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?????

FFS what else can she do but accept the gifts you give her? It’s in you if you went OTT.
She knows she can’t compete with your expensive, tasteful gifts so is letting you know now.

What would you have done if she hadn't accepted your big pile of "tasteful and expensive presents"? Could she have refused them without causing offence?

Regardless, that's last year. The only response now is "great shall we just buy for kids this year?"

Just don’t do gifts with your sister🤷‍♀️?…..we never buy siblings presents …ever…still see them over christmas

I hope she has an amazing time!!!

Buy her a bottle of smidge and a midges head net and your sorted!

It's fine for her to change to smaller Christmas presents you don't need a big pile of presents from your sister your a grown adult if you want something save up and get it.

That sounds fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️ By the way everyone is currently whinging about cost of living and how miserable life in the UK, we should all be spending less on junk at Christmas.

selected not unreasonable in error - definitely meant being unreasonable !!!

I'd guess that there weren't many hits among the "tasteful and expensive presents". It's hard to get gifts for adults right and IME, unless it's something very specific that you know the recipient wants, tasteful will often mean clutter I don't want or need.

Just be glad not to have to do it any more.

Put some money inside a card for their holiday! All sorted! Simple and easy.
She has told you well ahead of time, so it is not like you bought her a £500 gilft and got a £2 card only, which may sting a bit.

I’m simply pointing out that DSis set a precedent.

What precedent?!

If she wants a low key Christmas, that's fine-it's not for another 7 weeks! Just return what you've bought or give it to someone else!

Buy her an umbrella, she’ll need it on Skye. If you’ve already done your shopping will the gifts not suit someone else? I can’t see the drama to be honest she’s letting everyone know in advance.

As others have said this is the second thread about friends or family wanting to spend less on gifts, and I can only see that as a good thing. It's your presence that matters OP, not your presents!

You have 45 days. How much notice do you need? Six months? A year? Two years ago last Tuesday?

How early do you buy Xmas gifts?

Fine in theory, except last year she happily accepted the tasteful and expensive pile of gifts I bought for them both

That was last year, though. Presumably, last year they spent more money.

This year, you don't have to get them "a tasteful and expensive pile of gifts" because this year they'd rather not spunk a load of money on shit nobody needs.

If you've already bought them expensive stuff for this year, either return it or give it to someone else.

You're being utterly ridiculous.

Can you just ask her what the budget is and match it - and then use what is left from what you usually spend to get some extra bits for you and your family ?

The general principle isn’t cheeky - it’s just pants saying it now so near to Christmas when you may have bought presents already.

This suggestion is way too sensible and straightforward for MN! 😁

It should be 'March round her house and ask how bloody dare she try and save money?'

You bought her exploding glitter, didn't you?

Yes, I'm struggling with the idea of "big Isle of Skye holiday" it's hardly Vegas.

(I'm biased because some of the most miserable hours/days of my life have been spent on Skye).

Entitled and materialistic come to mind.

Why? Surely 6+ weeks notice is plenty?

You sound rather grabby.

Last year is last year. This year is this year. She’s setting an expectation of a small budget for presents, so you won’t need to get anything expensive for her, just as she won’t be doing for you. It’s fine.

Op bought all her tasteful and expensive gifts in last year's clearance sales 😄

I thought the same thing. Same person trolling I reckon. 😂

Good for her. She'd rather spend her savings on a holiday, why not?! She's given you a month's notice, that's perfectly fine. If you've bought her anything then return it. I'd buy a tub of quality street for them. Count yourself lucky to start dialing it down with the gifts.