Thread: My mother in law and her thoughtless gifts

She always calls every year and asks for gift ideas. I always give her a few inexpensive ideas in hopes that she will listen and get one of the items on the list for a change. I have told her every year that I do NOT need dishes of any type, shape, form or fashion. The cabinets are well stocked with every dish I need for every occasion.

One year, she bought a couple of really nice bath sheets & matching handtowels. That was a wonderful and practical gift. We can always use towels because they do wear out and have to be replaced. One year she bought a couple of photo albums, which was okay.

A couple of times she gets clothing (on clearance of course) that doesn't fit. So by the time I get back to walmart after Christmas, I might be able to get back $2 on the item if I'm lucky. Thankfully I have finally gotten across the message to her that she doesn't need to buy anyone in my house any type of clothing for Christmas.

This year she bought my son a shirt. It fit him, which was a shock. He liked it, which was really a shock since he's kind of getting picky about what he wears since he has his first real crush. She must have had help choosing it, because I know from Christmas' past that she did not pick that out on her own.

She bought NIV devotional study Bibles for all the girls in the family. Nice gifts. Again, I was shocked.

After seeing that she had put some thought into the gifts for the kids, I guess I got my hopes up that perhaps she would have done that for me as well. I appreciate the fact that she wants to buy me something, but honestly, why would she bother calling and asking for ideas if she isn't going to listen to any of the suggestions?

For the third year in a row, She did a joint gift for us. For the third year in a row- We got a Mainstays 30 piece container set from Walmart and a Rubbermaid Takealongs plastic dish. He won't say anything to her, because it's his "mother" and that's just how she is.

For the third year in a row, I'm probably going to take it back to Walmart and get a refund on a gift card so I can either get something I want, or get some Christmas lights or something seasonal on clearance.

I don't mean to be ungrateful. It's just the lack of thought that really irritates me. As I sit here looking at this box of plastic containers sitting on my desk, I am torn between the thoughts of taking it back for a refund-- and putting it into a walmart bag in my closet and regifting it to her next year.

Originally Posted by Quaker_Parrots

I vote re-gift, lol. She will probably never know if she is that clueless.

I would use them, keep the box and come christmas, gift them back!

You just know she's going to keep giving you the same thing every year, until you decide to keep one of them. lol

Maybe she sees that you don't have a set, and thinks you need one.

It is frustrating to get things you don't need if she has asked for suggestions. Someone should not ask if they don't intend to use suggestions given.

Maybe next year, instead of giving a few suggestions, you could just give her one? Like say, oh we're really in need of ________(fill in the blank). Maybe then she'll be able to focus in on that one thing and you might actually get something you can use.

I don't think there's anything wrong with saying you don't like it or regifting it to her, but I wonder what kind of drama that might create, and if it's worth it.

I've been there though and feel your pain. I have a friend who gives me almost the same thing every year - a convection oven (for 2 years in a row she gave us some kind of george foreman roaster thing). We already have one but she gives us one every year, and then we get to deal with the return lines.

I'd take it back then get something you really need and want. I really can't see why she even bothers asking what you need if she isn't going to buy it.