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?

Not cutla, it's cupla , as in "couple". Where was (sic) you lot brung up ?

Oh, come on. If this is real, please don't teach your child this entitled attitude. Neither you nor your son is owed anything whatsoever by your friend and she isn't being cheeky in the slightest.

Can think of a cutla things better to do with my time (although have been sounding out cuppla verses cutla under my breath for the last ten minutes it’s almost become an ear worm!)

This isn't remotely convincing.

Surely it’s just basic decency to reciprocate roughly what someone else spends?

Yes and she's telling you what the budget is this year to avoid an embarrassing situation where she spends considerably less than you.

I have no idea what 'a cutla quid' actually means though, so maybe agree a max £5 budget for the avoidance of doubt?

Are you new here? 😂

Your friend is avoiding an awkward situation over presents when her finances do not stretch as far as yours/she has priorities other than your children.

YABU.

Just buy 'em a book and be done.

You're not being unreasonable to match what she's doing but yabu to be annoyed at it, your son is not her child or even a relative of hers. She's not obliged to get your child anything.

Please don't make cutla a thing

I've never bought presents for my friend's children at Christmas. You must be made of money if you're spending that much on children outside your family

No, we don’t!

I do ☹️

You gave her kid an explosive device full of slime and glitter. You're lucky she isn't sending you Anthrax...

This, 100%

How dare she priorise her family holiday over your child's excesses....

She is telling you because she is placing a financial limit on things. That's fair. It would be different if she didn't tell you and didn't care. The right thing to do is reciprocate and be respectful. She may also want to bow out of an annual exchange and i think this is also fair. I think you should ask her if she would rather do this instead of getting all huffy with her. YABU

Yes. Cutla?

Not cheeky at all, very sensible in fact. Spend a couple of quid on friends son/daughter and use the £20 you’d have normally spent and buy your own daughter/son something. It’s not that deep.

Nobody says that but surely if anything it should be cupla?

As soon as I opened this I knew it wouldnt go well.
OP, you're being a CF 🤣🤣

Just tell her not to do kids gifts this year, there’s no need of people are trying to cut back. Or match what she’s doing and buy something cheap.

She’s telling you, so that you can spend similar on her kid. Also, dont say ‘cutla’. Also, don’t buy for friends’ kids.

It's good that she told you now, rather than after they'd both opened their presents!

Surely the answer is, "no problem, we'll agree a spending limit of £5"

OP is clearly just jealous she doesn’t have any jollies in a beige lodge with a swimming pool booked in

Surely it would be 'cuppla' if you had to say it that way.

Everything about this seems trashy, I have second hand embarrassment for you.

Save your money and spend it on your own kids, you don’t need your friends to get your kids anything. If she asks where his gift is, just say you thought there was agreement to cut back this year.