2007-02-05 07:03:59 · 43 answers · asked by animal-lover 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
get her something, and have your husband say it's from him. make sure it's something really stupid. she is not gonna complain if it came from her little boy.
2007-02-05 08:38:08 · answer #1 · answered by lidakamo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people won't be happy w/ anything you give, if it is starting to bother you that bad, go for the card. If she will complain anyway, she is the type that never learned that it was the thought that counts. You have even tried gift certificates and that wasn't enough maybe she didn't like the place. I know it sounds so impersonal but if I was asked what is the best gift for someone that is picky, cash is the best bet so they can get what they want/need. and say that in the card. Don't let it bug you, I know that it may hurt you feelings that you took the time to pick...don't let it, your actions are good, even if she is not appreciative.
2007-02-05 07:14:51 · answer #2 · answered by CJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put up with it. Some people are never happy, no matter what. I have a relative like that and I have just stopped trying. Like you, even gift certificates to their favorite stores weren't good enough. Now I just get them a book with a gift receipt . I pick a title that they might be interested in, so I try just a little, but I expect nothing. It's less stress for me that way. Their reaction is still the same. I spend my time and effort on the people who are not hopelessly negative.
2007-02-05 07:09:39 · answer #3 · answered by slipstreamer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you should ask her what is the most appropriate gift you should be giving to her? You can also add that it makes me feel uncomfortable to know that you don't like my choice of gifts so I will leave that up to you to tell me what gift would you appreciate getting? Believe me I am not trying to make you feel miserable in any way. Get your mother in law to give you a list of ideas that she may think is what she wants just so you have an idea.
INLAWS OR OUTLAWS? Grr to ex mother in law too
Does she has any hobbies? No collections? I started an angel collection for my grand daugther.
My ex mother in law loved her gift certificate when I picked her name for Christmas (I figured that she would buy herself an outfit).
2007-02-05 07:21:58 · answer #4 · answered by Emily L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cash beats gift certificates eight days a week. If that insults her go back to gift certificates, which are a boon to the seller and a great big bane to the receiver. Just ask Clark Howard.
2007-02-05 07:11:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you suggest that next time when you go shopping together, let her choose what she wants and then offer to pay for it. In that way, she shouldn't complain.
Not the same as a surprize, but sure would alleviate the complaining!
Also it may bring you two closer in bond and enjoy each other's company.
If she's not up for that, ask her if anything in life would make her happy? That should make her come to her senses .. maybe?
2007-02-05 07:10:29 · answer #6 · answered by Porshe B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother was the same way, after she died I found nightgowns that I had given her all packed away unopened and all the things I had bought for her at her request unused. I never achieved peace with that until I realized she used her displeasure to try to run things, and she was too unhappy to ever be happy and it had started long before I was born. You cannot change someone, just do what makes you happy, if its giving her gifts that end up being fodder for complaints, then figure you made her happy cause that's what complaints do for her.
2007-02-05 07:10:07 · answer #7 · answered by justa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she mentions the gift certificate again, tell her that you got her a gift certificate so you wouldn't have to listen to her complain about her gift. Be snide. What a ungrateful B*TCH! Women like that will never respect you if you don't stand up for yourself. You have to set it up that if she wants what YOU now have (her son, her grandkids, ect.) that she has to come thru you to get them. Then her tone will change.
2007-02-05 07:09:17 · answer #8 · answered by Chula 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do the "kill her with kindness" thing. Next time it happens, just say "Oh I'm sorry you're disappointed. I guess I'm just not as good about picking out gifts as you are. Maybe next time you can give me a list of things you'd like so I can get it right." (At the least, that should make her feel stupid for acting like an a**.)
2007-02-05 07:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by Jess H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is difficult to live with, but I guess you will have to accept her for who she is. Try to be gracious and I'd stay with the gift cards. Maybe a card that is good for more places than one. What else can you do? She'll probably always be this way. Just be sweet and there is no way her actions can be justified; you'll know this and so will your hubby.
2007-02-05 07:08:23 · answer #10 · answered by lulu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because she is your mother-in-law you have to give her something. So to cut down on your own frustration, just limit the amount you spend and do not work so hard in finding that perfect gift. From the sound of it you will never be able to please her.
2007-02-05 07:09:14 · answer #11 · answered by blu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋