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

[AKL_Megs]

Wow. What a spoiled rotten family.

We recently gave our neighbor girl a $5 Target gift card for her birthday, and she couldn't have been more excited. She was going to add $10 someone else gave her and get a CD AND nail polish.

Kids are a product of their upbringing, and I'd hate to have to deal with these kids as adults.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well, we budgeted our kids to spend $35 on each of their siblings and I tell you, they had difficulty spending all of that (except on child who pitched extra money in b/c she wanted to get her sister a very specific gift that was $39.99).

Ummm...well....not sure what could be said about the e-mail.

I would be tempted to...

rat her out to her mother

Respond and tell her how ungrateful she is....

not sure.


I'm really speechless.

$25 is plenty. But she probably spends that on stocking stuffers for her brats.

 

[alliecats]

I think I would just write back:

LOL!!!


And let her wonder if I just didn't get her meaning or if I was laughing AT her. And if she had the balls to ask I'd clear it up for her.

 

[arminnie]

Are you on Facebook?

Because this is what I would post to my wall (and my 500+ friends):

Can you believe the message I got today from someone I sent Christmas gift cards to?

"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."

Takes all kinds doesn't it?

 

[SetzKitten]

People never cease to amaze me with their ingratitude. My SIL sent a Christmas list for her kids to all the aunts and uncles telling them to pick a gift, mark it off and pass the list to the next relative. I didn't mind that much since I rarely see the kids and don't know their interests, but the least expensive gift on the list was a $200 trampoline. There was nothing less than that. My stepmother called her out on it and she just said it's what the kids want and what they deserve so we should just suck it up (not in those words, but that was the gist of it).

I bought them $25 gift cards. They will be unappreciated.
Ho ho ho.

Sorry your family sucks as bad as mine, OP.

 

[indimom]

People never cease to amaze me with their ingratitude. My SIL sent a Christmas list for her kids to all the aunts and uncles telling them to pick a gift, mark it off and pass the list to the next relative. I didn't mind that much since I rarely see the kids and don't know their interests, but the least expensive gift on the list was a $200 trampoline. There was nothing less than that. My stepmother called her out on it and she just said it's what the kids want and what they deserve so we should just suck it up (not in those words, but that was the gist of it).

I bought them $25 gift cards. They will be unappreciated.
Ho ho ho.

Sorry your family sucks as bad as mine, OP.

Wow.....just....wow. I can't fathom people like this.

My family are ALL cheap!! I mean ALL the branches - my parents and sibilings, my hubby's parents and sibilings. My aunts, uncles, cousins. Same with his. Noone buys gifts like that for anyone other than their own children on Christmas morning. No one.

Well, that's not true. One year, my parents bought a trampoline.....

To be kept at their farm for all NINE of the grandkids to enjoy when they are visiting. What does that come out to? About $20 or $25 per child?
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU and the OP! Enjoy your family and let the good times roll!

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, she is an ungreatful witch. If my girls got the same GC they would be in heaven and Very Thankful.

Hope 2011 is better for you and your DH!

 

[scrapquitler]

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.

Just me, but I'd call her and tell her that I won't be sending gifts again because my gifts aren't good enough. $25 is PLENTY to get something nice. You can get a pretty big Lego Set, a bunch of Littlest Pet Shops or most of the Fisher PRice stuff for that amount. A kid under 8 can get several board games for that much.

I wouldn't spend more than $25 on a niece/nephew present, and I DO have money and a job. I think you were quite generous and you SIL is being TACKY TACKY TACKY. What are the sibling relationships here? Is she married to your husband's brother, or is she his sister? Or is she your brother's wife? I'd be mighted tempted to tell MY mom (or have my DH tell HIS mom) how rude she was.

 

[Duchie]

OP, I'd respond with two words. Those two words would be "You're welcome".

You have no need to divulge your personal finances. You have no need to lower yourself and get into a pi--ing match with her. As far as the kids, I hate the thought of taking out on the children the sins of the mother...if those kids are smallish, they probably have no idea what their mother does and the whole "point" of donating to a charity instead of buying them a gift would be lost on them...it would just make you the beyotchy SIL who doesn't give anything to the nieces and nephews.

I have a crazy Sis-IL, so let me give you some advice....her goal is to get to you. Crazy people like your (and my) Sis-IL LIVE to upset people, get a rise out of them, have power over them. The best reaction is no reaction. You don't want to hate her. Hate is a strong emotion and she'll be thrilled to be able to elicit a striong emotion from you. You want to be indifferent to her. Or perhaps, indifferent with a small dose of pity thrown in. After all, what a sad sorry person she is, really, if she thinks the meaning of Christmas is the amount of money one spends. What a sad sorry person she is to be so envious of your happiness that she takes every opportunity to try and take it away or undermine it...And yet she can't. She can't because you know what's important in life, and what isn't.

So OP, get yourself to a place of pity for her, because that's really what she needs. Your interactions with her...welll, keep them superficial. It sounds like whatever other background issues the in-laws have with you are always going to be there, so the sooner you learn how to let it roll off you, the better off you'll be.

Plus...take it from the expert in dealing with crazy Sis-ILs....it drives them nuts when they try to upset you and can't.

This.

There have been many fabulous ideas here (especially using the GC's to buy gifts for the less-fortunate) but in reality I think the best action is no action. THAT will piss her off faster than anything else.

 

[merryweather20]

I'd forward her e-mail to everyone in the family and let them know that SIL's e-mail must have been hacked, because no one would send such a tacky, ungracious, inappropriate and thoughtless e-mail to their family. Best for te entire family to block SIL's e-mail address for the time being.

 

[dzorn]

OP I would not punish the kids for having a rotten mother. I would drop it for now but the next gift giving time be it birthday or christmas I would send just a card with a note.

Dear Neice,

We have decided to open a savings account in you name as it appears you will not learn sound financial habits or manners from your mother. All birthday and christmas budget amounts from us will be put into this account to help you prepare for a future.

Love Aunty


Then I would follow through and never send another dime directly to them while the mother will have control of the money. You cannot change crazy but you can hope it skips those kids like it skipped your DH.

Denise in MI

 

[dakcp2001]

Well you guys are correct, it is driving her nuts that I have not responded. I got a follow up email from her saying "she hopes I wasnt offended" and also an email from other SIL asking "what is the deal with you and other sis" so it is driving them nuts. I havent called or emailed either one of them. I told df about the email he rolled his eyes, laughed, and apologized on behalf of his entire family. lol. He does have a good sense of humor.

Next year they are getting the loudest most annoying toys I can locate and I am sending them last minute. WITH batteries of course.

 

[MELSMICE]

Well you guys are correct, it is driving her nuts that I have not responded. I got a follow up email from her saying "she hopes I wasnt offended" and also an email from other SIL asking "what is the deal with you and other sis" so it is driving them nuts. I havent called or emailed either one of them. I told df about the email he rolled his eyes, laughed, and apologized on behalf of his entire family. lol. He does have a good sense of humor.

Next year they are getting the loudest most annoying toys I can locate and I am sending them last minute. WITH batteries of course.

I would continue not to respond then & if she asks about whether you received her e-mails when you see her in person just smile & tell her, "Yes, I did" & leave it at that. Nothing else needs to be said!

And.........I would give them the same thing next year............a $25 gift card to somewhere!

 

[Lionqueen2]

Hmmmm... Sounds like your SIL may be feeling a bit guilty about her original e-mail. It looks like your refusal to respond is getting to her.

 

[DWGal210]

I love BS respnses like your SIL's..... She's not apologizing for what she said, but doesn't want you to be offended?! How could you be anything BUT offended when reading her email?

What a pill....,she sounds a few cards shy of a full deck.

 

[ChiCat]

Well you guys are correct, it is driving her nuts that I have not responded. I got a follow up email from her saying "she hopes I wasnt offended" and also an email from other SIL asking "what is the deal with you and other sis" so it is driving them nuts. I havent called or emailed either one of them. I told df about the email he rolled his eyes, laughed, and apologized on behalf of his entire family. lol. He does have a good sense of humor.

Next year they are getting the loudest most annoying toys I can locate and I am sending them last minute. WITH batteries of course.

Man what a jerk!!! I just can't believe anyone would ever have the guts to send emails like that.

You are not alone. My husband and I eloped this year, we decided to pay for his parents to come and one of my best friends. We paid for their airfare, hotel stay, several dinners including a very nice reception dinner. His parents aren't hurting for money but their only gift to us was a small deeply religious book about marriage.... and I'm agnostic, they are very aware of this too.

 

[DisneyOhMy]

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).

Bingo! It's essentially $25 cash which is great! When I was a kid, I would get $10 bucks from relatives and was thrilled!

 

[ols386]

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 like the part where she says "it really is the thought that counts". She needs to practice what she preaches.

I think it's really rude for anyone to complain about the amount of money that was spent on any gift.

 

[DisneyScraps]

Completely rude.

I would say ignore it but truthfully I would write her back and tell her if she can't find a toy with the gift card then where she can put that gift card

Next year donate the 25.00 and give them a card telling them that you donated to a charity in their honor. She won't be able to complain about that without looking like an selfish idiot.

Lisa

 

[livndisney]

If 25.00 is not enough to buy a toy, can someone please explain to me why I paid 25.00 for Duffy yesterday at Disney? If you can buy toys at DISNEY for 25 bucks, I am SURE Toysrus has toys for 25.00.


Op, I KNOW the "right" thing to do is not reply, but I would realllly want to LOL.

As I was taught, "ignore the stupid" and be grateful you don't live next door to the loon.