Clothes as a present for children

[mamatomany]

I've asked my mum to take back the clothes she has bought for my children for their only Christmas presents from her. She can't apparently has lost the receipts. Unlikely.
Bit of background, the grandparents on both sides rarely see the children.
MIL sees them the most, takes them shopping for clothes and puts money in their accounts for Christmas. Their Grandfathers do not buy them anything at all.
My mother sees them a couple of times a year and last time, took them all into Matalan and kitted them out, well to say it's not my taste is an understatement all thin leggings and tatty looking tshirts, sparkly things that fell apart after one wash, you get the picture.
So she's done it again for Christmas, all they have to open is clothes :(
I now feel under massive pressure to spend money I haven't really got making up for the fact that they as little children are getting what other kids would just assume appears in their wardrobes.
How many times does somebody need to be told to stop buying tat. I've half a mind to refuse to take it home from her house and let her keep it there for when they visit. How hard is it to buy toys, she is buying what she enjoys buying.

[MemooMerrilyOnHigh]

Won't they have toys from you, I don't understand what you mean about them only having clothes to open.

[milkmoustache]

Maybe she thinks that the clothes are a practical present? I don't think kids particularly analyse the presents they get when they are young, so don't feel you have to buy them other things to compensate...Clothes are not a terrible present in themselves, but sounds like the problem is mostly about what must be a difficult relationship with your mum - if she sees them only twice a year then there is obviously something going wrong.
Don't focus on the clothes, try to rise above it if you can. It won't ruin Xmas for your kids.

[bigchris]

Yabu

do you only shop in boden and monsoon fgs

kids love matalan , leggings is all they need for getting muddy in parks and getting paint all over at playgroup

why should the grand fathers buy something if mil and your mum buys on their behalf?

You sound like a princess!

[Besom]

I've bought clothes for my nephews because I think they've got millions of toys and other stuff, so if I buy t-shirts in a bigger size, they're going to be of more use.

[mamatomany]

They won't see her until Boxing Day so when they travel 200 miles to see her they will be presented with clothes to open. And not just clothes but clothes that I will not let them wear because it's tarty crap, it's just all so wasteful.
I've got stuff hanging in their wardrobes with the tags on that they haven't got around to wearing, what I do not need is more.
As for releasing the cash to buy toys, well it just doesn't work that way does it ? They need winter clothes from September onwards, what does she think they wear for three months ?

[bigchris]

My four and six yr olds love clothes

[mamatomany]

The Grandfathers aren't with the grandmothers.

[bigchris]

So they're only travelling to unwrap presents ? what about spending time with family

fgs

[Weemee]

YABU. Gifts are gifts and should be gratefully received.

"I now feel under massive pressure to spend money I haven't really got making up for the fact that they as little children are getting what other kids would just assume appears in their wardrobes." You need to look at what you are teaching your children if they just assume things appear from nowhere.

[Besom]

Also, if you don't see them that often, clothes are a bit of a safer bet because you don't know what they're into toy-wise.

[fedupofnamechanging]

Maybe next year you could ask you mum to buy something specific for the DC, that you know they would actually like.

I think that you can say to your mum that certain clothes have fallen apart in the wash and you don't want her to waste her money , so perhaps she could buy X instead.

Generally though,it is up to you to buy toys for Christmas. If other people buy them nice things, then that is a bonus, but you can't be demanding about it.

[milkmoustache]

Kids might be thrilled to get some 'tarty crap', and once they get them home you can consign them to the dressing-up box! You make it sound as if it's only worth travelling 200 miles to see her if they are getting an expensive present which you approve of - regardless of what your own relationship is with your mum, your kids might just be happy to see their gran. That is what Xmas is all about, hopefully...

[Desiderata]

Regardless of your personal history, your mother can buy her grandchildren what the hell she likes.

Ungrateful and precious doesn't even begin to describe how your OP sounds.

Anyhow, part of the kitsch of Christmas is in the buying and receiving of complete crap. Anyone with a sense of humour realizes this .. even young children.

After all, Oysters rarely produce pearls, but we still eat them.

[mamatomany]

If we only travelled for the presents we'd be bloody disappointed wouldn't we ?

[QuickLookBusySanta]

You can't dictate what someone buys your DC for Christmas!

You say "Thankyou for being so kind"

[ragged]

I'm leaning towards YANBU if you have tried your best to politely dissaude your mom from buying things you so much object to. I hate waste, too. You've really go to try to talk your mom around to a compromise.

The leggings should be fine.

Leggings are brilliant to have in this weather, DD will wear them under Brownies trousers tomorrow to go Caroling. She will wear another pair for her gymnastics display on Sunday, wears them under jeans, skirts, virtually every non-school day in cold weather...

Tarty tops can go to the charity shop.

I'm impressed your DC still have new clothes with tags on unworn in the wardrobe, DD is such a clothes fiend that she has to wear her newest thing constantly until the next new new thing arrives. (Everything else stored on her floor in a heap, naturally, sigh).

All my DC love clothes if they are the right thing for them: 2yo wants Thomas tTE pants, 6yo wants STar Wars Socks, 11yo would take Star Wars anything, DD just loves loves loves clothes of almost any sort.

[StrawberryTot]

YADBU and rude in my opinion, getting clothes for the dc's at christmas and birthdays is a huge burden off my shoulders as it means i don't have to spend loads throughout the year, as they really don't need any more toys and games. i was brought up to be greatful for any gifts recieved regardless of what they are as its the thought that counts. I'm actually shocked at how shallow you sound in your opening post

[mamatomany]

Just seems a shame, missed opportunity to get them something nice especially when she doesn't see them much.

[theevildead2]

Sorry but no one owes your children presents. Be happy your mum bought them a present.

[EvilTwinsAteRudolph]

YABU.

My DTDs like getting clothes and they always get them from relatives for birthday and Christmas. My parents often buy them clothes as a prestent, as does my sister, and very often various aunts/uncles/cousins do too. I think it's a good present - FFS, kids like opening parcels, whatever's in them.

BTW, my mum has always bought them Clarks gift vouchers as part of their Christmas present - and I'm always very grateful, given the cost of childrens' shoes. Poor little mites - not proper presents at all

OP, you sound brattish.

[mamatomany]

So what do you do with the clothes if you've already bought them, as has your MIL Strawberry add them to the pile ?