Reply With QuoteYour Nana sounds like the pin up girl for Christmas Spirit this year!!!
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We're doing that with DHs side. Much easier!!
Why can't everyone be like my Nan?? She sent up some presents for us then she rang and said 'Now don't you dare buy me a present, you have a baby on the way so don't waste your money on me I don't need anything I just bought you something because I enjoy it'. She's the best.
Your Nana sounds like the pin up girl for Christmas Spirit this year!!!
Lucy in the sky with diamonds.
How did that NOT rub onto your mum??
BellyBelly Life Subscriber
We may as well all stand in a room and swap $50 notes!!Hahahahaha!
Sucks to have to deal with demanding people hey Sara. I agree that food/hamper thingys are great for people you're not overly fond of (if you've ever received a hamper from me, don't take that the wrong way!!).
Have you decided what to get her? What did she originally want? Perhaps we can help you decide what to get her.
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Lulu- I have no idea what planet she came from. I am more like my Nan.
Nelle- Well I think I've decided to go with the photo idea. Only costs like 50c or something to get a photo printed then I can get a cheap frame from crazy clarks or something, lol. I want to spend as little money as possible on her now because she's so annoying!!
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Just wanted to drop off a
MIL walked up to me about a month ago and handed me a phote and said "get us this for Xmas" it was a $99 Rocket Blender.,,,, Um hello we have 4 kids.. I don't even spend that much on them.. I found the same thing different brand for $40so yeh she will get it and no doubt complain it wasn't the right brand..
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It is hard sometimes I agree. We don't have much money, but we have enough. We also have a budget and we stick to it... sometimes it takes a lot of thought to come up with something that they will enjoy but that also fits the budget. For us, Christmas is all about an expression of love and so the gift giving is just an extension of that (mind you, some of the gifts cost $0).
Even if you plan not to give physical gifts, perhaps there's some other way of expressing love and value to your family? Maybe take the time to sit down and write a letter mentioning all the things you appreciate about them, and their characteristics that you admire (leave out those less admirable)
And I don't think you should be thought any less of (by your relatives) if you have a year where you can't afford to give physical gifts... afterall, the reason behind giving is not so you can get something in return.
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Isn't christmas supposed to be about the kids, family, and appreciating each other and not the $$$$.
My DH and I buy little something to wrap for under the tree for the kids sake - things I would normally buy though - this year he "bought" me a 2009 calendar, a mini massager thingy and I "bought" him a new hubcap for the other car and some new cables he needed .... again, it is for the kids really cos they get excited when we give each other gifts too ...
Only 3 sleeps ...
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i'm a gift giver - i will find something that is appropriate (cost doesnt' really factor into it as i tend to shop all year, and never pay full price) - i don't go "commercial" - i get something i know the other person will appreciate. my brother is forever saying not to spend money as they can't afford it, and i'm forever saying it's not about the value it's about the thought - i have a DH that lives away, earns ok money - but he's not here so when i need someone to help, my bro jumps to my rescue. Christmas is the one time he has no choice but to accept some sort of thankyou as it's under the tree!
having said that - i've worked all of my adult life - next year, i'll be a SAHM - so money situation will be a bit different - and we'll have to do things differently. we don't expect anything, and if we're asked what we need, we give a list of things that suit all budgets (and by all budgets, i'm talking pretty much zero dollars cos i have said forever i'd prefer a pic of my bro's kids than anything else!) i think it's really rude of anyone to say "get me this" or to say "i want this" and give a brand of product - annoys me no end. my parents will suggest something they're thinking of getting us (this year it was a double deep fryer - wtf???), and if it's something we can't use, we'll find something in a similar price range and suggest it in conversation. i'd prefer to give them ideas (within a budget THEY set) than to get something we won't use (like the hotdog station thingy we got for our wedding - which is still in the box and when it gets unpacked from the storage room, will go to charity - i'm sure SOMEONE can use it!)
BellyBelly Member
BG, A double deep frier & a hotdog station?? Do you parents think you are planning to run a sideshow at the next carnival?
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OMG BG I love those one use gadgets LOL DH hates them!!! My BIL loves them too so I get them for him.
I love christmas, I love buying for my family (even though we haven't got much money) I always over spend but then again all my family ILs included expect nothing and are such beautiful people that I like doing it.
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NFI FJ! drives me nuts. because DH had ONE hotdog one day, she assumed we needed a stupid hot dog machine - and because SHE lives on crap, she assumed that my bro and I would want to have deep fryers. it's just gross - they stink, they encourage you to be unhealthy - blurgh!
BG, A double deep frier & a hotdog station?? Do you parents think you are planning to run a sideshow at the next carnival?
i'm being a bit "pointed" this year - getting them a picnic rug to encourage them out of the house occassionally! what a biatch!
BellyBelly Member
LOL good on you!
DH bus me appliences like that though I must admit.
He bought me a deep frier one year. I also have a veg steamer (at least thats healthy) Im sure they ain't the only things like that he has got me. I hate it. If I want something for the kitchen I will go & buy it. If im going to get a present I would prefer it to me something I would like. Not something I can use in the kitchen KWIM... That sounds ungrateful I know LOL
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with my family, i'm happy to get kitchen stuff - if it's appropriate (cos DH and I will buy ourselves what we want during the year with no fear of double ups) - last year we got a slow cooker which we use heaps!
we've decided to do secret santa/KK next year with the adults in the family (there are only four kids, so no biggie there) - it should be a lot easier - esp seeing there are only 7 of us.
SJ - go the photo option - that's the one thing my parents (well my mum) has said she is happy with every year - and next year you can do the photos of bub thing! it's an ongoing thing - each year you can just update photos...
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Ooohh good point, from now on I will always have good photos for presents!! lol, this bub is definately coming in handy haha.
I am going to do the photo thing coz it's cheap. But I am pee'd off b/c my mum hasn't even ordered or put up any of her own wedding photos from our wedding which was 3 years ago!! All my other family members ordered theirs. So I feel like I shouldn't be giving her one b/c she obviously doesn't care enough to get some. Or then again it could be making a statement like I have noticed she still doesn't have any after 3 years so here's one!!! hmm.... lol
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i'd go the statement - and do it very sarcastically! but that's just me! i've made a point of having a go about the same thing with my olds - mum has a poster size framed pic of bro and sil from their wedding, and a professional portrait of their first two kids same size. nothing from my wedding except some pics of bro's kids and things that we've given her - and she still hasn't gotten an updated picture of bro's kids - their third is now four!
i've volunteered to "take on" responsibility of getting the present for my intellectually disabled aunt in our SS next year to start it off - half way through the year she gets another great niece or nephew, so i'll be making a photo calendar with all four kids (sil and i will work together - think SIL will take on Mum for SS seeing we're organising it!) - each month their will be a different kidlet - and around special months we'll do group shots (like a Christmassy one of all four, maybe something for easter...)
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You don't have to buy anyone presents. People shouldn't give presents to recieve presents
Do what I used to do to those who expected things... give a small gift under the Kmart wishing tree, and give them the thank you card
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It's never too late for Oxfam unwrapped. They will email you the card
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