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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:
hercules1 · 01/01/2009 13:35

I hope they never read this thread.

MsSparkle · 01/01/2009 13:36

Can i ask how old the children are?

TheFallenMadonna · 01/01/2009 13:36

It's just a bit of a cliche.
Like wooden toys.

wheresthehamster · 01/01/2009 13:37

I think if they REALLY couldn't be bothered you would have got a) vouchers or b) money or c) nothing

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:37

Give me a cliche every time.

OP posts:
chequersandroastedchestnuts · 01/01/2009 13:37

I would back away now WW if I were you - you are never going to convince some people on here.

Happy new year to you and your family

Upwind · 01/01/2009 13:37

Yes it is bad form to bitch about those presents. You come across as grasping and petty.

Our DNs got rubbish presents this year. I am having a complicated pregnancy and have been at the hospital almost every day in the weeks leading up to Christmas. DH's job is on the line. Our family don't know this, largely because we don't want MIL worrying. We bought some fairly generic presents from Amazon that we hoped everyone would like.

You don't really know what is going on in your DB and SIL's lives. Few people buy a nice present like that with unkind intentions. So what if they got it wrong for your DS? You don't say how old he is but I observed that, even when opening wildly unsuitable presents, all the DC I spent Christmas with looked cheerful. Your DS must have picked up on your attitude.

NAB3lovelychildren · 01/01/2009 13:37

Why not suggest you don't buy gifts in future?

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 13:38

I wasn't in the room when he opened the presents actually. I was helping my mum clear up the buffet table. I only had a look at the gifts when the DCs were in bed. So no. DS who is 3, did not pick up on my attitude.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:39

indeed upwind - my DS1 even managed a broad grin when he opened the dinosaur "activity" pack - which is about 3yrs too "young" for him (he flew through the whole thing yesterday) and that was in private away from the giver.

piscesmoon · 01/01/2009 13:39

I think they were quite a nice present-if they got a good idea they might as well give it to everyone. It could have been a lot worse!

seeker · 01/01/2009 13:42

Am I the only person who thinks a lovely soft fleecy rug with stars on is a lovely present? And are my children the only ones who would agree? My dcs both have favourite rugs for cuddling up under in the car or on the sofa - they would be dellighted to get new ones! And I found lovely rainbow ones and gave them to several children one year - didn't cross my mind that it would be considered a crap present!

Now, the cheese markers I got......!

goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 01/01/2009 13:42

no seeker - you're not - I think they're lovely too.

MsSparkle · 01/01/2009 13:44

I get more annoyed when people buy my 2yr old dd chocolate. Not because i don't let her have chocolate, she has plenty, it's because she ends up with LOADS of chocolates and sweets. Far more than a 2yr old could eat. So i end up with mountains of the stuff for her, probably enough for her to have choclate/sweets everyday until Easter and i am not giving my 2yr old sweets everyday thank you.

So i would have been happier with blankets than with sweets and chocolate.

Thunderduck · 01/01/2009 13:47

YABVU.

KatieMorag · 01/01/2009 13:50

my kids woudl like them

purepurple · 01/01/2009 13:51

maybe they feel that your children have too much already or maybe they just think it's a bit er chilly in your house

llareggub · 01/01/2009 14:03

I think it is the sort of gift you by for all or for none. Anyway, I find it really hard to buy for children if I've no idea what they've got already.

Heated · 01/01/2009 14:07

when you think you've found a good present you send it to everyone you'd think would like it, no?

littlerach · 01/01/2009 14:10

Both dds had fleecy blankets form me and they loved them and have used them every day.

branflake81 · 01/01/2009 14:18

actually I considered getting some for my niece and nephew - practical, useful and will last for a few years rather than months. I think they're a good gift. YABU.

Clayhead · 01/01/2009 14:24

My ds (5) had a fleecy blanket for Christmas from his uncle and he loves it - he's put it on top of his duvet and made his bed every day since Christmas!!

boocha · 01/01/2009 14:36

yanbu, how tight is that?!Couldnt be bothered by the sound of it.

tattycoram · 01/01/2009 14:39

I understand the frustration when you feel that someone has put no effort into a present, or has just got it wrong. However, I think those blankets are quite nice and I don't think your brother was necessarily being thoughtless.

Fwiw my brother never sends cards for any of our birthdays, he just doesn't. Doesn't bother me a jot. That's just how it is.

naturalbornmum · 01/01/2009 14:48

YABU. I hate all this bollocks about how much people spend and to a certain extent what it is - it is the thought that counts. A blanket is far more useable that some of the toys that DC are given.