So I've written about a bit of a difficult friend of mine in the past (she's invited herself to be a bridesmaid, tried to take over engagement party planning etc) who seems to be making things so difficult! I had my engagement party a couple weeks ago and because Fi and I have lived together for so long we just said that we decided to ask for no gifts and that we just wanted the pleasure of our guests company! Anyway this was clearly stated on the invites but despite that, my friend asked what we wanted. I reiterated that just her company would be more than enough but she turned up to the party with a gift! The thought was lovely but on top of really not needing anything we also felt that because we're quite tight on money at the moment and can't afford to reciprocate that we wouldn't want people to spend money on us if we can't return the gesture.
After I rang her to thank her for the gift (I didn't open it until after) she said "well I guess I'll be expecting something pretty good for my engagement party then" (which is in 3 weeks time) further along in the conversation she also talked about a friend of hers who's having her wedding in a couple weeks and she said "Do you think the present i've gotten is enough? Maybe if I get something more she'll get me an even better engagement present". I really didn't know what to say! I really can't afford a gift for her atm and to be honest i'm not feeling the most generous because I found it very rude that she'd ASK for a gift. My mother always said that you give a gift because you enjoy giving not because you enjoy recieving. Anyway do I try and explain again (the money situation) or do I just leave it and not send her an engagement present!?