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

[mousemole]

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 !!

very funny thread

very funny indeed.

The worst presents I ever got from my MIL were an ice-cube tray and the 'Virago Book of Grandmothers'.

potato...please dont take her side...
Now an ice cube tray, that is GOOD !

A Cling film cutter (!); they think an awful lot of you don't they - not.

I didn't ask my MIL for a gift this year as she is crap at buying presents (because she is a narcissist she has no ideas, preferences or taste of her own).

She bought me an ethical gift. I actually liked that because she has had to spend more than £1 on it.

I got the RHS diary that was free when you ordered over a certain amount from the Book People from my MIL. It is massive - far too big for any of my bags. (I've been using my organised mum diary since the start of last term anyway.) It has the dates of lots of useful flower shows and stuff in - very thoughful for a non gardener like myself. I have given it to DD to draw in.

Would like to fume in detail about the huge efforts I made for her over xmas but my inlaws are a big family and I'm afraid I might make myself identifiable to someone on here.

I've decided that I can't stomach writing her a thank you letter this year.

ooh mysteryfairy that is bad. Its not the bad gift is it - its the evidence that they think so little of you that is hurtful.

Unfortunately DH didn't get a cheque for £150 either!

DS2 got an Arthur Ransome book from her with a hero called Roger and heroine called Titty so we were at least given a brief laugh this year.

I get upset by her on a regular basis at xmas and birthdays (All 3 of the DC's birthdays are within a month of xmas and she always misses at least one, but never all of them, so that I have to reassure the overlooked child(ren).)
I can't believe it still gets to me. I try to tell myself that the massive efforts I make to be thoughtful with my gifts etc to her are for the benefit of my DH and not for her.

This year I really can't write a thank you letter on behalf of us all as I have been doing for umpteen years. DH will have to organise his offspring to do it.

good for you mysteryfairy. I had a laugh earlier, was in a book shop and saw a book called 'Bicarbonate of Soda, the multitiude of uses for this household staple'. And the mean evil part of me thought what an ideal present for MIL next year !!!
Sorry you didnt get a cheque but what a laught at Roger and Titty !!!!!

but cling film always comes in a box with a serrated edge so doesn't that render a cling film cutter utterly useless? And anyway what are you all doing using cling film - it is VERY environmentally unfriendly

When I was seven, my own mother gave me a sports bag that she got free with some perfume. I know that because she told me herself. I was gutted. In fact I think I am still gutted because I tell people that story at any given opportunity. Hmm, maybe I need to let it go nearly 20 years later...

She also likes to leave the price tag on and say, as she gives you the present, 'well you'd better like it, it was bloody expensive' (usually about 4.99 ish)

My sil sent me and dh, jointly, a goat. You know a virtual goat for Oxfam. I think that if you want to avoid wasted money on presents and spend that money on charity you should say, "please don t get me a present this year, get me a goat." But this way, she gets to be sanctimonious and pleased with herself at being so charitable - and get the Wii Fit we bought her.

Her attitude to presents sends me CRAZY. She forgets both my children's b'days. But I remember all of her three.

What is annoying Mousemole, is being the in=law woman here. Because women oftentimes buy all the presents, trudge around town, putting lots of love into just the right thing. Then we get a tiny, weeny token present back. (Several times my sil didn t bother to get me anything, once it was broken) and you feel so hurt really. It s not the present or the money spent. I don t need her to buy the things I d like. It is just the callous lack of thought. Also feeling rather foolish trying hard when she couldn't give an eff.

MIL got me smellies. I'm allergic, but she didn't know so I don't mind.

Feel very sympathetic for some people here! What the hell are refried beans and what do you do with them??

refried beans are what mexicans eat in their tortillas and are yummy - have to say that is one of the better presents in this thread IMO (but then again I would be quite pleased with an Oxfam goat so maybe it's just me)

Just to go against the grain a little...my MIL got me a lovely watch, and my DH (her son) some boxer shorts!!

(Now in fairness, they probably cost the same..the boxers were designer, and the watch was pretty but not expensive, but still...)