Anyone noticed family/friends more demanding this Easter?

[Pissedoffcat]

I've been inundated with hints or requests for Easter.
I always do the children. And certain adults.

But it's all adults putting in requests now, too.

Lockdown Easter fever?

Normally, I'd not think too much about it. But we've been affected income wise and I get impression no one thinks about that, because I've never discussed it.

Our business, we will deal with it, is my approach.

But , suddenly, influx of hints, requests or just downright orders!

I know, it's all ridiculous.
That's why I was wondering if it was some lockdown stress response and I'd missed the memo about making Easter extra special to cheer everyone up.
I've been distracted of late, hence why I was asking if this was 'a thing' this year.

Obviously, it isn't.

Never even heard of people doing this.

OP, when people send unsolicited gift requests and go to the extent of sending links for presents you haven’t offered to buy there is a name for them.

Cheeky Fucker.

The worst thing you can do to a CF is to go along with CFery.

A group message “Hello, I’m sending this as a group message as I seem to have been inundated for direct requests for Easter gifts this year. I’m a little puzzled as I’m not expecting any Easter gifts and have also not given gifts in previous years. I don’t wish to cause any offence, but with all of these requests it would work out very expensive and I would also have to go to the post office to send at more expense and there is the very real possibility of chocolate getting broken and damaged. I’m sorry but I must make it clear that I will not be getting involved with Easter gift giving to adults either this year or in future as I feel there is enough pressure and consumerism at other points during the year without adding Easter to the mix. I will of course send a card as I always do and you and your loved ones will be in my thoughts and prayers over Easter.”

With the baker friend it might need a different approach.

I strongly suspect this is all about social media “haul” pictures “look at how popular and how many eggs we got this year!”. I’ve seen this increasing even in WhatsApp groups this year.

I think @NameChangedForThisFeb21 has got it! Social media is going to be bigger than ever in lockdown.

It's very bizarre and I definitely think you did go with one of the answers pp have offered. FFS don't take on the role of Easter Bunny - if you think it's awkward saying no now, wait till you've established a pattern of sending out eggs to everyone!

With your friend (and anyone else you feel awkward with) I'd question them in a puzzled way - "Wait, did we agree to exchange treats at Easter?"

I'd be interested to hear where they got the idea from!

@NameChangedForThisFeb21 -
You may have a good point with your analysis of the situation. Seems to make a little more sense than anything else so far.

I'm reluctant to hurt people's feelings and I hate being embarrassed by expectations.

I made extra effort this Christmas for everyone, but it didn't cross my mind that Easter would also be required, certainly not for adults.

Some 'pulling on the heart strings' has also been involved and I'm a sucker for that.

Sounds bizarre.

[quote Pissedoffcat]**@NameChangedForThisFeb21 -
You may have a good point with your analysis of the situation. Seems to make a little more sense than anything else so far.

I'm reluctant to hurt people's feelings and I hate being embarrassed by expectations.

I made extra effort this Christmas for everyone, but it didn't cross my mind that Easter would also be required, certainly not for adults.

Some 'pulling on the heart strings' has also been involved and I'm a sucker for that. [/quote]
They are manipulating and taking advantage of your good nature. It’s not ok. It’s up to you if you want to encourage it but I’d really not. It’s ok to say you are sympathetic to the plight but overwhelmed.

Look I’m not being funny, but how much pulling on the heartstrings can there be for a chocolate egg that they can easily buy themselves? It’s not a broken down washing machine two weeks before pay day...or a car repair when they’ve been made redundant. They can buy their own eggs. It’s ridiculous that you are being put in this situation. And you are a mug if you agree to going to all that expensive and inconvenience for multiple groups of people. Learn to be more assertive and say no. Don’t be complicit in others taking advantage of you and being greedy and entitled.

I have never heard of this. I buy Easter eggs for my own kids and would grab some for my nieces and nephews if I was seeing them over the Easter weekend, otherwise wouldn't bother. The only person who ever mentions it is my mum who likes to get my kids an egg too and she asks me which one they'd like.

I think eggs are an overpackaged rip off. Can you excuses yourself from this madness on a saving the planet basis?
Also do you even want Easter biscuits? I wouldn't wish to encourage a yearly batch so I would just say thanks if they bring them.

I have never heard of people buying gifts for Easter, apart from giving children Easter Eggs

Can you afford it? Buying everyone chocolate and posting it out?

If you’re religious and observing lent and Easter send them a message to say you consider Easter to be a time of prayer and reflection, you don’t want Easter to become about consumerism and over consumption. So you will bow out of gift exchanging now and in future at Easter time.

I’d feel murderous at being emotionally manipulated to send chocolate.

Do you actually want to do Easter gifts? If not, a very simple, "Sorry, have decided not to do gifts this year as it's getting out of hand".

@Pissedoffcat

Oops. Posted too early.

My friend is one of the awkward ones I've referred to.
She's let me know she's baking me some Easter cookies and will drop off at the same time as 'collection'. Links sent for her, husband and 2 children.

See now this is when a lot of MNers would do something like this...

“Sorry did you send this message to me by accident? I’m confused!”

And if she replies no

“Oh sorry, how embarrassing! It’s just that we’ve never done Easter gifts before. I assumed that you sent this by mistake and it was meant for kids grandparents/aunt etc. It’s so lovely of you to offer to bake for me but you don’t need to go to that trouble. I didn’t realise you were expecting me to buy all the family Easter gifts. It’s not something I’ve ever done. Would you be offended if we just left things as they’ve always been and stick to a card?”

Send them a link to this www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/shop/easter-eggs/easter-hampers/larger-easter-hamper.html#gclid=Cj0KCQjwutaCBhDfARIsAJHWnHtJzVynlprIUVnqFVcVmLDDPySDwOmHQSlI8_rYK_5Mn74M4sMcU-4aAmN5EALw_wcB&shownresults=24&backpid=larger-easter-hamper&start=2

And say oooh thanks for sending me the Easter Egg links, you've really made me want to eat chocolate now! Here's what I'm hoping for!

Are you from a Catholic Indian family? The reason I ask is DH has a friend from this background and he is the only person I have ever met who makes such a massive deal about chocolate eggs. Even when he was single and childless twenties, if you went round there before Easter he'd have literally a wall of Easter eggs which he loved to give out to any passing visitors, with or without kids. Sweet really, but no expectation of anything back though.

That does sound genuinely kind hearted.

@RaindropsSplashRainbows

That does sound genuinely kind hearted.

What does?

Dropping home made goods around is one thing, but she gave a list of requests in the same text! She's being a CF!

I am gobsmacked at the nerve of your friend giving you a list of things to get her and her family! How rude!

And offering to drop off when she collects! Complete with links of exactly what to buy. It’s unbearably rude!

Why can't people give a gift without the outward expectation to "collect"?? Your friend is a CF. She could drop baked items off without saying she expects something back.

@NeilBuchananisBanksy: not the op. The man referenced in the post directly before mine.

I dont think that's right, asking you to buy specific easter eggs In exchange for a tray of unsolicited cookies!!! I would text her saying, "we're watching our weight so please don't send us cookies, but I do appreciate the thought. We are not buying easter eggs this year as we prefer to use this time to reflect and pray. Easter is becoming too commercialized and detracts many from the true religious aspect of Easter. I will still be posting out easter cards." If you end up buying her the requested eggs, it's going to happen every year...because you've set a precedent.

I don’t understand. Do you buy chocolate for everyone in your family ? Or if just a few why is everyone now expecting something this year ?

I find it strange when adults buy Easter eggs for each other. I buy my daughter and my nieces and nephews an egg. I might add a few extra things such as a skipping rope, bubbles, craft bits or Easter themed sweets such as mallow lollypops or etc.

My daughter and one of my nieces are a bit older (11) so this year they will be getting an egg and a pair of gold earrings I picked up for an absolute steal a few weeks ago. The other kids will get the usual.

I do tend to buy myself and husband an egg each and I would assume most adults would do the same (ie. buy their own eggs if they want one).

I do remember as a child I always got new shoes at Easter - usually a more summery style in white. My gran would also buy me a new ‘Easter’ dress every year when I was small but that stopped once I got to age 7/8 and refused dresses altogether.

This is blatant cheeky fuckery, do not give in to it! Your friend is the biggest cheeky fucker of them all, sending links for gifts for her husband and kids too, breathtakingly rude!