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?

Do you really not have any idea???

Another suggestion: we do a sale of unwanted Christmas presents at work in January and the money goes to the local charity we support. I guess it's a variation of the charity shop idea but it also gives everyone a laugh. We do get some pretty awful presents and you can understand why people have thrown them out but we also get some good stuff. What's the saying "one man's rubbish is another man's treasure.....". It works for us anyway.

Cherryskypipe

MIL and DH have never ever heard of the word "boundaries" it is an ongoing and mind blowingly frustrating battle attempting to get MIL not to invade every inch of my home. She sees it as her son's therefore as hers.

charliethewitch

She would be in there polishing the sex toys "helping us".

I wish I was joking.

I was given two wooden photo frames by my lovely SIL. They were a nautical theme .

I sprayed them both black and they look fab.

I dont understand your DH. He values his Mum. So tells you to get rid of a gift from your Mum? Bonkers.

From what you say about your MIL WhiteStars you've got more serious problems than what to do with an ugly photo frame.

Gifts from my mother go straight to charity. She buys a load of crap from poundstretcher or the saturday market stalls and distributes randomly as gifts.
I may have regifted gifts from Mil to my mother and vice versa.
I hate clutter, whereas you can't turn around in their houses for ornaments and vases and useless things...
Ah. That was cathartic. As you were.

Do you have children?

Honestly, if you don't, I still wouldn't until you get the boundary thing sorted. And it needs to be sorted. It would totally creep me out to be living with someone who had no reasonable understanding of boundaries, AND HIS MOTHER! Yick.

Your DH is unreasonable to expect his mother to be allowed into every aspect of your life, and to take offense if you don't have similar tastes/likes. Does he think he married his mother? Because I'd send him back to her if he isn't willing to cut the string and have another look at hi behavior that is similar to hers.

make your husband use it as a toiletry bag. seeing as he loves it so much

I think having the photo frame on show for a while will placate her and your DH until it topples from the fireplace and smashes (with your assistance in DH's absence) and has to be binned.

If your DH likes the box so much give it to him to store his socks.

Sounds like your MiL has no boundaries - send off for the paperwork to emigrate to Australia and put in your bedside cabinet. No need to tell your DH until MiL starts screaming

I'd donate them and I'd get rid of your knob of a dh at the same time.

But that's just me...

You need to be honest with your mil. I would hate it if mine were wasting money on things I don't want or need. Maybe say no presents next year?

DH wants me to throw out my box and use the new one

What's it got to do with him?

But yes, you've got bigger problems anyway. MIL is in our house regularly a couple of times a week at the very minimum The way you word this sounds as though you have no choice in it. Am I right?

And fuck the going in your bedroom and 'helping' you. I'd tell her point blank 'Stay out of that room please, it's private.'

But, as always seems to be the case on here, you have a DH problem really.