To think this was really cheeky of my friend!

[BreezyFish]

So my friend has just told me that she’s “only gonna spend a cutla quid” (her words, not mine ) on my DS this Christmas because she’s “saving for Center Parcs next year.”

Now, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but a cutla quid?? I actually thought she was joking at first. My DS is 7, not some random kid from school you pick up a selection box for. I always spend properly on her DD with last year it was a LEGO set, a book, and one of those slime-making kits that exploded glitter everywhere. Easily £25+.

So I said, “Oh right, just a couple of quid?” and she said, dead serious, “Yeah hun, can’t go mad this year, Center Parcs isn’t cheap.”

Sorry but since when did her holiday mean my son gets shortchanged?! It’s not my fault she wants to go be in a beige lodge with a swimming pool.

She’s now acting like I’m the unreasonable one for being “materialistic.” But surely it’s just basic decency to reciprocate roughly what someone else spends?

Would I be unreasonable to get her DD something from the pound shop this year and see how she likes it?

Well you never explained it despite us asking - so people kept asking and questioning it.

I've found many, many posts amusing on MN over the years.

Repeatedly using a made-up word is trying too hard so not remotely funny.

Cutla is the new code word when proving that you’re not a troll or AI.

This very much does sound like it’s been an unwelcome obligation for her. You meant to be nice, but clearly it’s not what she wanted. In future I hope you can see that your friendship is enough, you don’t have to buy people things.

What is 'a cutla'???

You’ve already been called out on ‘cutla.’ Can I just remind you that ‘hun’ is not a Mumsnet word and ‘babe’ is close behind.
Away to Netmums with you.

Just tell her that you won’t be doing presents anymore. It sounds like your DS never got anything worth having anyway. By no longer doing gifts she’ll have more money for her holiday and you can spend extra on your DS.

Genuinely thrilled that not one friend in my entire circle of friends ever entertained the whole the whole gifting each others kids anything.

The vast majority don't even do Christmas gifts, they do Kris kindle within their families for a decent amount, so one gift and done in the family, which eminently doable.

OP, matching your friends energy is a great lesson.
Someone is tight?, stick to paying for your own.

guys I already said I’ve told her we’re not doing presents!!!!

Thanks to you cutla is now in my vocabulary. Hopefully I'll get a cutla hours decent kip tonight.

Seriously though, I beg of you please tell me is cutla local dialect to you? Have you misheard cuppla? Was it a typo on the thread and you just ran with it?? I NEED TO KNOW DAMMIT.

Are you from down under? You should have thrown in a good twofer to really piss people off.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAustralian/comments/1cylmce/cutla_or_coupla/

Edit: all the comments says the reddit op is on drugs so there's another theory to apply here.

What have i just read? Your friend gives you plenty of warning that she is not going to spend as much this year, presumably so that you can spend less on her kid too so that it's all fair, but you seem to feel entitled to a present worth a certain amount. Do you even understand the concept of a gift? You sound entitled and grabby.

🤣

back off with the Christmas pressure. She values your friendship but not the added stress of Christmas spending.

I took heed of Martin Lewis years ago. Actually he stole so many of his ideas from what site members posted and now preaches as gospel

when it was us three girls and parents - that was the pressie circle. Then partners came on board ,but we were all young and starting out so a gadget or mugs or glasses were acceptable pressies. Then the children came along and the rules changed - grandkids/nieces and nephews only and our parents.

As a teen things were different , didn’t have bills and the mortgage so I did buy for friends

Now 60’s we buy for the one surviving parent , a small gift to each other and the grandchildren , and those now working don’t get as much - a token gift. The kids get a help out. I do buy for a couple of gfs , but just them , not partners or children

it’s nice feeling like lady bountiful. I remember winning £50 on the premium bonds back in ‘78 and I felt so good being able to buy pressies for everyone

You buy a bottle of wine for someone , they feel obliged to buy a bottle back. Only their budget may not stretch to wine this year so why put that obligation on them ? Buy your own bloody wine

Just spend £5 back, Christmas colouring book stickers and a small Lindt teddy, Job done. Don’t over think it. Although YANBU about your friend saying “cutla quid” lol.

I buy the Aldi version, and that's what caused the Easter argument. It tastes exactly the same