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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. Apparently I did not get my point across at all. He demands he get certain gifts and if the doesn't get THE gift he asked for (no one asked him), he has a temper tantrum. He texts "for Christmas I want this.... *insert fitbit*" I saw a deal for a cheaper version and sent it to him and said "look at this great deal for the cheaper version" and he said it was crap and he didn't want it. If you don't get that one thing he deemed appropriate, his Christmas is ruined. My father and I have a running joke about it but it's getting ridiculous now that he's 35. [/quote]

Ugh. This guy is a man-baby.

I would drastically lower my gift budget for him. If you've been spending $100, start spending $20. When he texts you the Fitbit he wants (or whatever) simply respond "unfortunately that's out of my budget for this year." Attempt to get him something he would like (if there's something in your new price range that he sends, buy it, but it seems unlikely) but don't stress yourself out about it, and expect that he will hate it anyway. If he does something like toss it aside or say something like "I already beat this" I would put on a somewhat taken-aback face and say "that was a bit rude." He'll then argue. "I'm just being honest!" or "I got you what you wanted" or whatever juvenile comeback he has, just ignore it and move on to a new topic. Repeat. Avoid engaging.

If he ever complains that you spend more on other people than you do on him, you can calmly state "you have disliked so many of my gifts in the past, and I'm tired of seeing expensive things go to waste." Don't engage too much! If if the conversation is going on for more than a handful of back-and-forths, start repeating yourself. "As I already mentioned, that's out of my budget for this year." If he ever accepts a gift graciously, you can consider increasing your budget again.

This accomplishes a few things: 1) Stops rewarding bad behavior 2) Limits $$ waste 3) Has you standing up to poor treatment 4) Decreases your stress 5) Puts you above reproach - you are buying a gift for your brother you hope he'll like. No (sane) objective observer can complain about that.

As a side note - was he spoiled growing up? This would be incredibly rude and selfish behavior from an 8 year old. My parents were (and still are!) very generous at Christmas time, but behavior like this would NOT have gone over well, even when we were small children![/quote]

I have idea where he gets it. He is not grateful for anything. (Op here)  I am happy to get gifts even when they aren't to my taste. [/quote]

*no idea[/quote]

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