to expect my MIL not to buy me tarty clothes for christmas?

[Madigan]

My MIL is a nightmare on many levels. Her present buying, alhough a relatively minor irritiation, is absolutely unbelievably awful. I buy her cashmere jumpers, silk pyjamas, velvet scarves etc. She buys me the most disgusting tarty/cheap looking clothes that I would never wear in a million years. Also cheap tacky handbags are a big big favourite. It is as though she completely ignores what I actually wear and like. I have repeatedly asked her to stick to smellies for presents, but she still insists on getting this revolting clothing. WHY? She is not short of money. She definitely spends about £100 each time ..... I could have a LOVELY present for £100!!!!

Is she hinting for more grandkids? Re-wrap and give them back to her, tell her you prefer sleeping nekkid/going commando will only ever carry a chloe handbag??????

hee hee.
If this was her only fault, then I would not complain and would graciously accept all gifts (which of course I do) ..... but this is one in a long long list.
Another pet hate which springs to mind is the "Oh, you have put on weight" greeting which I get most times she visits. Cheers.

Part of the fun of Christmas in our house is competing for the most inappropriate/tacky gift. It's great!

Why did MIL think I would like neon pink trainers with multicoloured laces? DD and I have had many hours of amusement over what she was thinking there. DD thinks MIL wants me to audition for Lazy Town.

Of course I was effusive in my thanks because she genuinely thought I would like this gift. Bless. I would never, ever hurt her feelings by telling her otherwise.

does she like what you buy her?

yes she prob has different taste to you.
She might not like what you give to her.
' oh no Madigaan has given me another dull beige cashmere jumper AGAIN!'

I'd suggest a shopping trip to Matalan, then next time you have to buy her a present, madigan. Get her the same sort of things you usually buy for her - but the nylon versions - the more static cling the better.

Or some nice granny-ish clothing - you know, the nighties made of brushed cotton that come up to the neck and down to the floor, or slippers or a nice cardi.

Or would that be a bit evil.......

Well, I have always reckoned she likes what I buy her as she is always going on about how lovely the presents are, how she loves cashmere, and she wears what I buy her a lot etc. ...... but who knows ........
she is just a very strange lady TBH.
She also buys my DH revolting stuff, which he would never wear/use.
However, I don't feel I have much to complain about having read the other MIL christmas pressie thread .... cling film cutters and refried beans - .... what am I complaining about anyway????

Sympathy on this one.
Most of my female relatives make a pronouncement on my weight as part of their initial greeting . Mainly I have put on weight, but even if I have lost it I find it grim/depressing/freaky weird that this is so important to them.

I suspect she is trying to "educate" you in what she thinks you should be wearing.

If I were you I would ask her to exchange it and say it isn't your style!

I would also write a christmas list well ahead of time and ask dh to give it to her!

sunnygirl - I love your thinking ....

One year she asked what I would like and I said I would like some pyjamas .... (was thinking some nice silk ones, or nice mannish cotton ones - not very sexy I know, but I like 'em ...)
anyway, she bought me size 16 (because she thought I had "put on weight") clingy polyester pyjamas with a picture of a teddy bear on the front, with some sort of logo (can't remember exactly). These had to be seen to be believed. I am 37 for FS.

Podrick - I DO WRITE A LIST, which she asks for and then ignores.
The top I received this year is a black and red monstrosity with little spaghetti straps - short enough to show off my (6 month pregnant) belly. NICE. I have had one DD and another on the way .... I think my days of crop tops are well and truly over (in fact I don't think I EVER wore one ...).

Madigan, please wear said items the next time you go round to visit and with a straight face. Perhaps then she might get it.

at Katiescarlett

I hate it when you give 'em a list and they ignore it. I think you need to be blunt. Give the stuff back to her and say "sorry it's just not me", can you return it?

You say she spends £100...what did you get this year?

This year I got the aforesaid top, a tacky bright red handbag (totally disgusting) and some chanel goodies (no complaints there ... lipstick, nail varnish remover (?) and eye gel - very happy with that to be fair).

even better...tell her you loved the Chanel stuff abd just want to change the clothes!

Would it not be really hurtful to tell her that I did not like the clothes/handbag? should I just give them to the charity shop (as I do every other year?).
I could ask her not to buy me any more clothes in future, since (as she knows) my weight fluctuates so much it is impossible to get sizing right? ...a good idea?

WOW your MIL buys you Chanel make up and you are complaining?
I would take the rough with the smooth to be honest!