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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

a christmas gift for a MIL I can't stand

32 replies

kizzib · 28/11/2008 13:16

Ok, DH has asked me to get xmas gifts for his family. In fairness to him, he works a lot and never has time to shop, plus buying the gifts will allow me to find something to teach my MIL a lesson, the only thing is what do I get to do this?

Problem with MIL is that she is very critical - of my cooking skills, my ability to keep house (her house is a tip), my mother skills, my weight (she's much bigger) and constantly compares me to her other DIL.

So I'm looking for a gift that would get my point across without being so obvious - something that's a dig at her own cooking/housekeeping/weight etc.

I know that sounds horrible, but believe me this woman has had me in tears so often.

Yes, I have tried saying I'm not buying anything at all but this would cause all sorts of problems and I've had enough hassle so something that makes her wonder if I'm having a dig or not, something she can't prove..

OP posts:
jumpingbeans · 28/11/2008 13:18

Tbh, if i felt like this i would not get anything,if dh wanted to then he would have to get it himself, sorry not much help to you i know.

Ivykaty44 · 28/11/2008 13:19

one way tickets?

a deliah cookery book or rosemary connelly cookery and weight lose book wrapped up with a big bar of chocolate

Ivykaty44 · 28/11/2008 13:20

an exercise dvd and a swiss ball

littleducks · 28/11/2008 13:20

knicker elastic

Ivykaty44 · 28/11/2008 13:20

a houseworking excersie dvd? Is there such a thing?

DeckHallsWithFIMBOughsofHolly · 28/11/2008 13:21

A feather duster

christiana · 28/11/2008 13:22

Message withdrawn

mazzystartled · 28/11/2008 13:23

20 metres of knicker elastic

actually, rise above, get something really nice. don't give her any ammo. in fact get something perfect, let her gush about its fabulousness when she thinks dh got it then get him to give you the credit.

kizzib · 28/11/2008 13:24

ivy katy yes there is and i did consider one but it would be a bit too obvious, I need something sneaky.

OP posts:
PortAndLemon · 28/11/2008 13:26

I really don't think this is a good idea. Follow the tried-and-tested random present technique and get her a gift basket from the Body Shop. Really. This will escalate and end in tears.

But if you are really determined, there's this. But much better IMO to look at it, enjoy imagining giving it to her, but then don't.

PortAndLemon · 28/11/2008 13:26

Cross-posted...

TotalChaos · 28/11/2008 13:52

agree with Port and Lemon. Just get a spectacularly impersonal gift set from boots/ms & s etc.

wideratthehips · 28/11/2008 13:55

get her this..i'm giving my mil who i adore but it could be rather ironic to give it to her if you really dislike her

milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo · 28/11/2008 13:57

"What not to wear" book by Trinny and Susannah

Delia Smith's cooking for idiots book (not the title but teaches you how to boil an egg).

Kim and Aggie's cleaning tips book

onepieceoflollipop · 28/11/2008 14:08

Agree with mazzy, definitely brief your dh to let slip that you went out of your way to choose something so special.

Ivykaty44 · 28/11/2008 16:27

Ok sutle - in a way that it is just between you and she or no one else would know.

Go to a local to her, beauty salon and get her a voucher. Get the biggest box of chocolate you can emagine realy specail ones that will last way into January....

ilovemydog · 28/11/2008 16:34

musical cake knife was on another thread. hillarious and sorted mine for the mil

clarabellabella · 28/11/2008 16:38

How clean is your house book, a HUGE pot of anti-wrinkle cream and Weight Watchers membership.

shootfromthehip · 28/11/2008 16:41

Scales?

Ivykaty44 · 28/11/2008 16:48

oh scales yes - you can get talking scales and then when you get on they say "One at a time please"

madmadmadwoman · 28/11/2008 16:57

What about one of those cookie jars in the shape of a pig that oinks when you take the lid off?

nailpolish · 28/11/2008 17:01

support tights
american tan colour

nailpolish · 28/11/2008 17:02

oh i would love those scales! where do you get them

girlywhirly · 28/11/2008 17:11

John Lewis have some little novelty animal shaped vacuum cleaners to clear up crumbs from the dining table (battery powered).If you have young dc's you could pretend they chose it and she couldn't blame you! They are to be found in Kitchen dept.

girlywhirly · 28/11/2008 17:11

John Lewis have some little novelty animal shaped vacuum cleaners to clear up crumbs from the dining table (battery powered).If you have young dc's you could pretend they chose it and she couldn't blame you! They are to be found in Kitchen dept.

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