Clothes as a present for children

[mamatomany]

I've asked my mum to take back the clothes she has bought for my children for their only Christmas presents from her. She can't apparently has lost the receipts. Unlikely.
Bit of background, the grandparents on both sides rarely see the children.
MIL sees them the most, takes them shopping for clothes and puts money in their accounts for Christmas. Their Grandfathers do not buy them anything at all.
My mother sees them a couple of times a year and last time, took them all into Matalan and kitted them out, well to say it's not my taste is an understatement all thin leggings and tatty looking tshirts, sparkly things that fell apart after one wash, you get the picture.
So she's done it again for Christmas, all they have to open is clothes :(
I now feel under massive pressure to spend money I haven't really got making up for the fact that they as little children are getting what other kids would just assume appears in their wardrobes.
How many times does somebody need to be told to stop buying tat. I've half a mind to refuse to take it home from her house and let her keep it there for when they visit. How hard is it to buy toys, she is buying what she enjoys buying.

Best to give her a short cheap Xmas list next year or ask for the money so you can buy toys. My MIL bought my son a flower press as his main present - she obviously found it cheap and couldn't be bothered to ask what his interests actually were. We sent it back to them (via SIL) saying thanks but best you hang on to it as son wouldn't use it (not creative type). In it's place she then sent a 1980's WI type crochet doll with potpuri! I find it all very funny really - she is slightly nutty to say the least. We rarely see each other and so i think it's sad that she makes such little effort. She is quite wealthy really but wouldn't have to spend much to give something enjoyable - we get alot of our stuff second hand so would be happy with the same. In the end we asked her to give the equivilant in money so we could get something they would love. She seemed willing enough thankfully.

I understand the dislike of your mother's taste in clothes...we've been bought clothing by our in-laws which somehow never manages to get worn ! But I always receive it gratefully as I know they do it out of love.

I don't understand why you can't just tell your kids that "Grandma likes buying you clothes, you WILL be polite and show appreciation and if you behave impeccably I will let you take your toys up to her place and play with them after you've finished opening her presents". Should be simple.

I'm with you Housewife2010. Approiate clothes for children please or none at all!!

OP don't post about your mum in am I being unreasonable, post in relationships. She is clearly a pretty duff parent and I'm not suprised you areupset by her. However you need to work towards not being upset by her actions any more.

As an isolated incident posted in Aibu you have been generally ruled as unreasonable.

Everyone including kids needs to learn to accept duff presents graciously. You can swap the mini me stuff in matalan for nice things if the kids don't like the clothes. If they like them let them wear them. People won't judge you for what your kids wear, and if they do stuff'em!

Is there any chance you can get professional help to deal with your nightmare mum? You really need to stop giving her the power to upset you so much.