Giving and recieving gifts

When I was little I would love getting gifts and I still love getting them now! But I feel awful now because i literally can’t afford to buy anything nice in return, plus I’m worried what I’d get won’t be good enough. My mum seems to be very understanding about this but my dad doesn’t and calls me cheap, lazy scrounger. I mean he never buys me anything, it’s my mum who buys my presents and according to my dad that makes me a spoilt brat so why should I buy for him? Sorry for my rant

I’m sorry - your dad should be more understanding. When my eldest has been really short of cash (he still is fairly struggling in that way) I’ve never wanted him to overstretch his finances to buy me a present. A very small, very affordable gift that has genuine thought behind it means so much more than just spending loads of money in my opinion. Or even no gift at all is fine if things are really tight - I don’t think it matters as long as you know the love is there. I hand made card or a lovely note means just as much. Love  should never be about what you buy for someone. I like to treat people when I can though - if it’s something they would like. It’s all about the meaning behind the gift - that’s what really matters. Your dad should be using insulting language like that towards you - I’m sorry. Try not to take it to heart - he obviously has ‘issues’ (that’s the most polite way I can find of saying it!). 

Aww thank you so much for your kind words Kate! I might try and get a little something of Amazon maybe but not sure if anything would arrive before Christmas now even with prime. Mum has said just a hug and a chat is enough for her and I think that’s so sweet and emotional . Again I think all this gaslighting and guilt tripping from others has lead me to feel this way

I totally agree with your mum. A hug and a chat with my children is genuinely like gold to me

I totally agree with your mum. A hug and a chat with my children is genuinely like gold to me