Toys for Christmas right??? Not clothes... vent ahead..

[goofinoff]

You should be grateful that your in-laws are buying gifts for what sounds like a very spoiled little girl. You're not doing her any favors by acting the way you are!

 

[lizabu]

I haven't read the whole thread but I think your SIL didn't have to buy any thing at all. If she bought clothes that was a very nice gesture...that she didn't have to do at all. I know when I only had boys I would have fun buying cute girlie clothes for my nieces. Buying gifts isn't only about the recipient.

 

[luvsJack]

DD is 13 now but even when she was younger she always enjoyed the clothes, blankets and such (still does). My mil rarely gets the kids toys its almost always clothes and a new throw. DD has every throw that mil has given her in her room.

Personally, I think its all in your own reaction to it.

 

[aprilgail2]

I'm still trying to figure out the whole opening the presents when they come in the mail thing. My kids got presents from several states mailed to them and they always went directly under the tree. They were Christmas presents not just random presents that came in the mail.

Really??- even as a kid we opened them as they came. There was enough under the tree to open on Christmas that we didn't need to add the other gifts under there too. If my daughter gets a package in the mail she opens it as it comes-everyone else I know does it that way too! I never heard people actually put them under the tree for Christmas!

As a gift giver, I would never pick clothes for a child unless they asked for clothes. I always try to give what will excite the receiver.
:

Exactly-if I am buying a gift its going to be something the person really wants-I don't buy a gift just to give something-if that is what someone is doing I would rather they not give at all. I think most kids would have the same reaction as OP's child and it is not because they are spoiled- Christmas is for fun gifts not clothes (unless they are asked for!)--I buy my daughter clothes all through the year as she needs them, they are not gifts-they are just part of raising a child! Geez do you people give underwear and bras as gifts to your kids too????

 

[gillep]

You should be grateful that your in-laws are buying gifts for what sounds like a very spoiled little girl. You're not doing her any favors by acting the way you are!

THIS!!!

Also I get a blanket from my MIL every year and never once did I think that it was supposed to go on my bed but purchased too small, I do enjoy snuggling on the couch with it.

 

[JaneBanks]

Really??- even as a kid we opened them as they came. There was enough under the tree to open on Christmas that we didn't need to add the other gifts under there too. If my daughter gets a package in the mail she opens it as it comes-everyone else I know does it that way too! I never heard people actually put them under the tree for Christmas!




Exactly-if I am buying a gift its going to be something the person really wants-I don't buy a gift just to give something-if that is what someone is doing I would rather they not give at all. I think most kids would have the same reaction as OP's child and it is not because they are spoiled- Christmas is for fun gifts not clothes (unless they are asked for!)--I buy my daughter clothes all through the year as she needs them, they are not gifts-they are just part of raising a child! Geez do you people give underwear and bras as gifts to your kids too????

But.. but... this is the DIS where every child is perfect and loves everything they get and would never think of getting extra toys they don't need!

 

[Ceila]

Wait, you're upset about your DD getting clothes, but you got the older kids in the family snowglobes??

 

[Jennasis]

How ungrateful of you and your DD. If I were your in-laws, I'd be tempted to send you NOTHING in the future.

 

[dfchelbay]

I think I'd be thankful that they took the time and spent the money to buy Christmas gifts for your child. I know you're not trying to be this way, but you are coming off as ungrateful...sorry if that's harsh.

 

[StarLight StarBright]

I am happy when my kids get practical gifts. They get so many toys, its ridiculous, I get embarrassed at the amount of toys they have when I see their rooms.
My mom usually get my kids clothes, and a small toy, or a cool chair for their room, or a bedspread they like. These are things they use and appreciate for a long time, and definitely say thank you for the gift when they get it!
I think if I was the gift giver of your daughters gift, I would really hesitate buying a gift next time, knowing that you are gonna hate it, and feel the need to vent about it
When I was about 8, my brother and sister and I each got a glass ash tray with a red bow hot glued to it, along with a bag of potpourri from my aunt. Completely weird, but funny. We all said thank you, and I think my sister and I even used our ashtrays to put jewelry or something in.If I would have had a fit when I opened it, I would have been in so much trouble! I have taught my kids to be thankful for everything they get, because alot of kids have nothing.

 

[dogluva]

I don't even have words to express how I feel about the post, the op and how her child is going to be like in a few years (if not already).

I suggest you pack up all the horrible clothes and blanket and bring them to a homeless shelter. I bet those kids won't mind that they didn't get a barbie.

 

[jenm2878]

Wow. We put alot of thought and money into the gifts we get our nieces and nephews. If I ever caught wind of the fact they were peeved that we didn't get them what was 'expected,' it would be the last gifts they ever got from us. Thankfully our familys' have the grace and common sense to teach their children about gratefulness and that the thought behind the gift is what counts. This just really rubbed me the wrong way today.

 

[JaneBanks]

I have a question. When did the OP say that her daughter had a fit or declared that she hated the clothes and didn't appreciate them?

She didn't say that! The OP said that her 5 year old daughter, not a 10 yr old and not a teenager, made a "not clothes again" face. A face ALL kids make.

The OP isn't having an over reaction to this, most of the people responding to this thread are.

I'm sure every single one of your children had a not so great reaction to a gift and I'm sure every single one of you thought something at one time that would make you seem ungrateful. Ease up.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Really??- even as a kid we opened them as they came. There was enough under the tree to open on Christmas that we didn't need to add the other gifts under there too. If my daughter gets a package in the mail she opens it as it comes-everyone else I know does it that way too! I never heard people actually put them under the tree for Christmas!

This is so interesting to me, and one of the reasons I love reading the DIS--it's neat to see how others do things. It has never crossed my mind to have my children open the gifts as they arrive in the mail from faraway relatives. And since our relatives are always trying to make sure the gifts arrive "just in time for Christmas" I think they are also assuming the gifts will go under the tree for Christmas morning like everything else. I wonder if opening gifts before Christmas is another regional thing like so many of the other interesting things I read on the DIS and have never heard of before.

 

[goofinoff]

I don't even have words to express how I feel about the post, the op and how her child is going to be like in a few years (if not already).

I suggest you pack up all the horrible clothes and blanket and bring them to a homeless shelter. I bet those kids won't mind that they didn't get a barbie.

I used to head up the "Adopt A Family" program where I work and actually helped deliver the gifts one year. These people had NOTHING!!!!! I mean NOTHING!! On their kids lists were socks, underwear, etc. It was heart wrenching!! I highly suggest that the OP take a moment and maybe visit a homeless shelter or volunteer at a soup kitchen! Especially this time of year. It may put a few things into focus!!

I don't know if any of you read what I wrote on another thread regarding gifts but my SIL would assign what we all would buy for my neice. This is before the rest of us had children. She photo copied my neice's list and put names next to each item. I did not play along with her little game and if I didn't love my neice so much I would have bought her nothing just to spite my SIL! It's funny because my neice who is now 22 told me that she always loved the clothes and fun accessories that I always gave her!!

It's attitudes and mindsets like the OP's that have completely taken the meaning out of Christmas. Sounds like she is keeping score as it is a competition between her husbands side of the family and hers! Disgusting!!

 

[Liza111577]

Really??- even as a kid we opened them as they came. There was enough under the tree to open on Christmas that we didn't need to add the other gifts under there too. If my daughter gets a package in the mail she opens it as it comes-everyone else I know does it that way too! I never heard people actually put them under the tree for Christmas!




Exactly-if I am buying a gift its going to be something the person really wants-I don't buy a gift just to give something-if that is what someone is doing I would rather they not give at all. I think most kids would have the same reaction as OP's child and it is not because they are spoiled- Christmas is for fun gifts not clothes (unless they are asked for!)--I buy my daughter clothes all through the year as she needs them, they are not gifts-they are just part of raising a child! Geez do you people give underwear and bras as gifts to your kids too????

My whole family lives in Italy. Every year my Mom purchases gifts online and has them shipped to my house, Christmas and birthdays. I wrap it and put it under the tree, and as for gifts she sends me for my birthday, I leave them in the box they shipped in until it's my birthday.

As for the clothes, I see nothing wrong in receiving clothes, not everyone is purchasing clothes and there will be toys. I have purchased a few Disney polos that I know my DS will love. My mom bought him a Super Mario comforter, I know he will be so excited to see that!!

And believe it or not, as a child my Mom used to give us underwear for Christmas. It's a family tradition, each of us got a pair of new red underwear to wear on New Year's Eve (supposed to bring good luck). I still receive my red pair of underwear every year all the way from Italy.

 

[RitaE]

Wait, you're upset about your DD getting clothes, but you got the older kids in the family snowglobes??

Well sure. I bet they just wait in anxious anticipation every year for their snowglobes.

I have one firm rule about holidays around here. We don't complain about our presents. Ever. I can't imagine having family that would take that much time and effort on my kids - Ugg boots are hardly discount store crap.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have a question. When did the OP say that her daughter had a fit or declared that she hated the clothes and didn't appreciate them?

She didn't say that! The OP said that her 5 year old daughter, not a 10 yr old and not a teenager, made a "not clothes again" face. A face ALL kids make.

The OP isn't having an over reaction to this, most of the people responding to this thread are.

I'm sure every single one of your children had a not so great reaction to a gift and I'm sure every single one of you thought something at one time that would make you seem ungrateful. Ease up.

My god you would think the kid ran up to the person who gave her the gift screaming that she hated it or something. I can't tell you the amount of times I see on these boards adults saying "oh I got a candle from my MIL-I hate candles" etc....the OP is talking about a 5 year old child- I don't know a 5 year old that wouldn't have the "oh no not clothes" face on when opening a box of clothes! It doesn't make them ungrateful- it makes them a CHILD...a normal, happy, nonspoiled child!
My daughter hated getting clothes but she would open them and thank the person no matter what it was and we would either take it back if the receipt was in the box or donate it if we couldn't take it back--there was no saying she didn't like it--just a thank you and the person giing the gift never had to know she did not like it.

 

[Imzadi]

I don't even have words to express how I feel about the post, the op and how her child is going to be like in a few years (if not already).

I suggest you pack up all the horrible clothes and blanket and bring them to a homeless shelter. I bet those kids won't mind that they didn't get a barbie.

It's actually worse than you think. (I counsel abused women.) Some of the moms will be BLAMED by their children that they are in a battered women's shelter on Christmas. Even though they may kind of understand why they had to leave. They also know (punching) dad wants them back home. THEY want to go back home and have everything normal again - even with the beatings.

And if the younger ones were able to wake up in their OWN beds on Christmas morning, then maybe Santa would have found them, instead of passing them by with no presents. They blame their mom because they feel she can choose to go back home instead of punishing all of them by taking them out of their homes, to live in such conditions and to miss Christmas. It is heartbreaking for so many moms & families.

 

[mjkacmom]

As a mom of 5, I LOVE when my kids get clothes (and they actually love it too, as long at they're trendy). We don't need any more toys! I used to give (for girls) either cute jammies/slippers or bathing suits/towels as routine classmate birthday gifts, because I don't know what they already have (now it's a $20 Target gc). Why did she open the gifts already? My sister sent us gifts (that I still need to wrap) - they will open them up on Christmas. Maybe it's an only child thing, but I am so happy when my kids don't receive toys!