If you got a gift you didn't like, would you tell the gift-giver that you don't like it?

What would you do?



My mother in law usually tells me she doesn't like what I get for her, and sternly tells me it needs to be returned. Then she will pester me in the days following Xmas to see if I have returned her gift yet.



This has made me question whether I should get her anything at all this year, I take offense to this behavior. I was taught to always be gracious and say 'thanks'! FYI, these gifts are very expensive items from high end stores, I'm really trying to get her something she'd like, not just some crappy gift.



This year I decided to send mother and father in law a large gift basket full of goodies instead of trying to get them each a thoughtful gift. Am I being sensitive, or am I right to feel this is really rude of my mother in law?

If you got a gift you didn't like, would you tell the gift-giver that you don't like it?
when i get something i dont like, i just give it to someone else next year, no big deal. you could always give her a gift certificate, that way you cant be wrong. yeah, you have the right to feel the way you do, this goes beyond insensitivity, it just being mean and disrespectful. if it were me, i would give her a dog turd in a box, then tell her if she didnt like it, she could return it.
Reply:You are 100% right. How ungrateful and rude she is! I hope she raised her son different! I think your combined gift basket idea is a very good one. She sounds pretty much un-pleasable and you've got to beat her at her own game! I truly feel sorry for you. It is a joy to give gifts to loved ones at Christmas, and she is ruining that for you!



i like the idea of giving gifts from you AND your husband. That's what me and my husband do. You might want to try that just one Christmas and see how she reacts. See if she says something similar to your husband and see how he reacts to it!
Reply:Wow! If she were MY mother-in-law, she'd _be_ so lucky to get the goody basket you sent!
Reply:Get your mother-in-law an etiquitte book; she desperately needs one.

It is beyond belief a person could behave so ungraciously. She must have it in for you.

Your husband needs to run interference and discuss this with his mother-- it's his job to smoothe things over.

You may want to have him shop for his parents and sign the card with both of your names.

A gift basket will probably get the same reaction from her, but good on you for trying.

Merry Christmas!
Reply:give her a gift card to a store you know she shops at.

or...tell her you've been too busy to return it, but she's welcome to.

I have NEVER asked someone for even the receipt so I could return something. I settle for the exchange or store credit.

RUDE
Reply:Don't tell them you don't like it. Regift it.
Reply:I applaud your willingness to continue giving her gifts. Do you notice her, outside of the holidays, appearing less than grateful for things? If so, then I wouldn't take it personally. It may be that she's just very hard to please and no matter what anyone gives her she just won't be happy. In this case, she has a problem within herself.



If it appears the problem is mainly with your gifts then I would give a gift basket, like you said.
Reply:NO SHE IS RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! I would get her a gift card and stick the reciept in there. If she doesnt want it she can be sassy and see if she can get the cash. WOW!!!! Im sorry I have mother-in-law issues.



I would stick to gift cards. Or a basket like you said. Good luck dear! Mother in laws SUCK hahahaah.



**EDIT** Before i get my behind kicked for saying mother in laws suck lol. BAD mother in laws suck!!!!
Reply:You are totally in the right. Some people are really hard to shop for and when you finally find something you think they will like, then give it, its like a slap in the face if they are rude about it. Since she seems to not like your gifts, I would go ahead and give her generic gifts i.e. gift cards to departments stores or resturants that way she can get what she wants. Good luck this year!
Reply:Next time, let your HUSBAND get the gift. Then see how HE likes it when he gets the criticism from his mother. Leave it TOTALLY up to HIM, and if he doesn't get a gift, let THAT fall upon his shoulders, too! Your MIL sounds like an ingrate to me, and may never change.





Have a polite day.
Reply:On the basic question, no. I would simply accept it graciously, and like it or not, use it if it is in any way useful. Otherwise, I might consider regifting it, but not within the same circle (so original giver would never find out).



Most stores will give you a gift receipt you can give with the gift. Then the person can do their own returning if they want to, and the giver will never know. You could do that, and then your in-laws can spend the time.



I think the gift basket is a great idea. No one will refuse that. (I hope.) Another solution would be to ask your husband or father-in-law to sound out your m-i-l as to what she would really like.
Reply:She is being rude. If she doesn't like it, she can return it herself. You don't ask the "gift giver" to return the item. This woman has some nerve. I wouldn't get her anything.
Reply:Keep it

say thank you

saying or doing anything else is just really rude on your part.
Reply:Nope I say you are totally right to feel this way next time just give a gift card that what me %26amp; my husband do to our in-laws and it's great nobody complains and they can but their own d**m gift.My mother in-law did that for her husband and every year he would complain and now she's gone so I bet he really regrets that last Christmas since she died so close to Christmas.
Reply:The correct response from your mother in law would be to stay quiet and, if she found the gift genuinely distasteful, return it herself.

She could then subtly hint in future about what she may prefer.



However, your correct response, in this instance, is to batter her over the head with the offending item and then claim you cannot return it as it is now damaged.



I hope she will then see the folly of her ways.