DH's mother dropped a Laura Ashley catalogue off at our house and pointed out a particular object that she wanted as a Christmas present. It costs about £20 more than I was planning on spending on any of our relatives this Christmas. We're trying not to spend too much as money is a bit tight at the moment and likely to get worse in the next 1-2 years. Besides, we had already planned out what we were going to get them for Christmas (or at least part of the present).
I just don't think MIL realises that her present request is out of our budget. I'm worried if I confront her about it directly she may take it the wrong way as she has helped us out in the past year and may feel she deserves something special for her. DH does not seem to have a problem with the expensive present (but generally he is not particularly great with money and he's part of the reason why we need to cut back this year!)
Would gift vouchers to contribute towards the present be a reasonable option?
AIBU?
to not buy MIL what she asked for for Christmas?
nightowl1 · 29/11/2010 12:55
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That's about 256 votes for Ikea then! 
at her gall, coming round and basically demanding a specific present. Regardless of help she might have given you, that is unbelievably rude. She said herself something similar would be ok, so get her the Ikea one and I truly hope she will have the grace to be very grateful!
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And in order not to offend her, perhaps just give her the option of vouchers or the Ikea one, along with the budget explanation.
You don't have to tell her where the Ikea one is from, just send her a picture of it when asking her what she'd like to do.
If you right-click on the Ikea image, you will be given an option to "save image". Save it as "cakestand.jpg" to your desktop, and then attach it to your e-mail to her. She won't know how much it is, nor where it is from!
Then Lancelottie's idea of giving her cakes with it, too, is a lovely one! 
YANBU - unless you are a child I think it it out of order to and very rude to tell people what you want them to buy you for Christmas (unless they have asked you of course).
I would definitely not buy what she asked and wouldn't comment on it further - or use my stock answer - 'oh yes that's nice, but I always love to buy people surprise presents' 
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plupervert, do you really think that people help out their family expecting to get a really decent Christmas present
My parents have always helped us out significantly, both financially and practically yet don't expect anything back for it. They do it because they want to. I would never expect anything back for doing someone a favour. Maybe my family is just odd.
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