Mil gives me present I don't want every year

[Anonymous]

You know, OP, I'd concentrate on being grateful that this gift (that keeps on giving, lol) is small and you can put it away. That is the true blessing of this gift. We got a painting once, a huge painting, of a militia battle--only they were riding on dairy cows (a joke, I guess). Very hard to say thank you and put that in a drawer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, that's just how MILs are. Mine has been told repeatedly not to use my Amazon wish list as a guide to what I actually want as gifts (I use it for things I'm thinking about buying myself, DH, or our kids and it often contains multiple brands of the same type of thing I'm considering). So this year I got the cheapest of eight hand vacs on my list. I think it's obvious that if there are 8 things on a list, the person hasn't decided what they want yet, but apparently not to MIL.

Can you make it private?

I recommend that you create a new free Yahoo account that does not include your name. Then use that to create your Amazon wish list for things you are just thinking about and leave the account that family knows about for things you are actually interested in getting. You know that you can't control your MIL and she'll check out your wish list, so just split the wish list.

That seems overly complicated. I guess I could make it private but it's just weird that she checks out my wish list that I've never told anyone about, she had to search for it. I'll just make it private but it's just so silly that we've told her a thousand times not to look at our amazon accounts and she still goes and searches for them on Amazon.

It's actually very easy to make your amazon wish list private. You can also have multiple wish lists - one public, one private. Or do a 'shopping list' for the type of thing you describe, which is also private.

Oh no, I was responding to the person who said I should create a new amazon account altogether. I already have multiple public and private wish lists, just for some reason I thought I couldn't make my default list private. I just changed it a couple hours ago, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, that's just how MILs are. Mine has been told repeatedly not to use my Amazon wish list as a guide to what I actually want as gifts (I use it for things I'm thinking about buying myself, DH, or our kids and it often contains multiple brands of the same type of thing I'm considering). So this year I got the cheapest of eight hand vacs on my list. I think it's obvious that if there are 8 things on a list, the person hasn't decided what they want yet, but apparently not to MIL.

One year I received 5 spatulas for the same reason. Now the list is private. I do have a spatula for every possible occasion....

[Anonymous]

She's trying to be nice. Don't blame her b/c your DH is an idiot.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure that some of my gifts to my MIL aren't exactly her idea of wonderful. Some years I can pick out something perfect, other years I just have no idea (it's the same way with my own mom)...I'm sure it's the same for MILs, too.

There's a difference between trying and missing the mark. And a person trying to miss the mark, though. I've read about what sure sounds like some fairly passive aggressive gift giving on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

She's on a roll now. You can't stop her. I think it would start getting funny which you can pretend is elation at receiving yet another charm. Maybe your DH is passive aggressive and told her you want it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's on a roll now. You can't stop her. I think it would start getting funny which you can pretend is elation at receiving yet another charm. Maybe your DH is passive aggressive and told her you want it?

Fight back by giving her generic everything - soaps, shower gels, candles. All in the most boring, nondescript scent and color that you kind find. (subliminal message: I find YOU generic, boring and nondescript..not worth my time).

I am totally joking!! I really doubt that the charms are meant to be jerky. She just found an easy theme for you and she seems to put some effort into finding little charms that commemorate important events in your life. Instead of fuming over getting these charms, maybe find a way to use them in a scrap book or other creative display (like in a shadow box). Even use them to make Christmas ornaments for the tree. I'm sure you'll come up with something.

[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 amazing gifts. She got me a brand new kitchen aid mixer, ceramic mixing bowls, a bunch of books from my reading list and chocolates.

My mother gave me a check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 amazing gifts. She got me a brand new kitchen aid mixer, ceramic mixing bowls, a bunch of books from my reading list and chocolates.

My mother gave me a check.

I'm lucky that both my MIL & my mom are good, thoughtful gift givers. Some years (like this year for us) cash/gift cards ARE thoughtful gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, OP, I'd concentrate on being grateful that this gift (that keeps on giving, lol) is small and you can put it away. That is the true blessing of this gift. We got a painting once, a huge painting, of a militia battle--only they were riding on dairy cows (a joke, I guess). Very hard to say thank you and put that in a drawer.

This is hilarious

[Anonymous]

I'd misplace that bracelet if I were you. ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's trying to be nice. Don't blame her b/c your DH is an idiot.

Uhh why is dh the idiot? Mil is the idiot for buying what she know someone doesn't want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's on a roll now. You can't stop her. I think it would start getting funny which you can pretend is elation at receiving yet another charm. Maybe your DH is passive aggressive and told her you want it?

Op said dh told mil in front of her she didn't want it

[Anonymous]

Ungrateful DIL. Enjoy the thoughtful gift. This is not a real problem.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe no one else finds the baby charm inappropriate