda for £3.50/4.50 depending on size and I’m buying all kids a pair of those and a selection box and that’s it. There’s too many kids to buy for, and it all adds up. I’d rather spend that money on my own kids, and similarly to your friend, on paying off our holiday for next year.

SparklyGlitterballs · 10/11/2025 16:00

If you bought my kid a gift that exploded glitter everywhere then I too would be trying to find a way to not do presents this year. This is a friend of yours, not your child's grandparent. She is not obliged to buy your kid anything at all. If she needs to cut costs to afford a family holiday then buying gifts for a friend's kid is definitely something to strip away.

Bogofftosomewherehot · 10/11/2025 15:59

REVERSE!

Catpiece · 10/11/2025 15:59

CaptainMyCaptain · 10/11/2025 15:50

Surely it would be 'cuppla' if you had to say it that way.

No

Doteycat · 10/11/2025 15:59

Ah stop. 100% my holiday comes before buying presents for my friends kids.
As if.
Thats actually funny that you think your child is being "shortchanged" because shes saving for a holiday.
Wake up.

gamerchick · 10/11/2025 15:57

Just don't do presents for each other this year. None of us buy for our friends kids.

*I'm only half believing this because nobody would admit to buying anyone exploding glitter. That shits for the kids of people you hate.

Halloweeeeeeeeen · 10/11/2025 15:57

Noshowlomo · 10/11/2025 15:12

I get my best friends kids nothing. They get mine nothing. No one cares

Same 😂

Franpie · 10/11/2025 15:54

Well I would rather you bought a cheap selection box from the pound shop than exploding glitter for my child too tbh.

Teanbiscuits33 · 10/11/2025 15:54

You might be being too literal here. When I say a ‘couple of quid’, I usually don’t literally mean £2, it means a small amount of money.

Either way, I think it’s weird to spend £25 + on a friend’s child anyway. She’s got other priorities this year and I think you’re being cheeky to get so angry about it. She’s told you, so now you should do the same for her DC and maybe you can both stop this trend of spending that much on each other’s kids once and for all.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 10/11/2025 15:54

Now, I don’t want to sound ungrateful

Proceeds to do just that. If this is even real.

Turkeylurkey1 · 10/11/2025 15:54

This post actually made me feel nauseous. Get a grip and spend the same on her child. It's ridiculously simple to fathom

ComfortFoodCafe · 10/11/2025 15:53

Is this a reverse or something? Why cant you spell “a couple of quid”. Yabu, learn to spell.

SleeplessIntheOnyxNight · 10/11/2025 15:53

You do realise that she is in no way obligated to buy anything for your DS?

Short changed? I mean really, come on.

Wolfpa · 10/11/2025 15:52

Just agree to not buy each others children presents

Halfwaytheree · 10/11/2025 15:51

Everything about this seems trashy, I have second hand embarrassment for you.

Save your money and spend it on your own kids, you don’t need your friends to get your kids anything. If she asks where his gift is, just say you thought there was agreement to cut back this year.

CaptainMyCaptain · 10/11/2025 15:50

Catpiece · 10/11/2025 15:24

Love “cutla”. That’s how we say “couple of” in South London. Writing it though? No 🤣

Surely it would be 'cuppla' if you had to say it that way.

SilverPink · 10/11/2025 15:50

OP is clearly just jealous she doesn’t have any jollies in a beige lodge with a swimming pool booked in

sandyhappypeople · 10/11/2025 15:50

It's good that she told you now, rather than after they'd both opened their presents!

Surely the answer is, "no problem, we'll agree a spending limit of £5"

ResusciAnnie · 10/11/2025 15:50

She’s telling you, so that you can spend similar on her kid. Also, dont say ‘cutla’. Also, don’t buy for friends’ kids.

Overthebow · 10/11/2025 15:49

Just tell her not to do kids gifts this year, there’s no need of people are trying to cut back. Or match what she’s doing and buy something cheap.

Dollymylove · 10/11/2025 15:49

As soon as I opened this I knew it wouldnt go well.
OP, you're being a CF 🤣🤣

saveforthat · 10/11/2025 15:49

BillieWiper · 10/11/2025 15:06

Just spend the same on her kid. She was giving warning so you could do so. But who the fuck says 'cutla' for a couple of?!

Nobody says that but surely if anything it should be cupla?

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