i know i'm being silly, but i can't help it.

[lostdeb]

Every year my Sister and Brother in law get naff gifts for my Children. I know it's the thought that counts, but there is seriously no thought involved. We thought we'd help then along by dropping hints about what the Children like the last time we saw them. I've had a sneaky peek at the gifts. (purely to stop me ranting and raving on Christmas day, and i'm a nosy moo) They've got my Dd a Disney Princess book, ok, except she's 8 in a couple of weeks. The gift that really annoys me is, they've got my DS a bubble gun. The kind of thing we buy on holiday with their pocket money. Rant over. xxx

sorry but yabu. What kind of message must you be sending your children, even if only subconsciously. Your sister is only too aware that your children get so much that they don't need more, costly toys just to keep you happy. I bought my dcs' gifts then saw what others' had already bought them and I halved the pile I've bought & will give the spare to them for their birthdays.you're advocating greed and thoughtless spending. Can't imagine you'll be at midnight mass tonight , but if you are then listen very carefully.

My uncle has always been the same. He is a lovely bloke but extremely penny pinching. It used to bother my mum when we were little but us kids thought it hilarious. It's become something of a family joke and a source of entertainment, seeing if he can top the previous year.
He is still the same now, last year he bought mum a pack of mugs from Poundland. Previous gems include a pack of tea towels and factory second shopping bag. Always wrapped in that thin tissue wrapping paper, lol.

8 is too old for disney princess. My 8 year old would hate that but my toddler would love it!

Maybe they didn't take your words on board. Can you set up an amazon gift list for everyone next year? You could always email them a link in september - it could include a good range of things price wise. My brothers/sisters gifts were really rubbish pre kids but got better once they had their own. These days we would all rather get something that we know the kids will like - even if it is only small. My hubbies brother (quite a nasty bloke) is the only one who bucks this trend but then they seem to be drawn to cheap nasty crap - i think it reflects how little they value us and I believe they make a point of buying the stuff. I find it quite funny now and take great joy in taking the stuff to the charity shop every new year. I like to think that someone will find it useful.

My friends mum used to collect McDonald's happy meal toys and then give them wrapped to her grandson for Christmas . She bought her daughter black, studded, fingerless, leather gloves! Agreed that it just becomes a funny family tradition to see what naff thing she comes up with.

Surely crap presents are part of the wonder of Christmas? It's not a gift grab, you know. Children get to write a list for Santa but otherwise all bets are off, and that's how it should be, IMHO.