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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be p***** off with MIL's Xmas presents every year....

63 replies

mousemole · 31/12/2008 18:56

2006- gloves that were way too small
2007 - cling film cutter
2008 - very random book about mountains.

Every year I receive an email from MIL about what she and FIL want for Xmas( this year expensive Estee Lauder face cream and special golf gloves) . In reply to the email she sent in November about what they wanted I replied with some ideas for the DC and added myself ( in attempt to avoid another crap present). She and FIL duly got their requested presents , DH got a cheque for £150 and I got a random book with a cover price of £4.99.
DH finds it all amusing which is irritating. Clearly it is not worth getting upset about but its clear what she thinks of me isn't it !!

OP posts:

sweetkitty · 01/01/2009 16:50

DP and I got nothing from my Mother and Step-Dad

Her reasoning was that a way ago I told her not to bother probably whilst she was moaning about being skint.

However, the DDs went from £25 each to £50 each and there are now 3 of them so she went from £50 to £150 surprising for someone who says she cannot afford the train fare to come and see them (£10)

Original poster

mousemole · 01/01/2009 18:29

OMG - refried beans gets the price so far, but the lacy nighty is a brilliant one too.
Poor you sweetkitty, very confusing behavious from you Mum.

OP posts:

Weegle · 01/01/2009 18:43

I still maintain the best (for comical reasons) present I had from MIL was a nail set including USED emery boards, so not just a recycled gift but a used one! I opened that whilst DH was opening his eleventh parcel from her. It really is so awful it's funny. My parent's spend exactly the same on their sons in laws as on my sister and I, as I will too one day. Anything else is just saying that you haven't really welcomed the in law in to the family IMHO.

Amapoleon · 01/01/2009 18:45

My mil always gave me rubbish presents. She once gave me a book that I had given her.

Her worst ever present to me was a pencil and rubber taken out of a board game.

Original poster

mousemole · 01/01/2009 18:46

this post is very very funny - a pencil and rubber ? WTF ?

OP posts:

theSuburbanDryad · 01/01/2009 18:47

YANBU.

Arf @ clingfilm cutter though. Do you use it?

Original poster

mousemole · 01/01/2009 18:50

not used the cling film cutter- anyone want it ??? I have just remembered that for my birthday this year I got an apple peeler and corer.

OP posts:

theSuburbanDryad · 01/01/2009 18:56

Gosh - she was really scraping the bottom of the barrel there!

Why do people bother buying shit presents? I mean, you might as well save yourself the effort and not be such a farkin bitch about it (MIL touched a nerve this year).

WinkyWinkola · 01/01/2009 18:57

You should be grateful. Some people would think they are nice gifts.

sweetkitty · 01/01/2009 19:00

My MIL is lovely though, I got smellies, money, chocolates, slippers and PJs, totally spoiled.

Cling film cutter and apple peel corer and

MinnieMummy · 01/01/2009 19:10

Well it is quite difficult to get the clingfilm to tear sometimes...

My MIL got me the free gift from no7 that you get when you spend £15. She got me this last year too - I eBayed it for £8.

Yes in theory you should be grateful for everything you get, but really, I don't know anyone who is genuinely grateful for something they don't actually like.

sarah293 · 01/01/2009 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

mousemole · 01/01/2009 19:13

bollocks to being grateful for getting anything - I would rather no have the insult ! Lucky you sweetkitty - yours sounds a gem. Winky - who would think they are nice gifts ??!!!

OP posts:

fuzzywuzzy · 01/01/2009 19:13

Surely the best bit about giving gifts is the whole thoguht process and then watchig someone open the gift that you have got so completely right?
I love love love giving gifts, I tend to put lots of thought and love into it, otherwise what is the point?

I dont think I've ever seen a clingfilm cutter......did she rip the plastic serated edging off a box of clingfilm?

theSuburbanDryad · 01/01/2009 19:14

I'm amazed your MIL got you that tbh Riven. What with you shaming the family and all....

Original poster

mousemole · 01/01/2009 19:15

yes you have to attach it to your cling film box and then it does the cutting. Honestly, you are just not living if you dont have one !

OP posts:

sarah293 · 01/01/2009 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

oldraver · 01/01/2009 19:24

Winky..........why dont you do a swap and give your blankets away

pamelat · 01/01/2009 19:32

It would normally be rude to moan about presents but under the circustancs, you all asking for what you want and then only you not getting that, its not unreasonable at all.

In future why dont you say that you will each get your own presents (I would email saying "there is a cream I want but I need a sensitivity test and its only in specialist shops so I will pop and get it, to save you the trouble )

Its not about cost per cost but its disprespectful to so obviously buy you tat.

Cupofteaplease · 01/01/2009 20:07

When it comes to presents my mum is a dream MIL. She spent an absolute fortune on my brother's girlfriend- clothes, accessories, chocs, etc and they've only been dating a few months. She bought me a candle. Gee, thanks

She also bought many expensive gifts for my brother, but bought a pair of scoks for each of her sons-in-law. I normally don't notice such things, but my dh has been a great source of support to my mum since my dad died last year, and has gone out of his way to do things for her, call her up of his own accord to check she is coping ok, arranging visits etc. So I thought a generic pair of socks was a terribly thoughtless gift, especially when I compare it to everything she bought db's gf, who wasn't even on the scene when dad died.

Actually, writing this down has made me realise how annoyed I am!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 01/01/2009 21:09

All these stories make me seriously wonder about the old adage "It's the thought that counts." Er, what thought? It doens't matter if it doens't cost much, if you put enough thought into a present you can get something perfect for someone for just a couple of quid. If you can't be arsed thinking about what that person would like, then you throw them the nearest 2 quid bit of tat. shows a lack of respect for that person......not nice.....

Cupofteaplease, I take it your candle wasn't of the expensive, Jo Malone variety?!

pamelat · 02/01/2009 10:23

cupoftea, maybe she accidently labelled some of the girlfriends presents which were meant for you??? If not, I really think its rude.

MerryMadMarg · 02/01/2009 10:40

Sounds like everyone should just agree to stop giving presents to extended family, and just focus on their own! Much easier all round.

ahfeckit · 02/01/2009 10:45

I know what you mean, YANBU atall. My PILs always give me a crap present, although....this year I got money! which was really appreciated, meant i can spend it on what i like, rather than getting another guff present.

potatofactory · 02/01/2009 12:55

Cling film IS a bugger to cut, mind...

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