Comments on: Ridiculous Relatives: When they won't shut up http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:07:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Julia http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/#comment-11351 Julia Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:43:45 +0000 http://www.etiquettedaily.com/?p=1471#comment-11351 Don't say anything -- gifts are never to be dictated by the recipient, even to say "please donate to a charity." Don’t say anything — gifts are never to be dictated by the recipient, even to say “please donate to a charity.”

]]> By: Tracey http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/#comment-1566 Tracey Mon, 24 May 2010 10:43:45 +0000 http://www.etiquettedaily.com/?p=1471#comment-1566 Another suggestion is to ask that if she insists upon gift giving, to donate to one of a few charities that you support (and name a few) in your name to spread the joy, with the suggestion that "my life is rich enough, and I would like to help make it the same for others!" Another suggestion is to ask that if she insists upon gift giving, to donate to one of a few charities that you support (and name a few) in your name to spread the joy, with the suggestion that “my life is rich enough, and I would like to help make it the same for others!”

]]> By: Daniel Post Senning http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/#comment-1565 Daniel Post Senning Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:29:16 +0000 http://www.etiquettedaily.com/?p=1471#comment-1565 Thank you for the good humor. I needed a laugh late in the afternoon. Thank you for the good humor. I needed a laugh late in the afternoon.

]]> By: Tea Jordan http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/#comment-1564 Tea Jordan Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:38:08 +0000 http://www.etiquettedaily.com/?p=1471#comment-1564 I would have been happy with a Glade Plug-in. In addition to clothes I can't wear, I once got a "fat ring" from my MIL for Christmas. You were to wear this cheap piece of costume jewelry and the pounds were supposed to melt right off. Nothing like being called fat on Christmas Day. I would have been happy with a Glade Plug-in. In addition to clothes I can’t wear, I once got a “fat ring” from my MIL for Christmas. You were to wear this cheap piece of costume jewelry and the pounds were supposed to melt right off. Nothing like being called fat on Christmas Day.

]]> By: Graceandhonor http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/#comment-1563 Graceandhonor Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:41:33 +0000 http://www.etiquettedaily.com/?p=1471#comment-1563 Your husband should say to his mother, early next fall, "Mom, Jane and I know its getting harder and harder to shop for Christmas and Jane has asked that you just worry about the kids this year. But, since I'm your favorite son, of course you can still remember me!" (Laughing required here.) If she frets at this notion, Mr. W needs to be prepared with specific gift suggestions (planted in his ear by you) for her, or better yet, offer to shop for you for his Mom! Tell him this is one of those times when it will pay for him to look after the two most important women in his life! Your husband should say to his mother, early next fall, “Mom, Jane and I know its getting harder and harder to shop for Christmas and Jane has asked that you just worry about the kids this year. But, since I’m your favorite son, of course you can still remember me!” (Laughing required here.)

If she frets at this notion, Mr. W needs to be prepared with specific gift suggestions (planted in his ear by you) for her, or better yet, offer to shop for you for his Mom!

Tell him this is one of those times when it will pay for him to look after the two most important women in his life!

]]> By: Mrs. W http://www.etiquettedaily.com/2009/12/ridiculous-relatives-when-they-wont-shut-up/#comment-1562 Mrs. W Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:52:25 +0000 http://www.etiquettedaily.com/?p=1471#comment-1562 When is it okay to tell your mother-in-law that she should stop getting you gifts at Christmas? For nearly 15 years I have put up with clothes I would never wear and don't fit anyway, fragrances and scented lotions I can't use because of asthma, jewelry I would never use because I don't wear jewelry, and gift cards to places I don't frequent. This year, the all-time low: a glorified glade plug in (that I can't use because of my asthma). I would love to tell her next year, please, just focus on your son and the grandkids; I don't need a thing. Help? When is it okay to tell your mother-in-law that she should stop getting you gifts at Christmas? For nearly 15 years I have put up with clothes I would never wear and don’t fit anyway, fragrances and scented lotions I can’t use because of asthma, jewelry I would never use because I don’t wear jewelry, and gift cards to places I don’t frequent. This year, the all-time low: a glorified glade plug in (that I can’t use because of my asthma). I would love to tell her next year, please, just focus on your son and the grandkids; I don’t need a thing. Help?

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