Help! How Do I Tell My Mother-in-Law Her Gift Was a Flop?

Hey everyone,

I really need some advice on how to handle a tricky situation with my mother-in-law, Vivian. So, here’s the deal: Vivian is one of those people who always acts like she’s struggling financially, but in reality, she’s quite well-off. It’s kind of her thing, you know? Anyway, she recently gave me a gift that was, well, let’s just say it was a total miss.

I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but the gift was something I would never use or need. It felt like she didn’t put any thought into it at all. I mean, I get it, not every gift can be perfect, but this one was just… ugh.

Now, I’m stuck in this awkward position where I don’t know how to tell her without hurting her feelings or causing any drama. My husband, Michael, thinks I should just let it go and pretend to like it, but I feel like that’s not being honest. My friend Ella suggested I gently hint that the gift wasn’t quite right for me, but I’m worried Vivian might take it the wrong way.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you handle it? Should I just suck it up and say nothing, or is there a way to tactfully let her know? Any tips or advice would be super appreciated!

Thanks a bunch,

Anna