Relatives who are too "poor" to buy presents!
By maezee
@maezee (41988)
United States
December 27, 2009 9:40pm CST
Here's a rant for you. I have this cousin who lives rent-free with her husband in her dad's home, who just bought a $3,000 Tempur Pedic bed, uses all organic shampoos, and also just bought a $700 laptop. Yes, these details are biased, but I'm totally upset - not because I really care about gifts - but just that because we're such a close-knit, small family. She would have to buy FOUR gifts, one for my aunt, my sister, my mom, and me. And that's it. She didn't even need to spend more than $10 on it. And that would be $40! I spent over $250 on Christmas presents this year, and I think if I can afford it (and I had many more people to buy for), then she can too. *rolls eyes*. I don't like that people can be so cheap at times.
Do you have any relatives who do this? Who claim to be too *broke* to buy presents, when you see that they spend all of this money on luxury things? Is this selfish, or what? Or is it selfish for me to complain in the first place?
2 people like this
7 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
28 Dec 09
I think that you are just appalled and perplexed at your cousin who can afford to buy gifts for herself but not for others. I can understand what you mean, if she only need buy gifts for few people, why can she not do that? There are some people that spend less then $10.00 on others, some who just send a card but afterall it's the thought that counts right?
1 person likes this
@Amberina (1541)
• United States
28 Dec 09
It seems like your cousin likes to flaunt themselves. Hopefully there will come a day when they will see that money doesn't make a person and that they should give some of it away on the Holidays. But until then all you can do is just roll your eyes and hope for the best.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
28 Dec 09
It's always interesting to see how other people spend their money. And it's a bit hurtful that they don't want to participate in a tradition, especially when you can see that they are freely spending money on other things. it's too bad she's like this.
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
29 Dec 09
Well i have alot of relations like that and to be honest i would not lose sleep over it.I also have relations that are old and tend to forget about my children,but can always remember others children.I think that after this year there will be less people to buy for next year as alot of the family members will not be living together and lets be honest if they have all that money what ever i buy would not be good enough.They say that it is a time for giving at Christmas.lol.
@much2say (56057)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Dec 09
We don't exchange gifts with my relatives anymore, but your cousin sounds like one of my friends. She and her husband always seem to be in a financial crisis, or so she says. She freaks out and gets depressed over it and we get to hear it. Yet, she still goes figure skating twice a week (which is a social skate), they go out of state to ski every winter, they eat only organic food, they have over 10 cats and their vet bills to tend to, she gets her hair done by some hairdresser who only uses organic products, she gets all these energy products . . . makes one wonder if they really have money troubles! Yet, when it comes to occasions, she NEVER buys anyone a gift - even though we all give gifts to her every year. What's up with that? We're not her family, but hey, we do this gift exchange thing with a group of friends at the place we all go to and she knows that. Geez, not even a greeting card or small piece of organic candy - sheesh!
@hardilaziz (64)
• India
29 Dec 09
Your problem is that you expect your cousin to give you pricey gifts. This world would be devoid of any charm if we started valuing love. Love is priceless and cannot be measured.Stop whining and thank the Lord for giving you enough to spend on yourself and your loved ones! Isn't that a blessing?
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Dec 09
maeezee do not ever envy cousins like that as they may have money and fancy crap but maybe they are also miserable and unhappy too. spend what you can afford and be happy with what you have. i did not have any 250 to spend on gifts more like about 50 dollars was all I could afford.but I am happy as long as my son comes to see me.I personally do not look at this like you do as if I had I would have been unhappy and right now I have all I need on my plate trying to be happy living in this retirement center but my computer and my monitor are making me happy and mylotting too.
You are not selfish to complain but it does no good to envy people like them, just think of the happy things in your own life
and be more content that way. and save up for some of the things you would like to have for yourself and give it to yourself.you deserve it.
