My mother just called to complain about a gift I sent her

[Anonymous]

My brother used to get me awesome presents for Xmas: Lulu lemon outfits, nice jewelry, cool books, stuff that interested me.

Now he's married and my sister in law buys my gifts. She sends me personalized mugs, blankets, calendars, just a bunch of crap from shutterfly.

I wish they'd send me nothing, as I throw them all away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My brother used to get me awesome presents for Xmas: Lulu lemon outfits, nice jewelry, cool books, stuff that interested me.

Now he's married and my sister in law buys my gifts. She sends me personalized mugs, blankets, calendars, just a bunch of crap from shutterfly.

I wish they'd send me nothing, as I throw them all away.

Where's a waaahhumblance when you need one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My brother used to get me awesome presents for Xmas: Lulu lemon outfits, nice jewelry, cool books, stuff that interested me.

Now he's married and my sister in law buys my gifts. She sends me personalized mugs, blankets, calendars, just a bunch of crap from shutterfly.

I wish they'd send me nothing, as I throw them all away.

Aww this is actually really sad. Picking out a thoughtful gift is such a lovely gesture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I send it to her every year. It is a photo product with pictures of the kids and us. She has enjoyed it in the past. This year she called simply to say she got it. That last year's was better. She really liked last year's but this year's was "just OK." No thanks were offered.

I was in the middle of getting the three kids to bed, one has been difficult all day and DH was still at work.

I have no more words.

I don't consider a photo of my family as a gift for other people. Maybe she is tired of that gift and would prefer something more personal for her.

Exactly!!. Give her something she likes for heavens sake! She's allowed to show her displeasure. She's your mom

Seriously, my mom has a running joke about what a bad gift giver I am. If I actually gift her something good, she pretends to pass out.
It's funny actually -- she's my mom -- we can act like that with each other. Not being snarky, but are you the extra sensitive type?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother used to get me awesome presents for Xmas: Lulu lemon outfits, nice jewelry, cool books, stuff that interested me.

Now he's married and my sister in law buys my gifts. She sends me personalized mugs, blankets, calendars, just a bunch of crap from shutterfly.

I wish they'd send me nothing, as I throw them all away.

Aww this is actually really sad. Picking out a thoughtful gift is such a lovely gesture.

[b]

Honestly it really is about the thought. I felt really special when my brother would surprise me with something I had talked about years ago or just something really unique that showed he really understood me. My SIL has taken over holidays (my mom isn't even allowed to make Xmas dinner anymore) and gift buying. She literally gets everyone the exact same photo gift, so when one person opens it you how where in your box. I love my nerves but I don't need to curl up at night and wear a "first steps!" T shirt to bed and curl up under a photo collage blanket, beside a digital
Photo frame with pictures of my SIL before bed!

[Anonymous]

I love my nieces! Whoops sorry about those typos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My brother used to get me awesome presents for Xmas: Lulu lemon outfits, nice jewelry, cool books, stuff that interested me.

Now he's married and my sister in law buys my gifts. She sends me personalized mugs, blankets, calendars, just a bunch of crap from shutterfly.

I wish they'd send me nothing, as I throw them all away.

Aww this is actually really sad. Picking out a thoughtful gift is such a lovely gesture.

[b]

Honestly it really is about the thought. I felt really special when my brother would surprise me with something I had talked about years ago or just something really unique that showed he really understood me. My SIL has taken over holidays (my mom isn't even allowed to make Xmas dinner anymore) and gift buying. She literally gets everyone the exact same photo gift, so when one person opens it you how where in your box. I love my nerves but I don't need to curl up at night and wear a "first steps!" T shirt to bed and curl up under a photo collage blanket, beside a digital
Photo frame with pictures of my SIL before bed!

From thoughtful to

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/821267/look-at-my-kids-o.gif

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I send it to her every year. It is a photo product with pictures of the kids and us. She has enjoyed it in the past. This year she called simply to say she got it. That last year's was better. She really liked last year's but this year's was "just OK." No thanks were offered.

I was in the middle of getting the three kids to bed, one has been difficult all day and DH was still at work.

I have no more words.

I don't consider a photo of my family as a gift for other people. Maybe she is tired of that gift and would prefer something more personal for her.

I think it depends. I send my parents a photo calendar with pics of my kids and our family in it every year for Christmas and they love it. In fact, they would be very disappointed if I stopped sending them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I send it to her every year. It is a photo product with pictures of the kids and us. She has enjoyed it in the past. This year she called simply to say she got it. That last year's was better. She really liked last year's but this year's was "just OK." No thanks were offered.

I was in the middle of getting the three kids to bed, one has been difficult all day and DH was still at work.

I have no more words.

I don't consider a photo of my family as a gift for other people. Maybe she is tired of that gift and would prefer something more personal for her.

I think it depends. I send my parents a photo calendar with pics of my kids and our family in it every year for Christmas and they love it. In fact, they would be very disappointed if I stopped sending them.

What's sad is no one sees the difference between an added gift and a true gift

Yr parents very likely enjoy the photo items, but tpwould probably really appreciate a GIFT that speaks to them, and the fact that they have already raised and sacrificed so much for you and your family.

At what point do y accept being a grownup and stop making your parents lives about YOU?