To think that this is a bit shit?

[HildaZelda]

DHL mentioned to me earlier that MIL is getting me a dressing gown for Christmas. Fine, except she got me a dressing gown last Xmas. I'd seen a book I'd like for around the same price so asked if he thought she might get me that instead.
Apparently not. Basically she has supermarket vouchers for a particular shop and so my dressing gown can only come from that shop.
AIBU to feel like I'm not worth a 'proper' present, just a convenient one that doesn't actually require spending money?
I'd actually prefer if she didn't get me anything instead of something like this to be honest.

Just thank her and return it for something else?

My mil always gets me books on how to keep a better house, how to make and mend etc! It’s slightly insulting!

YANBU

The good news is supermarkets take returns without receipts in return for gift vouchers so take it back when you get it, and then give her the voucher for next Christmas as she seems to like them so much and it will almost almost have expired but how were you to know innocent face
Or just use the voucher for that bottle of wine

Using vouchers wouldn't bother me, they are just money in a different form.

However, if DH is taking her shopping, then I'd tell him to steer her away from the dressing gown, explaining that the one she gave you last year is still perfectly fine. As others have posted, supermarkets sell books, so they might have the book you want, or if not, she can get you wine.

If you do still get the dressing gown, just take it back to the shop and exchange it for something else.

Ask for a gift receipt with it

My MiL always passive-aggressively buys me cookery books of 'British classics'. I'm not British, and DH loves it when I cook exotic food, but it irks MiL that I'm not cooking him the stodge she used to feed him when he was growing up.

When she turns up to give you the present make sure to be in last years dressing gown and open the door with a 'oh hope you don't mind me not being dressed yet! It's just this dressing gown you got me last year is still going strong I wear it as much as I can, I hope it lasts years!'

My MIL has bought me slipper again this year, she bought me some last year that I still wear now.

It's thoughtless of them I would feel very devalued by this and quite sad

@FreudianSlurp, DH had to let me know as she told him to pass on that message to me because she wanted me to go and look at them and report back which one I wanted but as the voucher was only for £15, I was limited as to which one I could pick.
I think it's just her playing games to be honest. She could have just given me the dressing gown at Xmas and I'd have been none the wiser that she's bought it with a voucher that she already had, but instead she made a big deal of it.

@RoryItsSnowing, I love that!

Initially DH said that MIL was getting me a dressing gown and I said "Ok but she got me one last Xmas" I mentioned that there was a book I wanted and would she mind getting me that instead (around the same price) and it was then that he sheepishly told me the rest of the details, voucher etc.

I'd say thank you and just bin it or give it to a charity shop in the new year.

It's a crap present but don't let it occupy your thoughts.