What can I do with these gifts from MIL?

[WhiteStars]

MIL and I generally get on well there are a few small issues but generally we are fine. DH is quite protective of her and sensitive to me criticising her in any way. For Christmas she was generous and kind and got me a couple of nice things and then a couple of random things- a very ugly (IMO) photo frame and a big make up storage box. The photo frame is just meh and ideally I would give it to someone else but I don't know anyone who would want it. The box is annoying as I have one already my mum got me years ago and the new one is a less good version of this. DH wants me to throw out my box and use the new one, I have told him I prefer my old one as its bigger and TBH it's better quality.

MIL is in our house regularly a couple of times a week at the very minimum. What can I do about these things?

Could you use the make up box for craft bits and pieces?

Put the frame in your bathroom, or the guest room if you have one? Or behind a large plant on a window sill.
Put rarely used makeup in the box and put under bathroom sink :) say things like 'great taking makeup for holiday'.

Another vote for the charity shop. It's good to have some brand new stuff on the shelves and the items will be used by someone who really wants them, and the charity gets some cash. Everyone's a winner.

Do you have any pets - a cat or a dog - who could accidentally have knocked over the photo frame? Other than that, I agree I would have it on show for a short while then ditch it.

DH needs to man up a bit as well - my ex was just the same with his mother - which is why he became an ex!

Your DH is being a bit weird if he wants you to throw away something your own mum bought you in favour of something his mother bought you that isn't as good. He needs to be a bit less precious/sensitive about his mum, I think. It's not like you're criticising her as a person; you just weren't keen on the gift she bought. It shouldn't be a big deal for him.

This. Tell him to stop being so ridiculous about 'defending' his mum. She's a grown up, presumably.

She won't see he make up box anyway as it will be in your bedroom

You obviously haven't met my MIL

She goes in your bedroom? Oh no.

The photo frame - put a photo in it of your DH looking terrible, put photo frame on display for the next time MIL is coming over - she'll clock it once. After the visit, pick it up and make a point of saying to DH that you think it's not the best one of him, you'll have to have a look for another one that's more flattering. Put photo frame with the photo in it in a drawer, awaiting a 'better photo'. In 6 months time, if your DH hasn't bothered to change the photo himself, take photo frame (minus photo) to a charity shop.

Make up box - tricker - I would do the photo frame first, then it doesn't feel like you are completely rejecting his mothers choices, and say that you'll wait until you've done a big sort out of your make up because there's no point filling it back up with stuff you are going to bin soon. You'll do a spring clean of your make up next few weeks. Don't get round to it. Leave it for a bit, hopefully if you can drag this out for a few months, he'll forget about it, charity shop the make up box from his mum and 'forget' where it went. (You need to pick a charity shop it's unlikely your DH will go in.)

Ignore what your husband says about throwing away the box your Mother gave you, what a horrible thing to say.

Send both items to the charity shop, if your DH asks where his mother's box is say you threw it away as he advised.

Does your MIL really inspect your bedroom? If so you need to draw some very firm boundaries for her as a matter of urgency.

I do like the idea of putting her photo in the frame and hanging in the lav, but the charity shop is the simple answer.

oh and by doing the bad photo of DH in the frame, if your MIL notices the time after that it's not on display, you can say "oh it's in the drawer over there, DH doesn't like that photo of him on display!" you do need to find a really bad photo of your DH to make this work though.

Just regift if you can. I gave my DM a watch my mil had given me as I don't wear watches , they irritate my wrist and it was a fairly old style. My mil has never seen me wear it or thought to ask.

regift for a local charity with along with other items so not obvious. either that or use as a container for the dog biscuits.

Is the photo frame breakable? edge of shelf, busy people oops.

Definitely charity shop, if she asks then just tell the truth, say you really appreciated the thought but the frame wasn't to your taste and you already have a make up box that you prefer - you liked the other presents so you could get something positive in too. It seems to me like it's disproportionately women who are expected to put our own feelings aside to please others. It's not the end of the world if you didn't like something she gave you and they're only things, so why hang on to them?

She goes into your bedroom? You need to fashion the gifts into some sort of booby trap so she gets a make up box full of glitter dumped on her head the next time she invades your space.

Hahahahahaha cherry

I have similar issues with MIL gifts or his auntie's gifts to us for our home. I tend to put them out only when they visit or hide in a cupboard till enough time has passed that it's safe to then chuck or chatty shop them.

Some things should be sacred. I don't think I could tolerate any grown up wandering into my bedroom and no one touches my makeup.

If she's anything like my MIL I'd be careful, mines will go through my stuff looking for gifts she's gave me.

'DH wants me to throw out my box and use the new one, I have told him I prefer my old one as its bigger and TBH it's better quality.

MIL is in our house regularly a couple of times a week at the very minimum. What can I do about these things?'

Oh, fuck him! He doesn't get to decide or dictate to you. Get rid of them. So what if she quibbles.

What's wrong with these people that have no boundaries? It can't be a MIL thing because I can't believe that someone with so little self restraint respects their children's privacy either.

Cherryskypie, me too. I would get a lock fitted.

Keep the make up box, ask for more make up to fill it with, give massive hints about Mac and Charlotte Tilbury

Cherrypiesky Monster In Law meets Home Alone

Charity shop. My dh nan always gives me stuff that's not my taste, ugly photo frame, costume jewellery, strange ornaments. Tbh I would much rather she didn't get anything. I'm expecting a baby end of month I don't know if its boy or girl and she bought a buddle of blue bibs for me this year.

keep the makeup box - use it to store sex toys - she won't look in it twice

TBH, I'd be tempted to send your DH to the charity shop as well. Seriously, is always this dismissive of your feelings?