Please stop on-line shopping! (A vent)

[Anonymous]

I have had it with my in-laws and my husband's sibs. They shop online, they have it all sent to me, and I am supposed to wrap all this stuff for my husband and kids (including my own present, btw). When I on-line shop, I pay the extra $5 for the giftwrap! What is the deal? When did it become ok to ask people to wrap their own Christmas presents?

[Anonymous]

Chill lady. It's almost Christmas. Did they ask you to wrap it? I wouldn't bother wrapping it. Just tell them the gifts were put under the tree in the boxes they were mailed in; maybe that will encourage them to have the gifts wrapped.

[Anonymous]

At least they do the shopping part. My in-laws first tried to just give us money for the one big present we had planned for my son (uh, no), and then came up with an alternative that I had to go find and buy and will have to wrap and wait for them to send me a check. Because, you know, two retired people with nothing to do but send out chain email and bicker with each other all day can't drag their asses to a store or even find amazon.com.

[Anonymous]

So I'm supposed to explain to 3 and 6 year olds why Granny's package isn't wrapped and doesn't look pretty when they have spent literally an hour handcrafting wrapping paper for Daddy's present? And taken 10 more minutes to settle on the perfect bow?

If you all think I am out of line, fine, but I think I would rather not exchange gifts with people who put so little effort into it. Maybe I'll propose next year that we skip it with his family. My family ALWAYS wraps, as did his before they started shopping on-line. Somehow my parents have figured out how to click that little giftwrap option box, so it can't be an age thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least they do the shopping part. My in-laws first tried to just give us money for the one big present we had planned for my son (uh, no), and then came up with an alternative that I had to go find and buy and will have to wrap and wait for them to send me a check. Because, you know, two retired people with nothing to do but send out chain email and bicker with each other all day can't drag their asses to a store or even find amazon.com.

Thanks PP for this perspective.

[Anonymous]

I guess it just depends on your personality. Personally, I think wrapping is a pain and I'm pretty sure most kids don't care whether a gift is wrapped nicely of not. They'll still get the pressure of opening the box. Should they probably cough up the extra $5 to get their grandkids presents gift-wrapped? Probably. But if that's your biggest issue with your in-laws, you've got it good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I'm supposed to explain to 3 and 6 year olds why Granny's package isn't wrapped and doesn't look pretty when they have spent literally an hour handcrafting wrapping paper for Daddy's present? And taken 10 more minutes to settle on the perfect bow?

.

Say you don't know why Granny's package isn't wrapped and look pretty and suggest they ask Granny to find out.

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP that it seems a little inconsiderate to not have the gifts wrapped. That seems kind of weird to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had it with my in-laws and my husband's sibs. They shop online, they have it all sent to me, and I am supposed to wrap all this stuff for my husband and kids (including my own present, btw). When I on-line shop, I pay the extra $5 for the giftwrap! What is the deal? When did it become ok to ask people to wrap their own Christmas presents?

OP, you definitely need some perspective. Many across the world are doing without the basics of food and shelter. And are beautifully wrapped presents (or even unwrapped presents) really what the holiday is about, and what you want your kids to think the holiday is about? Be thankful that someone thought enough of you and your family to buy anything at all, especially in this economy.

[Anonymous]

You're right, OP. Maybe next year I will ask my in-laws to donate to a charity that helps needy people instead of giving us gifts. At least that way I WON'T HAVE TO WRAP IT!

[Anonymous]

Chill. I'm a single mom and I don't even get to go home for Christmas. Let alone get a gift. We are going without this year. Be happy that you don't have to wake up to nothing under your tree. Your a greedy bitch.

[Anonymous]

Happy Holidays PP! You may want to direct your anger at the cause of your irritation not a random post.

[Anonymous]

19:09 Sorry your children are going without this year. Maybe you can sign up with a charity with a secret Santa program if you're in the same boat next year. Happy Holidays!

[Anonymous]

Its not a big deal, its not about gifts but spending time together. What bothers me is when people whine, could they sound anymore spoiled? We will be spending Christmas feeding the homeless. Giving is what the holidays should be about.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the previous poster. I think if I were you, Id be a little embarassed about how greedy/needy/selfish I sounded. Do you feel ENTITLED to a gift? Simply because you are you?

With the economy the way it is, Id be grateful that I even got a gift. And if you explaining to your children about wrapping presents and why gma doesnt wrap them, is the biggest thing in your day to worry about? Id consider myself lucky.