How to look a corporate gift horse in the mouth

I read Ms. Communicate's response, and she is a nice lady, maybe too nice. If Wants parents aren't alchoholics or something they can probably withstand a more direct but abrasive hint from their "veggie hash house" child. I think I might send the flesh eater restaurant gift certificate back to them with a note that reviewed what I had already told them about my diet. And, if they still don't get it after a few years, cut off the nursing home payments. Then, watch how fast dad and mom get their act together.

Denying them access to grandchildren works, too.

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Originally posted by Robespierre:
[b]I read Ms. Communicate's response, and she is a nice lady, maybe too nice. If Wants parents aren't alchoholics or something they can probably withstand a more direct but abrasive hint from their "veggie hash house" child. I think I might send the flesh eater restaurant gift certificate back to them with a note that reviewed what I had already told them about my diet. And, if they still don't get it after a few years, cut off the nursing home payments. Then, watch how fast dad and mom get their act together.

Denying them access to grandchildren works, too.[/b]

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Perhaps a nicer and more constructive response, would be to talk to the parents about it. If they continue to do the same thing, donating the gift certificates to a food bank or to someone who cannot afford food.

Well, Michelle, if you do, I'm sure heads will roll.... [img]cool.gif" border="0[/img]

[img]http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/272/headkh8.jpg[/img]

Things can happen when children are ignored.

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Originally posted by Robespierre:
[b]I read Ms. Communicate's response, and she is a nice lady, maybe too nice. If Wants parents aren't alchoholics or something they can probably withstand a more direct but abrasive hint from their "veggie hash house" child. I think I might send the flesh eater restaurant gift certificate back to them with a note that reviewed what I had already told them about my diet. And, if they still don't get it after a few years, cut off the nursing home payments. Then, watch how fast dad and mom get their act together.

Denying them access to grandchildren works, too.[/b]

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Yeah, because punishing your kids for your parents' actions will make your life that much easier... [img]rolleyes.gif" border="0[/img]

I'd talk to them about it, make some other suggestions, and if they continue, say thanks and pass the gift on to someone who can use it. Looking a gift horse in the mouth is just plain rude.

My mother and MIL often buy me stuff I don't want and/or won't use like perfumed bath stuff I'm allergic to or kitchy stuff I have no room to store -- the latest was a ceramic, pumpkin-shaped soup tureen with a ladle that holds about a teaspoon of liquid. Not only hideous, but stupid and such a waste.

At this late date, I just say thank you and pass it on afterwards to someone who will use the gift. Although the tureen has me stumped as to who might use it and currently resides in a box in my basement until I get a brain wave.

Can't we just tell people we don't want that stuff?

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Originally posted by RevolutionPlease:
[b]Or even better, refuse to accept it? [img]biggrin.gif" border="0[/img] [/b]

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When it comes to family, no, not without more fallout than it is generally worth.

We tried approaching family members about not buying us gifts. Siblings were no problem. Both my mother and MIL continued to buy us stuff anyway. I spoke to my mother about it, and she told me she would spend her money on whatever she chooses, and that I was making her feel unwanted and unappreciated. She obviously felt very hurt. Refusing a gift after that conversation would have created even more bad feelings and drama. Sometimes it's better to accept peoples' quirks and get along with them than to push buttons to prove a point.

You know, I was only joking about cutting off retirement home payments. A much more effective punishment for parents who will not listen is to get them banned from Babble.