To Help The Red Cross Click Here
Mother-In-Law Mall
A place to find great gifts!
and products related to mothers-in-law and other family members.

 
mother-in-law stories bd10358.gif
Mother-In-Law Stories
Worst Gift Archives
December 2002
(can you top this? - if so, press here)
mother-in-law stories bd10358.gif

<--Previous Archive        Next Archive -->

Latest Stories,
Click Here.

Latest Responses,
Click Here.


Worst gift:  My husband's family is really strange.  His aunt has lots of money, but she never spends it, unless it was on her dog.  Anyhow, she sent me one white, king-sized pillow case.  Hello, most people who have a king-sized bed have 2 pillows on their beds.  That was my Xmas present.

        Signed - Still Waiting For 1?????

RESPONSE:  Still Waiting For 1?????
Why would his aunt send you a present, anyway?

RESPONSE:  Still Waiting For 1?????
Next year, send her one sock or one glove, or the salt half of a salt and pepper shaker set.

RESPONSE:  Still Waiting For 1?????
Strange.  Maybe you will get the other one for your birthday???  What is with these people getting a nice gift for someone???  Gosh, it's not rocket science.

RESPONSE:  Still Waiting For 1?????
Communism requires that all the money be spent equally (after those who demanded it have what they want).  She does not have to spend her money on you or anyone else.  She just sounds a little off, but not hateful.  Perhaps she sleeps alone and only has one pillow.  Maybe she made it by hand.  Either way, is it really that awful?

Worst gift:  My birthday was about four weeks before my wedding this past summer.  For a gift, my in-laws gave me the missing suitcase that goes with the luggage set that they bought for their son the year before.  They said that now I had luggage for my honeymoon.  I guess that they never considered the idea that I may have my OWN luggage (which I did - bought by my mother when I graduated from college).  A couple of months later, they got my husband a computer system - complete with a CD burner, printer, and digital camera for his birthday.  *Sigh*.

        Signed - My Life Must Have Started When I Married Your Son

RESPONSE:  My Life Must Have Started When I Married Your Son
I'm curious - what did you get them for their birthdays?

RESPONSE:  My Life Must Have Started When I Married Your Son
It's not worth it to take these things personally.  There is a difference between them being morons and being mean.  In this case, chalk it up to ignorance and low IQ.  And, take notes for when your own son gets married so that you don't do the same thing!

RESPONSE:  My Life Must Have Started When I Married Your Son
When you're married, everything is halfzeez!  You get the benefit of the computer, regardless of who gave it to whom.  Right?  Cheer up.  There's more than one way to skin a cat!

RESPONSE:  My Life Must Have Started When I Married Your Son
But, how would they know that you had your own luggage?  Some people don't.  But, I guess they could have asked your DH.  If this is the worst thing they've done, maybe there's hope.  To be honest, I wouldn't expect my husband's parents to give me hugely expensive presents (as expensive as they get him).  I think that they might think that you'd share in what they give him?  But, maybe they're jerks, and I'm completely wrong!

RESPONSE:  My Life Must Have Started When I Married Your Son
They are his parents, not yours.  Of course they will give him more than they give to you.  It may not be fair in your eyes, but that's the way it is.  I would never expect my MIL to give to me the same as she does her son, and I would be grateful for whatever she did give to me.

Worst gift:  My husband is 51 years old and his mother calls him "her poor boy".  She is always telling me that I don't take care of him the way he deserves to be cared for.  So one Christmas she gave me a vegetable steamer wrapped in used Xmas paper.  She told me, "It's not much of a gift, but since you insist of giving my poor boy frozen vegetables, at least you can steam them."

        Signed - Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!

RESPONSE:  Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!
She thinks you serve the veggies straight from the freezer?

RESPONSE:  Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!
Your DH is 51 and his mamma calls him "poor boy"?  Your husband tolerates her calling him this?  They both make me want to PUKE.

RESPONSE:  Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!
How ever did you refrain from laughing?  LOL!  What does your husband think about it?  It doesn't sound like much can be done about her trying to care for "her little boy".

RESPONSE:  Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!
MIL should volunteer some time in a center for handicapped children or adults.  Maybe then she would see that there are people in this world who really are helpless (and who would much rather not be).

RESPONSE:  Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!
I HATE your awful MIL!!!!!  Cheese and crackers!  My DH is LUCKY to get frozen vegetables - what in the world is wrong with those?  At least you give him vegetables.

RESPONSE:  Guaranteed Something (or Someone) Is Gonna Get Steamed!
As much as most people would say, "Give it back to her next Christmas with a nasty note!", or something like that - don't!  When people give gifts that have an obvious meaning attached (but not quite as bad as the woman who got divorce papers from her MIL), this is a perfect opportunity for the recipient to display the class, good manners, and grace that is missing in the gift giver.  Smile sweetly and say, "Thank you very much for the thoughtful gift."  Do nothing other than graciously accept the gift.  It'll probably confuse the he!! out of them, too.  After all, they are expecting a reaction from you.  Don't stoop to their childish level.

Worst gift:  My MIL has given DH and I some downright hateful gifts, but the funniest was what we got one year for Christmas.  He received a set of flannel sheets.  Nice gift, right?  They had teddy bears all over them.  He was 44 years old at the time.  I received a 3 inch long, pea green glass shoe.  She told me that she knew I liked that kind of stuff.  Huh?  I've added to my extensive glass shoe collection.  That takes the count up to, let's see, um, exactly one.

        Signed - Cinderella

RESPONSE:  Cinderella
That is too funny!

RESPONSE:  Cinderella
Were the sheets for the size bed you and DH share, or were they for a TWIN bed?  Your MIL sounds like a weirdo!

RESPONSE:  Cinderella
Give the pea green glass shoe back to her on Mother's day with a beautiful card that reads, "I loved this shoe so much, I wanted you to have one just like it.  As they say, if the shoe fits ---.  Love, ---".  What an idiot.  Just know that you aren't alone.

Worst gift:  Here's one for you!  On our 25th wedding anniversary my MIL presented us with a beautiful pair of engraved, silver salt and pepper shakers.  What's the problem with that you ask?  The engraving was for the wrong date.  It was dated for the day before our wedding date.  I guess that was a happier date for her than the day I married her son!  We told her about the error because we didn't want to offend her by not using or displaying her gift and she said, "That's ok.  I'll just put them away and give them to you next year."  OK, that makes sense to me!  My husband is the oldest of three boys.  Neither of his other brothers are married.  Wonder why?  Pissed Off for Many Years.

        Signed - Pissed Off for Many Years

RESPONSE:  Pissed Off for Many Years
Well, at least it wasn't that MIL wasn't willing to spend money on a nice gift.  It is kooky that she somehow thinks that the wrong date somehow will be less bothersome NEXT year.

RESPONSE:  Pissed Off for Many Years
Give her something engraved for her birthday with the date of April 1st on it.  She'll get the clue.  If she mentions that April 1st is not her birth date, just use her exact words as a response.  Unless, of course, she WAS born on APRIL FOOL'S DAY?!?!  LOL.

Worst gift:  My MIL is the QUEEN of horrid gifts!!!  A few years ago she got me a lovely canister set shaped like an elephant (head for coffee, middle for sugar, and butt for flour).  Well, the head was missing.  She bought it at a rummage sale.  So, I tell everyone about the "Elephant @ss" for Xmas.

        Signed - Elephant @Ss for Xmas

RESPONSE:  Elephant @Ss for Xmas
Give her one of those horse's *Ss trophies with "MIL of the Year" engraved on it!

RESPONSE:  Elephant @Ss for Xmas
You know, I wouldn't mind a secondhand gift.  But giving a gift that doesn't even have all the parts???  Tacky.  What did you do with it, by the way?  I bet it would be interesting in the bathroom.

Worst gift:  I don't have a favorite worst gift because, for each occasion, the gifts are equally depressing!  The first year I was married, I got a bugle from MIL (I have never shown any interest in playing the bugle).  Then, for my birthday I got a stuffed horse, complete with a neighing sound.  For my next birthday I got a vibrating Tickle-Me-Elmo.  And, this year, I received a giant stuffed Clifford dog.  DH got a remote control car and walkie talkies!  Either she is hinting that she wants grandkids, or she thinks that we are two years old!  The first year we were married, we went broke buying them expensive Christmas presents.  But, I became wiser the second year, and bought them a cheap meat, cheese log and some disgusting coffee concentrate.  We included a note that said, "Christmas dinner is on us!"  Of course, when they were offended and asked where the real present was, DH said he didn't know, because I was the one who did the Christmas shopping!

        Signed - Never Going Christmas Shopping Again

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
Good job!!

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
Ha, ha.  Good one!!  I can't believe that they have the gall to ask for their "real" presents when the presents they give are so lacking!!

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
You're moving in the right direction, but it's time to go on to the next step.  Your DH needs to be the one shopping for his parents.  Why waste the effort?

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
That was lousy of your husband to put the blame on you.  Very lousy.  He should have been organizing the gifts for his own family in the first place.  I am sure that your in-laws overlooked the fact that their son was truly at fault and blamed you.  Your DH should be ashamed of himself for not doing much to protect his wife.

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
My MIL buys my 36 year old DH toys still!  She thinks that, because he enjoyed a movie that was about the army, he would love to have army men action figures.  So, she buys them for him for his birthday or for Christmas.  He's also gotten cartoon action figures and stuffed animals.  Before we were married, his birthday cakes were cartoon characters (he was 34 when we got married!).

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
I think that they are hinting for grandkids with all of the subtlety of a Mack truck.  My MIL gave DH and I a quilt that she had made.  Before I saw it, when she told me that she had made DH and me a quilt, I expected a quilt for our queen-size bed.  Wrong!  It was a baby quilt that she had made with cute little baby animals on it.  I showed it to DH, who told his mom that she was as subtle as a 1000 plane air raid.  I then gave the quilt back to MIL and told her that she could keep it for us, and that when we needed it, we would let her know.  None of this was said in a mean way, and DH was very much in agreement with me.  When I was "finally expecting", DH and I called and told her that we were now ready for the quilt.  You could do something similar with your ILs (that is if you plan to have children eventually - and if not, I would say that too).

RESPONSE:  Never Going Christmas Shopping Again
Maybe she thought that she was being cute by giving you those kiddie gifts.  And, it was a misguided attempt to amuse you and make you happy (or make you think she was a lot of fun).  But, what I think is inexcusable is her whining about what the "real presents" were, when you told her that Christmas dinner was on you.  It always is amazing when an adult acts like a spoiled child, yet we sure see a lot of that on this site.

Worst gift:  The first year that my husband and I were married, my FIL gave me a bottle of vodka.  I don't drink!  But he does!

        Signed - Don't Drink

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
Don't let him drink any.  After all, he did get it for "you"!!

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
Be careful that, after a few years of him, you don't find that you NEED that bottle.

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
He was probably hoping you'd give it to him.  Save it for guests who do drink, and don't worry about it.

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
Bottoms up!  I am sure that was an indicator of things to come!

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
Perhaps he was warning you that you might have to start drinking in order to tolerate the faaaamily?  I don't know.  That is odd though.

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
Lots of people give "bottles" for the holidays.  Even if the recipient of the gift doesn't drink, sometimes they entertain, especially around the holidays.  It's nice to have a bottle on hand for such occasions.  Of course, in your case, it seems that FIL expects to be the one being entertained.

RESPONSE:  Don't Drink
Are you saying that your husband drinks?  Or is it your FIL?  I don't know which one you meant.  If you mean your FIL, that sounds like the commercial where the husband buys something for himself and says to his wife, "Look what you got me for Christmas, honey !"  Tell your FIL, "Thank you for the bottle of vodka.  It will serve as a reminder of our commitment to helping you stop drinking.  We'll pick you up at 6 o'clock for the AAA meeting."  That should put a stop to those kinds of gifts.

Worst gift:  My MIL loves to buy me shirts from craft fairs - shirts that she likes to wear.  She's in her 50's, I'm in my early 30's.  We do not dress alike.  She has never seen me wear anything like these shirts that she buys me.  The shirts are always her size (plus sizes).  I wear a size medium in shirts.  She also bought me a huge grandma-like housecoat for Xmas one year.  UGH!!  I don't expect gifts from her, but if she's going to buy me something, how about a gift certificate.  She must hate me!

        Signed - She must hate me!

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
Naw, I don't think she hates you.  She's just a bad gift giver.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
She is clueless and has no taste.  But does she "hate" you?  I do think you're overreacting.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
Or else she wants to remake you in her image!

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
She probably wants you to look like that.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
If she hated you, she wouldn't be buying things that she obviously likes herself.  She is just clueless.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
She just sounds clueless.  My grandmother does that.  She's in her 60's and wears sweatshirts with ducks and teddy bears on them.  I'm in my 20's and I don't like that stuff.  She buys me those same types of sweatshirts all the time and sends them to me, even though I've told her that I don't care for them.  I just give them to the local shelter.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
My GM loved me dearly, but she could not buy me a nice gift.  Not that she didn't try, she was just gift giving stupid.  Your MIL likes something, and may hope that you'll like the same things.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
Actually, since she buys you things she likes, I would take it that she must like you.  If she didn't like you, she would definitely not give you things that she likes.  I'd bet that she just has no idea that you don't care for the same things.  It's better that she doesn't know, either.  At least she takes the time to pick things for you that are good to her.  Some people choose rotten gifts - this isn't the case.  They are rotten gifts to you, not to her.  Try not to be so hard on her.  I'm a DIL - I thought you'd like to know.

RESPONSE:  She must hate me!
She might just not have a clue.  These are probably things that she likes, so she's assuming that you would like them, too.  The size thing is kind of strange, though.  Have you told her, or tried them on to show her that they are way too big?  The house coat thing is too creepy.  Who wears these things?  Certainly nobody in their 30's.  Does she wear them?  Maybe she buys these things hoping you will give them to her.  That would be the only mean thing in this.

Worst gift:  For my last birthday, I was given nothing.  But, for the birthday before that, I was given a smutty paperback from my MIL.  Luckily, I received it in the mail, so she wouldn't have seen my facial expression, and no one (except DH), saw me open it.  Hmm, now she and I aren't close.  We don't share confidences and giggle like schoolgirls, so I don't know what she was thinking.  It seems like a slap in the face, if you ask me.  It was an interesting task to write the thank you note.  What a pig.

        Signed - MIL Thinks I'm Horny?

RESPONSE:  MIL Thinks I'm Horny?
What thank you note?  The gift was totally inappropriate.

RESPONSE:  MIL Thinks I'm Horny?
Mine gave me one about husband-swapping.  To be sure, it was kind of an offhand gift, like, "I need to get rid of these books."  But, I was similarly repulsed (note to myself:  Do not pass along smutty things to the next generation!).

RESPONSE:  MIL Thinks I'm Horny?
It's been two years, and this is still burning in your gut.  Do yourself a favor and try to let it go.  If MIL ever does something so inappropriate again, promise yourself that you will say something on the spot so it doesn't sit burning in your gut again.  You don't have to be nasty - just tell her that you don't enjoy racy material, and that it's not your taste.  And, then give it back to her so she can give it to someone who might enjoy it.

Worst gift:  I will make this short, sweet, and to the point.  For Christmas 2 years ago my MIL got me a pair of g-string underwear.  Actually, it was more like dental floss.  HOW GROSS, not to mention embarrassing!  Last year for Christmas, my lovely SIL got me a basket of edible body paints and motion lotion, and a vibrator!  WHAT A SICK FAMILY!!

        Signed - They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
Uhhh, how inappropriate.  They are obviously a little preoccupied with your sex-life.  Did they get these things as a gag?  Were they trying to be funny?  Gosh, it's really not funny.

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
Disgusting.  I find that when parents of grown children inject themselves into their children's sex lives, in ANY way, it is a terribly disturbing violation of privacy and appropriateness.  And, yet, I've read it so often at this web site.  I have some of these issues with my MIL as well.  Ick.

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
You should use those gifts to your advantage.  If they give you sexy undies again, say to DH, "The sooner we get home, the sooner you get to see me in these!"  Maybe then he'll want to leave asap!  Do that with any sexy gift.  Tell him that the sooner you leave, the sooner the fun starts!  Beat your weird ILs at their own game!

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
The G-string underwear is kind of gross and embarrassing, but not too bad.  The stuff from your SIL, however, is way out of line and GGGGGGRRRRROOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a bunch of sickos!

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
Sick, and in incredibly poor taste.  Where do these people COME from?!

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
What do they think, you're some kind of sex fanatic or something?!  That's gross!

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
That's disgusting.  You or your DH should tell them that such items make you uncomfortable.  Do they expect you to open them in front of others?  If so, that is unacceptable.  G-strings and edible paints from family are unacceptable.  I would tell them to stop it.  That is foul.

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
That's the strangest gift I've ever heard of from an in-law!

RESPONSE:  They Think I Need Help in the Bedroom Apparently
The next time you get underwear (or any other really intimate gift), say to the gift giver, "Oops, someone put this in the box instead of my gift.  Bet you didn't want us to know you owned one of those, huh?"  LOL.

Worst gift:  My MIL of 2 1/2 years is very, very frugal.  She buys me shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, etc., for Christmas, but ALWAYS in a little boy's size L or XL, or little girls size 14-16!!!  Now, I am 5'4" and 115 pounds, but yes, I do have a 34C chest!  None of this stuff ever fits right in the bust, and, excuse me, I am not into preteen styles.  I imagine it's always cheaper to buy kids clothes.

        Signed - Not Into Preteen Styles

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
Why not tell her?

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
How bizarre.  She must be cheap, or still think of you as a child.  Tell her that they don't fit, that you wear adult sizes, and that, considering this has been going on for some time, you just don't want her to waste her money when she obviously has mistaken your size.  Be upfront.  Good luck!

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
Time for the geriatric care gift basket!

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
It does not sound as if she is trying to upset or insult you.  Some people are just cheap.  If this is all your MIL does, count your blessings and donate the clothes.

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
Last year DH and I went to visit his aunt.  For Christmas, she bought us the most ugly teal colored sweatshirts.  These ugly things could not have cost more than $5 each.  I cut them up and used them as rags.

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
Wear one once without a bra to let her know that you have more than a little boy chest.  Make sure to "point out" to her that you are wearing the shirt she gave you.

RESPONSE:  Not Into Preteen Styles
Who knows why she buys you these sizes.  But as for cheaper, sometimes, but not necessarily.  I have 2 DSs, and there are times that my DH's and my clothes are cheaper or the same price as theirs.  This can happen at discount stores and "nice" retail stores.  The sad thing is that they usually get less use out of theirs, since they are nowhere near done growing.  Maybe your MIL sees these as "cute" and wants to buy them.  But, she really doesn't have anyone appropriate to buy them for.  My MIL buys things so she can say that she buys them, not so that anyone can use them.  "Oh, I bought X the cutest sweater set while I was in Europe."  Never mind that it is for a boy, looks very feminine, and doesn't fit.  And, by the time it will fit, DS won't wear it.  Of course, this is the same woman who bought DS pink rompers (notice the s on rompers) that were covered in hearts and flowers when he was a toddler.  She got offended when she asked me how I liked them, and I was politely honest and told her that they where cute, but more for a little girl.  Her response was, "Well, I liked them!"  I told her that I did too, for a girl.  DH didn't like anything girlish on his DSs (he hated a red sleeper that had faded and looked like a dark pink, even though no one besides us ever saw it).  So, needless to say, DSs did not wear the rompers.  BTW, I had a couple of friends with daughters who loved when MIL bought something girlish, as I would give it to them for their girls to use, and we would have a good chuckle over MIL's sense of style.  If you have any friends with boys, you could do the same thing.  Then, at least someone would get use out of it.

Worst gift:  I've read these AWFUL stories of "worst gifts", and I'm soooo sorry that they ARE awful!!!  But, I "think" I can top some.  For YEARS, when my husband and I got gifts from both MIL and FIL, my husband received designer items and got hundreds of dollars from them!  At least some of you guys got things that came from the dollar store!!  I got garage sale items!!  For a baby shower gift, I received about five used dresses - no tags mind you, and UGLY as can be!!  I got used shirts, pants, and, of course, never in my size!!  And, here's the topper - drum roll please: I got USED, garage sale, YELLOW-STAINED, maternity underwear in that "glorious" box as well!!!  Is that disgusting or what??  I get used cr@p all the time, while my husband gets wonderful, new things!!  And, you want to know why??  It is all because I won't let them "rule" my life and our kids!!  If you all have read "Toxic In-Laws", and I'm sure you have, I not only have the controlling in-laws, but the critical AND engulfing ones as well!!!!  How, in God's name, do you deal with THREE out of that book??!!!  Good luck to ALL of you!!  Prozac, anyone??

        Signed - Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!

RESPONSE:  Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!
Thanks for the chuckle.  I know!  I'll have some valium, please.

RESPONSE:  Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!
I hope you get back at her by laughing your butt off as you're thanking her for the "wonderful" gift.  Yuck, what a meanie she is.

RESPONSE:  Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!
How can one person show so much disrespect to another??  Your ILs have zero class.  Your DH should be very offended for you.  He should let his parents know that he will not accept their nice, expensive gifts if they continue to give his wife trash.  How can he stand for that?!?!

RESPONSE:  Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!
USED underwear?  That is just sick.  You have my sympathy.  Your MIL is a real piece of work!  What does your DH say about this?  I hope he tells his parents what to do with the brand new gifts bestowed on him, while his wife receives somebody else's hash-marked knickers!

RESPONSE:  Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!
Your DH should give back his gifts from them and tell them that, since they cannot respect his wife, and will actually give her used underwear (puke!), then you and he will no longer be around for gift giving.  And, you will be rethinking how much access you give them to see the kids.

RESPONSE:  Reality Check - I Am NOT A Homeless Person!!!
I think we can all agree that with stories like this, it's clearly the ILs, and NOT the DILs, who are behaving terribly.  So, when we know we're not to blame, why do we keep hurting?  I think that we all have to balance two things:  (1)  Sticking up for ourselves with dignity (without stooping to their level).  (2)  Learning to let it go.  Where is the wrong in telling your ILs that you don't feel good about receiving things like wrong-sized, second hand clothes and used, urine-stained underwear as a gift.  Tell them firmly, and with your head held high, that if they don't feel they can bring themselves to get you something that is not hurtful/insulting, they should save the little money and effort they spend on you, and not get you anything at all.  It would be best if DH is at your side and validating these words as you say them to his family.  But, if he won't do it, then do it for YOURSELF.  Best of luck to you.  Happy holidays, and regardless of whatever gifts you get from the ILs, I hope you enjoy the GREATEST gifts in life, which don't come in a box or with ribbons.  They come from our own hearts and the hearts of others.

Worst gift:  I have been married for 15 years, and I just love my MIL (yeah, right)!  She has 2 extremes when it comes to gift giving:  Either WOW or HUUUHHHHH?  My MIL knows enough about me to know that I love a specific brand name perfume, and this just ended up to be a HUUUHHHH? year.  Yep, you guessed it!  I got a $10 generic brand of that perfume!  Isn't that special?  And, to top that off, her best friend received a piece of fine china from her for Christmas.  I just smiled and bit my tongue!

        Signed - Biting My Tongue

RESPONSE:  Biting My Tongue
You were classy not to say anything.  No one HAS to give you gifts at any time.

RESPONSE:  Biting My Tongue
Hey!  At least she remembered what perfume you like!  It doesn't sound like you have it too bad.

RESPONSE:  Biting My Tongue
I Think you may be becoming blind with anger.  Sorry, I can't see what the problem was!!

RESPONSE:  Biting My Tongue
My goodness, aren't you spoiled?  You should be happy that you got anything!!

RESPONSE:  Biting My Tongue
That's nuts.  You would think that she would be embarrassed to give you that.  If she only wanted to spend 10 dollars, there are a lot of other things she could have spent the money on!  Some people do the strangest things.  At least she "thought" of you on Christmas.  That's more that I can say about my MIL!

Worst gift:  When we first started dating, my MIL tried to give me a shirt that belonged to my SIL.  This shirt was purchased when my SIL was 12 or 13 (at the time of this event SIL was 31).  It was made of polyester, had a white background, large frills, and huge blue polka-dots.  I refused to take it, saying that it must have sentimental value for my SIL, and I didn't go anywhere dressy enough to where it.

        Signed - It Must Have Sentimental Value

RESPONSE:  It Must Have Sentimental Value
You handled that very well.  Good for you!

RESPONSE:  It Must Have Sentimental Value
How bizarre!  Good for you for speaking your mind.

RESPONSE:  It Must Have Sentimental Value
What on EARTH are these MILs THINKING when they give these trashy, insulting gifts?

mother-in-law stories bd10358.gif


 


The Sister Knot, Apter
The Sister Knot
Why We Fight, Why We're Jealous, and Why We'll Love Each Other No Matter What


Secret Paths: Women in the New Midlife
Secret Paths
Women in the New Midlife


Working Women Don't Have Wives, Dr. Terri Apter Working Women Don't Have Wives
Professional Success in the 1990'S


To See More Books By
Dr. Terri Apter
Click Here.


           Back To The Top - Click Here

Search this site or the web powered by FreeFind
    

Site search Web search


DISCLAIMER: 
All advice on this website is for informational and entertainment purposes only.  All responses are from reader submissions unless specifically noted otherwise (such as Dr. Terri Apter advice page).  We do not endorse any of the advice.  We provide it to you as a service.  We can neither guarantee the soundness of the advice, nor make any claims as to the outcome of following this advice.  We provide it for your entertainment only.  Should you choose to follow any of the advice, it is solely at your own risk.  This is not intended to substitute for obtaining advice from appropriate sources and/or professional counseling.  We recommend you consult an appropriate professional, counselor, and/or a trusted advisor before taking any action based on this advice.  B A Squared, LLC and www.motherinlawstories.com make no representations or guarantees regarding any information dispensed on this site.

Your privacy is important to us.  Click here to view our Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 1999 - 2011, B A Squared, LLC.  All rights reserved.  Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of B A Squared, LLC is strictly prohibited.  All materials submitted (written or otherwise) to www.motherinlawstories.com become the property of B A Squared, LLC.  Submission of any material (written or otherwise) constitutes your permission for B A Squared, LLC to use, edit, reproduce and publish this material (in whole or in part) in any way it deems appropriate, and releases B A Squared, LLC from any and all liability associated with the publication of said material.

CONTACT US: To contact us for any reason, please use the email form on our Help Page which you can get to by clicking here, or email us at webmaster@motherinlawstories.com.