Page 25 | MIL has stolen my childhood christmas decorations!

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 2025-12-07T10:30:23+00:00

Hello all, Bit of a strange one but I think my MIL has stolen my Christmas Decorations!! They have been in my family since I was small and although they aren’t expensive, nothing special they are just sentimental to me. We had these three decorations, saying Joy, Noel and Ho Ho Ho with a Santa head on the top. The letters cascade downwards and the Santa has a loop so that you can hang them up. This year I put our decorations up and only found the Joy one. Asked DH and he said he hadn’t seen them, so I only put the Joy one up thinking I’d come across them in another box, I never did. Fast forward to yesterday when we went over to theirs and they live about an hour away so we stayed for dinner and catch up after DH finished work. MIL was showing us her new decorations and the tree (which is themed red and white). I happened to glance at the bottom of the tree where I saw THE/MY Noel and Ho Ho Ho decorations hanging off of her tree!!! I’ve never seen these decorations at their house before, so the only conclusion I can come to is that they are mine, which is why I couldn’t find them this year! Asked DH and he said he didn’t notice, asked if he remembers us giving them to her or anything and he said can’t at all. Last year we moved house in I’m so shocked. What do I do? Do I ask for them back? Do I just leave it? Do I sneak them out when we next go there? DH wanted to stay at home on Boxing Day but I now want to go there to retrieve my decorations (they have been invited on Christmas Day but declined due to the journey and FIL recently having had a knee replacement).

Anewgame · 09/12/2025 13:47

lottiegarbanzo · 07/12/2025 10:32

Don’t jump to conclusions. Communicate.

Where would mumsnet be if the vast majority didn’t jump to conclusions and was able to communicate with family.

It would be tumbleweed

Anewgame · 09/12/2025 13:48

MarvellousMonsters · 09/12/2025 11:35

“Ohh MIL where did you buy those decs, I used to have the full set of three but some have got lost and I’d love to replace them?”

and wait for the awkward silence or implausible explanation…..

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“Oh I picked them up at a car boot dear”

@MarvellousMonsters

Mix56 · 09/12/2025 14:44

I think if you're not going to go sleuth & steal them back, you should go in with all DC. & say "OH WOW, There they are, I've been looking for them everywhere, how on earth did they get here ? you manage to swipe them ???" Then wait till she comes up with a bare faced lie or offers them back

Lainie · 09/12/2025 18:17

take a pen and when she is out of the room put your initials on them and then when she returns ask her where she got these, then when she makes up an erm errr story you can then say but they were stolen from yours ! if she says they are different you show her the initials (after all, we all know it was her that snaffled them ! ) x

Tontostitis · 09/12/2025 21:35

Lainie · 09/12/2025 18:17

take a pen and when she is out of the room put your initials on them and then when she returns ask her where she got these, then when she makes up an erm errr story you can then say but they were stolen from yours ! if she says they are different you show her the initials (after all, we all know it was her that snaffled them ! ) x

Good grief that is deranged

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 21:37

So yeah, anyway - just take them back. Do not engage with the nutter. No good comes from engaging with nutters, not ever.

And tell your DH not to be so rude and dismissive and make it clear he doesn't get to decide that your childhood ornaments don't matter.

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 21:38

Lainie · 09/12/2025 18:17

take a pen and when she is out of the room put your initials on them and then when she returns ask her where she got these, then when she makes up an erm errr story you can then say but they were stolen from yours ! if she says they are different you show her the initials (after all, we all know it was her that snaffled them ! ) x

That's quite clever, but honestly anyone batshit crazy enough to do this will fight to the death to keep them. OP just needs to relocate them back to where they belong and then deny deny deny.

Original poster

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:40

PeppermintPatty10 · 09/12/2025 12:52

Deeply unpleasant and nasty thread. You talk about an elderly woman possibly having dementia and describe her other health problems in detail. You're enjoying talking about she might have stolen your decorations, which sounds unlikely considering she doesn't have form for this - why would she start stealing now? With lots of laughing emojis and discussing plans to steal them back, or worse, confuse her in other ways. Pretty nasty.

FWIW I think there's a completely in innocent explanation as to how she has these decorations, which you're unlikely to believe when it comes to light, because you're enjoying this thread. If you really wanted to know, you would have asked her in the beginning, in a normal way rather than coming on here.

How am I describing her “other health problems in detail”? She HAS NOT been diagnosed with dementia, MN have diagnosed her on this thread only. I have said we will keep an eye on her confusion that occurred on one day only. IF she had any sort of diagnosis there is absolutely no way I would have made this post.

Do not read into my post as being nasty as it’s far from it. I’m asking what I should do, I do not know how she came to have my decorations. All I know is that I had them last year, they have gone missing and they are now on her tree. DH says he has not given them to her, Kids have not given them to her so please explain how they have now come to being in her house!?

OP posts:

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 21:41

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:40

How am I describing her “other health problems in detail”? She HAS NOT been diagnosed with dementia, MN have diagnosed her on this thread only. I have said we will keep an eye on her confusion that occurred on one day only. IF she had any sort of diagnosis there is absolutely no way I would have made this post.

Do not read into my post as being nasty as it’s far from it. I’m asking what I should do, I do not know how she came to have my decorations. All I know is that I had them last year, they have gone missing and they are now on her tree. DH says he has not given them to her, Kids have not given them to her so please explain how they have now come to being in her house!?

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She stole them. Take them back. And if your DH kicks off tell him to shove his fauxrage where the sun doesn't shine as he should have sorted it out for you himself.

Original poster

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:43

FlynnD93 · 09/12/2025 10:44

Very bizarre you have a 1/3rd of the set and she has the other 2/3rds of the set! They are from the 90’s and were a 3 piece set! Where’s her “Joy” one??? She’s definitely taken these, don’t ask as she’s never going to admit she took them. Take them back discreetly and never mention them again. Next year I’d cable tie them on my tree 🤗

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They are not a set! They were sold separately, I had the three given to me from my parents

OP posts:

Original poster

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:47

WeeAgnes · 09/12/2025 12:47

I've designed some bespoke ones for your MiL.
Take your ones back and replace them with these...

(Sorry, I'm no artist and Santa looks awfully like the Pringles man 😂)

Edited

I’ve just noticed the NOstEaL one 😂

OP posts:

Original poster

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:49

Lavenderblue11 · 09/12/2025 08:12

What if you 'stole them back' and then yours turned up? 😳

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They won’t turn up because I’m absolutely certain the ones she has are mine!

OP posts:

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 21:52

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:49

They won’t turn up because I’m absolutely certain the ones she has are mine!

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So you'll be taking them back then?

Or will you be hanging new ones on your tree that say "Doormat"?

Original poster

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:53

diddl · 09/12/2025 07:52

I do find it odd that you didn't notice that they gone from your windows or realise when you put the third one away that you hadn't taken the other two down.

To be honest I work 12 hours shifts, literally worked 25/26 day shifts then 27/28/29/30/31st night shifts last year, I was bloody knackered and the kids helped put the decorations away too, so I just packed them away not even thinking about it until I put them up again this year and noticed I was missing two!

OP posts:

Original poster

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:54

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 21:52

So you'll be taking them back then?

Or will you be hanging new ones on your tree that say "Doormat"?

Edited

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Yes I will be, it’s just a case of when and how!

OP posts:

diddl · 09/12/2025 21:56

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:53

To be honest I work 12 hours shifts, literally worked 25/26 day shifts then 27/28/29/30/31st night shifts last year, I was bloody knackered and the kids helped put the decorations away too, so I just packed them away not even thinking about it until I put them up again this year and noticed I was missing two!

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Oh, sorry I had the idea that you'd put everything away.

Well, I hope you get them back.

WeeAgnes · 09/12/2025 21:58

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:47

I’ve just noticed the NOstEaL one 😂

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🤭

And the other one is a

NO
NO
NO

If I was anything of an artist I would have attempted Santa wagging his finger 😆

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 22:12

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:54

Yes I will be, it’s just a case of when and how!

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I am delighted to hear this to be honest :)

MyMiniMetro · 09/12/2025 22:17

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 07/12/2025 10:52

We live an hour apart, one of the PILs would have to be there as we don’t have key. They have also recently invested in a Ring Doorbell (funnily enough Because of Christmas decorations being stolen in their village, I nearly suggested it may be the MIL but just thought that wouldn’t go down well!!) I’m hoping we will be going sooner (might suggest we pop over and take FIL birthday present which we forgot to take yesterday!)

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She is soooo the village Christmas decorations thief, I just know it. 🧐

PyongyangKipperbang · 09/12/2025 22:34

MyMiniMetro · 09/12/2025 22:17

She is soooo the village Christmas decorations thief, I just know it. 🧐

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Deffo!! If the village tree disappears from the green next year, I would check her lounge first!

JSMill · 09/12/2025 22:41

I would just take them back without saying anything. I have had to do this a couple of times with my MIL. It’s bonkers that grown adults behave like that.

LemonDrizzleKay · 09/12/2025 22:44

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 09/12/2025 21:40

How am I describing her “other health problems in detail”? She HAS NOT been diagnosed with dementia, MN have diagnosed her on this thread only. I have said we will keep an eye on her confusion that occurred on one day only. IF she had any sort of diagnosis there is absolutely no way I would have made this post.

Do not read into my post as being nasty as it’s far from it. I’m asking what I should do, I do not know how she came to have my decorations. All I know is that I had them last year, they have gone missing and they are now on her tree. DH says he has not given them to her, Kids have not given them to her so please explain how they have now come to being in her house!?

Show quote history

You are enjoying it, all the attention from MN from people for whom this is just a laugh. For your mil this is real. Those of us who have been close to others who exhibited the behaviour recognise the pattern. From what you have said your dh may have more to deal with in the future than some stupid tree decoration. People do not have a single moment of confusion unless they are diabetic or something.

ohnotthisagain2020 · 09/12/2025 22:49

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Figgly · 09/12/2025 23:20

This has just unlocked a memory from over 25 years ago. My now ex MIL and FIL had a key to our house and took a cushion from our sofa while we were away on holiday. A very bog standard cushion, we were young and our house was full of cheap, first time buyer things from IKEA. I’ve just remembered this now for the first time in forever 😆 It was a bizarre choice as the in-laws had money and a chintzy looking house. We came home from holiday and actually stopped at their house first, to collect our dog. I saw the cushion at the time but it was late and quick and I didn’t really make the connection. Then the next day in my house, I realised our cushion wasn’t there. The now ex DH was as baffled as me, but didnt see it at their house the night before. Next time we went to their house, we had a good look about on the sly and no cushion was to be seen so I had to just forget about it in the end. So weird. 😆

MIL and FIL weren’t even 50 at the time so no idea what was going on there!

Mummysof · 09/12/2025 23:41

Please make sure you steal them back