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

[bgirldeb]

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.

Awesome! It may be hard, but keep up the good work with not engaging!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

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.

Love it!!!!!

 

[ICF]

nothing much to add other than to agree that your SIL is a &!$(# and that $25 (even at TRU) is plenty to get a toy.

$20-$25 is also roughly on our neices and nephews....it just kinda depends on what they want and what kind of deal we can get on it. Our kids would be very happy with a $25 gift card for TRU if you have any extras you want to send them. They'll even send you a nice email in return!!

 

[N&B'smom]

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

Wow, what a #$@*#!

You are TOTALLY doing the right thing, she was trying to get a rise out of you and you are taking the high road. (yet secretly planning how you will pay her back with super noisy and obnoxious toys) LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ols386]

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.

Here's an idea -- get them a set of drums. LOL

 

[NHdisneylover]

Here's an idea -- get them a set of drums. LOL

If the paperjamz drums are as loud an annoying as the guitar (and as love by kids) that would be a good thing to get (it is about the entire $25 though). My son loves the one he got for his birthday but I am SOOOO sick of hearing the thing.

OP--messy gifts are a good option too

 

[WDSearcher]

The other option is to write back to SIL and say, "Offended about what?" and make her actually explain why she thinks you'd be offended.

SIL: "Well, about me saying that the $25 wasn't enough for a toy for the kids."

OP: "Oh that. Yeah ... that was really rude. Everyone thought so."

And then just leave it at that. And keep her wondering who "everyone" is.

Heh.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

The other option is to write back to SIL and say, "Offended about what?" and make her actually explain why she thinks you'd be offended.

SIL: "Well, about me saying that the $25 wasn't enough for a toy for the kids."

OP: "Oh that. Yeah ... that was really rude. Everyone thought so."

And then just leave it at that. And keep her wondering who "everyone" is.

Heh.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

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 that is lovely. Really rude, mean and ungrateful and there is plenty at toys r us that is under $25, especially for an 8 year old. I think my girls could get at least 2 things for that much.

I'm sorry your SIL was an ungrateful snot.

Next year I suggest floam, lots of it. Amazon has a knock of brand, it's about 6 tubs for like $8. Playtime foam or something like that. Aquasand, moonsand, pixos, recorders! (cheap on amazon or the dollar store) something that takes a lot of batteries, oil paints, hmm. Orbeez, poster paint. Have fun!

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Sorry I didn't read all the responses so I don't know if this was said yet, but I would reply to her with an email telling her she is welcome for the gift cards. Then I would send a copy of the email to everyone in the family (dh, parents, etc..)

That's what I have to do with my sil.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

The other option is to write back to SIL and say, "Offended about what?" and make her actually explain why she thinks you'd be offended.

SIL: "Well, about me saying that the $25 wasn't enough for a toy for the kids."

OP: "Oh that. Yeah ... that was really rude. Everyone thought so."

And then just leave it at that. And keep her wondering who "everyone" is.

Heh.

 

[jen0610]

The other option is to write back to SIL and say, "Offended about what?" and make her actually explain why she thinks you'd be offended.

SIL: "Well, about me saying that the $25 wasn't enough for a toy for the kids."

OP: "Oh that. Yeah ... that was really rude. Everyone thought so."

And then just leave it at that. And keep her wondering who "everyone" is.

Heh.

I would let her stew for a few more days before I zing her with this one.

Love it!!

 

[punkin]

This is an amazing thread. Every single poster is in complete agreement. When was the last time that happened around here?

 

[hereyago]

Maybe suggest SIL go help at a Toys for Tots or Salvation Army and see how even less then 25.00 toy can make a kid happy.

 

[Ceila]

The other option is to write back to SIL and say, "Offended about what?" and make her actually explain why she thinks you'd be offended.

SIL: "Well, about me saying that the $25 wasn't enough for a toy for the kids."

OP: "Oh that. Yeah ... that was really rude. Everyone thought so."

And then just leave it at that. And keep her wondering who "everyone" is.

Heh.

I would let her stew for a few more days before I zing her with this one.

Love it!!

Ding, ding, ding, we have two winners here!!!

 

[Cat0727]

This is an amazing thread. Every single poster is in complete agreement. When was the last time that happened around here?

I was reading through the thread in amazement. Everyone had great ideas on how to handle the SIL.

OP, I am glad your SIL is going nuts from no response! Love it!

 

[mlenz]

well I for one have to agree with SIL on this one!

No, no , just messing with you , she sounds very ungrateful

 

[Disney Doll]

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.

Now here's where I might "play" with her a bit (I am the evil Sis-IL ). I'd play dumb and say "Offended? About what?". When she responded something to the effect of "Well, because of my comment about the gift cards" I would probably respond "Oh honey, I learned a long time ago not to be offended by your lack of knowledge about appropriate behavior. I know you can't help yourself so I just consider the source and let it go". This, of course, has to be said in a sort of almost sickeningly sweet Southern belle kind of way with just a tinge of pity.

If the other sister contacted me again, I'd probably say something to the effect of "What's up? Nothing's up...why, is there a problem?". What you want to do is act like her complete lack of manners of any sort didn't even land on your radar. Because if you notice, what they are both trying to do is to keep the topic going.... If other SisIL says "Well, my sister told me she sent you an email about the gift cards and she hasn't heard anything from you", then you say "Oh when I get emails like that from your sister, I just consider the source and let it go. I know she can't help herself when it comes to matters of etiquette or gratitude. No sense making myself crazy over something that isn't going to change, now is there". Then I'd have another topic ready to launch right into...you know, "so how is your shopping going?" or "What's been happening with you guys at work" or something like that.

The goal here is a tone of indifference.....like what she said didn't even faze you because well, that's just how she is, poor thing....

 

[ols386]

If the paperjamz drums are as loud an annoying as the guitar (and as love by kids) that would be a good thing to get (it is about the entire $25 though). My son loves the one he got for his birthday but I am SOOOO sick of hearing the thing.

OP--messy gifts are a good option too

Yes, I know. I was making a joke.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yes, I know. I was making a joke.

I knwo you were--but if the things are still big next year they ARE seriously annoying to parents--just what the OP needs