What's worse?

[itchyandscratchy]

For me to be that MIL buys me a manicure set most years

Or for her to keep buying it even though I've known her 10 years now and I have never EVER had nails longer than half a mm long?

She and FIL always give me money at Christmas, which is entirely appreciated and very generous of them... but she insists on me 'having something to open' on the day. And it's always this or some heavily scented old-lady soap. I've asked her not to worry and I really don't mind having a present to open but she won't hear of it. It's such a waste! They go straight to the dds' school fete box.

even if you did have manicured nails, would you need a new set every year?
I got earrings once - don't have pierced ears! (not from MIL)
but it's nice that she seems to care, just a bit lacking in thought

I should just smile and send the stuff to the charity shop. It is bizarre behaviour. I have a relative who has bought the same gift for a number of years in a row (like your gift, it is something I did not even need one of!). I charity shop stuff without hesitation because as long as someone gets some use/benefit from it, I just let it go.

I agree - bizarre. It's like the appearance of being thoughtful is more important than the act of being thoughtful. Bless her.

And dh and I have made a pact to completely ignore FIL while he opens his presents this year. He is positively proud of the fact he is impossible to buy for and is the most ungrateful person in the world. Trying to please him is a redundant exercise so to ignore him is by far the best course of action.

Ah, the joy of Christmas...