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?

It was just a case of wrapping “something” and sending and then job done I think.

No sense it should be thoughtful or personal.

My parents and I always wondered where/how said “lingerie” was acquired by them the first place 😳

So I don’t think I’m in danger of a surprise gimp suit for my 50th next year 😂 given since my 18th birthday charity chipped tray I’ve had not even a card (just texts - phew!).

Ha! They were probably an unwanted gift from grandad to grandma!

My MIL regifted a present to my daughter that I had bought her at Xmas which I had put a lot of thought into (a luxury pen and case set). MIL even gave it to me (all wrapped up) to give to my daughter. I was there when my daughter unwrapped it. Couldn’t believ3 she would do that and was quite upset. MIL wish very well off. She was diagnosed with dementia 6 months later.

If she normally gives money or a decent present I get why he’d be gutted. Normal reaction when you’re expecting something nice. So don’t think it’s fair to bash him for that. BUT no one is entitled to a present and so there’s nothing to say, no confronting her or asking her. You just accept it and move on. (But if this is way way out of character then keep an eye on her for any more unusualness)

Sounds like you're taking this very personally. Do you have a difficult relationship? It's not worth the emotional energy you're putting into your response to this.

MIL once gave DS, then aged one, a ceramic trivet as a present. It was a cheap souvenir tile she had bought on holiday. She seemed quite taken aback when the baby showed no interest in the sharp-edged, breakable object.

She’s not good with kids. Not everyone is. Some people (most men, in fact) are shit at gift giving. Don’t give it any more thoughts, life is too short.

😁

Your update makes it more understandable, if he listens to podcasts she may have thought he likes audio books or something along those lines.

Why do you put so much stock in gifts? You were fuming? He was gutted? In my family we love each other very much and sometimes we just don't buy each other gifts at all. He's 19, not 5. Have a word with yourself. The response when you get a gift is to say 'thank you' No one owes you a gift.

Ask her if she kept the receipt as he’s not religious. Don’t lie about it, don’t argue about it, just be factual.

😂

The best response, worth more than a heart emoji!

Wrap her an onion for her next Birthday!

I'd ask him to message a note of thanks then I'd give him some cash myself so at least he still had a present.

Then forget about it and hope the next gift was something better!

I'm failing to grasp why this is your issue. It just makes you appear a bit spiteful. Your 19 year old son is surely capable of responding to his grandmother with thanks or bewilderment?

It’s not that deep, love. My son received a bat shit thoughtless gift from his grandparent who loves to flaunt wealth so I was fuming she gifted him a religious freebie that he has no interest in. I already posted I’m over it. I was fuming at the time because it’s a wtf gift. The end.

If only people would read all your posts eh.

My mistake for coming late to the party, love.

I think that is really mean op.
she could have put a fiver in a card and at least he’d be able to buy himself some chocolate.
I don’t like people who put zero thought or effort into gifts but expect decent gifts themselves. Is your MIL like that or is she not bothered about gifts?

So sorry not to have read the instructions. My bad.

😂

We had that with mil at the start of her dementia

I'd give it back to her and say "Thanks for the thought but we dont have a CD player so it's a shame to waste it, plus it's not really xxxx's thing. Maybe a voucher would be better next time"

Haha yeah that is bat shit 😂😂 what did you say when she called?

Give over - a pencil would not have been appreciated 🤣🤣🤣. It would be almost as bonkers as giving a free cd to someone who doesn’t have a cd player.