Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to feel sad that MIL has wrapped presents in glitter paper?

617 replies

somehowsunshine · 23/12/2021 01:06

Can't recycle it. She knows we try really hard to recycle. We are always finding recyclable plastic in her general waste bin. My DH and I will have to bite our tongues on Xmas day as we scrunch the glitter paper into the bin. I know my husband will want to say something but it will make MIL feel bad and make us look ungrateful. I can't stand glitter!

OP posts:
Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas · 23/12/2021 09:25

Well it is strange that someone so expect minded hasn't actually thought to simply recycle it though?

We had wall paper samples years ago and I used that as wrapping paper?

Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas · 23/12/2021 09:25
  • so eco minded
Lulu1919 · 23/12/2021 09:26

It's one day
You obviously do your bit the rest of the 364 days....let it go

comedycentral · 23/12/2021 09:26

If it's available, people will buy it. There should be a ban on single use, absolutely useless micro plastics. Wouldn't it be amazing if glittery tat was eliminated in our lifetime?

invisiblereally · 23/12/2021 09:27

Your MIL doesn't recycle nor buy recyclable paper, you do.
Sustainability of our planet is important however it won't all revolve around Mrs Bloggs at number 9 Tupperware Avenue. (Try to convert 2 people who want yo listen, to offset her one person and you're already up! )

I can't believe DH goes through his mums bin to lift out her rubbish that could be recycled'?!? I hope he has her permission as that's intrusive

As other PPs said, cut it off carefully and re use said glitter paper if you can't dispose of it. We use same Xmas (cloth) gift bags & stockings that are recycled each year for most, to cut down on wrapping paper waste. I'm not all militant about it, there's still fantastic array of wrapped presents from others under tree, it's just our tradition.

I doubt you'll change MILs behaviour over recycling, it's important to you not her. it sounds like manners and respect for others views are important to her not you, she can't seem to change your behaviour either...

So glittery wrapping paper is the wrong thing to be worried about, I hope you like the presents she bought you.. and that you all have happy Christmas together

MojoDaysxx · 23/12/2021 09:27

I'm sure you enjoyed glitter, as a child. We all must make our own choices and we should not decided how others should behave. That would be rather controlling.

FiveShelties · 23/12/2021 09:27

@somehowsunshine

DH tends to look through the top of his mums bin when we're round, and usually pulls out 5 or 6 plastic items or cans that can be recycled. Mil can't be bothered which really pisses us off! He does it to make a point of how much she must throw into landfill instead of recycling.
Hahaha - course he does - there is nothing like a rummage in someone's rubbish to pass the hours on. Hmm
ancientgran · 23/12/2021 09:29

@somehowsunshine

DH tends to look through the top of his mums bin when we're round, and usually pulls out 5 or 6 plastic items or cans that can be recycled. Mil can't be bothered which really pisses us off! He does it to make a point of how much she must throw into landfill instead of recycling.
He's obviously great from an environmental point of view. Maybe he could work on his manners now?
stingofthebutterfly · 23/12/2021 09:29

We're supposed to put certain items of recycling in our general waste bin. Are you sure stuff out of yours doesn't get recycled too? Tbh the rules are so confusing that it's not surprising that people don't give a damn. At least your general bin will get emptied if you put recycling in it. Not so much if you dare to put a non-recyclable packet in your recycling bin.

But either way, anything to bash your mil, right? It's a bit of glitter and it's Christmas ffs. I bet she loves having you as a daughter-in-law.

Hadjab · 23/12/2021 09:29

@somehowsunshine

DH tends to look through the top of his mums bin when we're round, and usually pulls out 5 or 6 plastic items or cans that can be recycled. Mil can't be bothered which really pisses us off! He does it to make a point of how much she must throw into landfill instead of recycling.
This is twatty, passive aggressive bullshit behaviour. I work in packaging, and I’m pretty certain that you’re probably not recycling as well as you think you are, because 80% of Britain’s population don’t, mainly through lack of education and incorrect infrastructure. Rather than picking shit out of her bins and criticising her gift wrapping selection, show her what you think is the correct way to recycle.
Offmyfence · 23/12/2021 09:30

@DickMabutt73962

I hope you get a grip for Christmas
Best comment on here! Xmas Grin
Pumpkinseedpesto · 23/12/2021 09:30

@ItsDinah

I always reuse paper,glitter or not. I've never scrunched it up and wasted it . Use it for wrapping,covering boxes or books,for cards,decoupage etc etc. When it really comes to the end of its useful life, I use it to wrap noxious or sharp things that are not recyclable and have to go in the general waste. This saves on the wastefulness of having to wash out the wheelie bin.
This
Ubiquery · 23/12/2021 09:30

It's not even half nine on the day this thread was started. How have you people managed to fill 15 pages? Don't you know I have housework to do?

Landof · 23/12/2021 09:31

YABU

ancientgran · 23/12/2021 09:33

@godmum56

your DH pokes in his Mum's bin and lectures her and she still lets you both inot her house and buys gifts for your kids? The woman is a saint.

While I am here, genuine question....yes i get that glitter is wrong and as bad as painting the parcels with novichok but what should be done with all the existing glitter in the world? I mean I actually agree that we should stop making it and using it but is it not reasonable to use up exisiting stocks? oh and PS not sure where you live but in many places little or nothing that can't be recycled goes to land fill. Instead it is incinerated in sealed closed system furnaces and the resulting heat is used to generate electricity. Not Ideal I know but no landfill use.

I found a couple of rolls of glittery paper in the back of a cupboard when having a clear out (not easy as DH is a hoarder and I struggle with it.) So some of my presents are in glittery paper this year but as it is years old I thought it was better to use it than waste it. I wonder who is grinding their teeth about that.
x2boys · 23/12/2021 09:33

Xmas at your house sounds like a barrel of laughs op Hmm
It's one day at least your Xmas hasrnt been cancelled due to covid like ours and thousands of other families !

maa32 · 23/12/2021 09:36

I think this thread is a bit ridiculous

shinynewapple21 · 23/12/2021 09:36

Open your presents carefully and reuse the paper .

Reuse is better than recycle !

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 23/12/2021 09:37

Get a grip

luckylavender · 23/12/2021 09:37

@somehowsunshine - not helpful but true.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 23/12/2021 09:38

Take it off carefully and fold neatly then reuse next year (my mum has always been a keen environmentalist through the 80s and did this saving what we could). Stop being a dick and forcing your own ways on other people. You might drive a car more than mil, fly in a plane more etc or maybe not but either way she’s sending gifts and you sound like a knob (our gifts are wrapped in brown paper with red ribbons tied round so we recycle too so I do get it).

user7473769969 · 23/12/2021 09:39

Honestly if you care about the environment can you not ask people to stop wrapping your presents? It’s better to not to have to recycle and prevent waste in the first place. I recommend reusing the same gift bag. And stop buying wasteful wrapping paper surely.

Benjispruce5 · 23/12/2021 09:41

Can you get your DC to open carefully then reuse the glittery paper for something else. Some crafting over Christmas maybe?

NeedAHoliday2021 · 23/12/2021 09:42

DH tends to look through the top of his mums bin when we're round, and usually pulls out 5 or 6 plastic items or cans that can be recycled. Mil can't be bothered which really pisses us off! He does it to make a point of how much she must throw into landfill instead of recycling.

Is he usually so openly controlling? Rummaging through someone’s bins is massively overstepping.

SwumMum · 23/12/2021 09:42

This is actually ridiculous.

You talk about 'we' and 'us' as if you and your DH are a complete team when judging your mil.

You go through the bins?

You feel sad she's used non approved wrapping paper?

I am a real crunchy but I see it as absolutely bon of my business what wrapping paper people use. I wouldn't dream of assessing someone else's waste streams.

I focus on my own household, shopping habits, lifestyle, car use, holiday and heating choices. Maybe you could do that instead