To think DM is being mean and childish

[PartyFops]

DM (64) phoned this evening for a chat and we got to the subject of Christmas presents. She has brought dd a nice coat and I asked for some Claris face wash (£15). Asked just to get DH a small book token. I then went on to ask what she would like and she said "well, seeing as I have to buy 3 presents and you have to only buy one then I would like some Chanel no.5 (£50).

DM owns more than £1m worth of property and is a company director. I however am really struggling this year as DH is self employed and has a really bad 18months. I am working part time since returning from maternity leave and we have a huge mortgage. She knows all this.

When I said I really can't afford £50 this year ( have always spent a lot more in the past when I could afford it btw) she went all huffy.

Grow up woman!

yanbu! how old is your dd i'd just get her to make soething, bake something or frame a picture that she has drawn if she's under 10.

YANBU what a horrid woman. I would have told her not to bother about Christmas presents then. How childish. It always seems to be the wealthiest ones who are the tightest

Bah-humbug. Very mean spirited. Buy her some White Musk instead!!

How mean of her :-(

Thought you meant the daily mail which makes sense as it's always mean and childish. but yes I'm surprised your mum is taking that position. Has she always been like that or does she not realise that you aren't that flush at the moment. Surprised that grown up folk even think about the value of presents. Surely it's the present that counts not the cost of it.

My mother's like this, whenever she opens up presents I see her totting up how much it costs versus how much she's spent on us. Oddly enough we don't spend time with her.

Dd is only 18 months. She has always been the most ungrateful woman I know. I sent her some flowers for mothers day last year and she asked me to put in an official complaint to the florist as they were so awful . We live 400miles not far enough apart, she should have just said "thanks, they are lovely".

Yanbu, very childish of her.

could you make a photo calender of your DD (it would be priceless:) )

It sounds like your DM is very hard to please so no matter how much money you are going to spend she won't be content.

Seems like your DM knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
From now on, get her something that involves thought and not money (like a calendar of your DD as honeytea suggested) Flabbergasted on your behalf.
YANBU.

Yes, she's being mean. But it doesn't sound like she'll change, and she clearly thinks that as you've suggested particular items then she should do the same.

How about suggesting that she doesn't buy for yourself and DH this year, just for DC , as you are struggling and can only get a small token present for her.

Send her an Oxfam unwrapped toilet.

What Inertia said.