I keep asking my mother-in-law to NOT send us potted poinsettias anymore. My husband has asked her as well. They are lovely large plants that are very unyielding to carry around to the bathtub to water, I have a terrible green thumb and feel guilty when I can’t keep them alive. Basically, she doesn’t have a clue as to what to send us for the holidays, so, she goes with an old standby. How do I tell her politely that they are more than a nuisance than I care to put up with ? I have told her that I do prefer a bouquet arrangement and I usually send her one with some trinket with it, ie: a candle, teapot or mug. She has told me that she would appreciate it if I were to stop sending the keepsake gift, so I have and only send her the flowers. How can I get her to remember not to send a potted poinsettia ?
kitkat2006-12-11T05:25:31Z
Favorite Answer
Don't bring it up again, take the plant to a nursing home or childrens hospital. They would love it....
Well it depends on if your relationshipp is good withyour mother in law or not or i should say how good is your relationship with your mother in law? Just honestly tell her they always say that honesty is the best policy anyway right? If she brings the plant over again just say, "Oh, another poinsetta plant, thank you..." just remember to drag the another in the sentence and she might catch on. When she asks if you don't like it then you say, "I just got so many of it from you before that's all but it should go along with the countless ones that you gave to us. All the same thank you." Well that is if you don't want to go the direct way and tell her that she has given you too many of plants before and you had enough. Works like a charm just drag the key words o give her the message that she could change her presents now and again.
As long as your husband agrees with you, you need to be less' polite'.This woman is obviously on a power trip since you have asked her 'politely' not to send poinsettias. Do one of two things, throw the plants out as soon as they arrive or keep trying to save them but give up the guilt. If you do decide to throw them out immediately, your husband should be the one to settle this. It is HIS Mother. He needs to let her know that she is being disrespectful to both of you by ignoring your wishes. Then offer to send her a list of preferred gifts. If she continues with the plants, she is going to be a problem your whole marriage ...so talk to your husband or get a third opinion from a counselor on how to deal with her. Then concentrate on your marriage and ignore the old biddy.
she is being caddy. that mean what i would do is send her the flowers that she does not want and send the poinsettias back to her she should get the message. if she asks just tell her you forgot and you sent the poinsettias back because you dont like to kill them. I'm like that also. if you have a child or dog or cat tell her they are poisonous and you dont wish to have them around. if that doesn't work give them to a neighbor or friend. good luck
You have told her and it has not solved the problem. It is time for a different approach. Thank her for the lovely gift that you were able to share with the residents at the nursing home. Tell her how much they were appreciated by these lonely people that would not have had a Christmas present without her