To ask for cash?

[thewayoftheplatypus]

It is my birthday next month and my MIL and SIL have asked DH for a list of gift ideas. In reality i have specific tastes that make me pretty picky to buy for (although I am always grateful for everything when given) and can’t really think of anything appropriate for a list.

However we are going on holiday next month and (due to losing a contract, I am a freelancer) getting together the spending money will be tight. WIBU to ask for Euro’s instead of gifts? Or would this make me a CF? I hate asking for gifts at the best of time and hate having to provide a list (my family never ask and just surprise me) so I’m not 100% comfortable, but it would be a help!

Happy to listen to the collective mumsnet wisdom on this!

Bear in mind that MN seems to think asking for cash is the etiquette equivalent of walking into a person's house and taking a shit on their dining table so the responses may not be what you hope!

I personally don't think this would be cheeky at all and I would happily contribute to your holiday spending fund under the circumstances. I would much rather know it was useful and what you wanted than waste money on something you didn't want or like just so that I could gratify myself!

I hate requests for cash so if I asked for gift ideas I'd expect a few ideas within the usual budget but not that you'd rather have money.

I don’t think this is cheeky, they’re your close family not strangers! Why not just say ‘don’t worry if you’ve already purchased something for me mum but I was wondering if you’re still looking for ideas, could you get me some euros instead for my holiday in xxxx?’

It’s a good idea. Only you know if they are the types to get affronted or, like me, think, ‘yay, super easy, result!’

If they are in the former category then word it really carefully.

Sorry it’s your mother in law. Hmmm. Could she mention it. Sorry I didn’t take that in first time reading!

Could dh*

I’m not doing very well today!

I think giving someone money in the form of currency for their holiday destination is different from giving them cash. It's like "do something fun on holiday on us" and I think that's a great thing.

We gave my uncle enough dollars for a helicopter tour of New York as we knew he really wanted to do it but didn't have the budget for it. Could your husband not just tell them there are a few things you've seen that your love to do on holiday so euros would be the perfect gift?

Would they think it rude or do you think they'd see that as nice?

How about asking for specific things you need/would like for your holiday?

They may prefer to give you euros!