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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:
Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:32

i remember my uncles wife had a huge pig theme going on in her house. They were everywhere. When they got divorced she said one thing she was excited about was getting away from “the fucking pigs”. Turns out she bought one pig teapot herself … someone saw it and bought her another one to go with it. People saw she had two pig teapots so bought her pig tea towels … and from there it just snowballed 😂 she refused to take any of them with her, including the one she originally bought herself 😂

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 14/05/2026 16:32

ToKittyornottoKitty · 14/05/2026 16:02

Humans change their interests though, say on ive
gone off wolf things now, I actually would love ‘x/y/z’

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This is what I'd do op, just say you've moved on. But be very careful about what you say you now like!

Nearly50omg · 14/05/2026 16:31

Who cares if she gets offended?!!! She doesn’t give a shit she’s offending YOU with them does she??

Noshadowsinthedarkness · 14/05/2026 16:31

I had this with owl gifts. I can’t stand them now.

I don’t own one but I do really like the wolf fleeces. Maybe I should become a wolf fleece person.

tealandteal · 14/05/2026 16:28

Have there been any news stories about wolves recently? Maybe you could drop into conversation that although you DID love wolves you have seen they did xyz and now you feel differently about them. You need to have a new special interest to replace it with though.

TheBloomingDahlia · 14/05/2026 16:27

Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:10

I like owls, probably as much as I like wolves but I’m being very careful not to let her know 😂

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Yes do not mention owls! I got years of owl gifts from one particular person and I don’t know why. I got a cuddly toy at 30 years old! I like animals in general but I rarely ever think about owls… who knew so many things are made with owls on? Perhaps mention something more obscure… moles, tapirs, binturongs??

Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:27

Lillers · 14/05/2026 16:22

The trouble is, I feel like someone like this will buy you horrible crap no matter what. So even if you put her off wolves, all that means is she’ll then get you some other tacky rubbish.

My MIL is like this - she’s one that will buy anything with your name on. Imagine the gift section of a card shop with bookmarks, pictures of angels, candles, trinket boxes etc. I’ve tried to push her more towards things I like (like wine!) and she then gets me that plus the trinkets with my name on. I’m nearly 40, I don’t really want a tote bag with my name written out in flowers on it!

This is exactly my mum!! The last thing she thought I was obsessed with was skulls (because I bought a skull air freshener for the car as it was on offer once 😂). Years of gothic skulls, pictures of skulls, t-shirts with skulls, skull pencils, skull cushions … I told her i had a lot of skull stuff now but I really liked this dusky pink throw in Dunelm … she thought be a hot pink throw from god knows where and a load of skull things as extras 🤦‍♀️😂

OP posts:
Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/05/2026 16:26

You could always get a real wolf. Then she'd be too scared to come round and see what you've done with all her gifts. I imagine that a wolf would like a nice soft wolf-blanket bed....

(do not do this. Wolves do not make good pets).

OriginalUsername2 · 14/05/2026 16:24

I had a neighbour who’s house was full of duck themed items for this same reason 😆

Fern Brady has a bit about this but with her cats

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/shorts/zEUCQZkmUc0?si=_f5vIuqpaqzwf7pP

RaininSummer · 14/05/2026 16:24

Oh dear. Could you open a wolf eBay shop to sell it on? Also like cat lady above, tell her you like actual wolves not wolf stuff. I doubt she will buy you a pack of wolves. Fingers crossed

Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:23

romdowa · 14/05/2026 16:21

Theres a woman on tik tok whose family and friends keep buying her novelty salt and pepper shakers 😂 she has no idea how it started but she reluctantly has quite the collection

Oh my mum bought me salt and pepper shakers once! Guess the theme … 😂😂 they’re in the spare room which has become like a wolf shrine.

if I died and people came to clear out my house they would think I genuinely had an unhealthy obsession with wolves. They’d probably assume I had mental health issues anyway.

OP posts:
Lillers · 14/05/2026 16:22

The trouble is, I feel like someone like this will buy you horrible crap no matter what. So even if you put her off wolves, all that means is she’ll then get you some other tacky rubbish.

My MIL is like this - she’s one that will buy anything with your name on. Imagine the gift section of a card shop with bookmarks, pictures of angels, candles, trinket boxes etc. I’ve tried to push her more towards things I like (like wine!) and she then gets me that plus the trinkets with my name on. I’m nearly 40, I don’t really want a tote bag with my name written out in flowers on it!

Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:21

The sad thing is I’d be more happy with a bar of chocolate, I don’t need “stuff” and am very selective in what I have on show in the house. A £4 toblerone I’d be delighted with

OP posts:
romdowa · 14/05/2026 16:21

Theres a woman on tik tok whose family and friends keep buying her novelty salt and pepper shakers 😂 she has no idea how it started but she reluctantly has quite the collection

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 14/05/2026 16:19

My mum does this to DH but weirdly with salted caramel items. I keep telling her but she doesn't really listen. She also went through a phase for several years of buying me clothing in a 14-16 (I am 10-12). Who knows.

OP maybe.... wait for the next birthday that is not yours and make a big thing that with the cost of living, you are only getting / receiving USEFUL things, not decorative. Or, instead, that since "people have so much stuff these days" you are only buying food/ wine gifts.

Then reinforce like hell right before your own bday?

Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:19

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.

Ok this genuinely made me laugh 😂😂 Elvis! 🤣

if nothing else this thread has cheered me up and reminded me not to take it so seriously ☺️

OP posts:
IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 14/05/2026 16:18

Herecomes · 14/05/2026 15:44

You don’t know her. She’ll instantly take offence and then go on about the time I told her I didn’t like her gifts for years

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Or maybe you just say "thanks for the wolf stuff mum, but I don't want to overdo it and end up with a wolf 'theme' so I don't need anymore. If you're stuck for ideas I'm really into <insert interest here>".

She's going to be more offended if you don't tell her and let her waste her money while you laugh about it behind her back for the next however many years.

ShizeItsWeegie · 14/05/2026 16:18

BertieBotts · 14/05/2026 15:48

Years ago on MN these used to be referred to as "Wolef fleeces" Grin

I agree you need to make some really heavy hints or overt requests for non-wolef things near your next birthday/Christmas.

That's because there used to be a cartoon on TV with a character that used to say, "It's the wolef. It's the Wolef. IT'S THE WOOOLLEEEEFFFFFF!"

I think he was a lamb called 'Lambsie' and he was shouting to a sheepdog but I'm buggered if I can remember the name of the cartoon. I dare not Google it or I will get a shit load of wolf related stuff come up!

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.

HoppityBun · 14/05/2026 16:15

Thank you. I’ve I’ve put it on the pile with the other ones”

Each time

Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:15

Wauwinet · 14/05/2026 16:13

This might be a perfect solution. DM the OP your address so she can offload all her unwanted wolf paraphernalia onto your son. 😂

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I was going to suggest I could send him the blankets but I would imagine the poster won’t want to give her address out on here ☺️

OP posts:
HagCymraeg · 14/05/2026 16:14

When my mum died, I had a friend who bombarded me with Robin stuff. Apparently there is a belief that robins have the souls of departed loved ones.

Robin memes daily, that turned into cards with Robins on, then the robin merch started- random shite with Robins on (baskets, mugs, coasters). It did slow down eventually but I still get robinshite on the anniversary on when she died and mum's birthday, and mothers day etc.
Her heart was in the right place, but it was really wearing after a while. I am fairly minimalist and don't do ornaments, clutter etc.
Me and my sister have a dark sense of humour and now compete with who can find the tackiest robinshite and send pics to each other.

Brickiscool · 14/05/2026 16:14

Don't tell her what you don't like. Just say mum it's my birthday coming up and I really need xyz or I love this chocolate bar this wine etc. and drop massive hints

Original poster
Herecomes · 14/05/2026 16:13

To people suggesting I tell her what I want … I tried that, I told her I really wanted some mugs I’d seen … sent her the link.

She bought me mugs but not the right ones along with a wolf blanket and a wooden wolf plaque for the wall 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Ophy83 · 14/05/2026 16:13

Maybe lean into the fact that you like real life animals and encourage that rather than wolf themed accessories.

E.g. do you like zoo trips? If so you could suggest a contribution to that so you can see the wolves in person as well as the other animals! Wildwood near Canterbury is good. Or at Port Lympne you can stay in a glamping pod next to the wolves.

Or revert to the dogs - husky sledding in the cairngorms?

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