To think 2 1/2 months is enough time to get a kid their birthday present to them

[Dolores87]

DS 10th birthday was 2 1/2 months ago.
My sister had bought him a present but he told her he wanted the new Zelda game. She decided to send her present back and buy it him.
I thought how kind.
But it has been 2 1/2 months and he hasn't received it.
He is desperate to play this game now and had wanted to spend his birthday money on it, but I have told him no as my sister has it him (she was the one that told him).

It has got to the point where it is clear she isn't going to send it to him in the post and she forgot it when she came round to visit even though she had told DS she was bringing it. So DH offered to go over and drive to pick it up. That was 2 weeks ago and she never arranged like she said, but then they arranged to go get it this morning. This morning however she canceled as she's left it at her BFs. 10 year old was very excited. Now he is upset. Tbh she keeps saying he is getting it, he gets really excited and then it doesn't happen and he feels let down and upset.

I have raised it with her today and said could she please just send it or arrange for us to get it asap as it's all got a bit ridiculous. She's lost her temper with me and said she is annoyed about it all. She said she didn't have to buy him this game as she couldn't afford it and she's got other things to do. I said I appreciate that and I am grateful she bought it but it's been 2 1/2 months and many attempts to receive it now so I feel like it's got ridiculous, and DS keep getting let down. Things are now tense

So, am I being unreasonable?

I am being unreasonable - she didn't have to buy the game and so he can wait however long it takes?

I am not being unreasonable - his birthday was 2 and a half months ago, we have tried and been let down many times and DS is upset he keeps feeling let down and is at the end of the day only 10 he is really looking forward to the game and could have bought it by now with his birthday money?

I have a strained relationship with my family so I can't tell if I am projecting other family related hurts at this and it's actually no reason to be getting irritated or whether the length of time means it's reasonable to be both grateful she's bought this gift and irritable that DS keeps getting let down. Especially as it could just be put in the post surely.

Thanks

Aw that’s annoying. Yup seems like she hasn’t got it but doesn’t want to admit it!

Ah fair enough sorry for that wrong. I'd let him get the game as others have said she may never have bought it

Just buy it for him yourself. Not fair to mess a 10 year old around like this. Then tell your sister she ca return the copy she bought if money is a bit tight at the moment. Done.

She never had it.

I'd tell her not to bother and buy the game.

I'd also be putting her on filler presents in future, if she ever asks about a gift for him in the future. Roblox annual and some socks. Definitely nothing he actually wants!

If you buy it from wherever she’s bought it and she provides a sealed copy within a few weeks you could probably return it using your receipt.

I think she bought it but then opened it and has lent it to her BF to play. If you can I would buy it for him and reduce the next present you buy for her/her family to cover the cost. Happy Christmas Sister, enjoy these festive haribo.

Ask her to send it back and give him a gift voucher for the amount and buy him the game. You can get the game via download codes these days so she could have given it that way.

I agree she has never even bought it. My brother did this for a christening present, kept moaning how he had ordered it ages ago and it’s taking ages to arrive. It was 5 years ago now and I’ve never seen this christening present! He just never bought one. Which is fine, just don’t make a song and dance about the fact that you have! And going forward, I agree, tell her things to buy that don’t matter or ask for ask for vouchers!

I don't think I would have waited 2 weeks let alone 2 months

I would give her a clear deadline.

Either your husband collects by end Monday or she posts /delivers by the end of week or you are getting him a copy as his "return to school" or whatever present.

She's stringing you along. I'd get it if you can afford to and say no more about it.

The next time she suggests getting your DC something, clarify the cost first.

I no longer trust my ILs to get stuff from the Birthday / Christmas list, DC only had 3 really wanted things, ILs said they'd get 1 of them. Then changed their minds but didn't tell us, resulting in a very disappointed kid. And meant I had to spend more money buying what they wanted. The alternative gift lay in a corner unwanted.

She never had it, what a cow. My mother was like this and it was a hard lesson growing up because it meant I never trusted anyone. I never make a promise now if I can't fulfill it. Your poor lad, I hope he plays hell out that game when you give him it x