DSis is skimping on Christmas because she’s obsessed with her Skye trip?

[LydiaRidesAgain]

DSis has announced on the family chat that she’s doing a smaller Christmas this year so she and BIL can save for their big Isle of Skye holiday next summer.
Fine in theory, except last year she happily accepted the tasteful and expensive pile of gifts I bought for them both, and now I am apparently only getting a little token.

DM has already chimed in with something about memories meaning more than materialistic things which pissed me off.

AIBU to think she can save for her holiday without cheaping out on me and the rest of the family?????

How many years notice did you want?

Right. I’ll leave you all to your moral Olympics. I posted about Christmas, not the fall of civilisation. I’m off to wrap my materialistic gifts. Bye.

Oh and Happy Holidays etc!!

Did you already get her presents? If so, split them for birthday/next year. It’s cheeky, imo, to tell someone they’re prioritising something else and not Christmas this late in the day. Some people are very organised/spread the cost of Christmas over the year.

Last year shouldn’t even factor in here, she’s respectfully given you all notice so that you can adjust your spend in kind. If you feel like gift values have to be equivalent, then just don’t buy her expensive gifts this year, it’s really not a big deal. Prioritising a big holiday and spending quality time with her husband is a really reasonable thing to cut back spend for.

Flounce.
💃

Can you not return her presents? Or gift to other people?

I’m guessing the truth of it is the op doesn’t spend any where near what her sister does, and that’s why she’s pissed off, she’s not going to be getting good stuff this year.

For the last 7 years or so we've always made Christmas hampers for our children.

I collect stuff from October onwards buying BOGOF offers or buy 3 for the price of 2. This year I've bought for each of them an 'Options' instant hot chocolate drink (1/2 price in Tesco), mini marshmallows, nice chutney & jam from local farm shop (3 for 2), nice biscuits from same farm shop (again 3 for 2), bags of foil coins (for children), envelopes with a card & £10 with children's names on them, some Yankee candles (packs of 3 votive candles for less than £10 on special offer in Boots ATM) bottle of Baileys (again currently 1/2 price in Tesco), bottle of wine & a photo of them in a nice frame. I also included some lavender bags made with lavender grown in our garden & a bag of dog or cat treats for those who have those pets. I probably spend about £50 per hamper (not including the £10 for the kids)

edited for grammar

Your mum is right - memories and experiences are much better than a gift

For years now adult presents have all been experience based either vouchers for the person to use in their own time, tickets for an event the next year or tickets/trip in December

Much more appreciated in our family than a gift that will likely end up in a drawer

Your mum is right - memories and experiences are much better than a gift

For years now adult presents have all been experience based either vouchers for the person to use in their own time, tickets for an event the next year or tickets/trip in December

Much more appreciated in our family than a gift that will likely end up in a drawer

Your defo jealous.

I'd rather spend money on experiences than gifts so I agree with your sister and would see it as an opportunity to spend money on experiences for my own family. Memories last for ever.

So you’ve bought them already? You can’t blame your sister for not giving enough time if you’ve done your shopping (for adults) by 11th November.

No point posting on AIBU if you don't accept the answers you get.

You do realise you posted on AIBU not Chat? Or did you just expect everyone to agree with you?

This is such a tasteless post, it sounds really grabby OP.
Would you honestly expect your family to not be able to afford their family holiday because they are obliged to buy you expensive gifts?
They are obviously struggling for cash as these things are not easy to broach.

Why not just treat yourself if you can afford it?

I buy muliple things for my sister and LOADS for her kids
She hasnt got much money
She doesnt buy me a present
I dont care - I enjoy watching others open their gifts
Thats the joy of Christmas for me

I totally agree.

We stopped buying for adult siblings a few years ago and instead spend a little more on nieces and nephews. Adults earn their own money so can buy what they want when they want-including holidays.

You're owned absolutely nothing and you sound like a CF !! I buy gifts that can be expensive because I like to spoil those I love not for what I can get out of it , it makes me happy to see them appreciate what I've bought .
My advice get a grip you entitled tw@

Not his loaf you wouldnt🤣

Precisely because it takes time and money and shows theyve used some of their hard earned cash on you. Id rather have a proper present than a few spoonfuls out of a sloppy pan of jam. Thats such a cop out

Well the adults in my family all happily agreed to stop buying each other presents. If we go round to each other’s houses during the festive season then we’ll take some drink or food as a goodwill gesture. I personally prefer to do that. We were all on the same page, so I think if one of us had kicked back and protested, wanting expensive gifts, then they would have been outvoted. I buy for my adult kids but not for siblings/in-laws. Parents are no more.

‘Proper’ present?

Yeah. Proper present. I can make jam in my sleep.