Page 4 | AIBU to be frustrated by repeated wolf-themed gifts?

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!!!

OchreReader · 16/05/2026 19:25

Many years ago (about 28 of them) my gran bought my son a wolf fleece jacket. She was so proud of having picked it because it was ‘so original’. My son, who was 4 at the time, put it on and our cat immediately started hissing and yowling with her ears flattened, and eventually attacked it 🤭 It was a perfect excuse to relegate it to the back of the cupboard!

Every time the wolf fleece appreciation group comes up on my Facebook I can’t help laughing.

I agree with the previous posters who have suggested hinting you have gone off wolves and suggest something you would like, and prepare to receive a load of tiger or leopard themed gifts going forward.

I sympathise with you. I thought it was bad enough that my mil gave me a huge box of fererro rocher every year. At least they can be donated or regifted!

Warmlight1 · 16/05/2026 19:24

Breadcat24 · 14/05/2026 15:36

@Herecomes I had this with a friend clearing his mother's house- she collected cat figurines. He offered I said no, he pushed, I said no.
Then I said "I like actual cats not things made to look like cats or with pictures of cats on"
It stopped

Op might end up with an actual wolf.

wolfiemcwolfface · 16/05/2026 19:20

could have been worse....mascot costume...

DemBonesDemBones · 16/05/2026 19:19

Oh op I do sympathise but I’m actually crying with laughter 😆

wolfiemcwolfface · 16/05/2026 19:19

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?

could have been worse..

AIBU to be frustrated by repeated wolf-themed gifts?

CoralKoala · 16/05/2026 19:16

I feel your pain OP. All we’ve been receiving from MIL ever since we got a dachshund is sausage dog memorabilia as in her mind we’re absolutely obsessed.. We’re not.. however owners of sausage dog blankets, cups, placemats, pictures, calendars, lamp, salt and pepper shakers- think of any item you have in yours house- we’ve got it with a dog on it… My personal favourite is my husband’s Xmas gift one year- a sausage dog hat - lights up and sings “ dachshunds through the snow…” 😂😂😂

Unfortunately I can’t help you with advice as for my last birthday when asked what I wanted I was clear- nothing with dachshunds on and the reply was “ oh that’s not going to be possible”. Good luck and keep donating them..

Thehop · 16/05/2026 19:15

You must join the wolf fleece appreciation group on Facebook, you'll be their hero

ShizeItsWeegie · 16/05/2026 19:11

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 16/05/2026 18:55

Ot was a segment on the Banana Splits. The lamb was Lambsy. The wolf was voiced by the brilliantly camp Paul Lynd.
My poor sister got cat themed everything. Then she converted to Buddhism and got Buddha related tat. We also both like ginger. So dm bought us a jar of preserved ginger every year. When I was doing up my kitchen two years ago I found two untouched(and crystal clear) jars. Mums been gone 12 years.

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DH remembered it better than I did. The dog was called 'Bristlehound' and the Woluf was called 'Mildew' apparently. I was more into Wacky Races and The Double Deckers. Huge crush on Peter Firth that went into overdrive with the release of Equus and Letter To Brezhnef. (: ( :

turkeyboots · 16/05/2026 19:08

I have an aunt who went through this with chicken themed gifts. She asked nicely and no one listened. She threw a strop and most of the chicken theme stopped, apart from my mother who still gives her chicken themed things.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 16/05/2026 19:07

Can you tell her you have found out something disturbing about wolves, and it has put you right off them, @Herecomes?

ForZanyTraybake · 16/05/2026 19:07

I had this for years but mine was pigs. I had originally bought myself a cute cuddly pig and after that all my friends would buy me pigs for birthday and Christmas until I said "I've got far too many pigs now so I would be grateful if you didn't get me any more". It worked.

Blodwynne · 16/05/2026 19:05

Just say that now you have gone stone cold off wolves. It's worth what you can no longer talk about to stop the flow of presents.

BassBug · 16/05/2026 19:04

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?

Oh no they remind me of greasy randoms you see wandering around Asda looking lost and in desperate need of a shower! I would be horrified! 😂

Isittimeformynapyet · 16/05/2026 19:03

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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That will be much cheaper for her.

Or you can just keep going on about the wolf stuff for years: "oh God! Do you remember all that wolf crap you used to get me?! You couldn't take a hint - d'you remember? And then you got all butt-hurt when I had to spell it out? NO MORE WOLF CRAP!! Ha ha ha"

Strawberrydelight78 · 16/05/2026 19:01

Chunkychips23 · 14/05/2026 15:51

If she gets offended, either just let her take offence or quietly sell it all on Vinted 😂 Or casually mention how you hate wolves with a passion and they’re the worst canine in your opinion

My mum wore a headscarf once when seeing her in-laws because she was having a bad hair day. She proceeded to receive headscarves every birthday and Christmas for my parents 23yrs of marriage. Not just two a year. It was a headscarf from six different people. She felt guilty getting rid of them and would occasionally wear one, which then reinforced their belief that she loved headscarves.

😂😂😂

Jesslovesengineering · 16/05/2026 19:00

7238SM · 14/05/2026 15:39

There is a whole facebook page dedicated to those hideous wolf coats.

You need to be clear with your mum, not just hint, but be blunt that you really don't like wolf items and to stop buying them. Would she take offence if you made suggestions of things you would like instead?

It's called the wolf fleece appreciation society. Maybe you could flog your shit on it? 🤣

JoB1kenobi · 16/05/2026 18:55

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?

It’s sweet - it’s hard to buy for people and she’s thinking of you.
I totally get it but be honest; she’s your mum so hopefully will understand if you just be brutal but kind.

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 16/05/2026 18:55

ShizeItsWeegie · 14/05/2026 16:18

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!

Show quote history

Ot was a segment on the Banana Splits. The lamb was Lambsy. The wolf was voiced by the brilliantly camp Paul Lynd.
My poor sister got cat themed everything. Then she converted to Buddhism and got Buddha related tat. We also both like ginger. So dm bought us a jar of preserved ginger every year. When I was doing up my kitchen two years ago I found two untouched(and crystal clear) jars. Mums been gone 12 years.

ProseccoPie · 16/05/2026 18:46

@Herecomes can you have an announcement saying that your wolf ‘phase’ is officially over!
And that you’re now into ………
Obviously be careful about what your new ‘thing’ is. But it could work in your favour

Stardancerintheskye · 16/05/2026 18:46

Sartre · 14/05/2026 19:01

Sorry but this is really, really funny.

When I was a kid my dad did the same thing with Hello Kitty. I liked it for a few months as a young teen but went off it fairly quickly. He thought I still liked it when I was 19 and was still buying me merch…

My dd loved tatty teddy from aged 9ish-19

I'd bought her loads from charity shops or Clinton's over the years

She met her ex's mother just as she was going off ol' tatty and had stopped collecting them

Of course the mother kept buying her them for the whole length of their relationship-she bought way more than I did and lots where duplicates-she had no room left to store them in the end

She had to break it off with him to get it to stop!

N0seInAB00k · 16/05/2026 18:45

Start gifting them back to her. Begin with the oldest item and go from there.

ForFancyNavyOP · 16/05/2026 18:42

Well because she doesn’t like them? What ever do you mean.

YankBrit · 16/05/2026 18:42

She probably does it because she doesn’t have to think too much about presents. Frankly, I’d tell her that you’re taking things to charity shops because your house/flat is too crowded. Yes she may go on and on (my auntie did the same) but surely it would be worth it not to get wolf things anymore?

PeachCat23 · 16/05/2026 18:39

There are two ways I would go with this.

First option, visibly get into something consumable like a particular chocolate brand, Rituals bath and shower products, niche perfumes... Whatever. She might latch on to it and at worst you'll have lots of chocolate, shower gel or specialty perfumes you can sell or swap for stuff you like.

Second option 'running with the wolves'. Find a wolf related charity, adopt a wolf or something and tell her you have too much physical stuff now but it would mean a lot to you if someone were to adopt a wolf for you or give to a charity for rescued wolves.

Hopefully one of those will solve the clutter issue. I have a similar problem with my own family so I try to encourage consumable gifts for my sanity.