Basically, a few months ago my MIL suggested getting our boys a pool table for Xmas. I showed her one in my catalogue that I'd actually thought of ordering, (not expensive, just a tabletop one that could be stored away when not played with). Anyway, she was very keen on one she'd already seen, a big stand-alone one with legs.
She kept on about it for the next few weeks, despite us saying it was too big + there really wasn't room. She said things like, "If you organised your toy storage better you'd have room, etc. In the end we decided to let her buy it and find room somehow, as it meant so much to her.
Anyway, she bought it about November time and for the next few weeks we had, "I think I've made a mistake, it looks so big, It's such a shame if I send it back though", so we reassured her that it was fine. (We've had experience of this before where she's been quite upset if we've disagreed with her choices).
Anyway, she came round with it yesterday, "Xmas morning". The boys were thrilled with it, but our youngest started crying when he realised that no other toys could be in the living room when it was being played with! This resulted in MIL being incredibly tense all morning despite our (through gritted teeth!) reassurances.
Today we've had several phone calls from her, "I knew it was a mistake, too big, etc etc", but she's insisting it was my idea originally, (the smaller one was, not the larger one), she wouldn't listen!
Any ideas on how we can deal with the inevitable awkwardness every time she visits?! It's slightly spoilt what has actually been a lovely Xmas! I'll be much firmer with her next year, or maybe it's better coming from dh.