Bratty children and presents

[BrandySnaps1]

Gave my niece (through marriage) a Christmas present. Shes 14. Obsessed with make up, hair, and because of her dad, loves designer. Shes spoilt. 5* holidays, bags, you name it, shes got it or at least wants it.

Gave her some makeup items and she was SO disappointed. She opened it and the look on her face said it all. She expected Armani make up and i got her Boots items. Either way since when have pre-teens because so spoilt? Next time Im not even going to bother.

Anyone else experienced bratty children? How to handle them through gritted teeth. Shouldnt kids at least feign excitment?

Brother in law and sister in laws kid. My DH is her maternal uncle and used to spoilt her to death as she was the first child to be born. I assume this also has a part to play in her entitlement of standards of gifts.

Great response, what is the reaction you get?

BIL and SIL ern more than enough but cant be bothered to give us a birthday card and then their daughter has the nerve to express disdain at presents. A bit cheeky no?

Your issue is clearly with BIL & SIL. Not the DD.

Don't buy her a present if you don't want. But stop being mean about a young girl because you are upset that your ILs earn more / live a nicer lifestyle & sound quite rude.

BrandySnaps1
Circle of life! I’m sure she’ll be the same when she grows up- embarrassed but nothing that can be done, you never see it when you’re there

I think make up was a poor choice tbh. If there's anything I'd encourage a girl in her teens to spend money on, it would be things she's going to put on her face!

I don't see that as snobbishness really.

I don't agree she should be bought designer bags etc though, unless they are mega wealthy and it's the norm in their circles. It wouldn't be in mine, but spending a bit more on skincare and make up products definitely is.

This. she is entitled and selfish, and also attention seeking. Ive noticed she gets super jealous when other people, children in particular are getting attention.

Get over yourself.

This is a child. Stop calling her awful names. You don't have to get her a gift, but don't go on an internet forum & slag her off

I actually thought the palette was really nice! It has all the colours she would have liked and was from one of those youtubers all the teenagers loved.

It comes across like im setting her up for a fall? WHy and how?

So she did thank you, she just isn't a good enough actress? I'm 40 and not particularly materialistic but I have no doubt that those who know me well can read me when I'm saying thank you for a gift but thinking "Yikes, what will I do with this".

You're coming off much worse than her tbh OP.

And hard agree on us all being perfect parents before we have children.

its a bit insane that you’re hung up on the way she said thankyou…she was hardly being bratty.

i enjoy expensive things and a small but ‘expensive’ brand token gift like a nail polish etc from a ‘higher class’ brand i’d prefer over a bigger present from a cheaper brand imho.

I started Christmas shopping early ( October) and found out that my 3 DGS needed new iPads as theirs are older models that aren't meeting their needs ( nor will in the future) they are twin boys of nearly 7 and older nearly 9. So I saved and bought in Black Friday sale ( cheaper end iPads) I also gave them a selection box each which I gave first and waited for their disappointment when opening the joke rebounded on me because they unwrapped and were really excited to get the chocolate and showed no disappointment at all. It was heartwarming that they were so happy and of course when they then were presented with the iPads were totally over the moon ❤️ I'm so glad they they are being brought up to appreciate gifts no matter how big or small. At 14 she should receive with good grace and understand the feelings of the giver when they act so obviously disappointed.

If you want pure, unalloyed joy from a teen gift recipient, put a banknote in a greetings card.

You do realise that this make up skin care isn’t safe for children’s skin? All the peptides and retinol etc, you really shouldn’t be allowing this stuff to be used on her

I learned this from one of the make up specialists quite recently, I was shocked. I’d urge you to do some homework to check this out

I know some people who work in high end makeup retail who won’t sell this stuff to children because of the chemical compositions used.

It isnt only the way she said thank you. She opened it, gave a fake thanks and left it on the side like she couldnt have cared less.

Are you sure you didn't subconsciously buy her Boots make up to make a point?

You've made it clear her parents have brought her up to have a certain level of expectation for designers clothes and make up etc. What did you think her reaction would be to some Boots make up?

Yes it was lovely for you to buy her a gift but, as PP said, surely you knew it would be an own goal given how she is being raised.

This. It always makes me wonder what happens to these teens who are so indulged that they will only accept luxury products, when they move out and enter the real world. Many young adults find the actual cost of living a huge shock once they have to pay their own bills. I imagine a good few find that they can no longer afford high end brands and 5 star Holidays which must be a huge shock to the system

Shoud have got her one of TheseThere's ususally something on a designer site that's fairly affordable but still lovable. Boots is a bit meh.

It comes across like im setting her up for a fall? WHy and how?

She expected Armani make up and i got her Boots items.
She once asked me to buy her a Chanel perfume

you list many many ways in which your niece is spoilt, entitled and a terrible person (in your opinion). You list ways in which her parents are. Yet you buy her a cheap palette. Thats why it looks like you're setting her up. Someone who expects Armani and asks for Chanel does not want a James Charles palette.

Apologies, I read your OP wrong. I really would just take a step back. My BIL and SIL are very like this as well. They are not bad people but the constant bragging and competing over who owns what and how much it cost, is tedious. They live in a different country, though, so it is much easier for me to be polite and cordial. I keep myself busy when they visit my DH!

In my defense i thought it would have been receievd better as for the last few years we have all agreed not to exchange presents due to DH losing job and cost of living. I didnt have to gift anything at all but i did because i know she loves makeup

I can't stand this and I'm pleased my DDs have managed to fake complete joy over crap presents. Prob too much so to be honest.

God you sound horrible. Bitter and snarky and judgmental about a little girl, just because you obviously hate her parents' guts and are jealous of what they have.

@BrandySnaps1 I'd avoid him and if he ever forced his opinion on me I'd say very condescendingly that his opinions are worthless or just laugh at him and say 'really?'. He sounds like he has banker syndrome....

She’s the product of her upbringing. The Boots palette was never a good gift considering that she probably uses high end designer like Dior at home. If you don’t want to spend high end prices then stick some cash in a card so she can buy something that she wants. I guarantee that she will see this much better than a gift selected by you and it will be no hassle for you too.

we live in differnet london boroughs which is equivalent to chalk and cheese. SIL isnt too much of a problem, its BIL. SIL is also completely controlled by him as she is a SAHM and relies on him financially.

and when she isnt relying on BIL, she is constantly calling my DH (her brother) to help her with any old problem she comes across. Maybe this goes deeper than the lack of gratitude for the present!😂

Yes, this.