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Original poster

Is it just me ..... or can I rant about my MIL

15 replies

mosschops30 · 13/06/2006 20:05

Honest opinions wanted please!

dd is taking her first holy communion on sunday and ds is being baptised. MIL and FIL have said they are buying premium bonds, which strikes me as an odd choice but thats not my problem. She has said she had to buy £100 each which is more than they wanted to pay, so therefore she will not be buying dd a birthday present at the end of June ...WTF!!!

Now looking at it from a 10 year olds point of view I would much rather have a £5 pair of sunnies than £100 premium bonds.

I just think its a bit tight, i would rather them have bought small meaningful presents and dd to have a small birthday present, what do you think?

OP posts:
006 · 13/06/2006 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsbang · 13/06/2006 20:09

Think it's quite a thoughtful long-term pressie tbh.

But feel free to rant, lol.

pinkranger · 13/06/2006 20:09

have to agree with you to , at ten years old that WANT presents!!

quanglewangle · 13/06/2006 20:14

I agree. If they can afford £100 each they can afford £105.

And if they can't they should keep quiet about it and cough up anyway.

I hate it when people play lord/lady bountiful and then make sure you know about it.

nannyme · 13/06/2006 20:14

I think present giving is done for the joy of giving and receiving so in my book if a present takes me over budget then I don't buy it. Seems weird to buy something out of budget and then compensate by not getting a b/day pressie.

Why are they doing the whole gift thing otherwise - doesn't seem like it is for the giving/receiving thing more like they have an idea in their heads and have gotten the reasons behind it?

Caligula · 13/06/2006 20:28

Bizarre. Surely they should just buy £100 worth between the two of them? Why not suggest that? And then they'd have a tenner each to spend on birthday presents, and still be £30 in profit...

Caligula · 13/06/2006 20:30

I wouldn't like the idea of my children having separate premium bonds anyway. Imagine if one of them won a million pounds which had to be kept in trust until they're 18, and the other didn't?

Original poster
mosschops30 · 13/06/2006 21:00

well i had a little moan to dh but he just said 'well thats what they're doing' dont think hes over the moon either but would never say.

I'm so not bothered about the money, i would rather them have bought a bible and a beatrix potter bowl and been able to buy dd a pressie for her birthday.

Ha, I say able, they live in a 5 bedroomed mansion, mil never worked, didnt need to and they drive a merc Angry

OP posts:
sparklemagic · 13/06/2006 21:01

I would strongly suggest to them that they buy £100 PB's jointly; say that you couldn't bear it if one child won a sum and not the other, so you'd rather they shared the bonds.

This then leaves them well in pocket to buy a birthday present.

Personally I could not think the way they are; yes a PB each is generous but I could not in a million years see any grandchild of mine on their birthday and not give them a present.

financiallyembarrassed · 13/06/2006 22:47

Still remember when I was 5 and my Dparents told me I wouldn't be getting an easter egg as we were going to Italy and that had spent all the money Sad.... Italy was great but little girls like their trinkets. BTW, am 36 now and it's still a clear memory.

I agree that the joint present and then separate smaller presents would be the way forward.

frogs · 13/06/2006 22:50

Do you think they have an issue with the Catholic side of things? That's certainly the case with my MIL, and we've had a few, ahem, moments over the years on the subject.

LeahE · 13/06/2006 22:51

I don't think you can give PBs jointly, but agree that their plan is loopy.

TinyGang · 13/06/2006 22:54

It is a bit strange - how on earth can a little girl get much joy from a premium bond? I suppose it might win, but it's not got a lot of 'wow' factor as a birthday present at that age. Mind you, you can cash them in.....why not cash in a tenner and let her spend it on some little treasures. Who needs to know?Wink

mazzystar · 13/06/2006 22:57

can you not just have a quiet word and remind them that your dd might not understand?

how old is your DS? would it matter if they did not get first communion/baptism presents, but had the PBs for their birthdays instead?

(btw i was given pbs as a child and won £25k when i was 17)

Original poster
mosschops30 · 14/06/2006 09:21

dont think I can have a word with them without it causing a problem, where dh's parents are concerned we are supposed to be eternally grateful for anything.

Poles apart is my mum (bless her) who when I told her about the baptism/fhc asked if we needed help to pay for the room hire/buffet/outfits etc.

I think the catholic thing is an issue, mil was bought up strict catholic and shunned it in adulthood. The grandparents hate catholics, and we have invited family members who mil is not speaking to.

Dont you just love family get togethers Grin

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