To ask what is an acceptable amount to spend on Christmas gifts after receiving monetary gifts?

[cleopatracomingatya]

If someone (family members) have given you some money in the last few months of the year, kind of as an inheritance/to help you get a head start in your new home etc. Then what would be acceptable to spend on them around Christmas?

If I had given someone money and then they bought me expensive gifts I would be a bit confused... but I don't want this family member to be upset if we didn't get them a gift at all?

Hope that makes sense?! Finding it all a bit daunting and nerve wracking (over-thinking champion 2018 )

So I guess ultimately my question is - if you had given someone an amount of money (such as a thousand +) would you expect an extra lovely Christmas present because you've been generous, or would you expect a reasonably priced present as you didn't give that money to them thinking you'd receive it back in gifts?

Just a normal present, if you normally would! If you normally wouldn't, then don't. I would not give a gift in order to expect it back!!

@annikin see that's where I'm worried, as before now, partner and I would spend a lot on our families as we didn't have many financial responsibilities, but this year it's become incredibly tight (which they are aware of tbh) and I don't want people being upset that they're not getting the same kind of gifts they usually do! basically I'm hoping they all understand our situation but people can be tricky and might get upset which I would hate to happen

You shouldn't change the gift you give because you have received money. If you cant give anything like as much as normal i personally would say something along the lines of, " DH and I are struggling to afford gifts this year so are just doing gestures, please don't buy anything for us."

I would feel bad if they bought me a £50 gift and I had made them a chutney, hence the pre-emptive strike!

Could you make or bak them something instead?

Of course you should cut back the spending on Christmas gifts, if you don't have the money it would be a little reckless to spend more than you can afford. You might want to just buy for children and the elderly. explaining to adults you normally buy for, that you don't have the cash this year.

A small and thoughtful gift? Homemade if possible?

Normal present, whatever you can afford. If you needed the money, I’m going to guess you were struggling financially and this person wasn’t hence offering the money. They might be a bit to receive an expensive gift.