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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:
unname · 23/12/2021 03:48

I’m pretty sure she’s doing it just to mess with both of you because you are ridiculous.

Also, please read up on the realities of recycling and also virtue signaling.

Emerald5hamrock · 23/12/2021 03:49

You're being ridiculous.
If you were 100% environmentally positive you wouldn't have had DC? Do you have a pet too? Protest on motorways?

PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 04:00

Please get a grip. It's really only one day. We have just lost MIL would be so happy if she wrapped pressies in any fricking paper.

DaisyDreaming · 23/12/2021 04:02

I used paper that couldn’t be recycled by a friend who is very into the environment. I had lots of rolls of wrapping paper from previous years and thought it was better for the environment to use paper I already had than order new and have it delivered!

Rno3gfr · 23/12/2021 04:10

Can you tell her that you’d rather any presents be unwrapped or put into bags that you can re-use on the day?

Libertybauble · 23/12/2021 04:11

YABU and need to get a grip.

I assume you are sitting down to a vegan dinner on Xmas day? And that you’ll be cycling or walking to see your MIL? I also hope that all your DC’s gifts are sustainable and not wrapped in unnecessary packaging.

If not then you are also a hypocrite.

Sounds like an excuse to have a go at your MIL. I hope you can bite your tongue over something that’s really quite minor and not spoil things for everyone.

Jumpingintochristmas · 23/12/2021 04:20

@unname

I’m pretty sure she’s doing it just to mess with both of you because you are ridiculous.

Also, please read up on the realities of recycling and also virtue signaling.

This.

Checking her bins? Try to keep quiet? Bugger off!

MissTrip82 · 23/12/2021 04:36

You won’t need to bite your tongue. You’ll just need to take a moment to think of all the ways in which you damage the environment and you’ll be able to cheerfully recognize your own hypocrisy.

Recycling paper isn’t as good as not using paper, and not using paper isn’t good as not giving gifts at all. They days when you could pat yourself on the back for recycling are really long gone.

Honeymint · 23/12/2021 04:38

I know the feeling but try not to worry so much. If there are any large, pristine pieces, keep them and reuse them for gifts next year.

TheMilkyWeigh · 23/12/2021 04:42

You go through her bin? Why??? Who made you the bin police?

DisforDarkChocolate · 23/12/2021 04:51

Having bought glitter wrapping paper once I'm laughing at the idea 'it's just one day'. I was still finding flecking glitter when we moved house two years later.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 23/12/2021 04:59

@somehowsunshine

I think I'll try to reuse the paper and save it in my presents bag. That's a good idea.
Come on now, there is no way that anyone who is so affected by this would not be familiar with reduce/reuse/recycle.

A child would have come up with that solution in about 30 seconds, why are you trying to pretend you care so much about the environment and making you and your husband look like idiots in the process? Confused

christmaskittenincoming · 23/12/2021 05:04

'Sad'

Really

Hmm
PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 05:08

Absolutely sad. There is so much more to be bothered about. How about just bloody accepting her gifts and fricking reuse the paper. Honestly first world, entitled, virtue signalling twats.

PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 05:14

I swear if glittery paper is all you are worried about at the moment you need to have a humongous word with yourselves. It's a joke surely?

GoodbyePorpoiseSpit · 23/12/2021 05:15

I bet MIL has to tuck into the Sherry nice and early to get through Xmas day with you pair the poor, glittery bugger

pasturesgreen · 23/12/2021 05:21

Sad? Really? Get a grip!

And stop going around poking in your MIL's waste bin!

anon12345678901 · 23/12/2021 05:26

@GoodbyePorpoiseSpit

I bet MIL has to tuck into the Sherry nice and early to get through Xmas day with you pair the poor, glittery bugger
😂
PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 05:28

Goodbye Porpoise.....the poor glittery bugger x
When and why have we lost that humanity that we fondly accept our loved ones foibles? Be it glittery paper, noisy plastic toys, Christmas is surely about laughing with our loved ones, have a snipe by all means behind closed doors but bloody thank them, respect them. This sanctimonious awful crap is the death knell for family

takenforgrantednana · 23/12/2021 05:35

@GoodbyePorpoiseSpit

I bet MIL has to tuck into the Sherry nice and early to get through Xmas day with you pair the poor, glittery bugger
@GoodbyePorpoiseSpit j20 glitterberry juice! not sherry lol
DDUW · 23/12/2021 05:40

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

londonrach · 23/12/2021 05:41

Yabu and your DH is rude and vvvvv strange re his going through his mother's bin. I can't believe anyone do that in real life!

HoppingPavlova · 23/12/2021 05:43

I bet MIL has to tuck into the Sherry nice and early to get through Xmas day with you pair the poor, glittery bugger

As long as the Sherry is vegan, organic and MIL has made by hand or had a Sherpa walk it from point of distillery to point of drinking that will be fine - if not I’m sure OP will be both raging and beside themselves.

Soontobe60 · 23/12/2021 05:45

@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.
That’s very controlling behaviour on his part. If my kids did this to me I’d absolutely go ballistic! How dare you spy on someone in order to point out what a terrible person they are. If you were my child you’d be getting sod all for Christmas. Leave the woman alone!
EvilPea · 23/12/2021 05:47

I’m still using wrapping from about 5-10 years ago, some has glitter some has foil.
I avoid buying it now. But I bought it then as I didn’t know.
Surely it’s better it gets used, given it exists anyway