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Original poster

Christmas presents overload

34 replies

harlacem0507 · 30/12/2024 23:13

Just a light hearted topic more than anything but does anyone else have a family member (in my case MIL) that goes TOTALLY overboard with presents for the kids (and us) but it gets to the point every year when you kinda dread it? I know it comes from a very generous heart and she's a wonderful woman but she does have a shopping addiction (will buy new things then immediately throw them into a cupboard for years) she even told me she buys and gets a buzz and when they arrive she doesn't care for it anymore. Going off the beat and track here, but how do I advise her to not go overboard? I have asked and dropped hints in the past and it calmed down the last two years and has suddenly gone up again in volume! I think she saw my face when her and my FIL walked in on Christmas day with 7 large bags for life full of gifts and said 'well u might not get much next year as I might retire' but she's said this 3 years running. I have a 3 bed semi with very little storage and the sheer amount of things completely overwhelm me. Has anyone had this before? And have said something to that person that actually worked?

OP posts:
Jifmicroliquid · 31/12/2024 06:57

Beat and track, that’s a new one 😅

RossGellersCat · 31/12/2024 06:56
  • Oh, and failing that when MiL does still go a bit excessive we've learnt to just accept it (as the gift giving is more about her need to give than our desire to receive) and we then donate any inappropriate or duplicate gifts to charity in the New Year.
RossGellersCat · 31/12/2024 06:53

My MiL too! We had a gentle word after boxing day a few years ago when my son was so overwhelmed with all the presents that he cried and said he didn't want to open anymore (it was between 25-30 gifts). She has significantly toned it down since to about 7-10 gifts each but it still feels a lot! My parents get them one gift each and we probably buy them about the same number as MiL does!

Zanatdy · 31/12/2024 06:07

You need to have a proper chat with her about it, re space and kids receiving too much. You can also tell her how easy it is to return things now with drop boxes etc, no more queuing in the post office.

dottiedodah · 31/12/2024 06:04

Can she afford it? If yes then I would leave her to it..she obv gets great pleasure from treating you all.if not ,say how much u love her and her presents , but she doesn't need to buy so much. You love her anyway! Probably won't change her though 🤷

tilypu · 31/12/2024 05:42

Do your children spend much time at hers?

Maybe take a lot of it over to hers for them to use while they are there

EatAllDay · 31/12/2024 05:01

harlacem0507 · 30/12/2024 23:13

Just a light hearted topic more than anything but does anyone else have a family member (in my case MIL) that goes TOTALLY overboard with presents for the kids (and us) but it gets to the point every year when you kinda dread it? I know it comes from a very generous heart and she's a wonderful woman but she does have a shopping addiction (will buy new things then immediately throw them into a cupboard for years) she even told me she buys and gets a buzz and when they arrive she doesn't care for it anymore. Going off the beat and track here, but how do I advise her to not go overboard? I have asked and dropped hints in the past and it calmed down the last two years and has suddenly gone up again in volume! I think she saw my face when her and my FIL walked in on Christmas day with 7 large bags for life full of gifts and said 'well u might not get much next year as I might retire' but she's said this 3 years running. I have a 3 bed semi with very little storage and the sheer amount of things completely overwhelm me. Has anyone had this before? And have said something to that person that actually worked?

Beaten track! lol. Sorry for pointing that out.

I think you need to have a proper conversation with her. Let her know that you are so grateful but you just do not have space for such quantities of gifts. Maybe suggest tickets for panto instead?

MumChp · 30/12/2024 23:20

Ask her to buy less. Be honest. Say you don't have the room for storage. Tell her you will
sort the presents then handed to you. Give the stuff you don't want the children to have to charity.

Nextyearhopes · 30/12/2024 23:16

My gran. God rest her soul.

She just loved buying for other people (my and my mum mainly). It just made her happy. Nope, nothing stopped her and we wouldn’t have got firm. It made her Christmas (and her life) to be generous. She was a war child and knew what it was to go without so she reveled in plenty in her old age. We still had great morals and a huge sense of gratitude.

I never cared about the presents. But I would give anything to have her back.