Bratty, unappreciative kids Christmas presents?

Question

My sister's kids are so bratty about Christmas presents. They are ages 11 and 15. They want Coach purses or money (quote: "If you can't me $100 for Christmas, don't even bother"). Well, I have 2 kids and can't give $100 to each of them for Christmas let alone a $200 purse. So, do I comply with their wishes and give them nothing or give them what I can and have it tossed aside and unappreciated? It's really not even the money, it's the attitude I can't deal with.

My kids are getting about $200 each for Christmas and I was going to go with $50 each for my sister's girls but I'm thinking about teaching them a lesson!

Answer 1

you should get them one of those charity gifts. Like if you go to the literacy site you can purchase a $25 gift which gives books to needy children and put the gift in the name of your neices. You could write your nieces a note telling them how much those kids in need appreciate what they get, hint hint. ;) Here's a link to a whole bunch of those charity donation gifts. :)

http://shop.theliteracysite.com/store/category.do;jsessionid=5F07008D3A82BE3E629FAEB17882F95B.prod-b?categoryId=253&link=Store_LIT_LeftNav_253&siteId=2001

Answer 2

I agree with the first poster -- if those were my nieces and nephews I wouldn't give them jack ****. They are so unappreciative. Hell, I am a 30 year old woman and I didn't get my first real Coach purse until a couple of years ago, and the only reason I got it then is because I got a bonus at work. That's ridiculous. Christmas is not about how much the gifts are -- it's the thought that counts.

I have five aunts like this. If it's not the namebrand they want, then it gets tossed aside or given away. They talk about how cheap it is, etc. Guess what? I don't buy them gifts anymore. I am trying to make ends meet myself, and then I try to be nice and buy you something only for you to talk about it. No way! I wouldn't give them anything.

Answer 3

Personally, I'd LOVE it if you got them NOTHING and tell them exactly WHY they're not getting a gift.

Don't let them manipulate you. You sister should have done a better job at raising appreciative and thankful children, but since that's out of your control, it doesn't matter.

What does matter is that you not let them manipulate you into buying or giving them something you can't afford. Either get them something small that you think they might possibly like (or something you like so if they don't take it, you can keep it!). Or, like a few other people have suggested, make a donation in their name to a cause you like. You could give them a gift card to someplace like Dillard's and tell them to save it and you'll give them another gift card for their birthdays and another for Christmas next year and they can buy their own Coach bags when they've saved enough gift cards for them. Then maybe they'll appreciate how much they actually cost.

Wouldn't it be funny to buy them cheap Coach knockoffs, and when they say something, say, "well, you never said you wanted a REAL Coach bag...."

Answer 4

I think you should spend a day with your sisters girls. Take them to Wal mart and take 2 tags off the christmas trees they usually have near customer service.

These tags have the information of kids whose parents can't get them anything. Give each girl $50 to spend ONLY on the child they have selected from the tree. Any money that is left goes back to you. Then I would take them out maybe for lunch, then back to your house to wrap the gifts.

I would encourage your sister to do the same activity with your children.

We live in a society where we buy way too much and most of us are fortunate enough to never really want or need anything. As soon as we want something we go get it.

Make this a year for both of your families to really celebrate what Christmas should be about... Giving, and giving to those who need it most.

Answer 5

You're a better person than me. I would've told my sister a long time ago that her kids are nothing but spoiled rotten little brats and that they'll appreciate the fact that they get ANYTHING for Christmas from me. What in God's name is an 11-year-old going to do with a Coach purse?!? Better yet, why does she even know brand names like that at such a young age?!? Just to spite them, I would hand each of them $20 and hope to God they said something or got an attitude with me about it. I have no patience or tolerance for kids like that, nor their parents who don't do anything about it.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I first gotta say...I love your Santa cat picture. That is adorable.

Secondly, I think you could go about this proactively...don't give each individual person their own gift, but rather get something that the whole family can enjoy together like a gift certificate for dinner someplace. Kids like to eat! None the less it will save face with your sister and not cause anymore holiday stress for you.

Hope that helps. Have a Merry Christmas!

Answer 7

I think a good lesson would be to show your children graphically the reality in the rest of the world. Take a few minutes to sit your kids down and show them some footage about poverty endured by the poor of the world. Either on the Internet or TV, you can find good documentaries on the suffering of the world's masses. That should change their perspective a little. You are not alone. Too many children don't know what is going on in the rest of the world. All they see is the hear and now and the materialism that is beckoning and bombarding them at all angles. There is too much of "WIFM" What's In It For Me, and adults fall into the same trap too, myself included. Amen

Answer 8

Grant their request. Give them nothing and tell them that you couldn't give them the $100.00. Christmas presents (as well as any presents, really) are not about the cost or worth, but about the fact that someone cared enough to think about you and want to give you something. Shame on your sister for not teaching her kids that. As an auntie, you have every right to step in with a little lesson when needed.

Answer 9

Is your sister aware of her children's attitude? You should consult with her on this one. If she thinks they are being brats too, then she can help you come up with a good idea for teaching them a lesson (think coal, a card with a note about a donation made in their name, etc...).

If she thinks that there is no problem with their behavior, I would just advise her that you don't want to be treated that way and unless they tell you otherwise, you will be following their advise (you can't spend $100 so won't bother).

Answer 10

Wow... Buy them something, but since they're going to throw it aside and not appreciate it, perhaps buy them something that's inexpensive and not that great anyway since they don't seem to care - it's the thought that counts anyway really...

OR, if they actually never touch the gifts again, why not buy your sister two gifts and then wrap them up as presents for the kids. Tell your sister, if they don't want it, she can have it because you know she likes it. That might work? Just suggestions. Good luck!

Answer 11

For the girl : Clothes, Barbie, My little pony, Girly things like Hair brush set, play make up set etc! For the Boy: Football Computer Games, Dvd's Posters, Ball, Football Shirt, Football Book, Dr Who Dvd, Dr Who Games Figures Etc!