Another ungrateful Christmas post - but it’s me being ungrateful

[UseAMuckySock]

My mum buys me huge pictures every Christmas. Last year they were all America themed because I’d said I was missing the states once. They’re often pictures she’s made herself (like one was a pic of Vegas with a pic of me cut out and stuck in the middle 😂)
I made the mistake of saying at some point this year that wolves are my favourite animal. This year I’ve received 2 huge wolf pictures and 2 wolf fleeces. I don’t hang pictures in my house, she knows I don’t! I still have all last years America themed pictures stashed in the spare room now I have the wolf ones to add to the stack.

Is there a tactful way of telling her I don’t do pictures or hang anything on my wall? She’s easily offended and I know one of these will have taken her a long time to make but it’s the total opposite of the type of thing I’d hang! Or do I just stay quiet and carry on receiving them as she’s very easily offended??

I'd speak to her in summer. Say that you are having a clear out and as you don't hang pictures you are rehoming what she has given you. Has she kept everything that you've made as a child?

Sorry OP but this has really made me chuckle which has not happened much this week. So thank you(and your mum).

We have a policy in our house. You open gifts and are polite about them. Later in the evening, we can be honest about them- without being rude and no offence is taken.

Say thanks and move on. I’ve long since stopped trying in this regard.

I’d suggest things you do want: “not sure if you’re thinking about Christmas yet mum but I’d really love a xyz if possible. I can send you a link”

Would it work to ask her to have images printed on t-shirts instead? That way you could at least use them (under something else if necessary). For example, she could have bought you this very highly rated shirt with wolves howling at the moon.

Oh amazing. I can picture them all now.

I don’t hang pictures in my house, she knows I don’t!

I’d suggest that she knows that you have no pictures hanging in your house which is not the same thing. She’s trying to fill your empty walls - she thinks she’s solving a problem/filling a need.

You’ll have to be blunt, I think. Tell her you’re going full minimalist from now on. Suggest better gifts to her as early as you can. Look for a different outlet for her creativity!

I have no advice. My DM is shit with presents. I just posted on another thread that every year she buys me clothes I don't like, that don't fit me.

She's done this since my childhood and I'm almost 60 now. She's also bought me a book that stirs no interest in me. It's a large, highly coloured book on Wildflowers of the Channel Islands. I've never been to the Channel Islands, and am unlikely to. I'm not a gardener and could vaguely name roughly three flowers. Daffodil, rose and probably something like crocus. I've never expressed any interests in this topic.

I love reading. I love reading serial killer thrillers. Every year I ask for a book token. Every year she buys me a book I don't want.