Mil gives me present I don't want every year

[Anonymous]

Mil asked dh 2 years ago if I'd like a pandora bracelet. He said he's sure i wouldn't, BC im not a bracelet or charm bracelet type. Xmas morning at her house 2 years ago, she gives me a box to open, it's a pandora bracelet. Incredibly awkward. Fast fwd to last year, she gets me a charm for my bday AND for Xmas. And you guessed it, this am I opened the box from her and it's yet another charm. I smile and say thanks each time, but I'm finding this ridiculous. Especially since she asked dh if I would like this and he said no. She can be quite manipulative and feisty. Is this all part of a game she's playing or what?

[Anonymous]

Or, you can hang on to it and have something nice to pass to your kids.

[Anonymous]

Say thank you and keep putting it away. It does not take up much room. I would not let it bug me. Maybe you can sell it on craigslist after she's gone.

[Anonymous]

Keep it and wear it when u see her

[Anonymous]

Are pandora bracelets and charms made of real gold? If so, I think I'd get some cash for gold and can recommend a great place if you are interested. Seriously, I took a bag of broken, outdated, unwanted, gifts from former boyfriends and left with $700.

[Anonymous]

OP you must be very young to not know this so please take this advice. Don't try and figure out if it's a game or not. This is very typical and there are a few different reasons it may be happening but your job always stays the same. Thank your MIL for the gift. And it's only incredibly awkward because you are running all these thoughts through your head. Just stop running all these thoughts. Act like a guy--clean and simple--just say thank you and move on. And expect more charms next year.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure your husband was not wishy washy when he answered his mother's question?

[Anonymous]

Just say thanks and be grateful you have "problems" like this.

[Anonymous]

Be gracious, be thankful and keep them for occasional use or may be never use them and you can pass it on to your kids.

[Anonymous]

Bizarre. Just say thanks and put it away. No need to gush over it.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anyone who has a MIL who gives good gifts. The MIL DIL relationship is one of tolerance. We tolerate each other. If you have a better relationship with your MIL than one where you tolerate each other, count yourself lucky. My MIL's gifts this year were awful, just like they are every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure your husband was not wishy washy when he answered his mother's question?

Op here: yes. When I opened the present a few yrs ago and it was the bracelet he actually said out loud, "mom I told you not to get that." Awkward.

[Anonymous]

Awkward? Ha! I'd just gush all over it and say, "How did you know this would make me SO HAPPY?!? Thank you Midge!"

Then put it away.

[Anonymous]

Those things are expensive. The bracelet is around $60 to $75 on Ebay and the charms run $15 - $50. I'd sell that sucker on Ebay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know anyone who has a MIL who gives good gifts. The MIL DIL relationship is one of tolerance. We tolerate each other. If you have a better relationship with your MIL than one where you tolerate each other, count yourself lucky. My MIL's gifts this year were awful, just like they are every year.

My MIL gives great gifts. Probably one reason why is because I'm not afraid to tell her (in an extremely nice way) that pandora bracelets and charms are not my thing. If she were to still give them to me, and I'd just smile and put them away. The gifter gets to choose what to give.