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AIBU?

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Christmas crap

29 replies

MyNewGenericUsername · 24/10/2023 13:12

More of a what would you do...

Every year in laws (and some of my family too) buy a lot of presents for the kids. Many of the presents are unsuitable due to DCs' severe learning disabilities (loose batteries, choking parts, made of glass!!) anyway so they get whisked to charity shop ASAP. But, family know we struggle for space in our house, everything bursting at the seams, they know DC don't play with toys really, but every year we get loads even though I have said in the past we're struggling with it. I'm always the bad guy if I bring it up and I also gave recently found out they've been sneaking lots of stuff from DH's childhood (with DH helping) into our garage. Obviously he can keep what he wants but it's really hard to get across the sheer amount he's keeping, and it's now starting to creep into the house, making the communal space less functional.

What would you do:
a) explicitly ask them all to get DC one gift each, preferably from a list (bit joyless, I know, but practical)
b) not say anything and just silently take it all to a charity shop in January (honestly DC won't care).

OP posts:
WideLegPant · 24/10/2023 13:21

Yes, limit to one gift and hint how much they've been dreaming of x y z toy. Or gift experiences are great, eg zoo membership.

You'll still end up with "Ooh but I couldn't resist it" tat but I think that's a given. I hate it too.

AuntieMarys · 24/10/2023 13:21

We always ask what dh's gc want. Their parents don't want plastic crap as much as we don't want to buy it. This year is a membership for them all to a local stately home/ gardens...they will get books and a selection box to open. A whole year of days out for them all.

AnnaMagnani · 24/10/2023 13:18

I would do a mixture of charity shop and leaving stuff at their houses.

And a Christmas list - wouldn't limit to one item but the items would be stuff the kids actually want, if necessary make a clear statement 'they don't play with x but they love these'

For your DH I'd do a slow declutter of the house. I started this year doing a 'spring clean', it's October and we have nearly finished 😂My ILs never taught DH how to let go of stuff, a bit like yours, and so we have just done a shelf at a time. Vast quantities of stuff got cleared out but it was slow and painful at times.

PinkRoses1245 · 24/10/2023 13:14

a). We always do lists in my family and it’s not joyless. The planet is choking, we all need to consume less. Can you suggest experience gifts as well?

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