Why spoil what should be birthday surprises?!

[Uberly]

Just want to rant really....

Every birthday, every Christmas MIL always goes through all the presents that she's bought DS before he gets them. I don't understand. Why not just leave them as surprise for him?!

Maybe it's just me....

Because she wants to check he'll like them? Depends how she does it I guess.

He always writes a birthday/Christmas list and she get's presents off the list. Either he'll read the list out or she''ll read it in front of him and she'll say "Ill get you that....and that....and that". Then a few days before, she'll go back through and tell him exactly what he's getting.

It's not really going to be a surprise if he's written a list, is it?

Hmm, that does sound a little strange if he's writing a list ... maybe she thinks because it's a list, he is wanting to know what specific things he's getting?

I don't see why it's a huge issue to be honest, can you not just sound her out about it? Or ask your DH what used to happen when he was little - maybe this is just how her family does it, or maybe she's not used to the way you expect to do it and has got the wrong end of the stick with the list and what she's meant to be doing.

Not a huge issue at all! Just wanted a little rant as it annoys me every time!

Just because he writes a list doesn't mean he gets everything on it would have to win the lottery for that (and have a very spoilt boy!)

He's not always written a list and this isn't how anyone else in the family does it, but she does do it with everyone else too. Just a shame for the children, nice to get surprises!....And there's no way of telling her not to!

It's fine, no big deal....just venting

Oh, fair enough, of course!

I can understand you wanting a rant ... she clearly means so well, but yeah, I can see why it's annoying you.

I can understand why you feel annoyed, but some people just don't like surprises. I am much happier if I know what I'm getting. If I'm buying the present for someone else then I find it very difficult to not tell them what it is. I just like knowing where I stand!