MIL just gave me a Xmas present

[Anonymous]

My mIL gave me a box of cake mix that she knows dh has eaten in the past. So my Xmas present was to add water to it and then serve it to him? Needless to say it went into the trash as soon as we got home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL gave me an “extra” gift this year as well. It was clearly used lotion (was crusty at opening and missing some) and a mix of “not for resale” toiletry samples. Also clearly stated it was a Christmas gift.

I accepted graciously and will use the stuff (ok, maybe not the questionable lotion), but I couldn’t help but laugh. At least make sure the stuff isn’t blatantly used. That’s just odd. And no, money isn’t the issue.

You sound like a good sport. I am laughing with you.

+1

You gotta laugh, because it is so blatantly rude. Especially if you pick out so many thoughtful and generous gifts over the years, because the spoiled SILs refuse to go in on a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL gave me an “extra” gift this year as well. It was clearly used lotion (was crusty at opening and missing some) and a mix of “not for resale” toiletry samples. Also clearly stated it was a Christmas gift.

I accepted graciously and will use the stuff (ok, maybe not the questionable lotion), but I couldn’t help but laugh. At least make sure the stuff isn’t blatantly used. That’s just odd. And no, money isn’t the issue.

I think I have you beat. My MIL once gave me a ziplock bag full of old hair scrunchies, with flowery patterns. Said something along the lines of: "I just got a hair cut, but your hair is still long". At first I didn't quite realized what those were, so I muttered my thank-yous and stuffed the bag into my purse. When I finally got to open the bag, the scrunchies smelled like old hair.

No, I wasn't laughing like you, OP, I wasn't a good sport. I was pissed. And money isn't the issue, either, the old witch's sitting on bazillions.

ALWAYS the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL gave me an “extra” gift this year as well. It was clearly used lotion (was crusty at opening and missing some) and a mix of “not for resale” toiletry samples. Also clearly stated it was a Christmas gift.

I accepted graciously and will use the stuff (ok, maybe not the questionable lotion), but I couldn’t help but laugh. At least make sure the stuff isn’t blatantly used. That’s just odd. And no, money isn’t the issue.

I think I have you beat. My MIL once gave me a ziplock bag full of old hair scrunchies, with flowery patterns. Said something along the lines of: "I just got a hair cut, but your hair is still long". At first I didn't quite realized what those were, so I muttered my thank-yous and stuffed the bag into my purse. When I finally got to open the bag, the scrunchies smelled like old hair.

No, I wasn't laughing like you, OP, I wasn't a good sport. I was pissed. And money isn't the issue, either, the old witch's sitting on bazillions.

ALWAYS the way.

Well, there is no need to dump your junk onto someone else under the guise of “extra presents!” Just don’t give anything at all and donate it. Especially if it’s so apparent it’s used.

[Anonymous]

Let it go. It's all just material stuff, and some people aren't good at gift giving. It's not important. Just say thank you and forget about it.

[Anonymous]

My mother in law never bought me anything. However, one year my father in law did give me a used computer stand that I assume was bought at a yard sale... Say thank you, donate it, and move on!!

[Anonymous]

15 years married and still waiting on a Christmas gift from ILs (for both of us), or a card, or a merry christmas email, phone call, text. Say thank you and if it isn't hideous, wear it!

[Anonymous]

Surely you don't feel offended, OP?
She thought of you. She gave you a gift. You say thank you, and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Oh come on! She said it was Xmas gift, didn't give OP a gift at Christmas, and has a history of giving OP gifts that make it clear she thinks of her as an afterthought if at all. OP isn't saying that it's a deliberate nasty-gram; she's saying her MIL clearly telegraphs her lack of enthusiasm for her through these gifts, and it's unnecessary and hurts her feelings.

This is pretty much it. One year she gave DH a Costco pack of Sensodyne (toothpaste for sensitive gums), but it had two tubes missing and then taped shut with masking tape. She told him it was his Xmas gift. So I guess I shouldn't take it personally.

Omg. Are you my sil? This is totally how my mil gives gifts. I mean, there could be a nice one mixed in every once in awhile, but it is more often random half used stuff. I have learned to appreciate the entertainment.

[Anonymous]

Say thank you and move on. I’ve posted before - my MIL gave me a single dish towel for my birthday last year. A dish towel that was part of a 2-pack and she kept the other for herself. I laugh and keep on with my life.

[Anonymous]

lol mil gave us nothing. Not even for the kids. She is so passive aggressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Oh come on! She said it was Xmas gift, didn't give OP a gift at Christmas, and has a history of giving OP gifts that make it clear she thinks of her as an afterthought if at all. OP isn't saying that it's a deliberate nasty-gram; she's saying her MIL clearly telegraphs her lack of enthusiasm for her through these gifts, and it's unnecessary and hurts her feelings.

DP. This is a chicken and the egg scenario since OP "clearly telegraphs her lack of enthusiasm" for her MIL. OP needs to say thank you and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Give me your address and I'll send you all the crap in my closet I don't want.

Call the Salvation Army and have them pick it up.

[Anonymous]

I am very impressed with the attitudes here. That is clearly mean and yet everyone shrugs it off. I am very impressed.

My MIL never has given me a gift. She always gives fancy gifts to DH in front of me and I'm actually grateful because I have never had to pretend to be thankful for being given something that wasn't a gift at all but a power trip to show how much she hates me. Now I think that she is kinder than the MILs here who give garbage as gifts and expect to be thanked. At least my MIL doesn't expect a thank you.