A woman has been left stunned by her younger sister's reaction to being given cash for her birthday, rather than the pricier present she specifically asked for.
The 28-year-old woman and original poster (OP), Reddit user Wintersneeuw02, turned to the r/AmItheA****** forum for feedback after her sister didn't take too kindly at all to receiving €50 (about $51) cash and a card for her 27th birthday.
"My sister wanted something for her birthday which was, at the time she [sent] it to me, [was] €80 after discount," the OP wrote in her post, in which she also noted that she has a well-paying job, while her sister doesn't work and lives off of their parents and her boyfriend's family.
"I thought that was too much," she continued. "Last week, the price went up to its original price of €118. I decided to give her an [envelope] with €50 of cash and a card instead."
Her sister's reaction, however, shocked her.
"She got really mad at me," the OP wrote. "My sister always gives me very cheap gifts for my birthday.
"I do not mind because they are still things I want or can use, but if she is willing to spend €35 at most for my birthdays then why should I spend €118 for hers?"
Redditors were quick to back the OP, with one writing, "She should just appreciate that you gave her a gift at all. Gifts aren't a requirement, so she just sounds very spoiled and entitled while whining about it."
"A gift is a gift, not an ask"
A second remarked, "All the background on your respective financial situations doesn't make a ton of impact as far as I'm concerned.
"You are not obligated to spend a particular amount on a gift, and you aren't required to give a requested gift if it exceeds your budget. End of story...It was thoughtful to give it in cash so that she can put it towards that item if she so chooses. Your sister is being rude, entitled, and an AH."
"A gift is a gift, not an ask," one Redditor noted. "If she doesn't like it, take it back. I personally would never buy her another thing."
"You didn't care to give it any thought"
Meanwhile, one Reddit user criticized the OP for her decision: "YTA for giving cash instead of a gift. Shows you didn't care to give it any thought. NTA for spending 50 bucks, that's not unreasonable."
Another felt that both siblings in this spat could have treated each other better. They noted, "Sister is the AH but it seems you had the means to spend a little more, you just wanted to make a statement. That's ok, I would too, but kinda towards ESH."
Despite "popular convention" that giving cash as a gift is "uninspired," etiquette expert Lizzie Post previously told Vox that that's not always the case.
The key, Post said, is to make this gesture "thoughtful" by including a card—as the OP did—and perhaps writing a short note about how you hope the recipient spends the money.
When considering the amount to give, Post advised considering your relationship with the person and only giving what's in your budget.
In another case of gift-giving drama to hit the internet, a mom was recently slammed online for giving her son —but not her daughter-in-law—a graduation gift, as covered by Newsweek.
Newsweek contacted the OP for comment via Reddit.
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