to be a bit pissed off with people who announce they are not doing Xmas pressies today!!

[RachelHRD]

Just found out re DH that his DB left him a message today to say that they aren't doing Xmas presents this year as money is a bit tight. Fair enough money is tight for us too but I have already bought their presents!! The 16th Dec is a bit late to tell us.....

They will be embarrassed if we give them so I either have to take them back (not sure I still have the receipts) or keep them for another time.

Hmmmmppphhhh.....

Are they generally nice people or do they have a history of this type of thing.

I think they have been naughty to leave it so late really - I mean you have children and money is tight for you too.

Are you seeing them over christmas - can just imagine it getting slightly awkward if you give their dc's presents and they don't give your dc's any - and I mean for them really.

How is it awkward? You don't have to stand there while they're opening them making them squirm with apparent shame! Just drop the presents off, say you know they're struggling and not to worry but thought a present for their DC would be nice, especially as you'd already bought it. Then leave them to it. It's quite simple... to me!

I'd still give the presents I think. We decided we were only buying for children this year as there's so many - 15 nephews and nieces so it gets very expensive. This was decided in November and DB is in a huff because he won't be getting a present off us - he does have 4 children though who will be getting presents!

Well we see family we exchange gifts and open them so I mean if they did similar it may be slightly awkward.

I may be slightly biased though as had experience with someone who always pulled out of gifts at the last minute but was only too happy to receive them.

And obviously I wouldn't make anyone squirm with shame but I know I'd feel a bit bad if people had bought gifts for my children and I hadn't for theirs especially if I'd left it till so late to let them know.

But all depends how close you are really - I mean it wouldn't be an issue with my sister but we are very close.

My sis did this. To be fair she texted my other sisters in Nov. I didn't get the text. Probably because she knew I had already bought for one of her DCs. I assumed that we were still doing presents and bought for her other two only to be told two weeks ago that she wasn't buying for any of the children. I must admit to be in awe of her cheek as she told me on the phone that she wasn't buying and I told her that I already had bought for her 3. She replied that she knew and didn't care!!

I will still give to her DC and will explain to my DS that he won't get anything from them. Which he will be fine with. I will admit to being a bit peed off though as she could have gotten something small. In her case I know it is more can't be bothered than money.

Am I the only one thinking that the DB has said this, now, because he has just had the conversation with his wife that starts "and what have you bought for your sister's family?"

hahaha crotchflakes probably on the money there

I must admit my even more cynical thought was that they had left it late to say, half hoping that they might still get a load of presents but not have to give any...

Oh we're the same as mrscampbellblack as well, presents are all done together in both families. So we go to my lot and all exchange presents and open them together and then we go to DH lot and do it all over again.