To think this is a shite birthday present?

[FretYeNotAllIsShiny]

It was Dd2's birthday last week. Today my her aunt (my ex's sister) sent down her present, she was on holiday abroad last week. The present is a mug which reads something along the lines of "I was remembered in Spain".

I could understand something nice bought on holiday, I could understand a mug emblazoned with something a 14 year old would love, but a souvenir mug? For a birthday present? Even in my skintest days I could come up with something better than that. And she isn't skint btw, she's got more than her fair share of money. whole different thread on that can of worms

So, am I being picky, ungracious and a bit of a cow?

Laugh it off. We would have been howling in our house if dd had recieved that.

You need to look at this in a different light. This is the kind of thing her aunt likes, so next time you have to give her a present, remember this. No present is tacky enough - have fun buying something!

I can't get upset about birthday presents, or lack of them. They're optional.

Yes or I'd just think of it as a nice - even if useless- token that your dd was remembered.

A new take on "all I got was this lousy t-shirt". I'd laugh a lot. I'm sure your DD2 had a good day, she'll probably remember that as her first wtf? present. Mine was a pillowcase from Oz (my great uncle had been the YEAR before); I was 16. It had a cutsey cartoon koala with a surfboard. What are families for if not to provide short stories of amusement.

My aunt and uncle are millionaires, the cheapskate tight arse presents are the highlight of our Christmas. Last year my DD got a necklace earring and bracelet set in a bag with only the necklace in!

That is crap but it is also hilarious.

Some people are weirdly tight. I would have laughed too, unless dd was very upset?

My Nan decided to get me a 5 yr lockable diary when I was in my 30s! No reason but she was visiting family abroad and saw it and thought I would love it. To be fair it was the start of her getting a lot more confused. Now she is no longer with us it is a nice/funny memory of her that makes me smile.

My gran's friend always gets us the most hilarious gifts. Last year my 18yo brother got a scatter cushion. The year before my auntie was given a hand-knitted waistcoat. I received a full set of egg cups when I was about 15

A friend bought me a hat for my 21 st

Never worn the darn thing! Hate hats!

I'd have loved a bottle of Charlie or aquamanda at the time!

Dd doesn't seem that bothered. I took it as a bit of a snub. I may possibly be biased with the long history I have with this woman.

In years to come you'll have a laugh about it!

Well, since I am clearly in the wrong and over-reacting, regale me with more tales of shite presents?

When I was a child I had an Aunt that bought me a very obviously second hand puzzle book once. All the puzzles had already been done. Another time she gave me a matching pencil and biro in a scruffy old box. The biro had run out. I didn't really mind though, I thought it was quite funny.

'I was remembered in Spain' is clearly a code!

Maybe your dd has been left a stash of treasure in a secret location.

Today I got two bike pumps (and a little bag for under my saddle, which I wanted). Last year I got a Highway Code and a book on how to ride a motorbike. The year before I got a "joke" book on grammar. I really feel my DP has no idea what sort of person I am. He almost forgot this year and was only alerted by my DS singing hbdty to me. I used to get so excited about my birthdays until I met him!

(D)Mil completely forgot DD's 7th birthday - no present or card, not even a happy birthday wish! She also forgot DH's birthday which was 2 days later.

Her excuse to DH was that we were on holiday at the time . It hurt DD and she later told my DM that "Granny forgot my birthday."

So, as far as shite presents go, I think DD wins!

Apparently the mug actually says 'I went to spain and you were remembered' if that's better or worse.

One year this aunt arranged a birthday party for her parents... on dd's birthday. Dd doesn't share even a birthday month with either of her grandparents. Does that win?

I got some video cassette cases (those hideous green mock leather ones) from an aunt and uncle as a teenager. No videos in them, just empty cases

My mum got me a waste paper bin one christmas. Seriously. A wicker one.
My aunt buys everyone those charity donation cards. Two years ago at christmas an African village were bought the sum total of two toilets, a goat and some chickens iirc. Then she had nerve to moan that we hadn't put much effort into getting gifts for her.

One year my grandmother gave my brother a box of matches for Christmas.

My nana gives us each "a bag of shite," as we've dubbed it, every xmas. Highlights have been a kitten calendar for my db (23 at the time and mahoosively allergic to cats), a lime green shoe shaped glasses holder for me and 2 year put of date baileys for my Dsis!

Rackofpeas: that's nothing, I got a JML blue step and a pen with 'Deirdre' on it (not my name) a few years ago. Disclaimer: the donor was later diagnosed with dementia.

Yup, make it into a game. Who gets the 'most interesting' present. So far your DD is winning .

My DS1 sees your DD's mug and raises her the 'Jimmy Tarbuck's Golfing Nightmares' video ( yes, video!) bought by his nana, who he once mentioned a passing interest in golf to .

My exs aunt used to give my kids bizarre presents or a fiver in a card.

For my youngest a 1st birthday she for him some toys from the charity shop.. Nothing wrong with that in itself but these were dirty, bits missing and broken (battery operated). I wouldn't mind but the exs siblings kid got expensive new over the top stuff.

But then this was the sil who would leave worn down boots, 3 sizes too big and broken house phones piled up on my doorstep thinking I could make use of them

Telling her to fuck off years ago still feels grand