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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Passive aggressive Xmas presents for nightmare MIL

211 replies

Kathwithaknotc · 18/10/2025 16:04

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

OP posts:
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12
DaisyDoodler · 21/10/2025 14:42

Someone on my team at work was given a bottle of Fem Fresh for their Secret Santa - luckily she saw the funny side and we all had a good laugh! Still don’t know who “Santa” was though but bloody hilarious 😆

mellicauli · 21/10/2025 17:24

What about a copy of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?
(disclaimer: my mother in law is lovely and won't be receiving a copy)

BeYeal · 22/10/2025 07:54

I don't usually agree with pets as gifts but id be tempted by a budgie or a hamster to 'keep her company' nice bit of noise and mess.

The Swedish death cleaning book would actually be brilliant for my MIL but I don't think she could handle it.

Cherryonthetop2019 · 22/10/2025 12:20

Mine is a horrid snob so I make a food hamper from Aldi every year. She is also anorexic so won’t eat any of the contents.
and before I get linched, my in-laws have deliberately ignored my birthday for the last 13 years. They used to acknowledge it and the stopped when one year I rang to say happy birthday to Mil at 4pm as I had been at work all day and couldn’t do it any earlier. I was still a teacher at the time so could not make or revive phone calls. Apparently it was far too late in the day.

Casperroonie · 23/10/2025 19:15

MrsDarcy1989x · 19/10/2025 16:38

Some kind of high maintenance exotic animal

No thats cruel on the animal and a burden for the rspca.

TheAutumnCrow · 23/10/2025 20:26

Catmother18520 · 19/10/2025 15:54

A cook book with very very basic things in it.

If she is slim a horrendous nightie in a massive size or if she is plump one in a much smaller size and say oh dear, I thought you had lost weight.

I asked chat gpt and it came up with these

Passive aggressive ideas for gifts for a horrible mother in law

ChatGPT said:
Ha — I see where you’re going with this 😏. You want something that technically counts as a “nice” gift but still carries a little sting under the surface. Here are some passive-aggressive gift ideas that walk that line between polite and pointed:

🕯️ Polite but Petty Gifts
A candle labeled “For People Who Always Think They’re Right.”
Still smells nice, but the message lands.

A “How to Be a Great Mother-in-Law” book — wrapped beautifully, of course.

A mug that says “World’s Nicest Person (According to Themselves).”

A self-help book on boundaries or emotional maturity — “I saw this and thought of you!”

A gratitude journal — “So you can write down all the things you should be thankful for.”

🪴 Subtle Symbolism
A cactus or succulents — low-maintenance, prickly, and thrives on neglect. Symbolism writes itself.

A bar of soap labeled “For Difficult People.”

A plant labeled “Tough Love” or “Needs Space to Thrive.”

🍷 Deliciously Petty
A bottle of “Mommy Needs a Chill Pill” wine.

A tea set with a tag that says “For when you need to calm down before calling me.”

🏠 Domestic Diplomacy
A passive-aggressive kitchen towel — e.g., “Bless This Mess (You Made).”

A doormat that says “Hope You Brought Wine (and Better Behavior).”

A cleaning gift basket — “Because you’re so particular about cleanliness!”

Fucking hell what a load of shit from ChatGPTBrainMelted.

FannyCann · 10/11/2025 13:41

Reviving the thread simply because I was in Fortnum’s yesterday and saw the ultimate gift for the person you don’t like: Pickled sprouts!

I love sprouts but pickled??? 🤢

Passive aggressive Xmas presents for nightmare MIL
Passive aggressive Xmas presents for nightmare MIL
Didkyle · 10/11/2025 14:04

FannyCann · 10/11/2025 13:41

Reviving the thread simply because I was in Fortnum’s yesterday and saw the ultimate gift for the person you don’t like: Pickled sprouts!

I love sprouts but pickled??? 🤢

I’ve tried
and I love!!

Kpo58 · 10/11/2025 17:07

I'm always amused with all the things you can get on Amazon gift wrapped. I've even been given the option with a toilet brush. Not sure who I could give that to as a present though. 🤔

LemonLeaves · 10/11/2025 17:40

BeAvidAquaJoker · 20/10/2025 20:54

Personalised nostril clippers

An afternoon of bungee jumping off the Shard

Teach Your Self Tree Surgery book with accompanying chainsaw

This made me laugh quite a lot, after a very shitty day at work.

When I saw the thread title, my first thought was that OP's MIL has surely got to be a contender for the classic charity goat.

HonestGoldAnt · 10/11/2025 18:05

I'm buying the in laws gifts from the RNLI gift shop . They'll hate it because they hate the RNLI for helping the "boat people ".

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