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Woman Blows Up After Catching MIL Putting Her Tags On Gifts That She Didn’t Buy
Woman Blows Up After Catching MIL Putting Her Tags On Gifts That She Didn’t Buy
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Woman Blows Up After Catching MIL Putting Her Tags On Gifts That She Didn’t Buy

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Christmas is a time for reflection, celebration and spending time with your loved ones. For kids, it’s also that time of year when gifts are the focus of the day. But some entitled and selfish adults seem to insist on making gift-giving a sort of competition, which ruins the spirit for everyone.

A netizen wondered if they were wrong to be angry when their MIL started putting her tags on their gifts to their kids. After being confronted, the MIL refused to back down. We reached out to the person who shared the story via private message and will update the article when they get back to us.

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    It can be very fulfilling to get your loved ones some presents

    Elderly woman writing on a gift tag, surrounded by wrapped gifts in a festive setting.

    Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

    But one MIL decided that she wanted to hijack her in-laws gifts using her own tags

    Text about a woman upset after mother-in-law put her own tags on children's Christmas gifts.

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    Text describing a woman discovering gifts with tags already taped on.

    Text reads: Woman discovers MIL's gift tags on presents she didn't buy, confronts husband about the situation.

    Text discussing a woman's frustration over her MIL putting tags on gifts she didn’t buy.

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    Text about a woman confronting her MIL for putting her tags on gifts she didn't buy.

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    Woman looking upset while sitting on a couch, related to gift tag issue with MIL.

    Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

    Text expressing frustration over holiday gift tag dispute with mother-in-law.

    Image source: AtomCadaver

    Christmas gifts are not a competition

    Gifts wrapped in festive paper under a decorated Christmas tree, highlighting holiday surprises and family gatherings.

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    Image credits: Eugene Zhyvchik (not the actual photo)

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    Most folks who celebrate Christmas, rightfully, have fond memories of it. The decorations, the delicious meals, the time off, the magical snow falling outside. If you had a more traditional Christmas you would also open gifts and perhaps even give some, both activities that tend to be associated with a healthy dose of joy.

    After all, it’s a great time to surprise your loved ones, or, at the very least, spend some time with them. However, as this story demonstrates, there are always a few people out there who can’t help but make it about them. Christmas is not and has never been a competition, but this MIL has gone even further, “cheating” on a “contest” she invented. Unfortunately, this is still how many people perceive what should be the very pure act of giving a gift.

    If she really wanted to go head to head with the kid’s parents for gifts, she should have put in the effort herself. It’s nice that she helped wrap them, it can really become a chore in so many cases, but then adding a tag clearly stating who is giving them is a step too far. It also seems like an effort to undermine the person who actually paid for the gifts in the first place.

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    After all, now the parent has to make a fuss about who actually is providing the gift, which can seem a bit petty. Arguing over costs like that is uncomfortable and sometimes a bad look, which is perhaps what the MIL is planning to use to defend herself. She also brings up the patently ridiculous idea that demanding proper tags is “ruining” Christmas, which is both manipulative and just absurd.

    This person deserves a spouse that would actually back them up

    Woman wrapping gifts at home, inspecting tags carefully.

    Image credits: Ave Calvar (not the actual photo)

    Unfortunately, the person’s husband also doesn’t seem to be helping, which is often a hidden but key component when it comes to in-law drama. Most folks understand that they have to put up with some weirdness from big family gatherings, but it’s a lot more bearable if your spouse has your back.

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    Otherwise, like in this story, you end up at an in-laws house, outnumbered and out of your comfort zone. As many commenters write (examples can be found below) this person doesn’t just have a MIL problem, they have a husband problem as well. It’s honestly surprising that he also isn’t offended that gifts he, presumably, helped provide are just being claimed by someone else.

    Unfortunately, this might just be one in a series of weird behavior she inflicts on people. There is no reason to back the mother over one’s spouse in this case, unless you have been thoroughly conditioned to not care. Her using the idea that this might be her last Christmas at the age of 71 is just icing on the cake.

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    After all, if she was in such bad condition that she might not last another year, how exactly was she carrying and wrapping gifts in the basement? Ironically, behavior like this might actually ensure this is the last Christmas they spend together, because it’s selfish, entitled and just downright bizarre. Some people have a very inflated sense of self, particularly when it comes to family.

    Most thought the netizen was not to blame

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    Text screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a woman upset about her MIL putting her tags on gifts she didn't buy.

    Comment reacting to MIL putting fake tags on gifts she didn't buy.

    Text post discussing reaction to a mother-in-law putting tags on gifts she didn’t buy, causing outrage.

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    Text response criticizing MIL for taking credit for gifts she didn't buy.

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    Comment discussing gifts, tags, and family dynamics involving a woman's mother-in-law.

    Comment discussing MIL putting her own tags on gifts not purchased, suggesting a solution.

    Text message about conflict over gifts, mentions MIL claiming credit.

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    Reddit comment discussing how a woman caught her mother-in-law putting tags on gifts she didn't purchase.

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    Reddit comment criticizing a MIL for taking credit for gifts not bought by her.

    Reddit comment about a woman catching MIL putting tags on gifts she didn't buy.

    Text screenshot discussing catching MIL putting tags on unpurchased gifts.

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    Screenshot of a comment about a woman upset with her MIL over gift-tagging.

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    Text comment discussing a situation where a woman caught her MIL putting tags on presents she didn't buy, advising to confront the issue.

    Comment discussing woman's reaction to MIL putting tags on unbought gifts.

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    Text excerpt discussing woman's reaction to MIL claiming credit for gifts she didn't purchase.

    Text post reacting to a situation about a woman discovering someone putting tags on gifts they didn’t buy.

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    Reddit comment discussing anger over MIL putting her tags on gifts not bought by her.

    Reddit comment discussing a MIL putting her own tags on gifts she didn’t purchase, suggesting switching tags back.

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    Comment discussing a woman's reaction to MIL putting tags on gifts she didn't buy.

    Comment on Reddit thread about gift tags and MIL issues.

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    Text response discussing frustration with MIL placing her tags on gifts she didn't buy.

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    Comment suggesting swapping tags on gifts to prevent removal.

    Comment discussing a woman's reaction to MIL putting her tags on gifts.

    A few thought they also need to handle their unsupportive partner

    Reddit comment about handling MIL putting her tags on gifts, advising resolution through husband.

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    Reddit comment discussing a family issue related to gift tags.

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    Comment discussing gift credit, reflecting on priorities when a woman catches MIL labeling gifts not bought by her.

    Text discussing mother-in-law putting tags on gifts and a humorous response about whispering to kids who the gift is from.

    Comment discussing the concept of labeling gifts, hinting at a familiar holiday tradition.

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    Text conversation discussing a woman upset about MIL putting her tags on gifts she didn't buy.

    Some even saw the MIL’s side of things

    Comment advises buying more gifts for a family Christmas, mentioning husband and Walmart.

    Reddit comment discussing family dynamics after a gift tag incident with mother-in-law.

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    Comment discussing the importance of family over gift tags, in response to a woman upset with MIL.

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    Comment on husband and MIL disagreement about gift tags.

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    Justin Sandberg

    Justin Sandberg

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. Despite being born in the US, I ended up spending most of my life in Europe, from Latvia, Austria, and Georgia to finally settling in Lithuania. At Bored Panda, you’ll find me covering topics ranging from the cat meme of the day to red flags in the workplace and really anything else. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, beating other people at board games, cooking, good books, and bad films.

    Read less »
    Justin Sandberg

    Justin Sandberg

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. Despite being born in the US, I ended up spending most of my life in Europe, from Latvia, Austria, and Georgia to finally settling in Lithuania. At Bored Panda, you’ll find me covering topics ranging from the cat meme of the day to red flags in the workplace and really anything else. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, beating other people at board games, cooking, good books, and bad films.

    What do you think ?
    Nina
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy probably didn't mind because he hadn't put any effort in gift-buying anyway (and maybe couldn't say no to mummy dearest)

    Lyoness
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My first thought too. As someone else suggested, let him decide which presents should be from his Mum, but WITHOUT unwrapping them. If he can't name them, Grandma can't claim them. Bet anything OP did all the shopping and he won't be able to. OP therefore gets the credit. Problem solved.

    Load More Replies...
    Traveling Lady Railfan
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing like hijacking Christmas to put peace, love and joy in your heart. Just take a pair of scissors and cut the "from" on the gift tag off real quick .You could do this in seconds. Snip snip snip snip snip. The kids honestly aren't going to care. As long as you know who the gift is for.

    MegDragon
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m happy to help people if they can’t afford a gift, and not have my name appear anywhere, but we need to come together and arrange that. Don’t take gifts that already exist and ask if you can lie to my kids about them.

    Load More Comments
    Nina
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy probably didn't mind because he hadn't put any effort in gift-buying anyway (and maybe couldn't say no to mummy dearest)

    Lyoness
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My first thought too. As someone else suggested, let him decide which presents should be from his Mum, but WITHOUT unwrapping them. If he can't name them, Grandma can't claim them. Bet anything OP did all the shopping and he won't be able to. OP therefore gets the credit. Problem solved.

    Load More Replies...
    Traveling Lady Railfan
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing like hijacking Christmas to put peace, love and joy in your heart. Just take a pair of scissors and cut the "from" on the gift tag off real quick .You could do this in seconds. Snip snip snip snip snip. The kids honestly aren't going to care. As long as you know who the gift is for.

    MegDragon
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m happy to help people if they can’t afford a gift, and not have my name appear anywhere, but we need to come together and arrange that. Don’t take gifts that already exist and ask if you can lie to my kids about them.

    Load More Comments
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