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)

Omg! Is this a real life problem?

🤣🤣🙈

sorry!

be honest or you’ll get random shit as gifts all the time

just say it’s hideous and if she likes it, she can put outside her own house

I would wait until nearer the time and then say it had a hole in it so wouldn’t inflate,
in the meantime donate to a suitable establishment

just googled it

i wonder why it’s half price? 🥴

Oh I disagree with the majority here. I'd say thanks, put it up in your front garden for the photoshoot and her stay, then pass it on to someone else who likes it better What's the harm?
A little kindness goes a long way

I would be just like you. But i wouldnt return it. I would put it up, take pictures and then a tragic incident would befall it that very night. Then be sad that is been damaged and no longer works. But explain that there is no point in replacing it as it’s quite obvious that someone is just going to damage it again. Its a lie that i could live with.

😆😂🤣 well it could be an interesting talking point OP…I’ve made a mental note to buy the DC similar, totally ridiculous gifts when I’m old.

Actually I think it’s pretty cool for a Christmas decoration, I’d put it up and if anyone mentions it, just blame it on the MIL

donate it or back garden
or just put it up!

I run a day nursery and the kids would love this (I would hate it, but never mind)
Happy to buy it off you, OP. Just PM me.
You can tell MIL that you donated it to desperate, dinosaur mad toddlers.

Love it 😆

My partner bought one last year and we had front of our house and it was such a talking point. I saw lots of kids stop and take pictures. It really brought smiles to faces. Why not just try it out? You might be suprised. I can’t wait to get ours up this year

Oh come on, we all know every time you are honest re a gift someone ends upset. Humour her. I think dh idea is sensible. It has to go up! Embrace it and let the wind carry it away

I don't see why this is that problematic. It's not like she's bought you a tasteful duvet set or painting that's not to your taste. This is surely something you can laugh off - "Not for us!" - without offending anyone's sensibilities.

Photoshop it onto a picture of the front of your house and then complain that it was either stolen from your front lawn or blew away in the wind 😁

Good idea but what if she rushes to replace it?

I saw one recently and they are just awful.

do you think …… that ……… MIL …….. IS regifting it ????

to you
🤣

What a nightmare, Hideous plastic junk from china that will end up in landfill.

This thread has had me literally crying with laughter this evening. Thank you all ❤️

I was going to say put it in the back garden because the kids will love it, but being as you have no kids, just tell the truth.

I had to laugh when seeing this thread as our house would most definitely put up an inflatable dinosaur in our front yard.
https://g.co/kgs/BW5sJa there is a life size t-rex at a private home in our city, we call her Alice
They paid $400,000 for her. She is a beauty though. 😍 🦕

It’s obviously going to get stolen…

@ApintofwhatFarageishaving is that a brachiosaurus on the left?! I love him 🥹 where is he from please? I’ll probably never get one, but he’s really cute!

That is exactly what I meant! Thank you! What a joy he is, in his glorious tackiness!

Those things usually need a pump to keep them inflated and to light up - both requiring an external socket. They are not usually designed to use internal ones.

Pleading insufficient electrics sounds like a plan to me! (And also the cost to your electric bill!)

😂

Just be honest. Either that or bite the bullet and put it up while she is staying with you and hope it blows away.