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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to put dc money towards family holiday

34 replies

m0therofdragons · 27/08/2014 18:01

genuinely can't decide if this is right.
a kind relative gives dh, me and all 3 dc £100 each for Christmas and birthdays. Usually I buy them a gift on the elderly relatives behalf (telling her first/asking) then the rest goes into dds' bank account to save. Next year we cannot afford a holiday (didn't have one this year either) but if we all put the money together we could afford camping in France where tent is set up etc. Is it wrong to use their money like this? Dc are 3yo twins and 6yo dd.

OP posts:
ICanSeeTheSun · 27/08/2014 18:03

If it was me I wouldn't care what people spend gift money on. To me that's the whole point.

Sounds a lovely idea to me.

littlemslazybones · 27/08/2014 18:06

I would do it, they'll have a brilliant time on holiday and I bet they have plenty of toys anyway.

Homebirthquestion · 27/08/2014 18:06

Great idea! They'll enjoy it much more than any toy.

londonrach · 27/08/2014 18:07

Excellent idea op.

SugarMiceInTheRain · 27/08/2014 18:07

We did similar a couple of years ago at Christmas - we did tell relatives we were doing this - in our case we bought Merlin passes and put the children's Christmas money towards them (they always seem to have a half price Merlin pass sale on between Christmas and New Year) - they had so many fun days out with them. Last Christmas, the children decided to keep the money, frittered it away on tat and have kept asking why we can't go to Warwick castle, Chessington, Legoland etc. I think they are keen to do the Merlin pass thing again next year!

Pastperfect · 27/08/2014 18:08

Absolutely fine. Enjoy Smile

tittifilarious · 27/08/2014 18:09

Great idea.

annielouisa · 27/08/2014 18:11

I think its a lovely idea just think of all the wonderful memories you would be making. Take lots of photos and make a little album for the relative as a memento of their gift being used to benefit the whole family :)

vikingnc · 27/08/2014 18:13

A holiday is a great present imo Smile

DaisyFlowerChain · 27/08/2014 18:18

I'd be happy for the money to be used as spending money but wouldn't be happy to pay for the actual holiday from the children's savings. Not sure why but it doesn't sit right with me.

KnackeredMuchly · 27/08/2014 18:27

If you had a lot of money and spent it that way - yabu.

But I can't think of a better present than a holiday if you can't afford one. I'd be happy if my gift money went towards it.

Viviennemary · 27/08/2014 18:30

I think it would be OK to use it for spending money. But not really for it to pay for your holiday. Again not sure why but it just doesn't seem right.

annielouisa · 27/08/2014 18:30

I got from the OP that this Christmas/ birthday money for the whole family so the OP, DH and DC and not earmarked by the relative for saving. I thought the OP was intending to use this years gift to pay for the holiday collectively and not raid the DC previous savings.

OP correct me if I am wrong. I just did not get the idea that they were digging into previously saved money from past years

Original poster
m0therofdragons · 27/08/2014 18:30

In an ideal world dh and I would pay for holiday but it's this way or no holiday at all. In the future we won't have nursery fees when dtds start school and I can work more hours but at the moment this is how it is. It would only be one year.

OP posts:
DoJo · 27/08/2014 18:31

I would love to think that money was being used to make memories rather than being spent on stuff which probably won't last till their next birthday. Good idea and it also means you can get the kids to send postcards as well as taking loads of photos to show your generous relative on your return.

Original poster
m0therofdragons · 27/08/2014 18:33

Not raiding their savings but my grandmother does send 100 pounds to each of us on a card not as one payment. Holiday will cost more than this which dh and I will save for - about 600 more to cover fuel, food and ferry.

OP posts:
PourMeSomethingStronger · 27/08/2014 18:37

I think that sounds like a lovely way to spend the money op. having a happy family holiday is just as nice for the children as for you. I would definitely do it if it means the difference between a holiday or no holiday.

Dubjackeen · 27/08/2014 18:42

Go for it. I usually give cash gifts nowadays to nieces and nephews, and in your relatives shoes, I genuinely would be delighted to know that it meant someone having a holiday, which they might not have had otherwise.

CarbeDiem · 27/08/2014 18:54

Sounds great, a holiday together sounds much better than the kids buying more toys just for the sake of it.

Nanny0gg · 27/08/2014 18:58

Have you asked them? (the DCs?)

Nanny0gg · 27/08/2014 18:59

Sorry, just seen the ages.

The 6 year-old may have an opinion.

icymaiden · 27/08/2014 18:59

YABU I think the parents should pay for the hoilday not the children! If the relatives are giving so much , I am sure they are intending for you to save most of it, not fritter it all on toys.

maras2 · 27/08/2014 19:03

We give money for presents to some family.I'd be deighted if they were able to have a holiday with a little help from us.

erin99 · 27/08/2014 19:06

I would run it past your kind elderly relative.

Mrsjayy · 27/08/2014 19:27

Isa holiday not better than more stuff and things go on holiday I would

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