Hellobee Boards

Would they notice if you exchanged them, like ask why isn't he wearing that Dr. Seuss shirt I bought him? Or do they not come around enough. If they push the issue, maybe send them links of things you like?

My mom always texts me about her carters/osh kosh points coming up on expiration, but the difference here is I send her a shopping cart and she pays for it. I don't NEED her to buy clothes for him, but I know she wants to, so I let her.

My husband is similar to you. I don't care as much but I decline since I know they'll never be worn. Usually I just say "we're actually all set for pjs/winter clothes/etc, but thank you for the offer!"

My MIL is an overbuyer and I get annoyed by it too - we have different taste, she often gets the wrong size but also takes the tags off many times. I exchange when I can, usually I try to keep a couple things so she can see them (she buys enough not to notice what’s missing). If I can’t exchange, I let them wear it once and take a picture, or I save it to wear during visits. Or sometimes I just end up eventually donating because if it doesn’t fit what can you do?
What I’ve discovered in my situation is the buying brings her the most pleasure - she cares less how much or if they wear it. So I let her do whatever she likes and don’t rock the boat.

@annem1990: yeah the asking would totally annoy me too, but in my situation I don’t know if there would be a way to stop it. You have my sympathy!

My mom and MIL do not generally ask what we need, things just show up either in person or mailed. If I hate it I generally return it for something else even though I find that to be a giant pain and we have carters near my work and daycare so its not even like I have to go out of my way. If I absolutely know that an outfit needs to be worn I try and snap a picture of her in it with the tags still on then I return the outfit anyway and it gets blamed on a blowout or being in the wash when asked why they haven't seen her in it recently. I typically go next size up or really practical basics when I do this, every now and then I replace the cute not to my taste outfit with something I do find cute. My husband doesn't love that I do this but generally my mom and MIL can be a bit clueless and I would rather have clothes E can wear.

My mom does this, and I dislike it too. We have very different taste, and she doesn’t take hints. Like I have told her three times recently how/why I dislike velour, and she just uses that as an opportunity to explain to me how much she likes it!

My MIL does this. Well she doesn’t ask first, just shows up with stuff. It’s never my style but some of it is okay. I exchange most of it and keep a couple things. I agree with @bhbee: it brings her a lot of pleasure so I don’t let it bother me.

Meanwhile my mom is the exact opposite and will only buy things I pick out myself. We have a running Pinterest board with gift ideas (or clothes ideas when she asks for it). I add a bunch of stuff I like and that the kids need and she picks what she likes from there.

I told my mom that we had gotten more cute hand-me-downs than we know what to do with, and that there is no more space anywhere in my house (all true). Thankfully she took the hint and has not bought clothes...

@annem1990: Same as PP. My mother asks me what we need and follows specific instructions. MIL does not. So I shrug, let him wear the stuff around her once or twice and donate.

I’m picky about what my kids wear too. If they receive something I am not a big fan of, I thank the gifter and then either 1) make it a preschool outfit; 2) make it a backup outfit that preschool keeps in case an outfit change is needed; or 3) sell it on my local b/s/t page. (Assuming you can’t/don’t want to just straight up return it.)

Even carters makes more plain things (solids, stripes, etc.) so I would just choose something like that (and if it's still not great then just use as PJs or extra clothes or something like that.) or I would just say he needs plain socks. Or underwear. BUT depending on your lo just be prepared that your lo may start liking things you don't and unless that's a battle you want to have with your child, you might have to just get used to certain things anyway.

@Pollywog: this is a great idea!

Worst case, if you are still getting clothes either donate them or keep them as backups. We have a similar situation. We live in a climate where it’s 90 degrees every single day and my MIL will gift long sleeved items or clothes made with heavier fabrics, or items that are more formal. Even though (thankfully!) her tastes have evolved and are more in line with my LOs, we literally can’t use the clothes.