Agreed not to exchange gifts but ...

[CookingTheGoose]

Just a bit of a dilemma. My sister is quite hard-up at the moment for various reasons and counting the pennies. She has a perception that I'm rolling in it - I'm not by any means but I'm more comfortable than she is. We agreed not to exchange gifts this Christmas, but I'd like to put a token £20 in her card so she and her OH can have a festive drink at the pub or whatever. They've had some health troubles and I'd just like to do something nice for her - but I'm not sure if this will create awkwardness. The card will be posted as we don't live nearby. For context, I had a big birthday earlier in the year and she got me a lovely gift. Any opinions gratefully received.

Do it - write it's your round in the card. It's a nice gesture.

I’d do it, and write something like ‘I know we agreed no gifts, but I want to buy you both a drink at Christmas time as I won’t be there to have a drink with you in person this year, so have a babycham/vodka/shandy etc on me’.

Thank you both for replying - I'll do that

Yes do it, a more distant relative did a similar thing for me one Xmas when I was hard up and I nearly cried with gratitude.