I think I am going to embarrass my best friend

Equal the number of presents she gives you on Christmas day and keep the rest for 'just for you' gifts for whenever. Oh, I would love that gift at no special reason. It would mean a lot.

Luckygirl I think you are right. I hope so, or the poster has serious problems.
Mind you, this was done to me one year by my sister. She knew I had no money but she bought me a mountain of stuff and gave me a £200 gift card. She had asked me for a cruet set. I spent ages finding the nicest one I could afford and made some mince pies which I took. She bought herself a cruet set on Christmas Eve so mine were pointless and put the mince pies back in my bag so I found them when I got home - so people can behave like this. If you try to explain it to people, they just think you are ungrateful but it isn't about that. It is about being treated like a charity case. That was the last Christmas I spent with her.
I still think that you are right about the OP though - especially if she has form.

Really?.......................................

Definitely don't make an embarassing OTT gesture by giving her sackloads of stuff. As others have suggested, a few little items and then give her the occasional thing during year when you meet up. You HAVE to give in line with what other person can afford when you're dealing with adults. Or they just feel inferior, pressured to spend and a charity case- they don't revel in the gifts at all.

If it's true or if it's not, how very strange......

Yes, same one BlueBelle. At the time thst one didn’t ring true either.

Maybe some of those presents are school plimsolls, or maybe an animal onesie.

Oh dear, how sad.

Oh was it the same poster who had the killed cats Bellanonna? well now I m thinking for sure it’s another wind up .... poster must be bored and looking for fun at our expense

I can understand the very generous impulse you had to buy things your friend would really like. But if it is likely to make her feel embarrassed and upset, you shouldn't give them all to her now. As others have said, give only one or two presents and save the rest for other occasions.

Quite simple, if you know that it would embarrass her, don't do it. Why did you need to ask?

"But now I think she'll spend Christmas morning crying. Any ideas?"

Surely the sensible thought process after realising this is "I've bought too many things. I won't give her all of them as I don't want her to be upset."

I think it is you who has the problem Miep, not your friend who doesn't have much money - why would you want to upset her.

OTT behaviour like this is often a sign of a personality disorder - I am not suggesting you have one but the trend is worrying. We have a friend who exhibits similar behaviour patterns and she is diagnosed as bi-polar.

Definitely a wind-up!

Give her one or two and a box with just a letter in telling her that she brings such joy to your life you’ve decided to keep Christmas going all year! Each month she can expect a little box with something you hope she’ll love as a reminder of how great you think she is !

Sorted :-) xx

Oh! On of those posts ?

OP posted in October about a carer who killer her cats, saying

“And the birch ran over and killed my beautiful cats AND laughed. I wish I could kill HER”.

Luckygirl I was starting to think that

I would simply keep some back, I wouldn't give them away if they were chosen specifically. I buy gifts for friends & relatives when I see something I think they will like. Then at Xmas / birthday / other occasion I look them out and give what seems the best at the time.
Having said that, you must be close. DH & I, and my sister & I, have an arrangement that if a present seems 'just right' we won't worry if it costs a bit less one year or a bit more the next, and we won't buy just for the sake of it.
So last year, DH only got a box of his favourite sweets. This year he has 3 books & a pair of special slippers as well.

As you seem aware of how your friend will feel, then please just give her one or two gifts. You can always donate other items to a charity shop or two.

I think this post is a wind-up.

Another one saying please don't do this to your friend

Sounds bonkers to me.....here are lots of presents, which I know will make you feel terrible and be upset, but I'm going to give them to you anyway!

Next year, just curb your impulses and buy nothing for her until a fortnight before the event you need a gift for. Put the money saved in a jar and donate to charity at the end of the year.