hat does MIL mean by 'we are just buying little somethings for you' this Xmas???

[Sparkletastic]

And what should I get her in that case? She made this pronouncement after we'd already bought FIL fecking expensive digital photoframe BTW - grrr!! She buys herself loads of jewellery and bags, is trying to lose weight so can't get her anything foody, and going by her bathroom shelves has not touched any of the lushy expensive smellies I got her last year. A poke in the eye with a sharp stick maybe?!

Am just off on school run / cuppa with friend mission so if anyone is kind enough to reply I'm not rudely ignoring you - I'll be back later.

Ta very muchly indeed.

'What' rather than 'hat' obviously - deliberate mistake just to ensure that you are paying attention...

I would get her toiletries again - but less expensive this time.

D'you think Belgo? She rather charmlessly told me and SIL that she had enough smellies to last her a lifetime at the time of opening our offerings to her last year...

Maybe some Tesco Value handcream

give them the photoframe between them, see what they get you and adjust accordingly next year.

she means "I can see you find us difficult to buy for so I'm just throwing this enigmatic comment into the mix to make it even more painful for you"

Oh TMMJ you rascal - was just chuckling at t'other thread with those tasty treats on!! The thought of her moistened lips bearing down on that would surely send my DH howling to the nearest asylum.

You are sooooo right talktothebees!! They get us utter rubbish BTW so am thinking of telling them to forget about grown-ups and just buy for the DDs next year. A relief all round I should think.

Yes definitely give the photoframe as a joint present...

If they are rubbish at buying you good presents why should you make the effort, especially if the woman can't summon herself to be grateful.

Buy her some low calorie powdered gruel.

What about this

Turn the digital photoframe into a joint present to MIL and FIL together.

Keep the photoframe for yourself and buy them a box of shortbread and an enormous bottle of virgin olive oil - that'll teach 'em

I'd get a top from Primark 2 sizes too big and say 'you said you are trying to lose weight, this is an incentive - should fit you when you have hit your target weight'

Oh TMMJ you tease. I clicked on that thinking "thank god, someone's got an idea I can nick". Followed by immediate chocolate cock dismay.

I'd definitely turn the photo frame into a joint present. That is what we have bought my PILs for their joint present.

I wish I could get those for xmas Lurker! instead of yet another weirdly horrendous scarf from my ILs.

what happened to the spirit of Christmas and the joy of giving a well chosen present!
Buy her some of the smellies she does use - not buying to a price but something she likes. Or a bottle of wine or a food item that isn't too fattening or a diet book. Olive oil with herbs that you ( or children) have put in there yoursef and decorated with ribbon might do nicely.

YeaY for chocolate cocks!

well, it is still Noevember. It's not entirely unreasonable for her to have assumed you hadn't bougt yet. lord knows I haven't even thought about it. well ok, I have agreed a price for our sibling secret santa. It's also not unreasonable not to use smellies.

anyway why don't you just give them the frame between them? they will both look at it after all.

(just read rest of thread)

actually smelly stuff isn't a particularly thoughtful present is it anyway? It's a default can't-think-of-what-to-buy-woman present in a lot of cases (but not all). I don't think you have the moral high ground that you think you have here.

Have to agree with SP, I hate smelly stuff, lots of people have skin allergies or favourite scents by the time they are older.

I buy:

simple silver plate photo frames

M&S food items

cook books

gift vouchers