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

[fairestoneofall]

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!

this! and that is PLENTY. what an ungrateful brat. we always spend $20-25 on SIL's kids (and they do the same for ours). it is more than enough to get them something they want.

 

[Joyful3Heart]

WOW! Why don't you forward this thread to her.
I think $25 is a very generous gift and it saddens me that a parent would set such an example for her children. Your best bet, unfortunately, is probably to ignore her behavior completely, because you can't fix a broken personality...so sorry for how you must be feeling.

 

[LuLuO]

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.

I can't post what I really think of your SIL. But I think $25 is plenty. There are tons of things you can buy at TRU for under $25. I would not send any more gifts and I would call her up and tell her that she is an ungrateful you-know-what and that she can take a flying leap. Seriously, what is wrong with people?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My response would be:

Well if they have a hard time finding something for $25, it will be fun to watch them finding something for $0 next year.

 

[jeepgirl30]

Wow. I think my jaw is still on the ground.

What an ungrateful person. I cannot imagine thinking $25 is not enough let alone say it! My MIL gives the kids an outfit and a gc for $20 for TRU each year. The first year DD was 7, she kept telling DD she was going to give her a "credit card so you can go and buy ANYTHING you want". This was from Thanksgiving on so she did not say how much and DD kept making plans for all the things she was going to buy. I was a bit miffed at that because of how MIL positioned it to the kids. I kept saying, not it is a GC not credit card. I had to say there was a limit but MIL never told me how much the GC would be in total.

My sister does something similar and I'm having a tough time this year. She sends me my nephew's wish list. He is 14 and the absolute cheapest thing on his list is a $60 video game. Normally she sends me 2-3 items and nothing under $100. However when it comes to my kids she sends small gifts, $10-15 each if she sends something. One year she sent DS a shoebox full of Nephews old matchbox cars. DS was 5 and she said "he doesn't know any different". He was happy so not a problem but the thing that made me mad was this was the year she wanted me to buy nephew an authentic jersey for $150!

 

[Frantasmic]

I know it's not fair to the kids, but I'd take her up on her "economics" and explain that yes, you will be getting more "bang for your buck" for your gift next year: a whole week's worth of Meals on Wheel's for an elderly person is only $25.00.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

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.

Well it takes all kinds.

Your SIL is a witch of the highest order. Just ignore her.

 

[r1lissa]

You should def send a reply to her, and cc your DH, MIL, and anyone else in the family so they can see what a piece of work she is.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!

 

[goofy!]

If you haven't purchased her gift yet, or even if you have, a beautifully wrapped book on etiquette might be a nice touch.

 

[EeyoreEma]

Oh boy, that would thoroughly tick me off and hurt my feelings. That is ridiculous. There are PLENTY of things under $25 at Toys R Us. I'd certainly not be raising my children to think that wasn't enough. I would hope that she would be teaching her children to be grateful for ANY gift they received. I actually think that the $25 is very generous - my two would be thrilled to have that kind of buying power at a toy store.

I'm sorry she was so hurtful, but I really think you sent a very nice gift.

 

[browneyes106]

Your sister was way out of line. Toys are going all the time at a store TRU. Also many TRU's sell DVD's that are usually under $20. The kids could use the gift cards for DVD's.

 

[Glynis]

I would be totally grateful for a 25 dollar GC for Me! And I'm way over the TRU age limit!!! I'm beyond shocked!!!

When my siblings and I started having kids, we quickly decided that it would be more economical to draw names for the kids. That way, no one is buying a ton of gifts for nieces and nephews. For example, I have 5 children, so each one of them gets a gift for ONE of their cousins. We set a monetary limit of 20 dollars. No one has ever complained of what gift they got. They are just thrilled to get something from cousins. We siblings also draw names, so I only have to purchase one gift, instead of 3. It works for all our economic situations.

OP, you may want to suggest something similar. Or go with some of the previous posters, and next year do nothing, or donate the money to a charity in your niece/nephews names.

 

[Joyful3Heart]

oops, duplicate post, crazy computer!

 

[dakcp2001]

You should def send a reply to her, and cc your DH, MIL, and anyone else in the family so they can see what a piece of work she is.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!

MIL & other SIL still are not speaking to me, since I wouldnt let deadbeat baby SIL live in my home for free so she caould "save up" whil I pay the mortgage. The home is for sale and I know once deadbeat moves in Id never be able to get her out.

I am never going to be able to handle his family. I dont know how he turned out so normal, I have known him for over 10 years but still keep waiting for him to show his crazy. lol. He hasnt yet. How can he be normal with a family like this?

 

[SaraJayne]

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.

Oh. My. God. What you sent was PLENTY. No need to worry about it.

I am speechless.

 

[cabanafrau]

I just don't understand all of the recommendations here to send a link to TRU. Your SIL is absolutely in the right on this one and I think you need to send your apologies ASAP.

Dear SIL, please accept my apologies for being so clueless. I hope you understand that it was caused by ignorance, not malice. I just truly didn't understand how in need of an etiquette education your children truly are. Please accept these books to begin them on the path of learning life's social niceties. It warms our hearts to think of you snuggled up with the children, a blanket & cup of cocoa at hand. Maybe we're greedy, but I hope you'll forgive us for wishing up a Christmas miracle that you learn a thing or two while enjoying our gift with your children.

 

[Glynis]

MIL & other SIL still are not speaking to me, since I wouldnt let deadbeat baby SIL live in my home for free so she caould "save up" whil I pay the mortgage. The home is for sale and I know once deadbeat moves in Id never be able to get her out.

I am never going to be able to handle his family. I dont know how he turned out so normal, I have known him for over 10 years but still keep waiting for him to show his crazy. lol. He hasnt yet. How can he be normal with a family like this?

The only thing I can figure is that crazy must sometimes skip a generation! My MIL is certifiable, but my DH is very grounded. I really hope he stays that way, and that our kids turn out like him and not MIL.

 

[pearlieq]

Obviously I'm as horrified as everyone else about your SIL, but I think this really is a blessing in disguise.

If you haven't already, this is the last incentive you need to actually "give up" on her. Some people are just nuts. They have no concept of reality or acceptable behavior and they're just on another planet. Your SIL just completely proved that she is one of those people.

With that, you are free to just write her off now. You never again have to worry about what she thinks or says, because you know she's totally bonkers and it has nothing to do with you. It's just how she is.

It's kind of a gift for you, actually!

 

[lovesmurfs]

Good heavens. DH and I are okay financially, and we only budget $20-$25 for nieces and nephews.

DS16 and another teen worked hard for our kids' Christmas program, and each received a $15 gift card to Walmart -- their response? COOL! Both were excited and grateful, and they both opened them when they didn't know anyone was watching/listening.

I'd probably be snarky and send HER a book for Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/Words-Gratitu...=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291823659&sr=8-6. Or, alternatively: http://www.amazon.com/Thanks-Practicing-Gratitude-Make-Happier/dp/0547085737/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

[Missy1961]

You know what? It's a rare Dis thread when everyone agrees, so that should tell you something!

I think a $25 gift card is more than generous. SIL is a witch, but you know that. You sound like you plan to take the high road--no response--and I think that's best. You'll never win with this bunch.