Probably be told I'm unreasonable. I spend a long time trying to make sure my my kids have a perfect Christmas. I also spend a lot of time picking out gifts for family. Cannot afford much but try and buy something nice within a budget. My mum, stepdad, my siblings and in laws etc. I like to gift, I know you shouldn't expect anything in return and generally I don't. But I'm just emotional this year. It's been a tough year for various reasons and we've all just had covid to top it off. Felt like the build up to Christmas has been ruined. I prefer the build up to the day itself.
Me and dp usually do get something for each other or from the kids. But this year money has been tight so decided not to spend anything on each other. I'm fine with that. Hoping to book a weekend away for my 30th in jan - (covid allowing) so saving the £££.
But I'm so sad. My mum doesn't buy me much or anything at all most years. Money is not the issue for her. My siblings (late teens into twenties) have hundreds spent on them each year. Fair enough they don't have children so you'd thinks he spends on the dc instead but she only spends around £20 each on both my dc! My sister put what she got on Instagram last year. She had hundreds off my mum and stepdad. It's not a stepdad issue, he's actually very generous, my mum is financially controlling. My bio dad has never been around. The worst thing is I know my mum buys gifts for her neighbours and her friends kids. Just not me! I can't talk tj her about as she says that kids come first on Christmas and she buys for my kids. Why not just a box of chocs?
Mil usually gets me something. But this year has not. I know I'm not her daughter but I feel crap because I spent a long time picking out something for her as Dp won't be organised enough to do it. She's bought a few things for dp, I know it's her son but I always pick out her gifts and I'm sure she knows that.
My siblings are younger than me, I always bought them gifts including this year but now they are older they don't return it! So probably won't bother. They don't even get dc anything either. The gifts mt mum buys for dc kinda comes from them all.
I don't have friends that I'm close enough with to exchange gifts.
I know a grown woman of 30 shouldn't expect much but j just feel so glum. I spend so long picking out nice gifts.
Before anyone asks how I know this is the case on Christmas Eve, it's because we've all had covid and on tail end of it family have dropped over gifts for dc on our door step.
Nothing for me whatsoever on the tags as I put them under the tree 😪
I just feel like next year not bothering with them and spending the money on myself instead.
Aibu? Or am I sounding entitled?