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?

My Grandma used to bring pairs of pants home as holiday gifts for me, my mum and my auntie. Lacy pants from Spain etc.... that was fun at 10 opening them up in front of the family.....

The best baffling present I ever got was from my aunt; not estranged exactly, but barely in touch; she had moved into wealthier circles.
I remember visiting her as a toddler, but never got anything for birthdays or Christmas - apart from my 15th birthday. I received a cashmere shawl and a large bottle of Chanel No.5 (I was by no means a worldly or sophisticated teenager).
And that was it; never to contacted again.
That kind of eccentricity I could live with.......

If only...it turned out that she had specifically gone to the effort to get a copy to send to me 😂

My MIL didn’t even wish my 18yr old a happy birthday never mind give a card or gift 🤷‍♀️ either she doesn’t like you or him or she’s got dementia. Mine just doesn’t like us lol x

@MyBabyAteTheDingo I would work some of this into a PA conversation … “Botulinum toxin (BTX or BoNT) is a neurotoxic protein produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It's considered one of the most poisonous substances and a major bioweapon threat.

Medical uses: Doctors use small doses of botulinum toxin type A to treat conditions like cervical dystonia, chronic migraines, and overactive bladder. It's also used cosmetically to temporarily smooth facial wrinkles” 😂😂😂😂

And ? I presume you got him a great gift ,, there’s more things to vent about than an unwanted gift .

You don't have to curate this interaction between a near-adult and his grandmother. But do let us know what HE does!

I couldn’t be cross with her as it’s just too random. There’s got to be some weird reason this has happened.

When she calls in hold it up saying thanks, it could be she's wrapped the wrong item.

Haha this is funny, please do this

You are getting some ridiculous criticism. Ignore it. If she asks what her GS thought of her crap present I would be honest.

I agree. It would be different if she was impoverished or unwell. What was she thinking? Especially as it was a freebie. It's insulting. I think you can have the conversation without being nasty.

This may be a warning as to how she's written her will...
I'd be trying to get your DH to check that she isn't leaving it all to said Christian organisation.

Proselytising Christians are the absolute worst. Believe what you want but leave other people alone.

Regift it back to her for her birthday (as an extra gift, not the only gift). Don't say a word to explain.
See if it comes back to you next year.

Shes probably seeing and knows things you don’t about him! She sounds concerned religious cd on a birthday! Wow lol

Understandably so. Ignore posters like that. They pretend to be so indifferent and cool, makes them feel better, in reality they’re full of the proverbial. 😆

This is brilliant 🤣 definitely do this!

Both sides of our grandparents gave us money for gifts - Christmas & birthday.
My one Nana was mean - but rich. I learned at an early age to stay away from her.
She’d give us £100.
The other grandparents were loving but not as well off.
They’d give us £25.
Honestly, that £25 meant far more than the £100 ever did - because of the love that came with it.

Best way is to let kid handle it.. from now on everytime she calls, let him tell her how great the gift is and discuss the contents with her. Soon she'll get the hint

Agree, don't buy her anything else again. You could say if the opportunity arises that you are saving up for a DVD player! Tight fisted old crow.

Sympathies OP. FIL gave DS an opened bottle of shower gel for his 18th because he ‘couldn’t get out the house’. He has frequent Amazon and Sainsbury’s deliveries, but couldn’t be bothered to order a card and a box of chocolate etc

Wrap the CD and give it back to her.

Yes! That’s Christmas sorted 😁

Did he forget to thank her properly last year for the AirPods or at Christmas with a nice letter etc? A deliberately crappy gift is the kind of passive aggressive move that some of the elder generation in my family would pull if they felt disrespected over previous presents.