To not want to use the gift.

[Mumtobe12]

Now I don't want to sound ungrateful but MIL is very excited about new arrival which is lovely. But the other day she brought us a Moses basket with out us seeing first and well it so not what I envisioned. It silk and covered in lace looks like something straight out of queen Victoria's nursery.
I don't know what to do DH doesn't want to hurt MIL feelings and has already told her how pretty it is and how much we like it. But I really don't and know he is not a big fan either,
I do appreciate the kindness of the gift but I'm a bit upset I didn't get to pick this out myself.
I have attached picture so you can see for yourself.
What can I do? I can't not use it now?

Oh God that is hideous. Could you suggest she keep it in her house for when you are visiting?

Oh God. That's vile.

Is it suitable for baby's needs and just ugly? Or functionally not suitable? If the former, is just use it for a few weeks. Poor thing, she is obviously excited but she's got this badly wrong.

To be honest I wouldn't buy an item like that for someone without knowing which one they wanted. I don't doubt she meant well though.

*i'd use it

Oh.. No I think it is important to get the chance to pick the first special things for your baby. But in this instance I would graciously accept the basket as a gift from grandmother but take off a lot of the frills.

Then dh needs to have quiet work with her that you are both going shopping and that you are going to enjoy picking out the first special things.

Wow that is quite something!

But...you don't need to use it for long, probably less than 6 months, no one else needs to see it if you keep it in your bedroom so does it really matter what it looks like?

I'm pretty sure they recommend cotton and no quilting for newborns op. For safety reasons.

If you take the lining off is it just a normal Moses basket? In which case it was a terrible shame the baby pooped on it first time in it and the stains never came out.

I see your point, it's not to my taste either. But your baby will only be in it for a few months, and you'll barely notice the lace when you're bleary-eyed in the small hours. Buy something really nice for the cot and gaze adoringly at that instead. :)

Oh! That's quite... something.

Can you strip it down and just use a normal cot sheet on the mattress? Sure it will look a little less Victorian trollop when down to its minimalist wicker.

Surely it's too beautiful and delicate to subject it to inevitable streams of vomit and baby poo

You wouldn't want to ruin it, would you?

Baby could vomit over the covers and they then get damaged in the wash?

My baby never, ever slept in our Moses basket or his own bed perhaps yours will be the same, OP?

Who cares what your Moses basket looks like? You'll only user or while your baby is tiny anyway. Correct me if I'm seeing, but I'm assuming you haven't given birth yet, as I don't really think you'd have the energy to give a shit about stuff like this once your baby is here.

Oh my! It's not my cup of tea either and the material isn't very practical. Is there any way you can switch the fabric?
Would the approach of it's very pretty but we think cotton might be better for the lining (or something like that) and hope you could exchange it.

The lace looks like you can remove it. Can you?

It must be a fire risk surely

Obviously before the baby is born!

Is all that silk suitable for baby - looks a bit inflammable / not breathable to me ? Where did she get it fro

I would take off all the frills and replace with something more sensible like a Moses basket sheet. If she asks just say that your little one vomited all over it.

Is there a nice plain basket underneath all the erm....crap??

I'd be trying to take the frou frou off, you could say you were worried about the fabric as babies shouldn't have lots of it or soft stuff in their sleeping area

Put baby in it for a few pictures. Get it out for when she visits.

Babies grow fast so may be in a bigger car sooner (our DD wouldn't sleep in our Moses basket at all so it went straight in the loft!)

Could you keep it at her gouse for visits or if yoy ever stay over with baby?

Yiu know what? You are being totally and utterly unreasonable and you should be grateful she loves you and is excited.
and then I remembered buying my pfb a moses basket in cream and lemon with a giraffe and an elephant, ten years ago and the memories so vivid. I do get it.