to be totally disgruntled by SIl's opinion that I am overindulging my DC and "will rue the rod for my back"?

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

I have strived to teach the 4DC the value of monet and to avoid the crapcycle that is materialism.

Notsofarking DSIL has decided to have a face after a Christmas present discussion has decided that my DC are en route to SpoiltBratsVille and I am ruining them for life.

She believes that swapping DS's satsuma for a plum in his Christmas stocking is pandering to his citrus pernicketiness and will only further enhance food faffiness.

The 4 will also have a pot of bubbles, a pen, a rubber and a walnut in their stockings. All wrapped, which she is flabbergasted about.

They are having a quarter of a set of Mr Men books as their main present and I have managed to obtain an almost complete 500 piece Baked Bean jigsaw puzzle as a joint present to ensure hours of family fun.

"Beyond the pale" is how she describes this bounty. I was going to divide a net of chocolate-flavoured coins between them, but daren't now.

Not to drip feed - she doesn't have DC of her own, so her view may be slightly skewed on this topic.

Do you ever feel judged with regards to your benevolence?

AIBU to feel miffed at this judgeyness?

what?

You should be giving them monetboxes as their main present. Old coke tins will do. They could put their chocolate flavoured coins in them.

No Christmas dinner unless the chimneys have been swept by the suitable small child and swept proper I may add.

SS, shall we share usual's tipple?

You can share mine.

Its very classy.

Good plan Chaos. [hgrin]

I think you are ruining them. We are buying a complete Christmas list for each of them for them to unwrap on the morning, before we take them back to return to the shops on boxing day. This will teach them that anything in life is transitory. I am sure this lesson will stand them well in adult life.

You appear to be intending to give them items to keep. You will come to regret that, mark my words.

Luxury!

You should be getting the eldest shoes as a present so the rest can be passed down as presents. And then you should give them all a whipping to remind them of the true spirit of Christmas*. (It would've been coal but with fuel prices as they are... )

Preferable second-hand

I hope there's not a nut in there as well as all that.

personally, I'd go for the Picasso.

I knew you'd all agree with SIL.

I am ruining my DC.

Ruining them I tell you.

Well, of course you are, and you should be ashamed. My son will be allowed one hour off from the mining, AND a cold bath, and he will be grateful.

A whole hour off? It's not his birthday as well is it?

Yes, you are ruining them. You are also giving then the gift of consumerism for the rest of their lives.

Shame on you Chaos. Shame. On. You.

Re the walnut?
Are you purchasing that or have you found one on a tree somewhere?

I presume that to really ensure they don't get too attached to money they have been briefed to buy you chocs and perfume? After all as an adult you have far more experience of resisting materialism, they simply don't present the same level of risk to you as to them.

I have been collecting chestnuts all week, on my country reteat.

My dc shall have the pleasure of peeling and toasting them for his Christmas box.

DiddyMary.

Thanks for the idea - I shall ensure that they are fully aware of the need to treat me in this festive season.

How many beans are missing? IMO Christmas just isn't a time of year for children anyway. FFS

Oh, only a phew.

argh OP there should be special cages for childless people who think they know best.

and that list sounds nowhere near extravagant sounds a bit barny tbh point her towards every other child that is getting ps3, dvds, etc

barmy she sounds barmy

Stockings are a bit extravagant IMO.
Can't you put the gifts in paper bags?

I could pilfer some mushroom bags from the supermarket, perhaps?