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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unwanted gift etiquette and the giant dinosaur

423 replies

LavenderSweetPea · 28/11/2023 12:12

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)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Finteq · 01/12/2023 17:09

LavenderSweetPea · 01/12/2023 15:19

@Lovebeingamummy2 😱I hope MIL doesn't read the mirror!

You're definitely gonna have to put it up now😂

Calliopespa · 01/12/2023 17:14

😱😳🙀 you are going to have to put it up and deny, deny, deny …

Original poster
LavenderSweetPea · 01/12/2023 17:20

Putting up the dinosaur and denying all is off the table 😂 DH spoke to his mum yesterday when he was round and came clean about the dinosaur! Fortunately it was all ok, she seemed to find it quite funny apparently. We're going to have to hope she doesn't read the mirror because that article does not do me any favours lol.

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 01/12/2023 17:21

Oh no! 😣🤣

LowLevelGrumpMostly · 01/12/2023 23:14

LavenderSweetPea · 01/12/2023 17:20

Putting up the dinosaur and denying all is off the table 😂 DH spoke to his mum yesterday when he was round and came clean about the dinosaur! Fortunately it was all ok, she seemed to find it quite funny apparently. We're going to have to hope she doesn't read the mirror because that article does not do me any favours lol.

To be honest at this stage I’d come clean and show her this thread and the responses, the mirror article made you sound snooty but you’ve always made it clear you love her to bits and so many love the dinosaurs she needs to claim a bonus from Homebase marketing!

MeMySonAnd1 · 02/12/2023 00:24

Oh I love that!

Celticliving · 02/12/2023 07:03

LowLevelGrumpMostly · 01/12/2023 23:14

To be honest at this stage I’d come clean and show her this thread and the responses, the mirror article made you sound snooty but you’ve always made it clear you love her to bits and so many love the dinosaurs she needs to claim a bonus from Homebase marketing!

Show quote history

Absolutely this.

It's a lovely, light-hearted thread and you're MIL will probably smile.

The newspaper article makes you sound like a right bitch, unfortunately.

Nonplussed20232023 · 02/12/2023 13:08

Tell her the kid had a nightmare about dinosaurs, so you're not going to be able to use it. Ask if she wants to keep it at her house, in case it's any use in the future. Maybe she would like it by her own front door.

LowLevelGrumpMostly · 02/12/2023 15:21

Nonplussed20232023 · 02/12/2023 13:08

Tell her the kid had a nightmare about dinosaurs, so you're not going to be able to use it. Ask if she wants to keep it at her house, in case it's any use in the future. Maybe she would like it by her own front door.

The kid won’t be born until January

LowLevelGrumpMostly · 02/12/2023 15:23

Celticliving · 02/12/2023 07:03

Absolutely this.

It's a lovely, light-hearted thread and you're MIL will probably smile.

The newspaper article makes you sound like a right bitch, unfortunately.

Show quote history

I’d be worried MIL sees the Mirror and doesn’t say anything but is just quietly upset. The article really was misleading.

2Rebecca · 02/12/2023 15:42

Agree poor article from the mirror with lots of identifying details.
I'm amazed people are still wanting to spend their money lighting up things outside their house that they can't see. It seems a waste of money and electricity. Just heat your house and have lights on the tree.

suwatts · 02/12/2023 17:55

Put it in the back garden and explain that your neighbours had all agreed on the type of decorations for your street.

MustWeDoThis · 03/12/2023 10:01

Tell her you put it up and someone cut the wire over night and took it.

someoneorother · 04/12/2023 01:12

SchadenfreudeIstMeinMittelname · 29/11/2023 18:03

Tell her you have embraced Creationism and now believe that dinosaurs never existed. You cannot be expected to display a model of something that is effectively a lie invented by the Devil to ensnare your souls.

Ummm... since when do creationists not believe in dinosaurs? The
ones I've come across believe in dinosaurs being in the period of history not pre-history, hence apparent dinosaur pictures on certain mediaeval objects, various stories of dragons and "worms" etc.

someoneorother · 04/12/2023 01:16

Lovebeingamummy2 · 01/12/2023 14:56

@LavenderSweetPea

You seem to have mad the paper

www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/mum-law-gifted-ugly-6ft-31572489

Mirror suggests there is a Reddit thread too? Or don't they know the difference between Mumsnet and Reddit?

IcakethereforeIamInnocent · 26/12/2023 00:33

I'm a bit late to this thread, MN tweeted it. I was just going to read it and go to bed but....everyone saying it's not Christmassy! It's clearly one of the three Kings bearing gifts to baby Jesus. I'm thinking probably Balthasaur.

Merry Rexmas everyone. I hope it was a good one. All the best OP.

Kd96 · 30/12/2023 09:04

And here I waw thinking it doesn't get worse than someone (grandparent) gifting my 2 year old a feckin sellotape dispenser 😬😡 as a gift!

Vonesk · 30/12/2023 11:27

This is the kind of thing that A THEATRE GROUP would love as a prop. It A CHILDRENS NURSERY to play with.

LT1982 · 30/12/2023 15:58

You're a hero for this pic/link

LT1982 · 30/12/2023 16:05

I'm gonna have nightmares about this one 🤣

Boredandbitter · 31/12/2023 13:16

Put it up at her house seeing as she thinks it's so cute.

Imisssleep2 · 31/12/2023 17:20

I agree with your husband, put up take a pic and then it "accidentally" gets damaged and thrown, wasteful yes but may be he kindest all round

newmomaboutthreads · 02/01/2024 15:36

Fuck me, a giant inflatable Christmas dinosaur is about as bad as it gets.
I might start buying these for people that piss me off

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