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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it bad form to bitch about Christmas presents?

157 replies

WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 12:50

Only my brother and his wife got all the DCs in the family one of these each for Christmas. Pink versions for the girls.

I was annoyed as they showed such little thought for the individuals, their ages etc. They've got pots of money too so it's not like they couldn't afford a nice book or something.

Imagine DS's face when he opened a freaking blanket up. MIL has one very similar for her dog.

I don't care how much a gift costs but don't get crap like this, please. It just shows you don't actually give a shit.

AIBU?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 01/01/2009 13:20

Er, I think you've implied fairly well that you're not happy with the replies.

SteamingRightNow · 01/01/2009 13:20

I dont think YABU as you are saying its not about the money, its about the thought (or lack of) thats the problem.

I have exactly the same with my DB and DSIL, every year we all get the same gifts with no thought about what we like / dislike.

Some of you are saying she should be grateful as at least she bought a gift, but i disagree. Surely its the THOUGHT that counts, and clearly here, there was no thought?

wheresthehamster · 01/01/2009 13:21

We as a family prefer surprises. If someone has to ask me 20 questions about what my dds want/like I may as well go and get it myself. You see, we are all different.

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 13:21

Oh FFS.

You asked if you were being unreasonable, the general consensus was that you are. You might disagree, but still the general consensus is that you are unreasonable.

YOU were the one that made this about money (or a lack thereof) by posting the link to the item including the price and bleating on about how they are 'loaded'. There was no need to mention that had it not been about money.

Personally, my SIL bought me a small country for my Christmas.

What do your children think of their gifts??

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:21

Not being pleasant about gifts doesn't justify unpleasantness between posters, SD.

OP posts:
bronze · 01/01/2009 13:22

Do you know every single fact about their lives? I doubt it in which case you probably don't know what might have prevented them from buying each child something individual. I know a fews years back I had just had a mc and really didn't have the energy or inclination to go shopping for other peoples children. I did online shopping and dcs of a similar age got a similar present. Including my own.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:22

LOL @ small country for Christmas

MadamAntlers · 01/01/2009 13:23

LOL at Soupies utterly sane and sensible opinion being the result of a hangover.

You are rude and ungrateful. Why post in AIBU if you don't want honest answers?

chequersandroastedchestnuts · 01/01/2009 13:23

I knew you'd get flamed for this but I see your point. It's not about the cost, it's the thought that counts and no thought has gone into those gifts.

You can still be creative in a budget - DH's aunt and cousins gave us a big glass jar with all the ingredients to make a cake, it has a wooden spoon and the recipe attached. I think it's a fab present, lots of care and effort went into it.

So, I think YANBU in that if they were going to bother with presents they could have tried a bit harder.

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:24

no MA - I want them (the blankets) if the OP doesn't - my DS's would love them

ForeverOptimistic · 01/01/2009 13:24

No one is being unpleasant, it appears that we are all a little more laid back when it comes to presents thats all!

ThePregnantHedgeWitch · 01/01/2009 13:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:25

Great gift, Chequers. Really thoughtful and imaginative and doesn't have to cost a lot at all.

Perhaps I'll give my nephew and niece a blanket each next year.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:26

how do you know that "no thought" has gone into the gifts?

It's predicted to be a bloody cold January, fleecy blankets are fabulous not just for keeping warm at night, but playing with on the floor during the day, snuggling up on the sofa with when they're not well (too ill to be up and about, but not wanting to be in bed).

chequersandroastedchestnuts · 01/01/2009 13:26

What did they get your DC last year WW?

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:28

Nothing. We weren't all together last year which is unusual. I sent their kids gifts before you ask!

OP posts:
chequersandroastedchestnuts · 01/01/2009 13:29

They sound a bit crap. Do you normally get on?

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 13:29

WW I think you must have missed my posts where I asked what your children thought of their gifts?

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:30

Oh sorry about that. Nothing much as they've got several blankets already. The book they each got from my mum they loved.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:30

I'm wondering how the OP knows they're loaded and have lots of money to spend at Christmas...

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:30

and don't they already have lots of books too???

hercules1 · 01/01/2009 13:32

Lots of children get blankets as gifts. It would be odd if that was their main present from their parents but I expect most kids get a lot of plastic tat they are happy with as well as blankets.

You may not agree with blankets as presents but that doesnt mean they put no thought into the presents - they just have different ideas that's all.

TheFallenMadonna · 01/01/2009 13:34

It is bad form. So I am not bitching about the packet of paper napkins PIL gave me for my birthday the other day

Actually, I think you sound very ungrateful. And slightly precious with your talk of nice books. I hope despite his obvious disappointment your DS was suitably polite.

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:34

But each book is different, right? Different stories? This is getting silly now.

Erm, take it from me, they have time and money. I don't care if a gift costs 50p. It's the constant two fingers of not bothering that pisses the whole family off.

OP posts:
Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:35

So talking about a nice book is precious now? Do what?

OP posts: