Some of you may remember me writing about my BIL who is a hoarder and for whom we spent a lot of energy and time cleaning up his house and yard. Weeks of horrible disgusting dirty work.
He does not have much furniture, nearly all that he has he inherited from his dad, just like he inherited the house. And he does need to replace his kitchen and bathroom .
So I organised a nice big gift card from ikea to him as a present. Just to get him looking at the website or in the actual store as well as getting something that could make his life better.
He opened the present. He was furious.
It seems to me he was counting on cash so that in our usual cash gift exchange he would come out even. Take into account he doesn't make any meaningful contribution to xmas dinners or any fam celebration, he usually comes out ahead.
I had no idea he was that much of an unredeemed Scrooge.
Similar thing happened to mum. Boys got the farm (big farm) she got nothing. Her mum made sure her daughter got her little place in WA and completely wrote her sons out of the will. Still tense after all these decades. Different times sure but still rough.
Anyway tell your BIL that he's being silly and should be grateful.
Characters like this in my so-called family are the reason why I don't talk to half of them anymore. They are just either takers, enablers or ignorant. I washed my hands of them and now only connect with the people who are worth it, and I'm much happier. Christmases are sooo much better now!