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Original poster

Christmas Gift Rejection

112 replies

ellie09 · 08/11/2026 17:09

Hi all

I have three sisters who are all coupled off now and in fairly serious relationships, so with Christmas coming up, I decided I was just going to get them all vouchers as couple for Christmas.

They all enjoy the cinema, so I went and bought vouchers - enough for tickets, some snacks etc rather than buying individual "tatty" gifts like gift sets etc they don't really need.

I went and got the vouchers last month because I have some hefty bills this month and next and want to concentrate on my own child during those months and getting food shop etc in.

One of my sisters found out from my mum what I got them, and has requested if I can instead give her cash as she wants to get a tattoo.

I explained to her, I wasnt doing individual gifts this year and was getting each couple a gift they could use together.

Well, to say she give off is an understatement.

Apparently she will be far too busy in the 18 months the vouchers are valid for, and if she received it, she would just sell it on for the cash.

She wants me to split the cash I would have spent between her and her partner. The vouchers have already been purchased and I don't have the budget to start buying other things.

I simply asked her why she thought she wouldnt have two hours spare in the next year or so, and she told me to "f### off".

AIBU to just keep the vouchers now for myself and my partner to enjoy and just think bugger off to my sister and her partner this Christmas?

I have no idea how as a society we have got to a position where we are dictating to others what to buy us, acting ungrateful etc.

OP posts:
PurpleLovecats · 08/11/2026 17:11

Gosh she’s rude.

Id give her nothing now.

Needmorelego · 08/11/2026 17:12

Use the vouchers for yourself and give her a fiver towards her tattoo.
Her partner can have a chocolate Santa.

Lifenov86 · 08/11/2026 17:12

Keep them for yourself and hand them both a £1.99 selection box! Such childish behaviour

LintRollers · 08/11/2026 17:14

I have no idea how as a society we have got to a position where we are dictating to others what to buy us, acting ungrateful etc.

I'm not sure we have, have we?

Your sister however is incredibly rude.

If she's old enough to get a tattoo, she's old enough to save up for it.

Original poster
ellie09 · 08/11/2026 17:15

PurpleLovecats · 08/11/2026 17:11

Gosh she’s rude.

Id give her nothing now.

There was me thinking I was being thoughtful, because they usually have date nights at the cinema

I guess not - lol

OP posts:
PeasOff · 08/11/2026 17:15

Keep them for yourself and tell her to fuck off if she has the cheek to ask where her present is. What an ungrateful dick.

BrilliantBetty · 08/11/2026 17:15

Did your mum relay the message? That’s also quite weird. She should have told your sister to stop being ungrateful and that you don’t ask for a certain Christmas gift unless asked. And she shouldn’t have mentioned it to you. This is an unnecessary drama. FWIW I’d love a cinema voucher! But when I had v young kids may not have had a chance to use it tbh.

icouldholditwithacobweb · 08/11/2026 17:16

How twatty of your mum to tell her! And YANBU, your gift sounds thoughtful and I personally love experience vs things (my requested gift this year from my partner is a date night somewhere special to me rather than any 'things'). Your sister sounds like a selfish arse, as others have said feel free to keep her gift for yourself and give her a token cheap chocolate gift.

Original poster
ellie09 · 08/11/2026 17:16

LintRollers · 08/11/2026 17:14

I have no idea how as a society we have got to a position where we are dictating to others what to buy us, acting ungrateful etc.

I'm not sure we have, have we?

Your sister however is incredibly rude.

If she's old enough to get a tattoo, she's old enough to save up for it.

In our family, parents and grandparents typically gift us cash anyway.

Sisters and other family members are normally, just a bog standard typical shelf gift.

I thought I was doing something a bit more personal this year, but sure.

OP posts:
Absobeautely · 08/11/2026 17:18

Posters are being weird suggesting other gifts for the woman.
Obviously don't bestow any gift on someone who tells you to fuck off. Ever again.

Tell your mother to not involve you in her gossip.

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePleaseBarista · 08/11/2026 17:19

Dear sister, don’t bother about DP and I… treat yourself to a tattoo and we will treat ourselves to a night at the movies. Catch you in 2027 if you have two hours to spare!

Original poster
ellie09 · 08/11/2026 17:20

BrilliantBetty · 08/11/2026 17:15

Did your mum relay the message? That’s also quite weird. She should have told your sister to stop being ungrateful and that you don’t ask for a certain Christmas gift unless asked. And she shouldn’t have mentioned it to you. This is an unnecessary drama. FWIW I’d love a cinema voucher! But when I had v young kids may not have had a chance to use it tbh.

She does have young kids, but two sets of grandparents on hand that babysit and have them overnight etc.

Her main issue is the fact she's in her final year of uni and placement. The vouchers are valid long after she graduates and when questioning how she can find time then to get a tattoo but not two hours at the cinema, she couldn't answer it.

Its not something I did randomly - most of their date nights have been at the cinema.

OP posts:
Ophy83 · 08/11/2026 17:24

Why did your mum tell her what you had got?

Gall10 · 08/11/2026 17:24

Tell her to pay for her own tramp stamp!

angelasim · 08/11/2026 17:27

Enough of this nonsense. Let all the adults in the family save their own money for cinema or tattoos or whatever , and end the arguments about gifts .

LintRollers · 08/11/2026 17:29

Gall10 · 08/11/2026 17:24

Tell her to pay for her own tramp stamp!

Wow.

I detest tattoos but this is such a nasty thing to say, especially knowing there'll be MNetters reading this who have them.

Saturdaysfairies · 08/11/2026 17:29

"That's nice dear sis, I think we stop gifts at Christmas".

It would be no way from me. Game over.

Mumsgirls · 08/11/2026 17:31

I stopped the nonsense years ago and just do secret Santa for adults like siblings and use an elf app. You don’t have the cash for these presents or cannot easily afford it so just stop. Give out the vouchers this year and they can like or lump it. In January suggest the secret Santa or if they don’t agree then gifts, like a tin of chocs per house.
It’s not supposed to be about stressing to buy gifts for ungrateful folk and to me totally pointless. You would be better putting that money away for emergencies or something your child or you need. I make very few cash gifts to daughters and dgc and that it . The relief is tremendous and as a retired boomer I could easily afford the gifts. Call me Scrooge, but I learned the hard way, as a single young,Mum beggering myself to buy endless gifts and getting s rubbish back usually.
look at Martyn Lewis, he is very down on needless gifts
Just enjoy the company of family and friends at Christmas, much more important

BobbysDazzler · 08/11/2026 17:31

Why did your mum think it appropriate to spoil the surprise?

I say keep them and tell her that any money she may have spent on you to put towards her tattoo 🤷

CelticSilver · 08/11/2026 17:34

This sounds like the plot of a John Lewis advert. You should pitch it to them.

(Also, keep and use the vouchers. What a rude bitch!)

Gingerbreadseasoniscoming · 08/11/2026 17:34

"oh I've decided we'll use the voucher as it's just going to get wasted otherwise. I can't get a refund on it so I guess it was the thought that counts! Merry Xmas xoxo "

Hopefulsalmon · 08/11/2026 17:36

So rude of her. I'd tell her not to buy for you and use the money to pay for her own tattoo and you'll use the voucher. Fwiw I think it's a good gift.

Footpainconstant · 08/11/2026 17:38

Ignore the tantrum from her.

Gift to them as a couple as planned.

If she chooses to sell on etc so be it.

you’ve given in love - she can receive it whatever way she wishes.

New year tell her no more presents either way.

And in your head keep on saying ‘ungrateful bitch’ as you smile sweetly - as that is what she is being.

Iloveacurry · 08/11/2026 17:41

Keep it for yourself, and either get her nothing or a chocolate selection box.

Rockfordpeach · 08/11/2026 17:41

ellie09 · 08/11/2026 17:20

She does have young kids, but two sets of grandparents on hand that babysit and have them overnight etc.

Her main issue is the fact she's in her final year of uni and placement. The vouchers are valid long after she graduates and when questioning how she can find time then to get a tattoo but not two hours at the cinema, she couldn't answer it.

Its not something I did randomly - most of their date nights have been at the cinema.

Show quote history

Im in my final year of uni, work full time and have 2 kids but can find the time to spend a couple of hours at the cinema!