To think that everyone knows when Christmas is, so should get their act together with regards presents

[saltirehangingonachristmastree]

I started a thread the other day about how MIL, PIla nd step MIL, DB, SIL and BIL, DH's nans etc were all sending money for ours and the DSes Christmas " because it's so expensive to post things". At this moment in time most of it hasn't appeared yet. I told Step MIL on the phone last night that if the money/vouchers hadn't arrived by todays post them DH or I were not going to go out and buy things for teh DSes from them, they could wait till after Christmas.
Step MIl told me we were being selfish, and that teh whole point of Christmas was for children tog et presents and what would the DSes think if they didn't have any from them . She then went on to say that she was posting their cheque off on Saturday. She couldn't do it the weekend past as she was away to her neices with presents for them. DH then said to me "we'll just go out and get something". Well no, I don't see why we should. We don't know how much they are sending, and I've struggled to get things for the DSes as it is without having to get more, PLus get presents for each other from everyone else as well
I'm just really annoyed that all the pressure to buy more things from family and wrap them etc is being put on me.

I'd wait for the sales too - you'll get more for the money and the kids will have fun choosing. Given them their money or vouchers though so they know it's from nanny and pa!
A few days before xmas you have enough to do without shopping for other people.
My bug bare at the mo is when I go out of my way to deliver gifts and cards my friends and family keep say "are to going to such and such?" then off loading all their gifts to me to deliver too. I'm sure I've got more than I started with

I would put it in their bank accounts/ctf, and tell the relations that all money will be saved. If they want them to have presents to open they should send them! They cant say too much about that as its a very rightious thing to do, saving for the future and all that!

If your kids are 7 and 9, would it not be ok for them to chose something later in the year?
If you struggled to get them something, then that suggests that there is nothing they really want, so why not wait with the money, and let them chose something in a couple of months?

just tell the kids that granny has sent money so when they speak to the family they can say "oh thank you for the £10/20/however much, am going to go shopping with mummmy after christmas".

she can't say anything to that can she?

My Mum, MIL and brother all send me money to buy my DDs presents. I don't mind really because they all have good reasons why they can't do it themselves. I like the fact that I can buy what I know my DDs will like. It is a bit disappointing for me that nothing on Christmas morning is a surprise - but I'm old enough to get over that .

I don't think I'd rock the boat. I'd put the money in a card for your DCs and ask them if they want to save up for something specific or go and spend it in the sales. I'd thank your ILs and next year ask them in November if they plan to do the same thing again and if so could they send the money earlier and even maybe suggest the sort of thing they'd like you to buy.

To be honest, at least you know you won't be the one standing in the three mile long returns queue in M&S trying to exchange the lime green jumper three sizes too small.

YANBU - people have 365 days notice of xmas. My OH always moans when he has to go xmas shopping (not that he does much coz I do most of it)- he always says "oh I'm so busy in December" - eh????? isn't everyone?????

YANBU, that would annoy me too.

We have had 3 emails in the past couple of days from rellies n Australia asking what do the DC want, and sorry they have been so busy they haven't sent anything yet. They have missed posting from Australia by about 10 days, so nothing they send will get here before NY now, and I feel a bit sad, and sad for the DC

I've had people call and text in the last few days to tell me that they're sending money for my children and all of them have been told that I'm not going shopping again before christmas and all money received will be used to fund activities during the christmas period.

We're planning on going bowling, ice skating, to the cinema and out for meals.

I think that my kids will have more than enough presents and the activities will provide them with just as much enjoyment as a bit of plastic.

excellent idea, mrspnut

Some good ideas here. No cheques/vouchers by todays post -so no more shopping for me. I did however today buy them a top each with the £20 DH's nan sent them, and a DVD each with money a friend snet, but as for the rest!.
I even said to Step MIL and BIL that I would give them our bank account number and htey could pay the money straight in, then at least I know I would get it, but Step MIL said "Oh but I don't know how to do that"

Got a call from step MIL last night wnating our bank details so she oculd pay money in, so I gave her them. Then she said "I will pay a cheque into your account on Monday".
Which will be cleared when? the 31st I should think.
I told her if that was the case then I wasn't getting anything as I didn't have lots of spare cash (certainly not a spare£60) and that I wasn't going shopping, I've already told her that

Oh saltire that sucks

and step MIL has the cheek to call you selfish???

May I suggest something for next year? When doing your shopping, go out and pick the latest, most expensive toy. Contact your ILS and say "I've bought X for DSs from you - it cost £99.99 - just so you know how much to write out the cheque for"