Please Settle This,
There are four of us siblings, and between us we have eleven kids. Eleven. Plus spouses. Plus my parents. Plus my brother’s new girlfriend, who I have met once, but who sent me a candle last year, so now I have to get her something too, right? Right?
Last Christmas I spent $900 on gifts. I make decent money, but not "$900 in December" money. I put most of it on a credit card and I paid it off in May. In MAY. I was still paying for Christmas when the kids were on summer break.
And honestly? Half the gifts I got were things nobody needed either. A third candle. A mug that says "Sister Of The Year," from my sister, who I am almost certain bought six of them.
So this year I texted the sibling group chat early. I said, "What if we do a $50 limit per family? Or a gift swap, everybody draws one name?"
My older sister replied with a thumbs up within a minute. I think she cried with relief.
My brother Andre replied: "Christmas is about generosity. A $50 limit is cheap. If money is tight for you, just say so, you do not have to change it for everyone."
In front of everybody.
Now my younger sister will not take a side, my older sister is texting me privately saying "thank you for saying it," and Andre is posting about "the spirit of giving" on Instagram.
Am I wrong for wanting to cap it? Or am I the Grinch?
Signed,
Santa’s Overdraft
Letters are written by NowSettled from the disputes people search for. Names and details are made up.
