Unwanted gift etiquette and the giant dinosaur

[LavenderSweetPea]

So basically, in the mail yesterday we received a 6ft inflatable, light up Christmas dinosaur from MIL.

DH and I both agree we really really don't like it - it's very much not our style (or the style of the people in our neighbourhood either judging by last years christmas decorations). It's an outdoor thing so the only place it could go would be directly outside the front of the house.

Usually, when getting a gift you don't like, obviously you smile, say thank you, pretend you do like it but then either put it away and dont use it or donate/regift it if appropriate. Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to do that because we've already got a text asking to see a picture of it up (it's not even December so I figure we've got at least a few days to kick that can down the road) and MIL lives locally so comes round to us all the time so will know if we don't have it up throughout December. She's also spending Christmas with us and staying for 5 days so I don't see the normal 'we love it' and then putting it away forever is going to work here.

We don't want to offend, but at the same time I really don't want a 6ft inflatable dinosaur outside my house from now until NY, environmentally it seems incredibly wasteful to accept a giant plastic gift that's ultimately going to landfill. Added to that I'm 7 months pregnant and cba with additional christmas decs to take down right before my due date.

I have said DH needs to politely speak to MIL and explain that it was kind of her to think of us, but unfortuantely it's really not our sort of thing and can we take it back to the store for her and get her her money back for it (she's not awash with cash so I really don't want her to waste her money on this). DH said we should put it up, send her a picture and that claim a few days later that high winds etc damaged it and take it down, but I feel that she might buy us another or insist we return it for a replacement if it's not withstood normal weather conditions, plus I'm a terrible liar!

What do you all think? (ps. Yes I know this is ridiculous)

Oh he’s completely adorable! How are people wishing him death by puncture, chimney fire etc. I have no doubt the children love him. I’ve never done the “Christmas inflatable” thing, but this guy has me seriously tempted. Not tacky: he doesn’t even have the paedophile vibe that so many blow up Santas have. Love the pic!

😂😂

I’d like it please 🙏🏻

id even take a photo for your MIL 🫢

I keep looking at the pic of it and laughing.

I have a feeling we can't be friends. My pressie from hubby on Fri 🤣

Omg! I know the one you’re on about and I’m about to buy it for my toddler haha. My mother said no when she saw it in the shops but I think it will make the child’s Xmas abit more ‘magical’ yes it’s sort of garish but..

@LavenderSweetPea before I saw you didn’t have dc, I was going to say put it up they’ll love it! Why the hell did she think 2 adults would want an inflatable giant dinosaur 🤣🤣🤣 put it up, take a photo then give it away to someone with kids who will love it.

Is she a secret TERF ? Auction it to a woman’s rights network or donate it to one.

That's actually a great idea. Post on FWR and see if anyone wants it.

Creationists embrace dinosaurs - highly recommend the UK creationist museum in Portsmouth museum https://naturenet.net/blogs/2009/03/14/inside-the-uks-creationist-museum-part-2/

Sorry OP but this made me laugh. I'd love to have seen your face opening that gift!

Yes! Your MIL is a legend.

I call homebase advertising troll 😁

im now desperate for one!

Could you say that the neighbours have an agreement not to put up that type of dec? Maybe that there was an accident with one blowing away last year, so there's an agreement that no one will put them up?

I nearly got one last year. And then missed the offer. I'm going to buy one tomorrow.

Thanks for the reminder OP 👍🏽🦖🎁🎄

Inflate it, wait for dark when no other neighbours will see, then go psycho with a knife... Then blame teenage thugs

Is it like this?

Yes. Especially for a couple who don't have children yet! Just weird.

What a random gift to surprise someone with. She clearly hates you both 😂

The only logical response here is to retaliate reciprocate by buying MIL these

I love it, I wish I had a front garden so I could have dinosaurs 🤣.

Good lord. That's a statement piece isn't it?! To avoid this kind of shit each and every year, you need to tell her...or her son deffo does.

Back garden and then anonymous fb post in local group asking for decorations for local special needs school - Christmas is a time for charity & all that....

I haven't rtft as it's so long! I bought that dinosaurs last year and my 2 and 4 year old loved it! We have a santa too and some fairy lights up and we can hear small children love it when they go past. It's lovely how happy it makes little kids and the fact that they are in so many shops shows how popular they are. Around here it's the big expensive houses that have lots of decorations. Most of them have small children. I would hang on to it for your children but you can also just plug it and then you can turn it off and it just deflates so you only have it inflated for her visit and only at night. You can even "forget" to turn it on.
It's one of our traditions now to go out for evening walks with the kids to look at the lights

Back garden,the thought was there.