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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:
andaSOLOnewyear · 01/01/2009 23:57

Seeker do you have CAT?

seeker · 01/01/2009 23:57

Yes

andaSOLOnewyear · 01/01/2009 23:59

Can you cat me I will give you a couple of tips if you promise not to sell yours

moondog · 02/01/2009 00:00

You are barking WW.[ grin]
Send one my way.I have a dd whose name is 'star' (in Welsh). I would have snapped one up for her.

Ashantai · 02/01/2009 00:54

My kids got fleecy blankets last year, well not last year, the year before, oh you know what i mean! They are the only presents that were used all of last year and they are currently on their ds's playing and snuggled up under them

sandcastles · 02/01/2009 01:42

Oh well....my family [mum, dad, 3 sisters & a bother] got me & my dcs fuck all...just like every year! Just like their birthdays & the day dd2 was born, absolutley fuck all!

Not even a card....

And what has the fact that they have 'pots of money' got to do with anything?

sandcastles · 02/01/2009 01:43

Sorry...4 sisters!

Peridot30 · 02/01/2009 01:54

ITs a pressie just be grateful!!!!!!

S1ur · 02/01/2009 01:56

my boss bought me a dictionary (so big it's in 2 parts). should i be offended?

zazen · 02/01/2009 02:02

Why don't you make them into tents - hang the blankies over the chairs and have a little peace and quiet? My DD loves her 'tent' , she stays in there for hours talking to her loveies

Or you could teach your kids how to make bags and hats, loo roll covers and suchlike with them, and give them as presents to you know who for next year!

andaSOLOnewyear · 02/01/2009 02:10

Lol! @ zazen!

nappyaddict · 02/01/2009 02:16

YABU - All the children I know love having their own special blankets to snuggle under before they go to bed, first thing in the morning, when they are ill etc.

kif · 02/01/2009 06:10

yabu

MerryMadMarg · 02/01/2009 08:42

What's wrong with practical presents? Don't kids get enough toys anyway? I think you're teaching your children some odd values if they don't appreciate practical gifts. Granted it would be different if that is ALL they received, but surely you buy them plenty of toys?

I just can't see the problem with blankets as a present, but then again, I come from such a large family and so does my DH that we only buy for our immediate family, ie us and our DS, and buy for anyone we are spending Christmas with, and all the others do the same.

Between myself and my DH we have over 40 nephews and nieces - NO WAY am I going to buy them all presents - nor do I expect them to buy for us. If we are together for Christmas, then that is different.

kslatts · 02/01/2009 08:54

I think YABU.

Your brother and his wife may of thought the dcs in the family would have plenty of toys and that they wanted to get something practical. My dd's would of been very happy with these.

ItsGrimUpNorth · 03/01/2009 21:02

Crap gift to get kids if you ask me. My DCs wouldn't be into them at all. Some would and some wouldn't.

I reckon if you are part of a family that gives gifts, a bit of effort should be made and the OP says that all the kids got the same thing. Great.

My sister is the same - gives gifts to all the DCs in the family that she obviously gave no thought to and then distributes lists of presents for her DCs that are expensive!

Must be more to this than just one blanket, surely. But you'd've thought the OP was bombing Gaza herself the way you lot attack.

MsG · 03/01/2009 21:14

I'm quite shocked at some of the responses the OP has got too!

I think the point is, some people clearly think a blanket is a lovely present whilst others don't. I think there is more to it than this one thing, too.

I think stewing over it is a waste of energy but I can understand it, though, if you feel that no thought has gone into it. It's about how you see it, I guess.

xx

MilkMonitor · 03/01/2009 21:27

Nice gift for a baby but not for a kid over 2, I think.

My family all really make an effort with presents at Christmas as we all see each other and it's just what we do. It would be a bit hurtful if someone didn't bother or thought one gift fitted all, IFYSWIM.

Weird attacks on the OP!

flaminhell · 03/01/2009 21:28

Oh well, they are loaded, this entitles you to anything you want!

A good pressie, my 2 have blankets they cart up and down stairs when they fancy a snuggle.

And just to add, how the hell do you know how much money they have, seen their account have you, and even if they have more money than God so what, its not yours to spend, YABU.

ItsGrimUpNorth · 03/01/2009 21:30
Hmm
FairLadyRantALot · 03/01/2009 21:32

hmmm....it is definitely bad form to bitch about presents....well, in my opinion anyway....

ItsGrimUpNorth · 03/01/2009 21:35

Nah, I've had so many baaaaaad presents in my time, I laugh about them, bitch about them, whatever! It's not really the crime of the century. Apart from on Mumsnet of course!

Miyazaki · 03/01/2009 22:07

Once for Christmas I got a size 20 petticoat from a boyfriend's mother. I was 18. I was teeny tiny sized and I never ever wore skirts.

You can believe I bitched that one up a storm.

MilkMonitor · 03/01/2009 22:08

How dare you be so rude? You should be grateful you even crossed their mind at Christmas time.

Miyazaki · 03/01/2009 22:12

I know that now thanks to the MN jury.

Wish that you could get the rest of my family to abide by said judgement tho, it would be quite restful to be able to buy them all the same thing regardless of age or interest.