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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be frustrated by repeated wolf-themed gifts?

283 replies

Herecomes · 14/05/2026 15:31

I am an animal lover, I am especially a dog person meaning I like wolves too if we’re talking wildlife. My mum has taken this to mean I’m obsessed with wolves - I’m really not.

Every year at Christmas she buys me something wolf related … it started off as huge framed pictures (often featuring native Americans too 😂) and in the end I had so many massive pictures piled up the spare room that I made a point of telling her I am no longer buying wall pictures as I don’t like a lot of stuff on the walls and I’ve ran out of space. She got the hint and stopped buying me pictures … instead she started buying me huge blankets, fleece bed covers etc, again featuring wolves howling at the moon, native Americans, wolf eyes staring out of dark trees etc 🤦‍♀️

I ended up with a big pile of fleece blankets that were just sat there collecting dust. In the end I asked her if she wanted any blankets as I’m getting rid of loads as I have far too many and don’t use them. She got the hint.

Now … as my birthday this year was approaching she asked me what size clothing I was. I told her. I joked to DH that I’ll probably end up with a wolf fleece jacket for my birthday … I was wrong … I got 3 wolf fleece jackets for my birthday.

I don’t get it!!! I’m in my 30s, she sees me every week … surely she can see that I don’t wear stuff like this?? It was funny at first but now its getting frustrating. She gets upset and offended easily so I’ve tried to treat lightly but come on …

What would you do?? Or do I just carry on accepting this stuff and lying that I like it to keep the peace?

OP posts:
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Username348 · 19/05/2026 14:08

Herecomes · 14/05/2026 15:43

Wolf stuff 😂😂 that phrase alone makes me laugh. Don’t get me wrong, I like wolves … in the sense that if I saw them in the wild I’d be pretty excited but not to the point where I sit there thinking about them whilst having a cup of tea.

Show quote history

Maybe you need a wolf mug next 😂

lookinggforadvice · 18/05/2026 16:55

I have to come at this from the other side, the Christmas after Dd1 (in her thirties) adopted a daschund I bought her some lovely Daschund socks, pyjamas and a hot water bottle. All lovingly wrapped in Daschund paper. Luckily (for her mainly ) we have the kind of relationship where she was comfortable enough to say have you lost your mind! Please no more Daschund items ever 🤣🤣

Zoopet · 18/05/2026 16:54

Hi Op
Just a thought- could you ask your Mum to sponser a wolf in your name at the nearest zoo?
Double win- no more wolf tat and the real animal benefits.
I think you just get photo updates once or twice a year about "your" wolf. X

MrCollinsandhisboiledpotatoes · 18/05/2026 16:24

Beachtastic · 16/05/2026 19:28

Mum and I stayed in rental accommodation while she had work done on her house. It was called Rabbit Cottage and there was a rabbit theme. The trouble was that EVERYTHING had a rabbit on it. Not only had the owner "styled" the place in terms of rabbits, but every guest had added to the collection over time. So: rabbit placemats, mugs, tea towels, splashbacks, plates, bedding, towels... you get the picture 😬 it was like being trapped in some horrible never-ending acid trip!!!

This would be genuinely terrifying to me. I have a very real rabbit phobia
I could not stay there.

MintSnail · 18/05/2026 16:24

Why don't you go out for the day with her and insist on everyone wearing the wolf coats and have some fun with it? My husband and I used to buy his sister garden meerkats about 3-4 times a year as gift whenever we went round for dinner etc (in addition to usual wine etc offerings), after about 5 lots she got really cross about it, we found it hilarious filling up her garden with meerkats... may be she thinks it's super funny?

MrCollinsandhisboiledpotatoes · 18/05/2026 16:15

Woodywasatwatt · 14/05/2026 16:16

I feel your pain.

I like mid century furniture.

So my extended family have decided I love all things 1950s, especially Elvis Presley. No. I don’t.

I get Elvis themed everything. I have told them, nicely in the past but it keeps on coming.

This thread is great 😆

Mid century furniture = Elvis 🤣🤣🤣

MrCollinsandhisboiledpotatoes · 18/05/2026 16:09

I have a similar problem with bees.
I actually really do love bees. They are my favourite animal.
But that doesn't mean I want anything with a bee on it and that I want all my stuff covered with bees
I don't need any mugs - even if they have bees on.
I don't need pictures of bees.
I don't need all my cushions, blankets, bedding, scarves, gloves, t-shirts, hoodies, etc etc to have bee motifs.

My advice to you OP is to tell her specifically what you would like well in advance of any giving occasion.
Don't tell her you like such-and-such a thing or she will just swap the wolves for that.

Buzzybee13 · 18/05/2026 13:47

I was like that with owls because I used to be brown owl with the brownies, I ended up with over 300, eventually I gave them away to a charity shop, thankfully people have stopped buying them for me now 😂

OnlyHasEyesForLoki · 17/05/2026 16:28

My mother did this when I was a teenager. She decided I loved the Pierrot design and I’m not kidding when I say my bedroom became a blooming Pierrot advert like THIS. FFS I was a goth! She had the cheek to complain I bought her some earrings more than once later in life!

Before you continue to Google Search

https://www.google.com/search?q=pierrot+bedroom&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#sv=CAMScRoyKhBlLWdybnBnSkQ5OUxzT2ZNMg5ncm5wZ0pEOTlMc09mTToONXBzSWh0X0RFVzBoc00gBCoxChtfdU4wSmFvakxHY20taGJJUHF2TE4wQUVfMzcSEGUtZ3JucGdKRDk5THNPZk0YADABSgQIARACGAcg4ovnA0oIEAIYASACKAE

JMSA · 17/05/2026 16:23

I normally never have a laugh on Mumsnet. It takes a lot to get menopausal me to genuinely giggle. Your post was the exception, OP. Thank you 😄 🐺

Tinatubby73 · 17/05/2026 16:14

Sorry OP. It also made me laugh sorry. I can imagine how frustrated you feel. How about you say something like I'm off/fed up of wolves now? Just a thought. Good luck xx

SaffySaffron · 17/05/2026 15:57

You can join the wolf fleece group on Facebook!

HiEarthlings · 17/05/2026 14:50

I don't understand people who "hint", I especially don't understand people who hint and then can't understand why the person they're hinting to doesn't get the hint! Just tell her! You don't have to be nasty about it, or rude, but be clear. It's not hard.

Oldwmn · 17/05/2026 14:32

Herecomes · 14/05/2026 15:31

I am an animal lover, I am especially a dog person meaning I like wolves too if we’re talking wildlife. My mum has taken this to mean I’m obsessed with wolves - I’m really not.

Every year at Christmas she buys me something wolf related … it started off as huge framed pictures (often featuring native Americans too 😂) and in the end I had so many massive pictures piled up the spare room that I made a point of telling her I am no longer buying wall pictures as I don’t like a lot of stuff on the walls and I’ve ran out of space. She got the hint and stopped buying me pictures … instead she started buying me huge blankets, fleece bed covers etc, again featuring wolves howling at the moon, native Americans, wolf eyes staring out of dark trees etc 🤦‍♀️

I ended up with a big pile of fleece blankets that were just sat there collecting dust. In the end I asked her if she wanted any blankets as I’m getting rid of loads as I have far too many and don’t use them. She got the hint.

Now … as my birthday this year was approaching she asked me what size clothing I was. I told her. I joked to DH that I’ll probably end up with a wolf fleece jacket for my birthday … I was wrong … I got 3 wolf fleece jackets for my birthday.

I don’t get it!!! I’m in my 30s, she sees me every week … surely she can see that I don’t wear stuff like this?? It was funny at first but now its getting frustrating. She gets upset and offended easily so I’ve tried to treat lightly but come on …

What would you do?? Or do I just carry on accepting this stuff and lying that I like it to keep the peace?

I used to have a colleague who idly mentioned that she liked tigers. Now she is inundated on every possible occasion with tiger stuff. People don't think!

frantique · 17/05/2026 13:19

Herecomes · 14/05/2026 15:31

I am an animal lover, I am especially a dog person meaning I like wolves too if we’re talking wildlife. My mum has taken this to mean I’m obsessed with wolves - I’m really not.

Every year at Christmas she buys me something wolf related … it started off as huge framed pictures (often featuring native Americans too 😂) and in the end I had so many massive pictures piled up the spare room that I made a point of telling her I am no longer buying wall pictures as I don’t like a lot of stuff on the walls and I’ve ran out of space. She got the hint and stopped buying me pictures … instead she started buying me huge blankets, fleece bed covers etc, again featuring wolves howling at the moon, native Americans, wolf eyes staring out of dark trees etc 🤦‍♀️

I ended up with a big pile of fleece blankets that were just sat there collecting dust. In the end I asked her if she wanted any blankets as I’m getting rid of loads as I have far too many and don’t use them. She got the hint.

Now … as my birthday this year was approaching she asked me what size clothing I was. I told her. I joked to DH that I’ll probably end up with a wolf fleece jacket for my birthday … I was wrong … I got 3 wolf fleece jackets for my birthday.

I don’t get it!!! I’m in my 30s, she sees me every week … surely she can see that I don’t wear stuff like this?? It was funny at first but now its getting frustrating. She gets upset and offended easily so I’ve tried to treat lightly but come on …

What would you do?? Or do I just carry on accepting this stuff and lying that I like it to keep the peace?

Wolf power tools are good. Ask her for a drill.

Mossey55 · 17/05/2026 13:05

Say you’ve gone off wolves , say you like gold and diamonds now lol

Netty13 · 17/05/2026 11:25

She doesn't know what else to buy you. Give her some ideas.

HelloSkeletonFace3 · 17/05/2026 10:58

Nominate for classics MumsnetHQ
HOWLING!!!

LeaderBee · 17/05/2026 10:05

Blushingm · 17/05/2026 08:55

We all need this shirt - we could become a team of superheroes

Show quote history

This was the first three wolf moon shirt i found, there's tons of others with even better reviews!

OVienna · 17/05/2026 09:58

ByFluentBiscuit · 17/05/2026 08:59

Try to think about why she buys the wolf things. I imagine she thinks of you with fondness everytime she sees a wolf item. And imagines she's bringing you joy. It makes her feel good and feel close to you. I do get it seems overwhelming. Can you start a new theme, like a new hobby? Good luck!!! I've been the target of serious giant earrings as gifts.

This is hysterical. Can you share a photo?

ByRoseBiscuit · 17/05/2026 09:48

Sorry no advice OP but this has really made me laugh 😂

spottybelly · 17/05/2026 09:27

Sorry OP, but I'm crying with laughter at this as I feel your pain. My mother is the same (and would also take it badly if I told her). I get no end of cat related stuff because I love cats. Well, I love MY cats, but I don't want a cat themed house, cat clothes and cat jewellery! She absolutely loves buying gifts so this cat paraphernalia isn't just Christmas and birthdays - I get random cat gifts all the time.
She's also got her best mate on the case as well. Absolutely lovely woman, a total diamond, but I get cat paraphernalia off her as well now. I can just imagine the fun they must have out shopping together, looking for new cat tat for me!

Beachtastic · 17/05/2026 09:24

Wiseplumant · 17/05/2026 09:22

I am now humming 'Bright eyes' Thanks!😂

Show quote history

It did give us a laugh... when preparing meals etc, a constant "Oh, you'll never guess what's printed on the chopping board" etc 🤣

There were also rabbit-themed cards from previous guests adorning every surface!

Wiseplumant · 17/05/2026 09:22

Beachtastic · 16/05/2026 19:28

Mum and I stayed in rental accommodation while she had work done on her house. It was called Rabbit Cottage and there was a rabbit theme. The trouble was that EVERYTHING had a rabbit on it. Not only had the owner "styled" the place in terms of rabbits, but every guest had added to the collection over time. So: rabbit placemats, mugs, tea towels, splashbacks, plates, bedding, towels... you get the picture 😬 it was like being trapped in some horrible never-ending acid trip!!!

I am now humming 'Bright eyes' Thanks!😂

Horses7 · 17/05/2026 09:22

This made me laugh ….your mum thinks she’s being really thoughtful but she’s got a bit lazy over gift giving.
I would tell her your wolf obsession/howling at full moon is causing real problems between you and husband…. and you’ve had to seek professional help to get over it - will she please help by never buying you wolf related stuff again. Cry if necessary because you really, really need her help with this very serious problem!