To not want our Christmas present to DNs to be DN1s birthday gift

[CuppaSarah]

Ok a quick warning here, this is pretty petty and I'm aware I'm bu, I suppose I'm more venting and wanting confirmation I'm being petty and grumpy.

Well for Christmas we got our two DNs tickets to a nearby attraction, they haven't been before and we knew they would really love it so got tickets for them. They're flexible tickets they can used any day of the year.

Sil has announced she's taking them to the attraction as DN1s birthday treat. Now I'm a bit about it as it wasn't his birthday gift it was a Christmas gift, to be used as a treat for both nephews, not so she doesnt have to plan a birthday treat for DN1. At the same time, they're still going to have a great time and enjoy the attraction regardless of when they go so in a way it makes no difference whatsoever when they go.

So really aibu to be a bit unimpressed sil is using DNs Christmas gift this way?

Just before / just after they go on the day out just say something to the DNs like "I am glad you will be using the tickets I gave you for Christmas". so they will know it was their gift from you. Sorted!

To be honest Living I'm considering standing on their driveway with a massive sign saying 'I PAID FOR THE TICKETS, ME!!! AUNTIE CUPPA!!! PRAISE ME!!!' then follow them down the dual carriageway shouting that I paid, then follow them to the front gate reminding them 'THIS IS YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT, DONT GET ANY IDEAS DN1 THIS IS FOR BOTH OF YOU AND IN NO WAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY!!'

I'm fairly confident this is the perfect solution as it means everyone within 50ft will know but dn1still has a fab birthday.

Then again you're idea is quite sensible

Sorry I think YABAbitU!

Sometimes we all need things to make life a little bit easier.

If you're helping out SIL a little as well as the boys having their great day out then surely that's just a bonus really?!

What did she give your children?

My aunt once told me to be sure to spend the £10 she'd sent for dd on an actual gift. When I told my lovely granny she was outraged and said she didn't mind what I spent her own money gift on - even if I used it at the supermarket.

I understood my aunt's point (though didn't think it was necessary for her to say it). But it made me realise just how lovely my granny was. A gift is a gift.

It was a Christmas treat from you and should be treated as such, not to be used as a birthday treat. I had this with a friend, I gave her DD money for her birthday to choose something herself and DF announced her and DH were using it to pay towards a school trip which I know they can easily afford. I was a bit put out myself.

I'm not sure of the age of the kids but are they really old enough to understand who bought tickets? Is DN2 old enough to understand the concept of an entry fee?
I'd just be pleased DNs are going to attraction and present is used. Just forget about it. It's slightly odd but sil is prob just trying to use resources efficiently and effectively

I get where you are coming from. Bought vouchers for the cinema for the nephews last year and then one night SIL checked in at the cinema as having date night and thanks us for the vouchers! They were for the boys seeing as they were complaining it was too expensive to be allowed to go!

A friend gave another friends dd £10 to spend on holiday. The childs father said "great thanks" and then didn't bother giving her the money he had said he was giving her "as I don't need to now. She already has £10 spending money"... That didn't go down well and was remembered for a long time.