AIBU to wish people would just give money or vouchers

[BabyMummy29]

Just back from PiLs and yet again have received presents that I will never use in a million years.

I know it's the thought that counts and that I'm sounding ungrateful but I feel they waste so much money every birthday and Christmas buying us stuff we never use and end up re-gifting.

No yanbu, I have the same issue with mil, bless her for trying, we've had our run ins in the past year or 2 (all down to her blabbing and causing trouble basically), so her way of making it up to me was to buy a massive over sized gift bag that came up to my hips, then fill it with crap from home and bargains and poundland.

She must have spent around £25 on every gift set under the sun and i dont use any of them, in fact shes told me time and time again she wont buy me smelly stuff as she knows i like the expensive stuff. The "expensive" stuff i like is vaseline cocoa butter and nivea face wash .

Maybe they get pleasure from choosing the gifts, wrapping them etc. Theres not much joy in putting cash in a card.

Since MN its very rare i know give vouchers and will think twice about cash for children too.

I think it is annoying when there is not much thought put into it. My MIL got my DH a poundland diary for 2014 when she has seen him using an electronic diary. She buys bits throughout the year which DH usually puts in charity bag. He won't say anything to her because it will hurt her feelings

I know for old people that it may be nice for them choosing and wrapping gifts, but they obviously don't realise what I am likely to use or wear.

OH is fine as he just gets a bottle of wine, but I don't drink much. Even if they gave me smellies they would be acceptable

Lots of people give vouchers or money to my two teenagers but buy a gift for ds3 (7). Most of his gifts from other people this year were things he already had or things he doesn't play with. I end up trying to recycle for friends birthday parties and giving things that I wouldn't normally have chosen for a particular child. It would be better if they asked what he would like and I could suggest some things for them to choose from.

It's really hard to get him to look delighted with a present he doesn't like whilst seeing with spending money and vouchers.

Seeing his brothers, obviously!