Beauty

[ivey]

I've told this story before; my birthday is in December. My MIL was extremely frugal although she had some means. The depression had really done a number on her.

She purchased me a matching pantset and called my own mother to see if it would be ok to give me the top for my birthday and the bottom for Christmas! My mother told her to just give it all together on one of the days and forget the other.

She shopped for the dress that she wore to my wedding at Goodwill. She was basically a good hearted person but she couldn't part with that dough.

[BeckiWV]

On 12/20/2014 NYC Susan said:

On 12/20/2014 Furry said:

I wonder why Mothers-in-law buy such insulting gifts?

Not all!

My MIL had sons, and was clearly very happy to have "girls" to buy for. She gave gifts to each DIL several times during the year, and spent quite a bit of money.

It always looked as though a lot of thought had gone into what she chose, and the quality of everything was high. Unfortunately, she & I had very different tastes, so I ended up with a nice collection of things I rarely used. Her other DIL felt the same way.

But I wouldn't have hurt her feelings for the world because her heart was certainly in the right place. And it was all done in a loving way, clearly bringing her much pleasure. She was a very good grandmother to my children, so that's the "gift" from her that I appreciated most, and in the end it was the only one that mattered.

What a nice post. I feel the same way about my MIL. I love her. She gave me her wonderful son and she has been an excellent grandmother to our children.

She feels so badly this year, however, because she can't Christmas shop anymore and is giving everyone money instead.

For the first time since I've known her, she is letting her daughter host Christmas instead of doing it herself. I told her that doesn't matter at all. We still have her and we will all be together for Christmas and that is all that counts.

[lory]

Oh boy some of those gifts are awful. I honestly don't think I've ever received a truly crummy gift. Regarding MIL's gifts, while I never received as nice a gift from her as her children received, it never was garbage. Fast forward in time, I spend more on my DIL because I love to buy for her after having two boys.

[luvmyteddy4]

From my ex-

one year was a pressure cooker

next year - a microwave

third year - pots and pans

fourth year - knife set

These were all gifts he wanted.

I finally said I will pick out my own gifts from now on.

I got nothing for Valentines Day, birthday or anniversary.

My MIL gave me nice jewelry.

My SIL gave my mom and I matching sweaters that an old lady would wear. I took it back to exchange it and found out she paid 2.00 for it at the Half Price Store.

[Hazel]

Many years ago, when I was in college, I had a boyfriend I was just crazy in love w/...I wasn't going to see him until after new year's so we exchanged gifts then...he gave me a clock radio...and told me he'd gotten it on sale after Christmas since he knew he wasn't gonna see me until after new year's...never felt the same about him after that 'cause it just showed me how little he thought of me...remember being really deflated over the gift and the way he tossed out at me so casually how he'd gotten it "cheap"...seems funny now though...probably because I've been married to a different man for over 30 years

[jeanlake]

Another MIL story. MIL has a reputation for buying sale items almost a year before Christmas. Stores won't even exchange items and refund or store credit amounts are low. MIL loves orange. It's not my color and washes me out. Last decade she bought me an orange sweater, size M. I'm busty and even when I'm at my thinnest I don't wear a medium. Husband groaned. I tucked the gift under the chair and didn't take it home. She called the next day and said I forgot the gift. I said -- No, I left it on purpose. It won't fit me, not my color, but you love orange and wear a "M" so just keep it for yourself. And she did. Even the grandkids know grandma doesn't give good gifts. Some people have a knack for it and others - not so much.

[pugvette74]

On 12/20/2014 circles said:

this wasn't a lame or bad gift...lets say a huge disappointing gift....my ex took me shopping for coats...I showed him the one I would like....a suede...way under $100.00.....so it wasn't the price...and he had plenty of money....instead of the coat...I got a pillow from some local store anyone could pick up off the shelf.....

To this day I still consider it my worst gift and it was over 50 years ago....

That is so sad he did that to you and you still remember it... Good he's your ex.

[Tommie1965]

I never forgot this one - - 5th grade gift exchange at school. The boy who got my name gave me a lint brush. We were kids so I blame his mom primarily, but I would have wanted to die before I would have given a classmate a lint brush as a Secret Santa present. We revealed ourselves to the person we brought the present for so he knew he wouldn't be anonymous. It's been 39 years and I still remember it - white plastic with a black "head".

[celeste27]

A huge gun-shaped nutcracker. (Practically rifle sized). You'd put the nut in place, pull the trigger and tiny shell and nut pieces would shoot all over the room. And no, it wasn't a gag gift!

[Kitlynn]

On 12/20/2014 BeckiWV said:

On 12/20/2014 NYC Susan said:

On 12/20/2014 Furry said:

I wonder why Mothers-in-law buy such insulting gifts?

Not all!

My MIL had sons, and was clearly very happy to have "girls" to buy for. She gave gifts to each DIL several times during the year, and spent quite a bit of money.

It always looked as though a lot of thought had gone into what she chose, and the quality of everything was high. Unfortunately, she & I had very different tastes, so I ended up with a nice collection of things I rarely used. Her other DIL felt the same way.

But I wouldn't have hurt her feelings for the world because her heart was certainly in the right place. And it was all done in a loving way, clearly bringing her much pleasure. She was a very good grandmother to my children, so that's the "gift" from her that I appreciated most, and in the end it was the only one that mattered.

What a nice post. I feel the same way about my MIL. I love her. She gave me her wonderful son and she has been an excellent grandmother to our children.

She feels so badly this year, however, because she can't Christmas shop anymore and is giving everyone money instead.

For the first time since I've known her, she is letting her daughter host Christmas instead of doing it herself. I told her that doesn't matter at all. We still have her and we will all be together for Christmas and that is all that counts.

My MIL was a wonderful women and I had her for twenty five years! She always gave me wonderful gift and I have a December birthday and she always went all out for that too! I am so happy that you get to have your MIL with you this year!! I am also pleased to read that others had a wonderful MIL too!!