A mother was accused of being ‘stingy’ after she revealed her plans to give her 16-year-old daughter a £150 budget for her birthday and Christmas presents.
The mother, who lives in the UK, explained in a Mumsnet post that she has given her daughter, whose birthday is on Christmas Eve, the same amount to spend since childhood.
However the teenager is now complaining it isn’t enough to buy two sets of gifts. She wants a pair of Dr Martens, which will use up almost the entire budget.
Other parents agreed the mother was being ‘tight’ not to offer her daughter a bit more money if she could afford it, with several pointing out £150 ‘doesn’t go far’ when buying gifts for teenagers.
In a Mumsnet post, the mother, who is from the UK, explained that she has given her daughter, whose Christmas Eve birthday falls on December Eve, the same amount of money as she gave her child in childhood. Stock image
The mother explained the situation by writing: “My daughter will turn 16 on Christmas Eve. I give her £150 for birthday/ Christmas and she picks what she wants and I’ll get her them.
‘She said I’m being “unrealistic” to think she can get much from £150 for birthday and Christmas.
‘Ever since she was little I’ve always spent £150 for both birthday/ Christmas. It has caused a lot of controversy today.
“She wants Dr Martens. She has stated that it will be all her money gone, so she will only get one present. I advised her to buy cheaper things, but it didn’t go down well.
The mother explained that the teenager is complaining that it isn’t enough money to buy two sets. She also suggested that she wants a pair Dr Martens for almost all of her budget.
Later, she revealed that her daughters’ wish lists included perfume, a Valentino handbag, and a Morphe cosmetic palette.
However she was quickly criticised by other parents, with one writing: ‘I think £75 for each is quite a small amount for a 16 year old.
It would have been a lot to buy for a child when they were young, but as they age, items become more expensive and don’t last as long.
“She doesn’t seem too spoilt if she asks for Dr Martens. She’s not asking for the latest console. She’s right that £75 doesn’t go far.’
Parents were quick to agree the mother was being ‘tight’ not to offer her daughter a bit more money if she could afford it, with several pointing out £150 ‘doesn’t go far’
Another person said, “It seems odd that the amount seems have remained the same even though she has older. So everything is more costly because inflation and because prices go up as you get older.
“It’s also a little strange that you can afford more, but don’t think she should have perfume, bags or makeup. [you]She resents being gifted money.
A third added: ‘I think £75 on birthday and Christmas is a little stingy sorry, especially if you can afford more. The cost of everything has risen dramatically these days.
‘My little girl is four and we only planned to spend £200 on Christmas which got us four presents. When she is so excited, I couldn’t allow her to wake up on Christmas Day to see four presents.
Others responded to the accusation that the daughter was ungrateful and suggested that she should find a job if her goal is more money.
Despite the backlash other parents said the daughter seemed’spoilt’ and urged her mother to not increase her budget for gifts.
“If my child thought I was being stingy, they would be getting nothing. She sounds entitled, and she doesn’t seem to appreciate it. I would give her a card with a box chocolates and a detailed explanation about what I was doing and why.
Another commented, “She sounds like a complete brat.” If we had an argument like this, she would not get anything for Xmas or her birthday. Get her a part-time job then she will understand how hard it is to earn £150!’