“The season for homecoming has arrived! And it seems like many of us are heading back to the store with a gift receipt and a frustrated mother-in-law. A mum on Reddit is looking for solidarity after a failed Christmas and asked others to pitch in by giving silly gifts. Unsurprisingly, the list was long and strange.
The original poster (OP) wrote on the Mommit subreddit: “Every year, I approach Christmas with low expectations from my husband’s side of the family. They are notoriously bad at giving presents, so I approach Christmas with the understanding that presents aren’t important, it’s about spending time together as a family.”
Of course, this bad gift only applies to: sheShe explains that her husband often receives things that he likes or that he thinks will be useful. She receives a “Live, Laugh, Love” sign.
“In past Christmases, I open presents, smile and say thank you, and decorate before leaving the house. That way they know I’m not truly ungrateful. I appreciate them taking the time to think of a present for me when they could have easily left me out. Usually the presents are what they want, and are off-base due to generational differences or personal preferences.”
Sure, she’s always appreciated the idea (that’s the whole point, right?), but this year she’s had enough and the gift was so incredible that she’s seriously wondering if she did something to upset her in-laws.
It appears that she and her sister-in-law shared a set of two dish towels, and she received one unique dish towel.
Also important to note is that her in-laws are wealthy.
Other Reddit moms weighed in on the weird, insulting, or just plain gross gifts they received this year.
“I got a 500 piece puzzle from my MIL. She bought it at a thrift store/bargain. The box clearly says ‘3 pieces missing’. Yeah, that’s right,” one user wrote.
Another said: “Someone gave my 3 and 5 year old two rattle toys (like newborns). Why? I don’t know.”
“My in-laws are exactly the same. I think the worst gift givers are homemade limoncello (I don’t drink, I know), a pen and notepad from the dentist’s office, or something I found in the junk drawer in the kitchen (I hope I was kidding). I love them. They’re very kind people, and you think they like me?” And, like your in-laws, they’re not struggling financially. But you’d think otherwise. We’re celebrating the 30th with them, but we know it’s going to be something we throw away when we get home.”
“My parents gave us coupons for grub hub. It’s a coupon, not a gift card. I don’t really expect a gift, but this was comical,” one user said.
“First year of marriage (now divorced), my in-laws gifted me a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. They bought my son an Xbox 360. I should have known then that it wouldn’t work. ,” one person shared.
Another mother said, “I’ve been waiting years to tell someone about this, but not this year.” My mother-in-law bought me some scented lotion and body wash (I told her many times that she and I are sensitive to scents), and some stale cookies from the hotel (which they gave away for free). My other daughter-in-law got me some fancy jewelry (I think it was Coach, if I remember correctly) and almost every year since then, she’s given me more scented lotion and body wash. This year she gave me a very thoughtful gift. I don’t know what changed, but I appreciate it. ”
Read the entire thread here.
