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

[wdwmom2]

Simple message back:

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the Christmas presents for this year. As you well know, you financial situation has been a difficult one this year, however we have made sacrifices to make sure your children, our beloved nieces and nephews, got something from us this Christmas.
As per your instructions, we will make sure that the money next year goes to something much worthier, and will make a charitable donation in their name instead. This way the children will not have to worry about which toys they can and cannot get, but rather revel in the joy of giving to others in the spirit of the holiday season.

Seasons greetings!

xxxx

This^^^^^^^^^

I am so sorry you have to call these people "relatives".

 

[Mermaid02]

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 haven't read all the replies but she is a NASTY person. You can buy PLENTY for $25 at TRU. I'd make sure EVERY relative knew what she said to you. There really aren't even words......

 

[figment52]

Have you considered planning ahead for next year and look for the most obnoxious, least desireable (by parent's standards) toy you can find for each child and send it next year? What comes to mind is this ghostbuster related toy that was popular when my nephew was young that oozed green goop. The kids will love you and the parents, well, they asked for it.

 

[aaarcher86]

Simple message back:

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the Christmas presents for this year. As you well know, you financial situation has been a difficult one this year, however we have made sacrifices to make sure your children, our beloved nieces and nephews, got something from us this Christmas.
As per your instructions, we will make sure that the money next year goes to something much worthier, and will make a charitable donation in their name instead. This way the children will not have to worry about which toys they can and cannot get, but rather revel in the joy of giving to others in the spirit of the holiday season.

Seasons greetings!

xxxx

I'm really liking this idea.

OP - I would have a very hard time not responding... so kudos to you for at least keeping your cool and not immediately responding with a few expletives. Would your brother be okay with her writing this to you?

I'd probably shoot him an email: 'In case you were having a hard time figuring out what to get xxx, I found this and immediately knew she could use it!' http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...110944&ci_sku=B002S2AMVU&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

 

[Petraman]

$25 is PLENTY.....

....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. .....

This is an excellent recommendation...
I would only add one thing to this. Since this is your husband's sister and not yours, he needs to send any response. She needs to know she is insulting her brother AND his family.


Just my 2 cents...

 

[momrek06]

OP, rude. Period.


I walked into Wally World today to find two Marine's in their dress uniforms asking for donations for homeless children. Either make a monetary donation or buy a toy.

So while I did have a long list of items to get, I decided to check out the Toy Dept. WOW, such amazing deals on all their toys. I bought a game called "Don't Spill The Beans" for $5.00. As I left the store I handed it off to the Marines and they were thrilled.

OP, there are PLENTY of toys for $25.00 and under. Don't think another thing about that email. Its not worth it. You and your DH are wonderful for thinking about her kiddos while you are struggling to get back on your feet.

 

[indimom]

Have you considered planning ahead for next year and look for the most obnoxious, least deisreable (by parent's standards) toy you can find for each child and send it next year? What comes to mind is this ghostbuster related toy that was popular when my nephew was young that oozed green goop. The kids will love you and the parents, well, they asked for it.

Ooh, good idea! Does it stain carpet?? If not, I know where you can get something similar that WILL! Dollar General stores sell it in their Dollar section of toys. It looks like a black barrel and has black oily-looking gloop in it. Guarrenteed to stain carpet!

Oh, and if there is a toddler involved. The Band Wagon is the noisiest pull-behind toy known to human kind. I think it cost about $20, but I bet you could find a used one really cheap on ebay. I know ours went straight from under the tree to a high closet shelf to a yard sale really quickly. (We did express our appreciation for the gift and made sure the giver had an opportunity to see our little one enjoy it first! Then, it dissapeared!)

Kids'll love em. Mom....well........not so much. Great retribution!!!

 

[kirbydog48]

simple message back:

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the christmas presents for this year. As you well know, you financial situation has been a difficult one this year, however we have made sacrifices to make sure your children, our beloved nieces and nephews, got something from us this christmas.
As per your instructions, we will make sure that the money next year goes to something much worthier, and will make a charitable donation in their name instead. This way the children will not have to worry about which toys they can and cannot get, but rather revel in the joy of giving to others in the spirit of the holiday season.

Seasons greetings!

Xxxx

this is brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[diznygirl]

It is her typical passive aggressive crap.She always says offensive things laced with sarcastic fake nice things then she shrugs her shoulders and says "what did I say? " as if everyone being offended isn't the norm after she opens her mouth. At least this year it was an email and I am not in the same room with her.

Oh, that's my MIL. Told me I shouldn't have any more children so I could work to support her son. With a great big smile on her face. And couldn't figure out why we got so angry.

I think I would forward her e-mail to everyone in my address book with absolutely no message from myself - just her heading, her words.

OP, I hope you and your husband have a joyful Christmas, and that things continue to look up for you in the new year. May God give you the strength you need to either deal with his side of the family or walk away from them, whichever path you choose.

I love the email idea! "Whoops! Must have a virus on my computer!"

And I second the well wishes - here hoping 2011 is a better year.

 

[Planogirl]

Have you considered planning ahead for next year and look for the most obnoxious, least desireable (by parent's standards) toy you can find for each child and send it next year? What comes to mind is this ghostbuster related toy that was popular when my nephew was young that oozed green goop. The kids will love you and the parents, well, they asked for it.

That's a good one. Drums or something similar is good too.

 

[cm8]

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.

 

[Minnie]

No response whatsoever - nothing will get her goat faster

 

[Agri]

Honestly, I would respond! I would say "I am sorry you and the kids found my gift unacceptable, I will be sure to keep that in mind next time I need to buy them presents." Then don't buy them a darn thing.

It might be "not their fault" that their mother is that way, but if the kids are not grateful regardless, I would not get them anything. Send them a nice card and leave at that. Not receiving gifts isn't going to kill them or ruin their childhood.

Of course, if it were me, I'd not get anything and then when I was asked where my present was, I would respond "Well, after I could barely afford to give them $25, I decided it was just best not to get them anything as I did not want to disappoint them or you again."

 

[onelilspark]

Tacky.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Simple message back:

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the Christmas presents for this year. As you well know, you financial situation has been a difficult one this year, however we have made sacrifices to make sure your children, our beloved nieces and nephews, got something from us this Christmas.
As per your instructions, we will make sure that the money next year goes to something much worthier, and will make a charitable donation in their name instead. This way the children will not have to worry about which toys they can and cannot get, but rather revel in the joy of giving to others in the spirit of the holiday season.

Seasons greetings!

xxxx

I Love this reply! that's exactly what I'd write back!!! I'd also be slightly appalled at my SIL for having no manners what so ever!

 

[EllenFrasier]

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.

Wow. I have nothing else to say, but Wow.

 

[zippitydoo]

Wow that is just rude and ungrateful. $25 is plenty for both kids

 

[Eeyore5]

Simple message back:

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the Christmas presents for this year. As you well know, you financial situation has been a difficult one this year, however we have made sacrifices to make sure your children, our beloved nieces and nephews, got something from us this Christmas.
As per your instructions, we will make sure that the money next year goes to something much worthier, and will make a charitable donation in their name instead. This way the children will not have to worry about which toys they can and cannot get, but rather revel in the joy of giving to others in the spirit of the holiday season.

Seasons greetings!

xxxx

Wow. Your good.

OP: there is nothing wrong with your gifts. It was very generous. I am on a tight budget and am not giving gifts at Christmas this year other then the 1 for our family drawing. In the past my nephews (4 & 11) and niece (9) have received gifts from me. When the older two recently asked if I wanted ideas for gifts (separately), I let them know I wasn't buying gifts and why - their parents already knew this and thought it made sense. All I said to the kids was that I am doing ok financially but need to be more careful with my spending so I can't buy gifts this year other then for the drawing. Both said "oh, ok" and moved on. Neither were bothered at all by this or even seemed disappointed. My brother's response when I told him was to support me in making good financial choices. The 9 and 11 year olds are more mature then you SIL. Very said.

 

[Hannathy]

She is incredibly rude and I think I would let my brother know or have my DH let his brother know what was said. HOWEVER I wouldn't punish the poor kids because of their mother, it isn't their fault she is a witch. But next Christmas I would be sending them an actual toy or game and not the actual money since they don't seem to be able to shop for anything in your price range. That way the kids still get their gift and Mom doesn't have to bother herself finding one with the money you sent, poor thing.

 

[MELSMICE]

That is just plain rude.

I spend about $30 on my nieces & nephews & the same gets spend on my girls. A $25 gift is plenty. If they are looking for something more expensive they can save towards it.

Her response was so rude, I can't even begin to imagine how I would respond.