I vote to give it to him anyway. Honesty is the best policy. You had it completed for him before he advised you of the money issue. And I'll bet he has something up his sleeve for you anyway. Let us know if I am correct.

Give him the quilt. Christmas is not about presents, who gets what, have we given each other an "equal" value in gifts? I celebrate the birth of Christ, and that is my main reason for celebrating Christmas. When my husband asks me what I want for Christmas, I tell him: "Make me a memory." It can be as simple as a dinner he cooks, a rented movie, a cozy evening to ourselves with the phone off the hook --- he's so busy, we have few of those, so we cherish them. Or it can be a dressed up evening out to our favorite restaurant. Or we could spend the day at the new, free art show coming to town (that he knows I'll love), and include a lovely lunch. It doesn't have to be a lot, and perhaps that needs to be conveyed as well. What can he do to make you happy, give you a nice day, a nice memory? Things will go by the wayside, except for quilts which last forever! But memories are special because they are yours forever, to relive and savor. I'll take a memory any day over a new perfume, or some other item I likely don't need (since my husband doesn't quilt!) Just go for the love and spirit of Christmas, never mind keeping score on presents, and do what your heart tells you to do. If you love your husband, give him the quilt. He'll love you for it, I know.

I've said my piece. I hope you have a lovely Christmas!

I would just give him the quilt with love and ask him to make me breakfast for a gift!

LOL! Your MIL sounds just like mine, only her name was Annie. She would rather use an old purse that she patched than a new one in her favorite color along with gloves and a scarf. She wasn't much at gift giving either, she usually just handed grandkids some money. Forget about her having a Holiday dinner, half the time when we arrived no one would be home.

I don't know your situation, but I know mine. The guy came to give an estimate for cutting down some diseased very tall pines around our house (one which would eventually fall on the house!) a few days ago--$2500. My husband, who gets tighter with money every year (now in his 70's), announced afterward we couldn't afford gifts this year for each other and not much for kids and grandkids. I'm the one who keeps up with the money--pays bills, balances accounts, keeps up with investiments. I cut him short on that deal and said we'd do the same for Christmas as we've always done. He hasn't mentioned it since.

However, I know in today's economy many are having to cut corners. I like the suggestion others have made that you give gifts that don't cost money, just time and effort. A gift doesn't have to be something purchased from a store.

His gift to you has been the love he has for you by supporting you in your endeavor, your gift to him is a quilt just for him, made with with the love you have for him. What a wonderful Christmas full of love.

you've made it, give it, money's spent and made with love ,tell him you will share.

Giving it to him now takes it out of "Christmas" but gives him a chance to reciprocate if he wants.

However, I would also give him a list of all the gifts he's given to you this past year, the ones that (like the quilt) were paid for in time and love. For instance if he fixed the fence, or brought you soup when you were sick, or often reaches into tall cabinets for you, those are the things that spell romance to me. Give the list to him with the quilt, so he understands those gifts to you were appreciated.

My husband and I don't exchange gifts on holidays like Christmas, but we try to give of ourselves everyday.