Housewarming gift price range?

[NoCanoe]

I originally offered to buy a gift once my friends were settled and knew what they wanted. There had been talk of wanting to replace dinner plates, bed linen , towels etc.

They now have said they will forgo the non essential items in favour of something more practical.

That's fine. But because I never stipulated a budget at the time when it was a general idea, Im now being presented with an invoice far greater than anticipated.

Im just wondering if Im out of touch with price range these days, or am I being taken advantage of?

Id like some idea of what you'd consider normal price range before I say how much I am actually being asked for.

I do feel I have no option but to honour the commitment. But I'm a bit miffed.

Even if I was quite flush, I can't imagine spending more than £100 on something like that. In real life, it's more likely £25.

I would reply, thanks, looks amazing I've transferred my contribution of X amount. (x being whatever you had in mind)

I agree with Sushi -

‘I would reply, thanks, looks amazing I've transferred my contribution of X amount. (x being whatever you had in mind)’

I think I'd spend £25 max on a house warming gift as it's just a token really, it's not like a wedding present where I'd happily spend much more.

I feel honour bound to see it through, especially as its been ordered.

I obviously wasnt clear that I had a budget in mind. But as I've said, it was all very general when we were talking.

At no point was I asked what figure I had in mind, for example.

What have they bought?!? Please tel is

I'd just give them the amount you were thinking. How much more was it? I'm imagining something ridiculously expensive like a piano now! Deposits!?

Made to measure curtains.

£550 .
Id earmarked £100.

I couldn't work out if I was out of sync or whether they were. I suspected it was them, but I wanted unbiased opinions before I allowed myself to feel really upset.

Im now officially really really miffed!!

Fuck my diet tonight!

Curtains?!

That’s not a gift!

What a horrible pair of greedy bastards!

I would be so pissed off I would buy a set of curtain hooks and post them saying never to contact me again.

Please do not pay this. It’s ridiculous to expect anyone whether they can afford it or not to buy their curtains for them.

Bustards. Utter bastards.

Reimburse them the deposit and leave it at that, they are having a laugh! No one needs £550 curtains anyway!

I'd guess there is a big wealth divide between you and the recipients? It's not normal to accept expensive gifts from friends.

Give a fiver to the cause, and say your contribution to the curtains is the cost of the thread.

What would they reply to that - 'No no, we want you to pay it all. You promised' 'Nope.'

Don't be ridiculous! You are not going to give someone £550 for some curtains. Have a word with yourself!

Curtains!! Speechless...

Birdie - they better off than me. And they aware I have expensive outlays.
That's one of reasons I was a bit flummoxed and thinking I was in the wrong.

Palominoo....🤣

Woah! And how much of a deposit have they paid? £50?

Tbh even if you do pay for the curtains you'll resent it so much that the friendship will forever be tainted. Ditch the curtain coveting creeps I say. They don't even deserve a bunch of tulips and bottle of Lidl own brand prosecco.

My friends bought a Chateau in France and all I got them was a kiss on the cheek, some treats for their whippets and a card. They would be horrified to make anyone feel obliged to them.

Decent people, poor or wealthy do not send invoices to their friends.

Am speechless.

Even though part of what I love about MN is 'hearing ho other people live', and I know we are all different.
That, however, is ridiculous.

I would play it straight faced and send £5.50 with the message, “So glad I could make a contribution towards your curtains”, so that it looks like you thought they were asking everyone to club in and pay the £550.00.

If they challenge you send them some googly eyes for them to roll at themselves at leisure.

Made to measure curtains!!! Whaa!
£100 is very generous of you! Please don't pay for them. That is ridiculous. Are you sure they are expecting you to pay the whole amount?!

At the very least, turn up uninvited for a free holiday and blow your nose on said curtains!

Is there a chance they sent it to the wrong person? Or the wrong attachment? I could see my parents offering to buy something big like that at a stretch.