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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Grandma present to teenage grandson for his birthday

236 replies

wobblywinelover · 12/11/2021 04:05

My parents have given my son £50, an unwrapped options hot chocolate she got from the supermarket on the way to my place, some mince pies (wrapped as a gift) and some fudge also wrapped. He's 15. She said she didn't want to get him too much food as she knows he struggles with his weight (why buy him food items at all then) I can't help but think that apart from the money this is a strange present for a 15 year old boy. She hasn't even wrapped the hot chocolate and it was shoved in the gift bag at the last minute. I know they weren't sure what to get him but I think just giving him the money or an xbox voucher would have been better. Mince pies?!! The other grandparents have bought him thoughtful gifts they know he will like, which are tailored to his interests. I'm prepared to be flamed for this but I'm just thinking 🧐 how odd. For added context they are not hard up for cash and I know its the thought that counts but I'm not sure what to make of this. What do others think?

OP posts:
StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 12/11/2021 14:09

I just don't get why some people are so annoyed at the filler gifts. A tin of mushy peas and a pack of Flash wipes would be weird, but mince pies and sweets sounds fine to me.

Thatsplentyjack · 12/11/2021 14:11

No one is annoyed at the gifts, I'm annoyed at the way people on here just jump on the band wagon and pile on the OP with unnecessarily nasty comments.

Stompythedinosaur · 12/11/2021 14:11

I think it is a nice gift - clearly the £50 is the real gift (I think this is generous) and they wrapped some bits so he had something to open on the day.

Redjumper1 · 12/11/2021 14:16

Nothing wrong with that. You sound hard work.

wobblywinelover · 12/11/2021 14:17

Thanks for all the replies, particularly the kind ones and the ones who understand. My son will be very grateful I'm sure (he will as he's a lovely kind we'll mannered boy) and we'll both smile about the wrapped up mince pies granny gave for years to come 😀. And the good thing out of all this is that I've given you all some great present ideas for your teens.

OP posts:
Erictheavocado · 12/11/2021 17:55

When our dcs were teenagers, their Christmas stockings often contained something like a jar of chocolate spread, or a favourite jam, hot chocolate etc. In fact, even now, we often put a foody item or two in their stockings as a treat. We do the same with our DILs and dgc. They love it. My DM has occasionally given 'random' food gifts, but they are always appreciated as they are given with love. MIL, in contrast, used every excuse under the sun not to give our kids anything at Christmas or birthday even though she happily spent a fortune on her other gcs. Our dcs would have loved mince pies and hot chocolate from her.

shylatte · 12/11/2021 18:05

This is such a non - issue. £50 in pocket, thank the DGPs and unwanted food items in the food bank.

MereDintofPandiculation · 12/11/2021 18:43

I expect they didn't want to give just money, partly because it feels too transactional, partly because it's nice to have something to unwrap, even if it is "only" mince pies or (as in my Christmas stocking and those of my DC) a new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.

Almostmenopausal · 13/11/2021 00:04

What's the problem? Genuine question.

Is this grandparent elderly? My grandmother used to always add little food items (always included a half pound block of dairy milk which when we were kids was epic!!!) as she grew up through a period of food shortages. My Mum even sees certain food as a luxury as she was born during WW2 and as you know, rationing went on for 8 years during the war. So nice, sweet food was a real genuine treat. To be given your very own little 'stash' was a Christmas-only thing and was very much appreciated

Almostmenopausal · 13/11/2021 00:05

@Almostmenopausal

What's the problem? Genuine question.

Is this grandparent elderly? My grandmother used to always add little food items (always included a half pound block of dairy milk which when we were kids was epic!!!) as she grew up through a period of food shortages. My Mum even sees certain food as a luxury as she was born during WW2 and as you know, rationing went on for 8 years during the war. So nice, sweet food was a real genuine treat. To be given your very own little 'stash' was a Christmas-only thing and was very much appreciated

Rationing went on for 8 years AFTER the war* 🤦🏼‍♀️
Pippi1970 · 13/11/2021 07:16

There isn't rationing, and a whole block of Dairy Milk is more celebratory than a box of mince pies.

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