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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not get MIL a Christmas present this year

68 replies

5ThingsUnderTheBed · 22/10/2012 11:29

Given that DH and I have just spent £200 buying her a mobility scooter?

She was here yesterday and we told her we weren't getting her one and she seemed ok with it. She has just called DH regarding something else and had a right go at him about the lack of present.

She is already coming here for her dinner on Christmas Day, I bend over for her by doing what she wants for dinner rather than my family's traditions so I think she is just going to have to suck it up and stop acting like a spoilt child!

AIBU?

OP posts:
Wearyworker · 22/10/2012 11:30

You could maybe buy her a token gift just to hand over on Christmas Day, reminding her at the same time the scooter was her main present :)

ImperialBlether · 22/10/2012 11:31

She sounds like a nightmare! I think it's time (now that she's in a bad mood anyway) that you should have your family's tradition this year and she should like it or lump it.

Isn't there anyone else who'd be prepared to have her for Christmas?

DesperatelySeekingPomBears · 22/10/2012 11:31

What, nothing? You'll have her for dinner and have her be the only person without a gift because you were kind enough to buy her something she, presumably, needs?

Christmas presents aren't about necessity, hence I was very upset with the amount of babygrows I was bought for Christmas presents last year. Buy her a £10 present and stop being so Scrooge-like!

Original poster
5ThingsUnderTheBed · 22/10/2012 11:33

She wouldn't appreciate a token gift. If she would be happy with some handcream and chocolates I would buy her it.

No, there is boldly else she can go to for dinner. I don't mind her here for dinner.

OP posts:
Original poster
5ThingsUnderTheBed · 22/10/2012 11:34

Nobody, not boldly.

OP posts:
TinyDancingHoofer · 22/10/2012 11:35

Buy her a bumper sticker for the scooter and wrap it up in a massive box.

Fakebook · 22/10/2012 11:39

Surely the mobility scooter was a need rather than a want?

I think it's a bit mean not getting her even a small gift.

ENormaSnob · 22/10/2012 11:40

With an attitude like that she'd be getting fuck all from me.

CrapBag · 22/10/2012 11:40

YANBU.

She should be grateful you have just spent £200 on her scooter, not moaning and demanding that she have a christmas present too. Do people really have a go at others for not buying them a present!! Shock

Saying that, my MIL always makes it quite obvious that they present she has got isn't good enough. She also made a point of showing DH the earrings (actually it wasn't the earrings she showed DH, it was just the box they came in) that her DD got her from an expensive jewellers this year for her birthday. It was a blatant "this is what your sister has bought me, I expect the same from you" knowing full well that we are broke. She didn't get a similar thing from us. People can get what they are given and they should appreciate the thought, not demand what they think they should have.

plutocrap · 22/10/2012 11:40

I love the bumper sticker idea!

TiAAAAARGHo · 22/10/2012 11:40

If she won't take a token gift, don't get her anything.

CrapBag · 22/10/2012 11:41

"I think it's a bit mean not getting her even a small gift"

The OP has already said she wouldn't be satisfied with something small.

ENormaSnob couldn't have put it better.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 22/10/2012 11:43

I wouldn't get her anything if she is such an ungrateful misery, but if you are going to get her something, then make it some kind of mobility scooter accessory, like a bag that hangs on it or a blanket or something.

honeytea · 22/10/2012 11:44

Just buy her some chocs from poundland and ignore her bitter looks. Christmas is for kids when it comes to pressies in my opinion.

Xnedra · 22/10/2012 11:54

If you have DC/there will be DC around at christmad then I would get her a token gift, love the bumper sticker idea, if she doesn't appreciate she's the only one that'll look daft when you say, but the scooter's your main present'. I would also incorporate some of your family traditions into Christmas rather than just hers.

DeWe · 22/10/2012 11:54

Offer to take the scooter back and wrap it up and give it her for Christmas.

RuleBritannia · 22/10/2012 12:41

Why didn't she buy the mobility scooter herself?

reallyboredatwork · 22/10/2012 13:29

How about some tena lady, a copy of War and Peac and one of those £5 tin of celebrations. As tiny says, wrap it up in a massive box.

maddening · 22/10/2012 15:27

Get a cheap cubic zirconia necklace and tell her it's diamond?

thegreylady · 22/10/2012 15:34

I'd love a £5 box of Celebrations for a present but my lot will give lovely thoughtful pressies as they always do.just imagine though-pigging out on a big tin of chocs with a good book and a glass of wine-heaven :)

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/10/2012 15:38

The scooter might be a need but it is her need not theirs. I need a car for work. If someone bought me a car, I'd be bloody grateful and they wouldn't have to buy me a Christmas present.

Tartan blanket, job's a goodun.

Somebodysomewhere · 22/10/2012 15:45

May i suggest a lump of of coal ?

Shodan · 22/10/2012 15:52

How about a picture of the scooter in a frame so she won't forget what you got her? You could put a festive bow on it.

YouSmegHead · 22/10/2012 16:07

Take the scooter back and wrap it up for Xmas day Grin

Cahoots · 22/10/2012 16:18

YABU
It seems mean not to get her a present, you wouldn't have to spend much. Wouldn't you feel awkward on Xmas day when everyone is giving presents but your MIL doesn't have anything to open. I also think it is strange that you have announced this to her. It seems like you are trying to deliberately be confrontational and to upset her.

When you bought her the mobility scooter did you tell her it was partly a christmas gift.

I guess there is a lot more to this story.

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