Christmas presents

I too think your mother is being petty. You do not give to receive - but leave it up to her. We have stopped buying for adults I n our families and just buy for the grandchildren. Much easier. Although I like to give my son and daughter a voucher each as a gift for Christmas.

For the past ten years or more we have had a rota of who buys for whom. We set a price. So each family member only has one person to buy for and suggestions can be given. However, we all buy for the two grandchildren.

Sorry, meant to say that it takes away a lot of unnecessary present buying and angst. Each person gets what they want/need/like.

To be fair I can't remember the last time my Mum did her own shopping for Christmas presents .
She tells us the budget and me and my sister do the shopping for our own families. Then i'm sure my daughter wraps it all up on a week shes there cleaning. The other year she wrapped her own present up.
I had a big birthday this year I got £20 that I transferred from her bank to mine.
There is no thought put into presents

For several years now we have done a secret Santa, a single present purchase for whichever family member you draw from the hat max £100. Saves stressing about what to get for everyone and keeps costs down. Now children are starting to appear this may change but it has worked well for us.

I hate this harsh tit for tat attitude to present giving. Is this really what Christmas is about? - and I speak as a non-Christian.

Mumsnet is heaving with posts about equalising what is given and received. It is a bit nauseating ............

I would definitely recommend keeping well out of offering an opinion, and just do what you yourself want to do regarding presents.