“Shattered Gifts and Family Feuds: Is It Wrong to Withhold Payment After a MIL’s Mishap?”
Navigating the world of gift-giving can sometimes feel like preparing for a high-stakes game—especially when it involves in-laws! You know, those family members who can either be a joy or a puzzle to figure out. If you’ve ever found yourself sweating over what to present your mother-in-law, you’re not alone. Let’s face it, choosing the right gift is a delicate balance of thoughtfulness, humor, and just the right amount of charm. But what happens when a supposedly funny gift backfires spectacularly, landing your dear old mother-in-law in the hospital? Oh yes, that’s exactly the mix-up we’re diving into today! Join me as we unravel the chaos of misplaced humor and discover some expert advice on the art of mother-in-law gifting that might just save you from a similar fate. Ready? Let’s jump in and explore this wild ride! LEARN MORE
Certain people in our lives are just trickier to buy gifts for than others. Some folks in relationships find this to be particularly true with their in-laws. They might not know them well enough or get along with them, so an occasion requiring a gift for them becomes a bit of a headache.
But not for this guy. He thought that he picked out the perfect funny present for the woman who raised his spouse. However, it completely backfired, sending his mother-in-law to the hospital.
Scroll down to find the full story and a conversation with Kelsey Hartung, chief gift designer and founder of Give Wrapped, and Pippa O’Brien, gift expert and founder of Gifted Consulting, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about choosing gifts for the mother-in-law.
Picking out presents for certain people in our lives sometimes can require more effort
Image credits: Pressmaster/Envato (not the actual photo)
However, this guy picked out a gift he got for MIL quite easily, which completely backfired on him
Image credits: bopmart
Image credits: dvatri/Envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: GrapeCreamJuice
44% of men and women experience issues with their mother-in-law
If we were to once again perpetuate the stereotype, most people have a rocky relationship with their mother-in-law. But is it a stereotype if science proves it to be true? Well, either way, a study published in The Evolutionary Psychological Science journal found that 44% of men and women experience issues with their mother-in-law, more than with their own mothers. Of course, not every mother-in-law is prone to clashing with their children’s spouses, but they’re still not the easiest to shop for.
To avoid situations like in this story from unfolding, we reached out to Kelsey Hartung, chief gift designer and founder of Give Wrapped, and Pippa O’Brien, gift expert and founder of Gifted Consulting, who kindly agreed to share some ideas for gifts for mother-in-law and told us what’s better to steer clear of.
Before buying a present for the mother-in-law, Hartung suggests that the person considers their relationship with her as well as her personality, interests, and lifestyle. “Think about what she enjoys. Does she love gardening, traveling, or reading? A good gift also depends on the relationship. If you’re close, something more personal can be meaningful. If you’re still getting to know each other, a classic, elegant gift is a safe choice,” she advised.
“And sometimes, a physical gift isn’t even necessary. A heartfelt handwritten card can be just as meaningful, or if the relationship doesn’t call for a gift, that’s okay too. But if you do give something, presentation matters. A beautifully wrapped gift can turn even the simplest present into something special,” Hartung said.
“Most in-laws do not expect a separate gift from their kid’s spouse,” additionally notes O’Brien. “So you can just choose a gift as a team and sign the card together—or even from the whole family if your in-laws are also grandparents.”
“If you know she doesn’t enjoy getting funny gifts, then stick to thoughtful ones instead”
It’s especially important to remember to reevaluate the relationship with the mother-in-law if the person is thinking about giving her a jokey present. “If she loves to have fun and joke around, then including a “gag gift” is ok. But you 100% need to give her something nice and non-joke-related in addition to the gag so she doesn’t feel like she’s being mocked or is unappreciated,” said O’Brien.
“If you know she doesn’t enjoy getting funny gifts, is easily upset or just doesn’t have a great relationship with you, then definitely steer clear of gag gifts and stick to thoughtful ones instead.”
“It depends on the relationship and her sense of humor. If she loves a good laugh and you know she’ll appreciate it, a playful gift can be great,” agreed Hartung. “But it should never be something that could be misinterpreted or feel like it’s at her expense. If there’s any doubt, it’s always better to go with something thoughtful.”
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