My in laws just gifted me scales for my birthday

[Lsquiggles]

It's my birthday and I feel absolutely shit after opening a present from my in laws... Fucking scales.

No matter how hard I've tried with them they've always made it clear they don't like me that much, this is just the lowest blow.

They're meant to come over on Saturday and I don't know how I'm meant to bite my tongue.

I wouldn't play any games. I would send back the scales and say "I don't know how to not be offended by this present. Please do not come on Saturday."

@Lsquiggles

I'd happily never see them again as any time spent with them in painful at best but our daughter is their only grandchild so they crop up every month or so to pretend they care

Invent a gym membership and bugger off out the house everytime they're due to visit?

and then go and buy coffee and cake

@TeddyIsaHe

What knobs! I’d get them a burial plot for Christmas.

@TeddyIsaHe

What knobs! I’d get them a burial plot for Christmas.

Haha - too expensive though 😡

How horrible - I love a practical gift but people give me what I ask for (screwdriver sets, ironing board, pizza stone...). I think a quiet word to DH to help him understand that yes, it was a nasty thing to do and intentionally so.

Absolutely give them the scales back and tell them how offensive you found the gift.

My parents gave us the following xmas presents through the past 20+ years:

• scales (2)
• iron (3)
• ironing board (2),
• cooking utensils (way too many)
• small furniture - totally ugly, and useless.

And I never held my tongue. I made fun of it, but also made it clear that these are not presents. These are ways they want to influence how we do things. And thank you for the thought and wanting to help out, but next time, please buy a book.
My mom got upset, but it turned into a running joke about the ironing board and every year they ask if we need a new one... :)

I would definitely send them back, with a note.

@Isthisnothing

I wouldn't play any games. I would send back the scales and say "I don't know how to not be offended by this present. Please do not come on Saturday."

Yeah, that's actually the best thing to do I think

If your DH doesn't think they did it in a malicious way then get him to directly ask them why they gave you scales as a present. It's a simple question, and a valid one. Fucking weird gift and most people would intepret it negatively.

If their answer isn't satisfactory then your DH needs to follow it up by inviting them for dinner this weekend and letting them know that they owe you an apology.

Your DH needs to be the one to do all of this. I would insist and kick up a huge fuss with him if he wimped out.

I'd happily go out and leave them to it but my daughter gets upset when they're here because she doesn't know who they are as they hardly see her < not envy

@Lsquiggles

I'd happily go out and leave them to it but my daughter gets upset when they're here because she doesn't know who they are as they hardly see her < not envy

Sounds like my parents. Although mine come without the presents.

So, they do incredibly rude things like this, your husband defends them and you will be inviting them into your home anyway?!

Please don’t be such a doormat and set your daughter a better example of how not to be treated.

Can't your Dh soothe her? I certainly wouldn't make them so much as a cup of tea. I'd be tempted to just put out carrot sticks and water as you're now 'on a diet' thanks to them.

DO NOT have them over this Saturday. They are the cheekiest of fuckers ever. I hope your DH is supporting you with this. I'd be angry as hell if this happened to me.

Wow! Gifting scales - Soo rude!!

What knobs! I'd get them a burial plot for Christmas!

Best response ever!

I also agree with the poster who recommended that you ask them why they thought scales were a suitable present for you. I'd like to hear what they have to say about that.

I think you should cancel the Saturday thing OP. Tell them you’ll be busy using your new scales all day.

Weighing scales or kitchen scales?

Don’t be such a door mat holding your tongue and accepting this. I’d definitely tell them how rude their present was and to not bother coming round because you don’t wish to see them.

Wow, and thought I was the only one who got an iron and ironing board for my birthday from MIL

Could you ask them for the receipt saying you already had a set and then go and spend the money on something frivolous?

Put the scales by the front door and tell them that your dining chairs have a weight limit.

They were very very rude and your DH stating it wasnt malicious- how does he know that? Sending a woman a set of scales a year after having a baby is nasty......I wouldnt want to see them either. Let them come and see there DS and you head out with your baby first thing

@Isthisnothing

I wouldn't play any games. I would send back the scales and say "I don't know how to not be offended by this present. Please do not come on Saturday."

Do this.

They sound awful. I'm sorry.

@Isthisnothing

I wouldn't play any games. I would send back the scales and say "I don't know how to not be offended by this present. Please do not come on Saturday."

Completely agree with this.