To respond in kind to DGM's gift for the kids?

[TheABC]

Mum has just dropped off the gifts from my Grandparents for my kids (they live 3 hours away). The main present from them is a toy Grand Piano that is on its side and taller than my three year old. It won't fit into either of their bedrooms and it's an accident waiting to happen downstairs. We have an open-plan house and scrapped the similarly-sized coffee table after my 6 year old careened headfirst into it.

When asked by my Mum DGM confessed she did this to annoy my husband (they don't see eye to eye). I am actually more pissed off about it as I'm going to be the one who has explain to the kids and cart it to the dump or charity shop after the first accident. It's disrespectful to us both and an utter waste of money.

DGM has done this before with baby items and I know she won't listen to my request for easily stored gifts. It's her birthday in a few weeks and I am tempted to find the biggest, tackiest home decor ornament I can find on Amazon with free delivery. It's the thought that counts, right?

If you know where it's from, shops will often allow you to exchange without a receipt. Choose something more suitable and give that to the kids instead.

I’d sell it or return it, and get something my DC actually want. Then I’d stop exchanging gifts altogether and explain if necessary that you were concerned that it seems to have lost some of the joy for them, which you completely understood.

Dgm must surely be in need of a quality side table?
www.wayfair.co.uk/furniture/pdp/kare-design-meerkat-sisters-side-table-kare3545.html

I think I would just give it back to her, and let her know that her little plan didn’t work. I would then be saying to her - let’s not bother with presents anymore. I think it is really wrong of her to use your DC’s Christmas present as a way of sticking it to your DH.

@BornInAThunderstorm
The haunted look in those meerkats eyes! I will never sleep again!

Second selling or returning before kids see it and getting her a DH mural

Who does that though? Does she not understand that your DH is the one suffering least from that gift... you the most. And DC because they have to see this huge gift arrive and then disappear. I'd explain that

A giant framed photo of DH playing the piano!

Life size cardboard cut out of your DH. I'm sure DGM would love it

mycutouts.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI44WOyObN5gIVCLDtCh2_4QsOEAAYASAAEgIpKPD_BwE

Those eyes on the merkat table are something else.

Well, the good news is that we are going down to the in-laws today for Christmas. The kids have seen the wrapped gift (it's bloody hard to miss), but I think I can diplomatically hide it outside in the shed whilst they are getting strapped into the car. We can open the rest of the presents on our return. And pointedly ask for the receipt from DGM.

Who does that though? Does she not understand that your DH is the one suffering least from that gift... you the most. And DC because they have to see this huge gift arrive and then disappear. I'd explain that.

Yep. That's happening. With both barrels.

Don't add to landfill u doing this. What you should do is find a charity or political grouo you know she won't agree with but you do and donate to it in her name.

not only was the meerkat thing vile, I've already got pop up ads with related items I might be interested in.
FYI, in case you havent, the Koala looks worse than the meerkats, the puppy table is a similar level of ghastliness.

Send it back saying how marvellous, they can play with it when they’re at your house as we don’t have room here.

I think all this drama and angst are unnecessary.

Let the children open and enjoy their toy piano over Christmas. If it's in the way and your dc are bored of it after a while then resell or donate it then.
Come on, if you have an open plan house with room, then the excuse a child might bump their head on it is flimsy.

Tell her it can stay at her house, so they can play with it when they visit. And if she's got a tiny house/flat so much the better!

Buy her several of those massive ASDA soft toys

Oversized llama, bear, unicorn etc

I know people are half joking about buying awful presents to spite her but really why start a feud? With your grandmother?

Your mum's just made the effort to bring the present over, you say yourself it'll fit downstairs.

If it's as tall as a three year old on it's side it's not that big and God knows what "it's an accident waiting to happen means?" Is everyone running round the house at full pelt with their eyes shut?
What is a piano related accident? They're not dangerous are they?

I get it, you don't like her, you're dubious about her motives.. don't rise to it. Your dc have seen their "big present" so let them play with it for a while and thank her. Maybe one of them will turn out to be a piano maestro It's not a bad shared present.

If it proves too big and the novelty wears off why not donate it a local children's centre or hospice?

Hasn't she already ignited a feud by admitting she has chosen the DC a gift specifically sought to annoy their father. 🤔

I agree with SmileyClare - voice of reason.

I would send the piano back to her for her birthday present

“Thank you so much for the piano, we all love it and dh can’t wait to teach the children to play little tunes. Unfortunately one of the keys is broken so we need to exchange it, can we have the receipt please?”

You’ll annoy her by the poke at dh backfiring and you get rid of it/

I agree with people saying don’t give your child the present. Hide it in the garage/attic/car still in its wrapping until you get a chance to pass it on to a charity shop or nursery. Kids get so much on Christmas Day they won’t miss one present. Tell your GM that you withheld it because you don’t have room for it and it would have been unkind to let DC see it and then have to take it away from him.

I can't get past that you got rid of your coffee table because your 6 year old "careered" into it

Wasn't there years ago, a whole thing on one of those 999 programs about the number of kids and coffee table injuries, usually facial lacerations

I know this is your family life and you’re not just here for our entertainment...but please can we have an update once you’ve requested the receipt.

Also, the lady with the aunt and the tea set, I’d love an update on that one too!

I have a prominent facial scar (aged 46) from a coffee table injury when I was a child. I also have a couple of really clumsy children, so I'm very careful about choosing furniture.

Definitely ask for the receipt to "exchange" it, as suggested by pp. And I agree that exchanging gifts needs to stop if one person is going to use it for petty point-scoring.

Aren’t you lucky to have to it grandparents alive and well at Christmas and giving presents?? Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. This is what I hate about Christmas - people who do not receive presents gracefully.