To expect step SIL to buy DD a decent present?

[ladyandthechocolate]

She is obsessed with buying everything in the sales to the point when she will buy things just because they're going cheap.
DD (2.2) was given a very smart wool monsoon coat for her birthday that's dry clean only. She will NEVER wear it and of course I can't return it.
I just think she's wasting her money, i'd rather she asked me or bought her some books which DD always appreciates.
I always try to buy carefully for her DD who is 7 and give gift receipts.
It's not about how much she spends, I don't really care.

DD ends up with a load of stuff she has no use for.

Should I say something? Am I an ungrateful cow?

Both of my children always wore wool coats.
They are very warm and stylish.

If you're that worried about the coat then just buy a home dry cleaning kit for heaven's sakes! You can buy them at the supermarket.

I am not sure why your DD will not wear the coat - I bought DD and DS wool smart coats last winter - winter coats don't really get dirty and I would wash anyway in washing machine at 30c.

Probably time to adapt your present buying strategy for her DD. Perhaps have a conversation at a different time of year about it to avoid this in the future?

You are extremely ungrateful.

Sorry, I think you're being unreasonable and ungrateful.

'If you truly aren't bothered what your DC receive then maybe they've got everything already?'

That's not the case here. Our DCs certainly don't have everything but we are always grateful for whatever gifts they are given (even if it's not something we would necessarily have chosen ourselves) and we are trying to teach them to do the same.

The only time I have been slightly irked by presents was when GPs have bought very large items e.g. play kitchen; baby buggy/pram sets/ride-on toys etc. which take up a lot of room as we don't have enough space to store it all. Nonetheless, I said 'thank you!' with a big smile and encouraged DCs to do the same.

My ILs are a bit irritating for issuing lists and expecting everyone else to produce present lists and the word WANT features heavily, which makes my skin crawl a bit: 'What do you/DCs want for Christmas?' 'Here's a list of what I want' etc.... It's a bit yuk for me; we always did 'informed' surprises in my family (e.g. suggestions; ideas but not a specific wish list) which I prefer.

I would be very glad of a posh wool coat for my DD. I daresay she would elect not to wear it (willful 5 year-old) but I would attempt to force it on her!