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Section: behavior, children, family, marriage

Dear Ann Landers,
I have always maintained it's the thought that counts when it comes to gifts. In that light, I'd like to know what you think. Over the years, my husband, our children and I have received an odd selection of gifts from my in-laws. They are always used -- from their attic, a thrift shop or a fire sale, or otherwise recycled. We have laughed it off, decided that they are eccentric and disposed of the gifts. I can understand used books, clothing, jewelry and toys, but last Christmas, they went a bit too far. Our teenage son received an assortment of used aftershave -- complete with mildew on the bottles. He just laughed and tossed it in the trash. My husband and I, however, felt insulted. These people are financially well to-do. They see our children only when they visit on birthdays or Christmas. They stay through dinner and leave just before dessert is served. Then, we don't hear from them until the next major event. When we ask them to spend more time with the grandchildren, they make all kinds of excuses for why they can't manage it. After being rebuffed numerous times, our children have stopped asking about them. Ann, if it's "the thought that counts," what thought can there be behind such insulting gifts? I hesitate to ask them, because I do not want to hurt my husband, but I would appreciate your opinion. -- Daughter-in-Law in Englewood, Fla.

Dear Englewood,
Here are a few adjectives: cheap, no-class, stingy, tightwads, and toss in stupid, weird and kooky, since they apparently believe they are getting away with it. How sad that they're missing out on their grandchildren's lives. When their crummy gifts arrive, just toss them in the trashcan, and let it go at that. Would you believe a woman in Minnesota wrote to tell me that last Christmas she got the same fruitcake she had given the woman two years before?

November 30, 2014 - 25 comments

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Comments:

Momma Reyes's Comment

Dear Daughter-in-Law, what a crazy situation! What stood out to me was that you didn’t want to hurt your husband. I get that. I love my husband too. So let’s brainstorm some solutions because family is important and we know there are no perfect families. Here’s what I’m thinking. Continue to invite your in-laws for family occasions. Ask them, in lieu of gifts, to bring the birthday cake or dessert or side dish. Have them participate in some other way and let them know you’d prefer no gifts. In the end, the important thing is time spent together, not the gifts.

Reader Comment

Please don't print "Shanika" or "Nancy's" stupid love spell or phony dr. odunga comments any more. They are both useless as their comments. Enough already! Put your stupidity on your Facebook page, not here. As for Momma Reyes's comment to "Daughter-in-Law, I don't think I'd want the in laws to bring something edible either. They most likely would not want to eat what they bring, either and neither would I. Just be forthcoming and tell them you don't want their used and useless 'gifts' any longer and would rather they just stop. I would let husband know my intentions ahead of time and he'd better man up and chime in on the conversation.

Locust Grove's Comment

Dear DIL in Englewood, You are a saint! I totally get where you are coming from on all angles! The holidays are coming and the anxiety is starting! LOL! My mother and father do the same thing at holiday time. It drives my siblings and I crazy! And, they can afford it as well. As our kids have gotten older, they know to just say thank you, and chuck it out or donate it after they leave. Our kids have plenty. You are a terrific role model for your children! Our parents grew up in a different time period where there was little to be had and had to work to achieve success and the things they needed. It's hard for them to part with the things they have worked for. And, what little they had, a lot was sentimental. My mother would wash and iron my grandmothers aprons that had holes in them to give to us. It's the thought. Kids nowadays, have so much! The kids will learn so much from you taking the high road. And, it is very important for the kids to know their grandparents. It's very sad that your in laws do not partake in the kids lives. My kids were blessed to have my parents time and energy. They were there for everything. However, my in-laws are the same as your in-laws. Token holidays, and the road only went one way. The first 25 years of our 30 year marriage, they wanted nothing to do with the kids. We were lucky if they came for a day once every two years, and we are just two hours away. They never came for one Christmas morning, to see the kids play sports, graduations, birthday parties, etc. My kids can tell you how many times that their grandmother has picked up the phone to call them thru their lives. Just once a year on their birthdays. And, the grandfather has never once called. He has never called his own son once in 30 years. Now, as they are in their upper 70's, my in laws expect the kids to want to spend time with them, and the kids could care less. It's so sad to me, as family is so important. Wishing you all the best! You have a great heart to be so accepting, and you are doing awesome! Keep inviting! You do not want to have any regrets, and I am sure your husband is grateful for your kindness!

Barb's Comment

I would have given the aftershave back and say, "you must have grabbed dad's after shave that was already open and used.

Reader Comment

I'd be curious to know if their gifts have always been like this. And why doesn't the husband address this with them?