Grandkids Gift Guide: If Only My In-Laws Would Read It

My in-laws might possibly be the worst gift givers. They buy just to buy just to buy and that equates really cheap crappy loud terrible things that I feel bad about giving to Goodwill.

Yes, it's that bad.

Try bouncing plastic easter egg that screams "Wooly Bully," two rubber ducks that quack 6 songs in a row with no volume control, and two kid sized Dora and Diego stuffed dolls (ew).

That was just EASTER.

It was really my fault because I didn't specify Easter gifts. Apparently I have to do it for every single holiday.

Christmas wasn't too bad -- we begged them to send us money (which we said they didn't have to do at all really). And they did. Stuffed in a box with a ton of toys.

Ugh.

So, we've both almost given up. The only thing that we've found that works is that we tell them specifically what the kids like. And say the kids like it. Not us. "Oh she realllllly wants a cash register" or "He reallllllly wants a truck."

And then they'll buy it. And a bunch of other things. But at least they'll buy one thing that they'll use.

I really loathe this situation, and I wish it could be better. It ends up being a super duper big ass waste of stuff. I understand they're the grandparents and they want to spoil the kids, but the money could be used in so many better ways.

How do you deal with grandparent gifts? (Share them on your own blog and you can win prizes!)

Comments

[Daisy]

In this age of excess, generosity can be too much. It's not ingratitude; it's a reality check.

[manda]

I get what you are saying. My 2 year old's 2nd birthday party was yesterday and my MIL showed up with some dollar store junk so she wouldn't be "empty handed". She did buy her a nice set of table in chairs. I don't understand the need to give junk. It's wasteful. I usually just freecycle the stuff I don't want.

[manda]

I get what you are saying. My 2 year old's 2nd birthday party was yesterday and my MIL showed up with some dollar store junk so she wouldn't be "empty handed". She did buy her a nice set of table in chairs. I don't understand the need to give junk. It's wasteful. I usually just freecycle the stuff I don't want.

[manda]

I get what you are saying. My 2 year old's 2nd birthday party was yesterday and my MIL showed up with some dollar store junk so she wouldn't be "empty handed". She did buy her a nice set of table in chairs. I don't understand the need to give junk. It's wasteful. I usually just freecycle the stuff I don't want.

[susiej]

I echo this post... exactly. It's really such a shame to have all the effort, time and expense wasted!