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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:
WorriedMillie · 23/12/2021 05:48

@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
I just woke OH up, laughing at this GrinGrinGrin
LavenderAskew · 23/12/2021 05:49

@Bussinbussin

This has got to be a wind up. Either that or the OP is thick as a plank.

A real eco-warrior wouldn't be scrunching wrapping paper and chucking it in the bin. They'd open gifts carefully, flatten the paper out and reuse it as many times as possible, before even considering whether it is suitable for the (unreliable, energy guzzling) process of recycling.

Yes, it's very strange thst with a couple who rifle through bins in order to sack the planet it hadn't even occurred to them to reuse the glitter paper.

You'd have thought that the first thought for an eco warrior about something that can't be recycled would be how to reuse it. It's almost as if the important thing is to be critical rather than environmental.

Christinatherabbit · 23/12/2021 05:49

Please don't let your MIL know you feel this way. Just re use the paper yourself for future gifts or find another use for it if you can (crafts with the kids?) She most likely didn't realise it couldn't be recycled or didn't think. It's done now so not the time to make her feel bad.

DroopyClematis · 23/12/2021 05:49

Oh dear OP.

Your poor MIL must feel like she's walking on eggshells around you two.
You both sound joyless and controlling. You also sound as though you feel superior.

PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 05:52

I'm absolutely sure ( I hope) this thread is a pisstake. Let's not advise the OP on how to recycle the glittery paper.

OwlNChips · 23/12/2021 05:53

Ha ha - you've gone too far with your post about going through her bin . I almost believed you were that much of a bell end at first but you're just playing us

PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 05:59

Having said that. I have had distant family members who have advised me prior to wrapping pressies of thier colour scheme that year. It's scandi red and white this year so can you colour coordinate your presents for the scheme. I'm not joking. It mattered more that our wrapping paper coordinated with the tree. They were joyless fun sponges as well .

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 23/12/2021 06:00

You sound unbearable as a couple.

I dont buy wrapping paper that cant be recycled, but thats the standard I hold my life too and I wouldnt expect anyone else to live to my standards. Picking bits of someone elses bin is really shit behaviour.

Also remember that the entirity of christmas is a disaster for the environment.

Tilltheend99 · 23/12/2021 06:02

Lol, until her children’s taxes are paying for you in your old age.

WutheringHeights66 · 23/12/2021 06:08

Can’t you take it off and then iron is wrong side up and save it for next year? At least it’s being reused.

MillaRennt · 23/12/2021 06:09

@Shmithecat2

YABU, and a massive hypocrite. Your children are more environmentally damaging to the environment than some glitter paper.
This
WutheringHeights66 · 23/12/2021 06:09

Haha just RTFT and I’m not the only one to suggest reuse. Obvious answer!

VerveClique · 23/12/2021 06:13

Yes but if OP re-uses it, it looks like SHE’S chosen glittery wrapping paper!!

Best do that anyway OP, and make some gift tags out of cereal boxes explaining that you’re actually re-using the glittery wrapping paper.

Shoxfordian · 23/12/2021 06:13

Yabu

Poor mil; does she have to make you a special vegan nut roast as well? Maybe you’re not vegan but you only want organic turkey which had a lovely life and a name? Watch out for eating anything that wasn’t local because that’s not necessarily environmentally friendly either

Fanmango · 23/12/2021 06:14

@RobertaFirmino

Could you not save the wrapping paper and use it in craft/art activities?
Yes we do this, just add the stuff that's not ripped to shreds to the craft box.
Jobseeker19 · 23/12/2021 06:14

All wrapping paper is wasteful. If you really cared you would use old newspapers or fabric or not wrap at all.

Joystir59 · 23/12/2021 06:16

I don't know why people get so holier than though about recycling- where do you think all the recycled plastic goes- straight to landfill here. Thinking you are doing a great job by recycling in the home is a bit of an illusion.

AnkleDeep · 23/12/2021 06:17

@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 sounds like a horrible man. So controlling. So rude to root through the bin.

Not his business what his mum does or doesn't do.

Such a dickhead.

isthismylifenow · 23/12/2021 06:17

@somehowsunshine

I think I'll try to reuse the paper and save it in my presents bag. That's a good idea.
Isn't that the obvious thing to do if you are so careful about recycling.....

And going through other people's bins is just going even one more step too far.

FluffyBooBoo · 23/12/2021 06:17

@WutheringHeights66

Haha just RTFT and I’m not the only one to suggest reuse. Obvious answer!
Yup. It's what I came on to suggest too.. strikes me as odd that someone that's so passionate about recycling didn't have that as the number one priority, as reusing is more important than recycling in order to reduce waste.
Moon22 · 23/12/2021 06:18

Don't be SAD about it for goodness sake. Enjoy the gifts, enjoy the day, enjoy being together. Recycle and reuse where you can. Nobody can be 100% eco froendly! Try not to lose sight of what Christmas is MEANT to be about!
What I wouldn't give to have my Mum and MIL still with us.. they could wrap the gifts in anything they liked!
Happy Christmas

GoodPrincessWenceslas · 23/12/2021 06:18

The argument that children are more environmentally damaging is a ridiculous one. Yes, they may be, but we need them for the survival of our own species.

PeacefulPottering · 23/12/2021 06:23

I'm still trying to get my head around people saying use old fabric/newspaper and not getting her poor fricking MIL just wrapped her grandkids pressies up, with love presumably, unaware of the actual virtue signaling shitshow she created by unintentionally using non pc actual glittery paper!

Claudethecat · 23/12/2021 06:23

@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 really made me laugh! Your poor MIL. Maybe the glitter paper is revenge.
COL1N · 23/12/2021 06:27

This thread is more proof that some people are just determined to not enjoy life