Inlaws stopped gift exchange, but still swap presents
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Anonymous
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I know everyone hates gift exchange, but.
My inlaws decided about 6 years ago that only the kids would get gifts. Fine - except the siblings still swap gifts! This wouldn't be a problem except that DH and I aren't local, so when we visit, his siblings come over and give him "unofficial" presents while I sit there like a bump on the a log. I don't want the gifts, and don't need anything, but it makes me feel completely left out. I know there's no way I can stop this, but how can I feel ok about it? |
Anonymous
| Its tacky that they do not get you even a token gift. I'd be annoyed too. |
Anonymous
| Don't take it personally. How long does the gift swap take? It can't last more than an hour. Enjoy their company the rest of the time. |
Anonymous
It happens all day as people flow in and out of the house. |
Anonymous
| Does your husband give them gifts, too, or just receive them? |
Anonymous
| Are any of DH's brothers and sisters married? Are they part of this gift exchange also? |
Anonymous
| All of the above questions are good, as well as: is there any communication about this before hand? My DH and I were surprised last year when his brother and sister-in-law gave us Christmas presents (we had never before exchanged in previous years). We felt terrible because we had no idea that we were going to be exchanging... and it was in front of the whole family. |
Anonymous
| DH's brothers and sisters are all married, and they aren't involved either. But they also don't sit at their spouses parent's house all day watching everyone else get presents (DH has 8 siblings, so people come and go throughout the day - or week, depending on how long we stay). DH gives his favorite siblings a small gift in private. Because, you know, we stopped the adult gift exchange. |
Anonymous
 They get gifts for 8 siblings.
They are crazy, OP. Can't fight crazy. Just go to your happy place. |