Cheap chocolate and presents from MIL

Yes it's always the in-laws isn't it? Ghastly people.

How old are your kids OP?

I get the not wanting lots of plastic tat, but I honestly don’t understand what you mean about the presents are opened, therefore you can’t donate them? Surely if the kids lose interest in them immediately, you can sneak them to a charity shop without grandparents finding out?

Even my kids know why I never buy Nestlé products.

Everyone is different when it comes to presents. It’s a bit of a minefield!
personally I hate spending money on cheap plastic tat that gets binned two days later so I’d rather give money, particularly when I’m not close enough to the child emotionally or geographically to know what they like or already have.
My in laws moved quire some distance away so I messaged and asked for bank details for the kids as sending money seemed a better bet, but Sil took such offence she’s hardly spoken to me since. Giving them money for their birthdays was a dreadful insult it seems! My kids at the same ages would have been thrilled to buy something for themselves…

I try and intercept cheap plastic toys my MiL brings before the kids open the box so that they can be donated to the charity shop ‘as new’ for someone else’s MIL to buy for their grandchildren. My logic is that if I say thank you politely, she is happy and then at least a charity is getting some money from before the plastic goes to landfill.

We’ve asked MIL not to buy anything, that the kids don’t need it etc, but she doesn’t listen and she would have a massive sulk if we gave it back which I also don’t have time for.

I must say you sound like a self -centered, snobby wannerbe!
In fact did you learn your parenting skills from the Catherine Tate posh mum character

They mean well. Try accepting gifts in the spirit in which they were given, which is a good lesson for your kids as well.

They may not be to your taste, but for some people those 2 for £20 deals mean the difference between their kids getting a gift and getting nothing.

You are a massive snob, and not in a good way. Not to mention rude and ungrateful

So intercept it, then donate it instead, letting the kids take a small bite then throwing the whole lot in the bin seems ridiculous to be honest, and a really wasteful ungrateful thing to encourage.. not to mention complain about!

I wouldn't let mine open it if I knew they wouldn't actually eat it.

Nestle chocolate is MINGING so I dunno how you’d rather have that. I’d sooner 10 Lidl bunnies than a bar of nestle it’s just grim.

You just come across as a snob I’m afraid. My SIL is the same. Only happy with branded things. Kids love the 2 for £20 b&m toys and I guarantee they’d much prefer that over clothes. It’s you that doesn’t like it because it’s not a branded barbie or Lego. You’re just a brand snob and bringing your kids up the same

Could your in-laws be playing mind games op?
my ex Mil could buy us tat usually from a jumble sale, although there is nothing wrong with jumble sales. The items gifted had often seen better days. Her dd my sil would regularly be gifted designer items. Or things that were of a quality.
My ex mil was a complete snob who enjoyed putting me down. If I had anything decent there was always a back handed comment.

I was always grateful and politely thanked them.

Then I moved on

OK but it's not your in laws fault your children have fussy tastes? Plenty of kids would be happy with it?

Definitely suggest books as gifts.
I've never seen a child turn down a lidl bunny. I imagine they're highly influenced by you turning up your nose at them.
It sounds like you're drawing comparisons between both sets of GP which is really unhelpful. Just work on your own sense of gratitude and how to model that to your DC and their response will miraculously change too.

So have you tried baking with it OP? You are skirting round that suggestion lots, I notice. Heaven forbid your children eat the nasty cheap chocolate without realising it, in a brownie, eh

I mean I do agree OP. I get what you’re saying- im into less is more, good quality of quantity. Maybe you can’t explicitly say but you could what’s app what they like , with the chocolate donate or melt in into cooking chocolate . Presents -message before and say what they want. If not just write it off and try not to let it bother you

Cadburys doesn't taste good anymore. I have much preffered non branded eggs and i'm a chocolate snob.

I find it hard to believe your children are so clued up on chocolate.

Wow, so you've taught your kids to associate being bought overpriced stuff with being loved. Well done you!! Surely you tell your kids granny and grandad like that chocolate and took the time to go and choose a gift and chocolate for them, and isn't that lovely??

There's plenty of own brand chocolate that's yum and I haven't met a kid yet who won't eat the basic stuff melted into rice crispy cake or in home made brownies.

You sound an epic snob. Half the time 'own brand' stuff is literally produced in the same factory as the branded stuff, just shoved into different packaging.

How about you compoe a gift list eg Amazon ?
My sister does this so I know I am buying nieces something they want /need.

The chocolate I think you need just to accept (cooking with it is a good idea. Our kids sound fussier than mine - they would bolt down any regardless)

I would mention that you are cutting out plastic toys, pass on or bin the chocolate.

Lidl chocolate is infinitely preferable to Cadburys and Nestle with their dubious morals and pumped full of palm oil. You are being totally unreasonable to dump it in the bin, what an appalling waste which is ironic given that you don't like plastic toys and prefer wooden ones. Give it to a food bank if you don't want it.

Agree

please can we stop raising kids that don’t appreciate the thought.

It will all go pear shaped when they’re older