Well this takes the cake....I give up.

[dakcp2001]

Little background, DF was laid off in April right as I finished school. We relocated here for a job for me, and he recently started working. So we basically had no income for 6 months and had to live off savings and then credit cards and we are now paying both rent and a mortgage. Financially we are not in a great place right now but we are getting by, which we are greatful for. Darling SIL sent me an email today regarding the gifts we sent for Christmas to her kids. I just want to pull my hair out. We sent each child a $25 gift card to Toys R Us so they could choose their own toy. This sis complains each year no matter what we get her kids, but here is a bit of the email I got from her this am. I am really hurt & offended. Is $25 not enough? I dont even know how to respond, I dont think I am going to. What is the going rate for a gift card for a child that is under 8?

Quote from the email:

I wanted to thank you for the gift cards, but just wanted to let you know since you do not have any children you must be unaware that $25 is really not enough for a toy. Thank you for thinking of us, it really is the though that counts. They will be able to save them and put them toward something, we will cover the rest. Merry Christmas.

 

[NHdisneylover]

$25 is PLENTY. Even my almost 12 and 14 year olds could find something for that and fun things just get pricier as the get older. Off the top of my head I can think of many Lego, matchbox, Playmobile, etc sets come in under $25--as do lots of games, craft sets, half the Nerf guns, juggling sets, etc.
Not responding is the best--but I have to say I would be tempted to go online and send her links to 20 or so age appropriate toys that are under $25 each. Not another word--just that. She is a seriously ungracious person You poor thing having to put up with her.

 

[jen0610]

Little background, DF was laid off in April right as I finished school. We relocated here for a job for me, and he recently started working. So we basically had no income for 6 months and had to live off savings and then credit cards and we are now paying both rent and a mortgage. Financially we are not in a great place right now but we are getting by, which we are greatful for. Darling SIL sent me an email today regarding the gifts we sent for Christmas to her kids. I just want to pull my hair out. We sent each child a $25 gift card to Toys R Us so they could choose their own toy. This sis complains each year no matter what we get her kids, but here is a bit of the email I got from her this am. I am really hurt & offended. Is $25 not enough? I dont even know how to respond, I dont think I am going to. What is the going rate for a gift card for a child that is under 8?

Quote from the email:

I wanted to thank you for the gift cards, but just wanted to let you know since you do not have any children you must be unaware that $25 is really not enough for a toy. Thank you for thinking of us, it really is the though that counts. They will be able to save them and put them toward something, we will cover the rest. Merry Christmas.

She's a real piece of work. What you sent was more than enough for a child OF ANY AGE.

And I wouldn't respond to her e-mail and if she pushes the subject, let her know that if they are that ungrateful for what you could afford, next year you just won't bother. I'm just snarky enough to say it.

 

[jen0610]

$25 is PLENTY. Even my almost 12 and 14 year olds could find something for that and fun things just get pricier as the get older.
Not responding is the best--but I have to say I would be tempted to go online and send her links to 20 or so age appropriate toys that are under $25 each. Not another word--just that. She is a seriously ungracious person You poor thing having to put up with her.

I'm snarky enough that I would do this in a heartbeat.

 

[tasha99]

I think her message was appalling, and I wouldn't have the strength not to respond. Also, there is no age group from 1 to 90 that couldn't find a something for under $25.

 

[lsyorke]

That would be the last gift of any sort I would be sending to that household.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

OMG, rude. There are plenty of toys they can get for under $25. My daughters are 13 and they get $25 gift cards. Some nerve she has.

 

[kwelch10377]

I would get a Toysrus ad and circle all the things that are under $25 and send it to her with a note saying I'm not sure what Toysrus you shop at, but I found plently of in this weeks ad.

 

[pjb0216]

If my kids got a 25.00 gift card they would be thrilled! They could find something at Toys R Us for that easy! Too rude!

 

[TimeforMe]

You're right--that does take the cake!What is wrong with people???? I think that was a very generous gift, especially given your circumstances. The thing is that if she mentioned it to you, she probably said something in front of her kids as well. Nice example.

 

[tasha99]

You could tell her you went online and direct her here.

 

[MariDisney]

Are you freaking kidding me???? $25 is certainly plenty to get a toy. I happen to be on the TRU website right now looking at somethings. In the 5-7 year old age range they show 185 items between $10 and $20. Connect4 is $15.99. Operation is $16.99. A Transformer is $11. These are just somethings that popped up on the 1st page.

I'd be so tempted to tell her where to stick it, but I probably would just let it go for the sake of the family.

 

[crashbb]

That would be the last gift of any sort I would be sending to that household.

It's not the fault of the kids that their mother is a tool.

OP - I'd probably ignore it as well (tempting though some of the suggestions are). As others have said, there are plenty of things under $25 and they (children or parents) can always add in if they want something more expensive (plus they might get gift cards from others as well).

 

[dislaney]

She's rude! I would be tempted to tell her so, but would probably just do nothing.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

That email was extremely rude and hurtful. I would send an email saying thanks, I will remember this for next year. That way she will think you will send a bigger gift card but the reality is that you send exactly what they deserve, which is nothing.

 

[kirstenb1]

Man, I have 9 nieces and nephews, and $25 is exactly what I budget for their gifts, birthday or Christmas.

My brothers and sisters do the same thing for my kids. Your SIL was way out of line! Even if you sent them $1, she obviously missed the whole thankfulness principle.

 

[SAHDad]

Wow. Just . . . . wow. I can think of dozens of toys that are under $25. OP, you did not say how old the kids are, but sheesh, complaining that $25 is not enough to buy a toy is not only rude, but blatantly wrong.

I would probably reply with a series of links to the local Toys R Us, and suggest toys, maybe even including a snarky line along the lines of "I understand that math may not be your strong suit, but rest assured, the Hot Wheels Slam Bridge Stunt Set ($9.99) plus two packs of 5 cars each ($4.99 per pack), is well under $25, even with tax."

(DS is wanting more cars, so I have Hot Wheels on the brain. Use whatever toys are appropriate, obviously.)

 

[Kitzka]

I am appalleed at your SIL's gaul! My DD is 12 and $25 is more than enough for her! My brother was out of work for years and was only able to send DD a giftcard to equal 1 child movie ticket (about $6 here). She always loved it and NEVER commented on it's value. And I never complained about suplying $$ for snacks or whatever at the movie theater. I was thrilled that my brother thought of her!

The $25 was plenty. And if it wasn't WHY would you say something? She is a witch with another letter.

Lara

 

[LuvOrlando]

WOW, the word that popped into my head while reading that is not Dis Friendly. She's not only selfish but she's cruel, not exactly a good combo in my book. I'd show it to your DH so he never has to question why you have a problem with the woman then file it away in your "mean things people say" file, don't respond and just let her words hang out there. That will make her more uncomfortable than anything you could actually say to her.

I think $25 was extremely generous

 

[DWGal210]

WOW..... That does take the cake. I would be tempted to do as others said & send a link to the TRU site with all the toys. I would also add a response snarkily saying you're glad she's teaching her kids the real meaning if Christmas. What a witch!