Gift from MIL

[patsal]

I'm still not quite sure what it is I got from MIL this year--A meat sling is what it is called. It is bright red silicone with handles and it is oval on the bottom with straps that have the handles attached. Holes all on the bottom--we all get some pretty good laughs from what she gets me so no harm done, plus I just don't have time to waste on negative energy so I figure laugh and move on. Most things are not meant to be hurtful from her (at least I don't think and if they are well tough cookies I'm happy with her son and that 's the best gift she could have given me). The kids had hours of fun making up what things the meat sling is for--hold one ten pound baby, dip in tub securely and lift out, body armor, a priarie girl bonnett, a sling shot for full sized stuffed animals or small woodland creatures, the list goes on and on. I also got some shiny silver things that are supposed to fit over the stove burners to keep the drips to a minimum--she seemed very proud of these and mentioned I could remove them and put them into the dishwasher to clean them and then I wouldn't need to clean the stovetop. I rec'd a hair trimmer one year, a single towel one year, gutter guards to help keep the leaves form blocking my gutters--they made the problem worse, a steamer to get the mold out of the corner of my bathtub--she must have really been looking hard to find that mold in the corner--it would have required lifting up the shampoo bottle, etc. DH got used power tools --a old drill, a power screw driver that had the rechargeable nicad battery that would no longer hold a charge, oh the list goes on and on. I am more concerned about her strange behaviors and actions of late than I am about the gifts--though I wish she would just not get us anything and use the money to meet her own needs. After asking for kleenex she continued to use the more expensive holiday napkins I had purchased to blow her nose--I kept showing her where the kleenex were--not cheap ones either, puffs, but she just kept saying how nice and soft my napkins were--I should have hid them and brought out the rough cheap ones I guess . I have learned what not to do when I am blessed with a DIL and I just keep being very careful to her and getting her really nice things. When we visit I kind of take mental notes of what is what. Her pots and pans had very loose handles so we replaced those, her vaccume was from I don't know where and didn't even have a beater bar so we got her a new dirt devil, and she manged to "clean" all the silverstone off of her George Forman Grill. I gave her a new one of those as well with instructions on how to wash it without removing the teflon! The kids mentioned that her mixer was from the dawn of time and the cloth cord was split and exposed so they got her a new mixer.
She just left a few hours ago. We are still enjoying the "meat sling"

 

[CTtwins]

at our christmas eve dinner my mother in law kept talking to my SIL about their upcoming couples only trip to mexico with theer spouses...
to celebrate their anniversary (jan) and my SIL anniversary (feb)
guess what? my husband and i got married in feb too....
really hurt my feelings.. : (

I'm so sorry to hear that...


some people are just clueless...!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

Sent a box to the house with a sweatshirt and 3 T shirts inside. The note said that the sweatshirt was for my husband, and the T shirts were for my children. They all had our family's surname on them. The note inside said that she didn't buy one for me because she didn't think I would want one but would order one if I did.

Needless to say I was extremely hurt by the exclusion and the husband didn't see why I was so hurt. He said that I should know how she is and not let it bother me but it does.

She also signs cards with Mom & Dad, Jane & Dick, and Grandma & Grandpa,, heaven forbid she just sign them Mom and Dad...

 

[mom2threecuties]

My MIL got me a 'snuggie', one of those wearable blankets with sleeves that you see on tv ads. I tried SO hard not to laugh . My DH later told me that he was the one who told her to get it for me (He just wanted to see my reaction!). She also gave me a nice check that I'll use to get some Uggs, so my feet can be nice and warm too

 

[miatamel]

I don't have a MIL story but I do have SIL story, can I join the club??

My husband is German so all the in-laws are thousands of miles away (thank heavens!). My DDs are 5 & 7, the youngest is the namesake, and only nieces, of my SIL. However, she has never acknowledged a birth date, birthday, or Christmas with a phone call, much less a gift. I used to chalk it up to language barrier but she is actually quite fluent in English. It just bothered me especially with the youngest since I actually agreed to name her after the SIL since that was what DH really wanted....

so imagine my surprise when a package comes this week for the family for Christmas. We opened it up and hmmm...a small (small really being the operative word) box of homemade cookies (really, a nice thought and all but, contrary to what alot of the world may think, Mississippi is NOT a third world country where we can't bake our own fresh cookies) that were no longer fresh after a trip halfway around the world and en route for two weeks. We are supposing that was for DH and I. For the girls? Wait for it....

they each got a tube of chapstick!!

I know it's the thought and all that, but crimey!! It cost more to mail it than the cost of the small box and two chapsticks!! (And this is NOT a cost issue--her and DH are both mid-40s professionals).

 

[loonieroonie]

My in-laws are not very rich people. I know this and I don't expect them to give my children gifts, but I know they want to. I just wish they would stop giving them gifts because everything my boys receive is trash from my SIL's house. My MIL will go through the closets at my SIL's house and give whatever she finds to my sons. We have gotten many broken toys, an ugly chandelier that my sil didn't want (yes she gave my ds4 a chandelier) appliances that don't work, etc.

This year she was generous with the "gifts." She gave ds4 a broken action figure, missing a leg, a hand, and an arm. She also gave him a toy motorcycle missing a wheel and handlebars, and a toy airplane that was actually in good shape. For my ds2 she gave him an empty box and a used dust pan and small broom . My sil's kids received gift cards. I don't say anything to dh, I just make it up to my kids with lots of love and kind words about their grandparents.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Wow, my MIL actually goes overboard on gifts. This year she heard that I wanted flameless candles from QVC for our windows, so she told me to pick them out. I told her they were too expensive because we have like a dozen windows, but she insisted. That was all I expected, but she got me about a million other smaller gifts as well! A yankee candle with topper, tons of bath and body handsoap,notepads, socks, Halloween and Christmas decorations, too much to remember...but she also got me wrinkle cream..lol..it's okay with me, she knows that I like to try all those new avon creams and they are darn expensive!! I do appreciate all of her gifts! She definitely loves Christmas shopping!!
On a side note, one year my SIL got me a bottle of shampoo and conditioner. It was just a regular brand from Walmart too! Everyone was like..gee she must think your hair is dirty or something!! so strange!

 

[luv2nascar]

My MIL is not the most thoughtful person when it comes to gifts for me. She made a huge deal of the stockings she hung on the fireplace all the kids, grandkids, DILS had stockings.
The stockings looked to be bulging. So she gives me a small bag for a gift small pink crystal bracelet - looks to be a childs - don't even know if it will fit me. not my taste either. Nothing else - I expected salt and pepper shakers because I get them every year (christmas ones) and I don't collect them.
I open my stocking & I got a small bag of Hershey's miniatures when others got so much more in their stocking. I know it seems ungrateful but really I am the mother of her grandchildren. A little thought please. She did give DH & I cards with cash in but... I'm still a little miffed.

Then there was the whole mess up with my DH's gift. Their son he only asks them for 1 thing each year. I remind them as soon as they are out before they sell out - he wants a hess truck. I know grown man but this is what he wants. MIL makes sure to give my BILs kids tons of gifts. She gets all done and my poor DH her son sits there with no gift??? I asked him where his truck was and he says he didn't get one. MIL says well I handed out all the gifts and there are no more so dad must not have bought you one. This gets my goat she gave three trucks to BIL/SIL for their children 1 is girl 2 yrs old not the least bit interested in the damn truck. The 2 boys opened theirs right away - 1 broke him by the end of the day and the other lost his - it was found by night time but really. It turned out my DHs was shoved in the back of the tree and he got it but really. I am glad the gift giving is over.

 

[problemchild718]

I got 2 Christmas dishtowels (the thin ones from the dollar store) and a pair of stretchy gloves (the kind from Walmart that cost $1.00) I would be embarrassed to give that to someone. This year, I told my husband to get them a gift. I usually knock myself out shopping for my inlaws. Never see them using/wearing the gifts. DH got em a gift card. I will no longer do the shopping for them.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

I exchange with friends. 1 friend got me, a package of Christmas napkins.

My other friend gave me 3 packages of napkins & 2 paper wine sack bags, a tree oranment, & a candle from the dollar store.

I have never received napkins before (will use them next year) but the wine sacks,

Hay it's the thought that counts

Happy New Year, everyone.

 

[aladams2]

My MIL sent us for the past two years and I guess in the years to come a Silver Dollar for that year that comes in it's own case?!?!?! My DD7 and DD5 just looked at it and tossed it aside! C'mon, even a book would be better for them. I'm waiting for the day when we can cash them in and get some ca'chang for them!

 

[Ephany]

Wow, after reading everyone else's stories, I'm glad my gift was at least new. It was this huge set of makeup brushes and nail care stuff. I'm not sure what she was thinking, I never wear makeup and the stuff for your nails is oversized, it's the biggest nail trimmer I've ever seen. DH for some reason thought I'd be all excited so I told him he could have it. It was just thoughtless, and since I have no idea where she found it, it'll probably be freecycled to someone who can actually use it.

 

[jayjay13]

This thread is hilarious! Well after buy my MIL a stove for Christmas last year (long story but went over to her house and she was only using 1 burner?! Don't know why she didn't tell DH but she's weird...) I told my DH hers was broken and we bought her a new one. Could you believe that all she got my twins were a set of pajamas! Oh, and nothing for her new grandson who was only about 4 months at the time.

Oh and this year - not even a phone call to wish my kids a merry Christmas. My kids aren't materialistic so they would've even appreciated a phone call from her if she didn't have the $$ to spend on a gift. I hate that she doesn't do more to have a relationship with them. When they talk about 'Grandma' I know they're talking about my Mum and not her - it's really a shame!