I could see grandparents really wanting to go the extra mile to give super good presents when they are giving it to the grandkids in person. So that 1. the grandkids can have good memories of them and associate them with the presents and 2. so they can enjoy watching their grandkids' reactions when opening the gifts. Also big gifts are easier to give in person rather than mailing, mailing costs more, there's the danger of theft/package damage, extra work to get it packaged right etc. Sometimes the type of gift chosen is different just because it is easier to mail.

So it may not be deliberate.

that's crappy that MIL spends considerably more on her other grandchildren than on yours. and only when you can't make xmas? and then she rubs it in your face that she got XYZ $200 gifts and your child a $20 gift. yuck. not like amazon can't deliver things well.

wonder what your husband has to say about this behavior?

Actually I can see it. I spend more on people we see on the holidays because the gift giving is part of the activity we are sharing. For people who aren't local I have to box and send stuff and I definitely don't do as much. Now it's not the difference between 500 and 75 obviously, but for local people I am more likely to do multiple gifts.

She sounds passive aggressive. You have my condolences.

Lol, that's hilaripus! You should let her know by the end of summer next year whether you'll be visiting so she can budget appropriately.

I hate petty, passive aggressive things like that. My mother and my SIL give cheaper gifts if they are mad at someone and I think it is weird.

Anonymous wrote:If they normally spend $500 and switch to $75 it is a noticeable difference. I think it is petty and wrong to take it out on DD.

DA FUQ??!!!!
They are not entitled to spend that on every occasion !!
Last year I bought DH a $500 camera that he wanted.
This year he gets a key chain and a fit it
Less than half of what I spent last year!!!!!
Bitch please!!

My DILs do their best to make sure we never have the kids for any holiday so we order loads of gifts for every kid. I make sure the orders are spread out too so the bitches can't rest during the day.

Christmas and birthdays are wonderful. HA HA !!! Laughing in my evil MIL cackle.

Who cares?

Anonymous wrote:OP I would make sure your kids brag to this evil MIL about the great gifts they got from their other grandparents.

dH and the entire family like to brush things under the rug. It is a very lumpy rug.