Passive aggressive Xmas presents for nightmare MIL

[Kathwithaknotc]

Please hit me up with THE best passive aggressive Xmas/birthday presents for nightmare MIL who is a right CF… must be able to pass off as thoughtful though. Age 70ish

Now that's a novel idea.

It saves burning your fingers getting them out of the warming drawer in the oven..

Of course it's the husband's responsibility to buy for his own mother.

It's only perfectly acceptable to buy as a couple, if one of you doesn't hate her and isn't acting like a 5 year old, asking internet strangers what sort of awful gift to buy.

Some 70yr old women are nasty, vindictive articles!

How ageist - standard for Mumsnet though

Can I just remind everyone that ALL people (unless they pass away young) are eventually 70! All the evil in the world, all the nasty bigots, child & animal abusers, thieves, narcissists, you name it - they all either die young or become 70. men and women.
Not all 70yr olds are sweet little old grannies who wouldn’t swat a fly!

Be the bigger person and teach tour children how to be decent humans that would be the kind thing to do. You cannot control her behaviour but you can control your own

Rather than buy a pointed gift, I'd simply go down the charity route. That way a good cause benefits and she doesn't ... but would look even more horrid if she objected to the principle. It can be sold as necessary as 'Rather than buying something you might not like ...'. Imagine how nasty she'd seem if she replied that she doesn’t like sponsoring a family in poverty, or safe water for a poor community etc.

And yes, age doesn’t miraculously make you a nice person - and 70 year old with all their faculties are more than still capable of being a pitch if they're that way inclined!

Or bitch even!

Pop down to the local home bargains get her a cheap mop, mop bucket and fake flash or similar

Sounds like you could be the nightmare here..,

A box of Black Magic. They’re f*cking horrible these days and would be my go-to present for anyone I couldn’t stand. 😃

I would love tickets for wicked and the plate warmers 😂
I love the cookery book for older people idea with the recipes for food that’s softer to chew 😂
There’s a really nasty person in our family so I’m taking notes! Although in reality I’d be too scared to do anything like that and will buy her the same as I usually do which is wine and chocolates in the supermarket which are on offer. Which isn’t awful but also isn’t very nice.

If she really is that awful you don't buy anything.

You clearly never met my husbands gran. She was a wholly unpleasant woman who deserved no respect at all.

No, just no, they really don't. If they are nice people they deserve respect. If they are nasty people they don't. Doesn't matter if they are 40, 50, 60 or 70. The number of your age does not qualify for immediate respect.

Ohh I love a bit of passive aggressive, I’m must be awful because it makes me have a little giggle inside.

I say Lavendar soap, Floris talcum powder and New Berry Fruit soft sweers. Proper old lady stuff.

To be honest though OP, even though I have played games either my awful mil and sil, I don’t do it any more.

Life is too short to hate people. My best friend advises me that just because other people don’t have standards doesn’t mean you should lower yours.

Just be polite to her, and not give her any headspace. If you do, she’s won.

The best revenge you can have on someone is to have a great life. I only have so much energy and I’ll spend it on the good stuff, not on people who drain me of energy.

Let it go for your sake.

The cleaning one is evil genius and I might do it! I’d been doing bath stuff with barely any thought, but she made a snarky comment about it recently so…

This is hilarious, OP 😂

Fortunately I had a lovely MIL: my DH used to order her hampers from Bettys or similar as she was fab

How about an annual subscription to People’s Friend paid for by your H?

Awful clothing/underwear that’s about 2 sizes too small?

Good for you but personally: fuck that shit

We bought ( now ex MIL) and charity gift of education for a young girl somewhere. She didn't believe in education for women and was a vile woman.

A sample of incontinence pads and wrinkle cream

I think a charity donation on behalf of her might be a good option. She can’t really make a comment if you donated 50 quid to Save the Children in her name. However as unpleasant person she would be inwardly seething you didn’t spend 50 on HER.

Give a goat to give to a third world country on her behalf 😁