Thread: go figure

Hon, I've got a similar situation with some of my inlaws. Only some of them do this to my husband and son also. My hubby's biological father and step-mom buy his brother (who is not his dad's or step-mom's) and his wife hundreds of dollars worth of gifts but only give us cheap or RECYCLED gifts. And the other brother who belongs to both the dad and the step-mom get the sun, moon, and stars. I was actually given a much too small and dirty sweater for a Christmas gift once. It doesn't feel good! I don't know why they do what they do. We're good people. We can't afford big Christmas presents for all, all of the time, but do what we can. I have always had a big heart. I have given dishes, pots and pans, linens, food and anything else I can spare when their other son moved into an apartment and didn't have. We go out of our way to help any way we can, when we can. They treat us like strangers at a homeless shelter or something anyway. They just throw their unwanted STUFF at us. I can't figure it out. I have tolerated it for my husband and son's sake. My son is too young yet to understand that there is a distinct difference in the way we're treated and my hubby tries to have a relationship with his father. When it reaches a point where my son will notice, I will put an end to it. It hurts me more for him than anything else and he will not be made to feel less than anyone! Again, I can't tell you why they do what they do, but I know how you feel. I guess we just have to take it with a grain of salt. HUGS

Originally Posted by dangerousfem

You can offer it for trade here on the trade forum.. and get something you really want.. or need.. sorry the familys are like that... and I don't blame you.. If it were me... I would not go there for the holidays.. just stay home and enjoy your family... maybe they will start to get the hint... sorry.. but there is no reason to give someone something just to say you did.. the whole point in exchanging gifts is to show our love... if they can't do that... then I would tell them don't bother.

ITA. I would rather get nothing than be given garbage or something like a GC that I couldn't use unless I drove 150 miles.

I wouldn't put up with being treated like a second class citizen especially by family let alone strangers.

I am sorry your "family" is like that. My Grandmother was like that in a sense she would give my brothers and sisters really nice presents for xmas and birthdays and I would get nothing or socks. While I got to watch my siblings open up and play with great toys ect.

So one year my Dad had enough of it and took all the presents she sent and droppped them off on her doorstep and told her (his mom) that if she couldn't treat her grandkids fairly then to not even bother.

Same here-I am grateful that my kids get good gifts, and my hubby always gets something really nice. I get a measuring cup (I don't cook!) or a hand towel. Whatever.

I think it's insulting for your in-laws to give nice gifts to everyone but you. It's like leaving a penny as a tip for a waitress. A gift is something that people should give from their heart and not because they feel obligated to do it. If someone gave me a gift only because they felt obligated to do it I would rather not get anything.

Originally Posted by Patchouli

I think it's insulting for your in-laws to give nice gifts to everyone but you. It's like leaving a penny as a tip for a waitress. A gift is something that people should give from their heart and not because they feel obligated to do it. If someone gave me a gift only because they felt obligated to do it I would rather not get anything.

I completely agree with that sentiment!

OMG,,,Sorry, I had to laugh only beacuse this is SO me and my inlaws as well. Sounds as if they want you to take a long roadtrip. That is unbelievable. I am sorry you have to deal with that.