I'll just say it: my Mother in Law (MIL) isn't the greatest. She likes to use guilt and underhanded insults to get her way. She whines about everything my Hub does, she's unhappy with every major choice we make. She's very rarely grateful for anything. Hub never bought her gifts until I made him because her response if invariable: oh...you didn't need to get me anything.... . Did I mention that if you don't get her anything, she whines that she's unloved?
So, needless to say, Hub and I were shocked when she seemed to genuinely appreciate the Mother's Day Throw I knit her. She actually complimented it and thanked me.
Which leads us to the Christmas Conundrum of 2005:
Do I knit her Clapotis, which I know she'd love (even if she didn't gush) or do I buy her a cookbook and not waste my time, talent and energy stressing it? I've been going back and forth on this for days, weeks...I just can't convince myself to pick one, so I leave it in your hands, dear readers.
Vote and I'll obey:
Leave a comment to let me know why you picked what you did and share your own stories of ungrateful recipients!
Christmas Conundrum
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3 comments:
I voted NO on issue MIL Christmas Conundrum. Here are my reasons...
You don't want to make her something amazing too often. She'll get used to it. Not so much like she'll come to expect it, but that she'll not be as impressed/grateful/thankful/insert another rarely emoted human response. I think her to be someone who would "old hat" it sooner than desired.
I'd say knit her something else, but all the more reason for her to "old hat" it off. Plus, would she wear fingerless gloves?
I say, stay fresh, stay spicey. Leave yourself room to keep wowing her. Don't let her get settled. Wait for the time when she thinks she just can't get another cookbook, then BAM... a sweet ass knitted work of art to take her breath away (cause really, let's face it, that's what you want... a breathless MIL). That time is not now. She can handle a cookbook. Pace yourself. Do not knit in vain.
I voted to knit her the Clapotis...but after reading the above comment...there is a good point there.
The problem with knitting "not having to be done" for everyday living and that the Malls carry the machine made knits leaves us to wonder, why do we knit at all? Especially for those who just don't appreciate it. The time, effort, frogging and the expense, good yarn is expensive people...why oh why do we put ourselves through the ringer?
Now your Christmas Conundrum has left me wondering should I really be knitting presents for anyone at all?
So, knit up a simple cable scarf and wrap the cookbook in it...save the Clapotis for another time or a great friend.
Good holiday knitting to you...Sherrill
That's a difficult one. I can't say that I disagree with the others, but what does your heart tell you?
I did knit something for everyone last year, and the only one who wore theirs was a co worker. She and my mom were the only ones to thank me. My beloved best friend's children use my knitting gifts as dress up stuff that stays in a box most of the time.
But that's not why I knit (recognition and adoration).
Being a Christian, my feeling is to tell you that you never know when this woman might turn around and her heart might melt.
Perhaps you should knit her a simple scarf like Sherrill said, but pray for her the entire time you are knitting it.... Your time will not be wasted at all and you will truly be giving something from the heart whether she knows it or not. What she thinks does not matter. Remember the meaning of Christmas and knit not for your MIL's approval, but to please Father in Heaven!!!!
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