AH - MIL :) We Love Them, Right?

Wow - tough one. I had a SIL who did the same thing. Her Christmas gifts were always the most random bargains and never appropriate. Once she gave me the lotion from a perfume set, scrunchy aerobic socks and ho ho ho underwear two sizes too big - all wrapped together. However, she didn't really remember giving the items and she is no longer around.
I would pick and choose a little bit - maybe keep a few things around that aren't quite as bad, or keep them on hand to put on display if she is ever here for a visit. If you have plenty of storage room now could you put items in a box in the attic? If it's clothes - I would give them away.

Definetely get rid of the items you don't like or won't use and just don't mention them to your MIL. While I don't normally lie, I think telling your MIL the lamp was misplaced would be ok(not in front of the kids, of course). Ditch the train after this year. Donate the hat. Keep the boche ball set. It might be fun when it's warmer, if not, then give it away.

Maybe offer her some suggestions of things your kids could use so she can have those ideas when she goes bargin shopping- I did that when looking for a rocking cradle for my niece who is almost 2 years old- I found one at the thrift store(homemade oak with heart pattern on the ends with built in rocking chair for the toddler) Total price $ 10.00- I made the bedding for the cradle with supllies I had at home. what a deal better then a store bought one. My Sil normally doesn't care for 2nd hand stuff but when told her about this she was actually thrilled and can't wait to see it when they come in town after Christmas.
By giving you Mil ideas on what your kids like, she will know what they like and still can bargin hunt while shopping, This could be a win win situation. Good Luck!

I adore my MIL. She is a wonderful, caring women and she treats me like one of her own kids. But my MIL falls into the bargain trap too. And a garage sale...forget it. I know she will be stopping by with some random item. I just had to have a talk with her about it and I started being a little more honest (Wow. That's is neat, but it doesn't really go with his decor). I mentioned to her that the kids loved her unique gifts and I appreciated the thought. I just told her as honestly and as kindly as I could that we didn't want any more clothes that were stained (she's big on clothes for a quarter...which I have NO problem with. The problem is that they are too stained to use most of the time), that the toys couldn't be broken (broken toys are either dangerous or not played with) and I didn't have the room to store all the clothes for future seasons. She took it well. But I did this when we were alone...out to lunch I think. And I tried to stay positive. We still have moments when her gifts make me cringe, but for the most part things are much much better. I would definitely wait until after the holidays to make sure she doesn't stress over the treasures she has stored away for your kids.

My MIL does this too. It's an interesting position to be in. Luckily for me, my MIL has a horrible memory and doesn't remember much of what she buys, so my hubby will donate it the second she leaves. I leave these things up to him because I expect that he will be the one to explain where it went when/if she were to ask. She has bought "baby's first Christmas" ornaments with the wrong year on them, puzzles with missing pieces (VERY annoying for a 4 year old), and just general junk and trinkets that we don't need or have room for. I actually haven't had the "where is the ____ I bought you?" question come up yet, thankfully, so I'm not really sure what to tell you. I would let your husband handle those conversations since it's his Mom, personally. Although, my MIL manages to corner me when hubby isn't around on purpose to put me on the hotseat about things. Love that! I don't have any great advice for you, but just wanted you to know that you aren't alone.

We have relatives that do kind of the same thing. My hubbie's take is that they are buying presents more for them than for the receiver. (like your MIL is after the steal of a bargain more than the perfect gift).

We say a wholehearted thanks, have the item worn or used once in their site, take a picture & send a thank-you when appropriate --- then donate them. WE find they don't really remember them anyway.

I'm like you. I'm practical and really try to put myself in someone else's shoes and get what they will want. It's frustrating to me, but I've learned to do my best to let it go and move on. Even though it doesn't make any SENSE to me. LOL

Just be nice and say we dont have a lot of storage room for things we are not using right now. ANd people cant always expect you to like the same things they do. Let her know it wasn't your taste.

For the train - for this year display it with stuff in front or propped up so you don't see the missing wheels. After the holiday's go to Target and see if they have a left over on clearance, with all of the wheels. Next year don't put it up. If she asks tell her that you didn't have room.

For the hat - have him try it on. Take his picture then donate it.

For the lamp - tell her that the shade was busted in the move and didn't know how to mention it without hurting her feelings.

Have your Hubby.... talk to her.
She is HIS Mom.
I am sure, he grew up with her doing that too, and having stuff like that around... and having to... wear the icky things she bought them????

Tell Hubby, to talk to her....

all the best,
Susan

I am on the "Be gracious" side. I mean what does it really hurt that she gets you goofy stuff. I would probably have a space that I put all the things she buys and take it out of hiding when she visits. Why not make her feel good. I would not say anything to hurt her feelings. Not all MILs are as nice as yours.

Well, my grandma was like that... sort of.... she had so MUCH stuff she always had something to give away. We got a lot of broken toys from her, like dolls, and trains, and things like that, well my dad started fixing them, or teaching us how to fix them, like the train, since he doesnt know how to work with wood, he took it somewhere to have the parts missing remade and then had us sand and paint the wood, they were all good projects. My point is, at least with a few things you could turn them into a project, maybe?
Most things have a cycle, if it's past, because you don't have space or don't like it, well it's your gift and once its yours, you have the right to do whatever you need to with it.
Let them know that you really appreciate what they give you, and try to find the way to make that stuff usable, if it isnt, well, it just isnt and you'll have to let go of it.
Good Luck!