Rubbish gift from MIL

[MyBabyAteTheDingo]

Son’s 19th birthday today, mil dropped his gift round. It’s a free Jesus audio CD that she receives from some Christian subscription.

I'm fucking fuming on his behalf. He has no interest in religion. This from a woman who spends over £300 on a small tube of eye wrinkle cream so money’s not the issue here. They get on well so I’m just puzzled at this.

I know it’s the thought that matters but this seems more like an insult.
She’ll be calling later so any suggestions on how to respond to this?

Has he opened it to double check there’s not a stash of notes as a joke?

if not then it’s a life lesson that some people give crap gifts. A quick thank you text to MIL then don’t think anymore about it.

Tread carefully.
listen to it to make sure it is what it appears to be.
thank her for the gift, ask her why she thinks DS would enjoy that.
then say I hope I don’t offend you but that really isn’t his style.

Does she have a history of giving unusual gifts? If not are you sure she’s OK?
An elderly aunt gave me a small ring box all wrapped up for my 21st. It contained 20p! She had Dementia though.

Yabu That’s a hilarious gift!

For my 19th my gran bought me a polyester high-collared, ankle-length dressing gown in fuschia pink. Size 18 (I was then a 10). She thought it would be nice to have a new one to take to university!

Best present ever, I have never forgotten my gran’s wacky presents.

In fairness she didn’t have a lot of cash to spare and could only get to the local market so she was a bit limited.

I always thanked her profusely and gave her a huge hug. It’s the thought that counts!

Can’t even play it as we don’t have a cd player. No notes hidden either. I’m just shocked at such a shit gift that she bothered to wrap.

It did give is a laugh I suppose but I could see he was gutted. My son is polite so text thanking her. He’s off to uni soon and has worked so hard this year, even a pencil would have been appreciated.

My SiL gave my son a 2nd hand damaged jigsaw puzzle when he was little which felt rude! I’m not against 2nd hand stuff but it should be in good condition. The funny thing is he actually loved the puzzle. It was one of the best gifts he ever had 😂 Doesn’t make it any less offensive. And YANBU OP

Play it full blast when she arrives and keep saying how you all love it

Wow. That is a strange one.
I'd ignore it. If she mentions it I'd minimise it, be vague, and change the subject.

Does she have the start of dementia or something?

Could it be a mistake? Was it wrapped?

Everyone has a quirky present giver in the family. It’s inexplicable but uniquely them, Don’t take it personally, I don’t imagine she had a malicious intent

You could ask if she’d given him the right parcel. Has there been a mix up?

All you can do is say “thank you” and behave as though it was lovely. Why is ds gutted? Odd present but odd reaction too.

Congratulations to your son on his achievements. Off to uni how exciting

Does she normally give such odd presents?

I think I’ve watched too much Columbo but I’m sure if you can find a way to play it, she’s recorded a message on it directing him to the real gift 😂

Does she have form? This is SO weird

I'd play dumb and drop it back round to her and say she must have dropped off the wrong present by mistake...
If she says no no its for him... I would ask her why she chose it for him...

Listen to the answer and I'd explain your son is so polite he will no doubt thank her but will privately be upset and assume she doesn't like him and is sending him a message because honestly its a very unusual gift for an 18th birthday for a boy. Then ask what she'd like to do from there.

I dont understand how people like this exist.

Regift it back to her for Christmas

That is very confrontational and staged. You would really do that?
Faux surprise, is it the wrong gift? No? Explain yourself….
Be more composed, less confrontational. Sure it’s an unusual gift but not worth a staged scenario

I’ve received tat from her. But I thought it’s her way of showing what she really thinks about me! Never been bothered about it, I still put in effort for hers and find her something I know she will love. Won’t bother anymore!

Thanks for all replies. I just needed to vent.

Could it be cause he’s 19. Some people stop proper gifts at 18. Especially in bigger families

It did cross my mind but she still buys other family members gifts who are in their 20s. And still buys my dh a chocolate advent calendar!

If she's really religious she may think it's a very appropriate present for someone venturing into the wicked world, we would have had a laugh about it. Can you afford to get him an extra gift to compensate.

“It’s the thought that matters” doesn’t apply though? She hasn’t put any bloody thought into it at all!

I don’t think I’d be able to keep my mouth shut on that one OP. My MIL gives us pretty crap presents, always has done (again, no lack of money) and actually it’s the lack of actual thought that bothers me, not the fact she’s spent less than a tenner.

If she bought me a bottle of my favourite wine, or some chocolates I like, I’d be perfectly happy, but she gives us random crap that she’s picked up in a sale.

Give her the CD as a Christmas gift.