to keep the hand-me-downs until DC grows out of them? But not use them!

[wonderingifiam2013]

I feel awful writing this ... but I'm not sure what is the polite/kindest way of treating this situation.

SIL kindly passed down lots of gorgeous baby clothes for DC 1. Really nice stuff and hardly worn. It was much appreciated. She made it clear she wanted the items back - and I washed them and returned them. Job done :)

The only thing is ... I've been given another bag ... and I don't know how to say this, except ... they're not my bag!

They are a lot more worn/bobbled/stained/covered in cartoon characters (fine if that's your kind of thing but it's not mine :( ) - and I really don't know what to do.

Should I keep them and then return them when DC has 'grown out' of them - but I don't really have the room to store them and what if she asks to see DC in them?

Help! I don't want to be ungrateful but they're clothes I really don't want to use :(

I would just give them back and tell her you don't need them, cos this will probably keep happening if you don't.

I don't get why people loan their baby stuff out? do they really expect you to remember every single item of clothing in the bag to return? what happens if you get a few people loaning clothes, how do you remember who gave what?

I had a work colleague loan me some clothes for ds1, i didn't need them or want them and like you didn't want to appear rude and ungrateful, they sat on the wardrobe untoutched until i gave them back, wouldn't have the space to do that now, nor would i want to.

Politely give them back.

I am with the posters who've said, politely return, in theory.

In practice, however, it depends on what type of person your SIL is. Would she take offence, or not bat an eyelid, that you're returning the clothing unused by your DC?

If she's easy going, fair enough. If, on the other hand, she's likely to see her arse, (and anyone who loans hand-me-downs sounds a little precious IMO) I'd just rather find the room to store the bag until my DC had grown past that particular age.

I wouldn't mention the clothes again, and tell her you put them away for sorting and completely forgot about them. If she asks, tell her DC had recently received a load of new clothing and you are making use of the new items, first, before they no longer fit DC.

I really wouldn't worry about lying under these circumstances to save SIL's feelings.