I personally love Christmas outfits, but the kids hate them. So it is a brief wearing. Now they are teens and say "oh no mom! Not those awful Christmas dresses again!"

You could have the opposite problem. My SIL once bought ds a sweater that was five sizes too big.

This isn't an issue OP. So your dd wears the dress once. Maybe that's all MIL is concerned with. Even if she bought another size it may not fit at Christmas next year.

... because they are so adorable?

I've been on the receiving end of this as well - the expectation was that I would change DD out of the Christmas outfit we already had her in (& had specially purchased for the holiday) and replace it with the Christmas outfit DD just opened (and that we were not expecting). I gave profuse thanks but did not have DD change outfits.

She wants her to wear it for dinner, or for pictures. I'm sure your daughter would prefer a toy, but whatever. Encourage your daughter to wear it for an hour to make grandma happy.

And don't get upset about it. It's not worth it.

Anonymous wrote:go exchange it.

Yes. DUH. Not a problem,OP.

go exchange it.

you know your MIL best OP. There are only so many reasons she could be doing this.

--She's clueless and doesn't think. "This dress is so cute! DGD is 2, I'll get a size 2!"
--She wants her to wear it this year at some point but doesn't want to up and ask you because she operates indirectly.

Surely you know by now which type of MIL you have.

OP, it's not your burden to figure out.

This is a small thing - but good practice in deciding not to spend the energy/brain cells to figure-it-out.

Why not ask her to give it early, on Xmas eve so she can wear it then? MIL would probably be pleased. I've asked for the annual fancy dress early so child can wear to holiday parties, and that usually pleases the grandma

Yes, that is a bit thoughtless. Perhaps you could exchange it for the next size up.

It means your daughter will be wearing it for Xmas.

By Christmas themed do you mean it has trees and Santa on it, or just that it's in one of those red plaids that people think of when they think Christmas? How old is DD?

MIL just might not be thinking about it in those terms. Christmas is mid-week. Can DD wear it for dinner on Christmas evening after having spent the day in pajamas, or to church that following weekend? Otherwise, if it's a dress you like, let her wear it to school or the grocery store or wherever in the next few weeks.

She wants a picture? MIL sounds like an idiot though. Why buy a dress for a 5 minute picture? The seasonal themed clothing my ILs give is the first stuff I get rid of. Totally impractical.

I don't understand - why would you give a christmas themed dress for christmas, when there will not be an occasion to wear it afterwards? ILs go to church on christmas eve (and DD has a nice dress for that) and they hang out in their PJs all day christmas day, so there's no opportunity for DD to wear the dress after the holiday when she opens it on christmas day. And since it's in her current size, it won't fit her next year for christmas (and I would totally appreciate that gesture). Can someone please explain what MILs reasoning might be?