Do you ever feel bad when

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: Someone buys you a gift that you know is WAY more expensive than what you bought them? I know it's the thought that counts, but I'm feeling so guilty because my SIL has been buying me really extravagant gifts lately. Last year for my birthday I got a real Louis Vuitton bag from her...not just a small clutch, but like a carry-on bag size!!! She models, so MIL told me she gets either deals or things for free, but still!! She doesn't have to give the freebies to me! And then this year, she gave me a box FULL of spa/beauty products from a very expensive brand. I know this is bad of me, but I looked the brand up online and saw that one item (body oil) cost $60...she gave me over a dozen items!!

I know it's rude of me to even think about it or to compare, but all I gave her for her birthday was a $50 gift certificate to a knitting store. MIL said she wanted it, but how can I top a bag that probably costs more than my mortgage??

She knows we're on one income, but I just feel awful. Now I'm stressin' over what to get her for Christmas.

sunshine girls replied: I feel bad if someone gives me something for my birthday that is obviously more expensive than what I gave them, but I don't think it bothers the other person. I try not to think about it, because it's the thought that counts. I could get something that cost $10 and it could be the best present ever that means alot to me, and I could get something that cost $500 dollars but it isn't as meaningful as the $10 gift.

But yeah, I do feel bad when that happens but I try not to let it bother me, as long as I know that my gift means something to the person, even if it wasn't as expensive as what they gave me.

holley79 replied: I have the same problem. A very good friend of mine also models and gives me all kinds of stuff all the time. None of the stuff I can top in price. She even gave me about $1000.00 worth of Maternity clothes. No matter what I have gotten her in the past she is alway thrilled with it. So I guess as long as the person is happy we should be also. I am such a simple person. I like little things.

MM'sMama replied:


And I think she more than likely gives you these things because she wants to. I don't think she would if it didn't make her feel good about it. And I'm sure she knows that mommy's need special treats too and that maybe even if you could you wouldn't get them for yourself .

I wouldn't sweat it but I am the same way my MIL&FIL tend to dot that to me as well . They took us on a trip to the Bahama's and yes I had fun but not as much as you would think because I kept thinking how much this was costing them . And we could never give them something that extreme. KWIM?

gr33n3y3z replied:
I agree

ammommy replied: When I worked in retail, I used to get all kinds of high end freebies, or next-to-freebies. I had so much stuff that I would pass them on to people who would appreciate them, not even thinking that they would feel bad about receiving them. That's probably her feeling, too.

C&K*s Mommie replied: You may not be able to (top her gift{s}) and that is perfectly fine I am sure with her. It may be in her mind to, nice to recieve a gift with the interest or real thought behind it, not simply because it of the price. As in the gift certificate to the knitting store.

If I rec'd nothing else ever again, I would be totally fine. Other than greeting cards that have real time and thought behind it. Those are the best things to me! I have a collection, and of that collection I plan to frame a select few to display and reminisce on every so often.

moped replied: I say enjoy the cool gifts - LOL

My2Beauties replied: Yes I just went through this recently with a friend of ours, she is so thoughtful when it comes to giving gifts and always gives the perfect thing and always spends way too much money and we are so tight on money right now and she is one of those "I never have a clue what she wants" type people and we always give her gift certificates to the same ol' place or something that doesn't require a lot of thought, whereas hers are always unique! But in the end, she is always very thankful and appreciative and I'm sure your sister appreciates anything you get for her, even if it costs just $5, it is the thought that counts. When I look back the shoe has been o the other foot for me and I loved their gift to me all the same!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
Oh I do!!! And I know I sound ungreatful when I'm really not...I guess I just want to find something for her that is unique instead of just a gift certificate. She is SOOOOOOOO difficult to buy for!! But like you all said, she does seem happy with whatever I get, regardless of the price. The guilt is totally ALL me...nothing she ever said or did made me feel this way. I'm just a guilty person by nature I guess...always wanting to please! LOL! I'll have to work on that.

Thank god I have MIL to at least give me some clues as to what to buy for her!

ilovemybaby replied: I understand what you mean. My sister gave me a $50 voucher for my birthday and I hardly ever have any money to even buy gifts for anyone... I always feel bad because people give me gifts and I can't give them anything. We gave our family photos of Abby in frames for Christmas. That's all we could afford.

kimberley replied: tbh, the best gift you could give her is your friendship and respect

she likely gets these things for next to nothing and KNOWS you would appreciate them like a lot of people wouldn't. i am sure if the roles were reversed, you would do the same for her. she probably knows that.