I didn't get a "worst" gift thsi year because I do not accept things from my brother - and my mom finally figured out around J's birthday in July that I do this because it hurts my kids NOT because it hurts me. Took her over a year to stop tantrumming and open her eyes to how many times he causes problems for my kdis. So that was an AWESOME gift.
Gfgbro has NEVER, not even ONE time got a gift that resembles something that one of us MIGHT use. I get broken parts in a box (usually to something else), clothes made out of fabric that I can't bear to touch with-o wanting to cringe (the only one with more touch sensitivity in the family than me is gfgbro - and he HATES the texture of EVERY item he gives me, always alwasy has).
He also gives my kids stuff that is so so far from anything they would be interested in (while claiming to be very close to them and that they confide in him - boy you should see the confusion on their faces wehn he brags about how they confide in him) and they try SO HARD to be polite and gracious about receiving them.
This year was a TOTAL relief. NO fussing from my mom about how it isn't mas if we are notall together, no fussing about how we are not "understanding" that gfgbro doesn't have $$ toget something we like (a hershey bar is too expensive?) and no gifts that we look at each other with that WTH???? look while trying to be polite.
My mother WAS peeved at my uncle. He sends a check each year. To be divided up x amt to each of us. He sends no cards. Expects Mom to cash the check, get NEW bills (he has the nerve to call and check - she lies because it is a hassle) and buy money holder cards to ptu them in (the cost of the $ holders is NOT included n the check!) My mom USED to pick out gifts for him, his new wife, his daughter, grands, etc.... Now? She sends a check. This year she sent $ holder cards with everyone's name on them, hoping he would get the hint. Nope. So she is done iwth that too.
This year I put the $ n the cards. Mom was so grumpy until I separated the 20's and 5's and did "one for you, one for me, one for you, one for me" with the 20's going to me (it was ONLY a joke I woudl NEVER actually do it). Then I had them in the envelopes properly, double checked them, and then put names on them. "Mine." "Mine" "Mine"
The look on her face was priceless. I only ACTUALLY wrote "MINE' on the one for me - and I put my name on it too. But just the thought had her laughing, which is what was needed. She has been very hurt by this because in past years she put SO MUCH thought into gifts,and felt it was a slap in teh face because he did NOTHING except call 5-4 times to be sure the check arrived and his curent wife, who generally we love, brags a TON about how thoughtful he is picking out gifts for her kids and her siblings, etc.... but he doesn't even write individual checks to us, well, it bugs my mom.
So it was great to see her laugh about all of this!
