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)

Back garden?

My neighbour has a giant display of inflatable figures including an 8ft Santa
I suspect they would LOVE that

Had to zoom in to make it anon but this is just one of the inflatables

It’s truly hideous. I’d rather stand outside naked in a Santa hat than have that tat in the front garden.

My first option was to say it’s faulty! DH tried to assemble it last night and it won’t inflate, turns out there’s a hole in it, shame!! But then she might insist on returning it and getting another.

But you could fess up and if she’s got a GSOH she might take it well. Your DH could ring her and say ‘What in the actual Jurassic Park is this Mum? Christ they could see it from space!! Me and Lavender are in fits, you don’t seriously expect us to put that up so you? We don’t even have kids that could appreciate it!’ My parents would laugh at that reaction, and it would become a joke but she may get pissy.

Tell MIL it got stolen overnight

By the taste police.

I’d be honest - say thanks but you are concerned by the power to run it (assume it needs air). And give her the opportunity to return it

environmentally it seems incredibly wasteful to accept a giant plastic gift that's ultimately going to landfill

I never understand this thought process... it exists, you turning it down or not will not remove it from existence suddenly.

I see two options:

1. put it up or
2. say thank you but there a legit reason its not suitable (don't have any way to inflate it, can't afford the electricity, no way to secure it etc...)

I know anything inflatable where I live (on a northern coastal facing mountain) would last a day at this time of year... the gale force winds would have took it on an 80 days around the world trip by now.

You are being unreasonable to call a 6ft dinosaur 'giant'. Standard T-Rexes were around 12ft tall. The one you have is a miniature dinosaur, not a giant.

OP this thread has made my day, thank you

Bloody hell, MIL went a bit rogue there didn't she?!!!!
I think honesty is the best policy here because otherwise, you'll have years of abominations like this to fend off!!!!

Brace yourself for enormous gifts once your dc is born. Rocking horses, ride on train sets, swings, slides, pools, play kitchens .....

@sunshineandskyscrapers Dear lord now I feel even worse about insulting the inflatable dinosaur. I had no idea he was a child 😨

@cadburyegg you're welcome. And thank you everyone for your feedback. I'm feeling in much better humour about the dinosaur (still not going to keep him but you know). I'll update you once we've had a chance to ask MIL if we can send him back to Jurassic Park.

Do you know where she got it? Asking for a friend ... 😉

Your MIL did this on purpose. Mine is the same. There is a list of ridiculous "gifts" like this over the years. I bet she thinks it's hilarious and will have a good laugh when she sees a picture of it up. Don't humour her

So you don’t any dc yet, and yet mil sent you this?!!

Put baubles on him - then he'll be a Tree Rex.

Not helpful at all but I love it 🤣🤣

Maybe tell her that you’re saving it for Christmas Day when everyone’s there. You don’t want to risk putting it up in case of storms, etc.
On Christmas Day, “Oh what a pity there must have been a hole in it. It wouldn’t inflate.”

Could you donate it to a local school?

Say your neighbours got a bit funny when they saw you putting it up as it would block out their light?

This.

I would use the approach @Moveoverdarlin suggested, not the one which involves standing outside naked but the one where your DH calls his mum and asks her what she was thinking etc etc
I think when gifts take up a lot of space or require special care you are allowed to reject them politely.

I need one too! I understand it might not be your thing, but it’s a kind thought and probably gifted as a bit of fun. Who cares what the neighbours think?
Put it up and you’ll find happiness will follow, and that’s much nicer than being pregnant and worrying ❤️ And friends / hubby can take it down for you

@thorneyislanddoris it's from Homebase, they are currently on sale I believe!

Not read all the thread.

I think it's truly hideous but I think I'd just go along with it and put it up. It's not meant to be in anyone's taste, if you put it up it will make passing kids and, probably adults too, laugh. It's stupid but it's funny.

I know it's a MIL thread so most people will think it's a part of your MIL evil plan to piss you off but it might just be because she thinks it's funny. I wouldn't be surprised if she is expecting you to both be a bit po-faced about it and that that is making it funnier.

She is probably having a laugh about it with her friends right now.

Well I’m not surprised it was half price! That is grim.
I think be honest, say it’s not yoyr thing, you’d be worried about it blowing away and causing damage/ hitting a child. Suggest she returns it for a refund. ( or if you can afford it give her the £25 and donate it to someone with no taste)