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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Strange gift from MIL

74 replies

Pawpaw45 · 07/04/2018 21:39

AIBU to think this a very odd "Easter gift" for a 3-year-old child? It's a devil charm! This isn't the actual one...but a very similar one I just found on Ebay.

Strange gift from MIL
OP posts:
KeepServingTheDrinks · 08/04/2018 00:02

I want a drawer of doom! And if i had one, I wouldn't be coy, and would totally share pics of it on MN

What does your DH think?

Wasn't Easter last week?

To those PPs saying 'tell her', I think you're quite rude. It's a gift. Albeit an odd one. The appropriate response is "thank you"

OliviaBenson · 08/04/2018 00:09

Get your DH to send it back to her with a note that it's unkind and inappropriate.

MargaretCavendish · 08/04/2018 00:12

We all have different tastes; I think that charm is pretty cool, and would 100% wear it. I think the same thing with an angel face would be very tacky. I also think her explanation is quite cute and funny. I wouldn't have given it to a three year old, though - not because of the specific charm, but because what on earth is a three year old supposed to do with any charm?

Original poster
Pawpaw45 · 08/04/2018 00:16

Whilst there may be many, many MILs out there gifting their precious grandchildren a devil charm (Hmm), I suspect this particular MIL would easily recognise herself if I posted details of the contents of the Drawer of Doom...but it mainly contains charity shop and ebay trinkets and ornaments. We're not an "ornament" family at all...and are snowed under with the proceeds from her charity shop raids. Each time we visit her she presents us with binbags full of (lovingly collected) useless junk to take home.

OP posts:
ChocoholicsAsylum · 08/04/2018 00:34

I am really weary of gifts like this! Once my aunty got me a fairy and it looked posessed! Binned it instantly as it gave me a creepy feeling... then a work mate gave me an "Evil Eye" keyring and didnt know till I said "Oh that looks like an eye" and she said "Yeah sometimes people call it the Evil eye" - I looked this up and some religions it can be an ill wishing curse thing/even death! Binned that too - was raging!

QueenArseClangers · 08/04/2018 00:34

Do you remember the demon statue from The Exorcist?

Strange gift from MIL
QueenArseClangers · 08/04/2018 00:35

This?

Strange gift from MIL
scrubadubdub · 08/04/2018 00:42

I think it's quite funny actually....

StaplesCorner · 08/04/2018 00:59

Well, scrub you never know, your toddler might get one after being told she's a devil and then you can join in the hilarity too. Hmm

hesterton · 08/04/2018 04:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BedtimeTea · 08/04/2018 05:30

Your mil is a weirdo.

SlowlyShrinking · 08/04/2018 06:03

I also think it’s quite funny. If my toddler received one I wouldn’t be upset at all, but it seems I am unusual. I’m surprised really at how many people would find it upsetting and insulting. It’s only a bit of metal, although an odd gift it your dd hasn’t got a charm bracelet. It’s a bit like a gargoyle and they’re meant to scare devils off 🤷‍♀️

Tumilnaughts · 08/04/2018 06:13

Sounds like something my own DM would do. I just explain it off as her being a pretty strange person and get on with my day.

BustopherJones · 08/04/2018 06:24

@ChocoholicsAsylum - usually evil eye things are used as a protection against the evil eye, so very normal good luck charm type thing in many cultures.

ThisIsTheFirstStep · 08/04/2018 06:25

I personally don't like people saying stuff like kids being devils or whatever, it seems really mean to me.

1forAll74 · 08/04/2018 07:02

It is a bit of an ugly charm item for a three year old,, but what would a three year old think about it, only you will know this now.. I have never heard of an angel devil thing before, but its obviously your Mil's idea of something special, so just keep it, hide it, wear it whatever, It might well bring you good luck, to win millions on the lottery next week !!

Lindtnotlint · 08/04/2018 07:23

I am with the “it’s funny and maybe even cute” brigade. Can’t believe some of the responses here! It’s not the greatest gift ever, but it’s really not “offensive” in the way some seem to be saying...

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 08/04/2018 07:44

Wasn't Easter last week?

Yes, and the DC will get another Easter egg tomorrow, because that's the earliest SIL could come. Hmm I didn't know everything had to stop by midnight on Easter Monday.

TammyWhyNot · 08/04/2018 08:00

I think it’s quite funny.

I am clearly going to have to watch my step when I am a MIL Grin

emmyrose2000 · 08/04/2018 10:03

I would be upset by the explanation. That is an ugly item with an ugly sentiment; chuck it in the bin. Your husband needs to tell his mum to pack it in

Agreed. It's nasty in both design and sentiment.

FairNotFair · 08/04/2018 10:45

Unless MiL has form for passive-aggressive nastiness, there's no real reason to take offence, is there? Shove it in a drawer and move on.

Original poster
Pawpaw45 · 08/04/2018 11:24

I'm not offended by it, but just find it a seriously bizarre choice for a pink, purple, fairy, ballet and My Little Pony loving 3-year-old girl. MIL said we need to buy a chain for it...so she can wear it around her neck. Dd doesn't like the look of it at all but we did get her to thank MIL for it.

OP posts:
Laiste · 08/04/2018 11:33

Wouldn't be putting a necklace on a three year old what ever charm was hanging on it.

I'd say nothing more about it bin it put it in the drawer and IF MIL ever asks about it again be vague and say DD played with it in her room somewhere .... (with the inference it's long lost)

diddl · 08/04/2018 11:40

I think it might be a bit funny if Op's daughter wasn't only 3.

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