Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Regifting (Sort of)

One day last week as I went out to the mailbox, I found a package on our porch. To my surprise it was addressed to me! Glancing at the handwriting and the label-I saw it was from my husband's Grandmother who lives in Florida. I opened the box to find a letter written from her telling me the news from down South and describing how she "found" these items and thought to send them to me. Inside the box was green placemats with pink flowers and matching table napkins, more placemats rolled and tied with yarn, and a lace tablecloth. Lovely right? Let me show you a picture of the tablecloth:

Yes, that's right, it is yellowed AND has spaghetti sauce stains that were never washed out of it. I won't even go into how the rolled up placemats are discolored and sun faded...

So-needless to say I was annoyed. I know that his grandmother means well. I know that she has bad vision. However, her daughter that lives with her is the one that packaged the stuff up, addressed it to me, and mailed it to me. You mean to tell me she didn't look at this obviously regifted stuff before mailing it-knowing her mother has bad eye sight? You may think I am over-reacting but these people constantly are sending us their garbage. For Christmas they sent up a 3 tray set which was in a crushed box with a $5.00 price sticker. I remembered my mom had the same set back in the 80's that she ordered from Ltd. There is also the white "sugar/flour/coffee" cannister set they sent up that had gravy stains on it. Oh and how about the used books they sent my six month old at Christmas time. Used books are fine when they are in good shape and for older kids. Not when they have been obviously handled and worn and when my six month old puts everything in his mouth. I just wish they would stop sending us stuff! Please!

My MIL tried to defend the tablecloth to Jake on the phone: "There IS such a thing as brown lace." Yes there is, and this is NOT it. I told Jake I was going to wrap up the tablecloth and give it to her for her birthday in August, in the same condition I received it in. And then the truth came out. The stuff Grandma sent belonged to Claire. Claire? What happened to Claire? (Claire is the little old lady who lived next door.) Apparently she went to live in a nursing home and her daughter cleaning out her house, put these items in the trash at the curb. Grandma could not stand to see these "good" things be thrown out and promptly sent them to me.

Edited to say: After a few comments I have to add, I have no problems with regifting-if you got something you don't like but think I'd LOVE, that's great! However, I think trying to pass off something as new when it is obviously used and dirty is not cool. Also-giving a gift, just to give a gift, is not cool which I feel is the case here. "What can we give her for Christmas...hey where are those old cannisters, maybe she'd like them?" They are nothing I would ever buy, totally not my style. Why would you give a gift that is based on taste if you aren't sure what the person likes? Sometimes you can take a risk-but with big, heavy, white cannisters that say words on them? I think only certain people like that.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great items! Aren't you being a tad dramatic about the truth coming out? It wasn't as if your DH was hiding it from you. I'm sure it was released to you as soon as it was released to him. Perhaps you could salvage the table cloth and make some doilees (sp) out of it! hehe.

Joanne said...

Nice try JAKE! What does DH mean?

Anonymous said...

Your GIL is so sweet to have sent you those items! My GIL doesn't send me anything! I wish I could get some cool items like these in the mail for use in the garage cleaning up oil spills! Bring it on Exxon!

Anonymous said...

My grandma sent me some sweet stuff once. I think I hid it under a pile of dirt in the backyard. In fact I think it might still be there! I should dig it up! It's probably worth a mint now! WOOHOO Thanks for the thought inspiring blog!

Joanne said...

You should start your own blog. Did you forget about the lovely candy cup you got from your GIL? And how about that yummy cologne!

Anonymous said...

That candy cup and cologne was perfect gifts! The cologne helped me blend into the wilderness by making me smell like a pine tree! I did forget about those grand gifts! Thanks again for a wonderously grand postings!

Joanne said...

Yes folks "anonymous" is my highly edu-macated husband. Good job dear!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure that Anon is your hubby? Perhaps it is someone with an extreme obsession for dirty lace and low cost thrift store goodies! I HIGHLY doubt it could be your super-genius husband. ;-P

Joanne said...

An obsession for dirty lace-yep, sounds like Jake.

Anonymous said...

Oh my GOD that was funny to read! Yes, I think I'd have a problem too, when you kept receiving regifted items. I know you're supposed to think "it's the thought that counts", but when it continues to happen, it makes you think differently. It's one thing if it's a little kid and he/she doesn't have much to give so they give their teacher a paper clip or something like that, but an adult...and to continue doing it. I, personally, am not against regifting BUT...... ONLY if the gift is in good condition (or has sentimental "family" value) AND the peron giving it HONESTLY thinks it is something the person on the RECEIVING end will TRULY ENJOY! Some people may think it's wrong, but the way I look at it. I'd rather see someone like and use something that I won't. It's wasteful. Am I horrible? Oh, and I don't ALWAYS regift (see above stipulations). I actually spend a good amount on my family and friends between b-days and xmas.

Anonymous said...

Ewwww. I'd be a bit piseed off if that happened to me. My husband's grandmother doesn't like me, so I wouldn't be too terribly surprised.

Did you toss them?

Joanne said...

No-they are down in the basement on a shelf with all the rest of the crap-er-gifts. I'm thinking maybe I'll start sending it all back as gifts.

MommaBoo said...

Just wanted to let you know I played after you on "That's my Answer" for Wednesday, May 23, 2007. I'd love a beach trip, also...like in Hawaii (that was my answer!)

Thanks for playing! Happy "Hump" Day!

Anonymous said...

joanne (so glad you're using your name now!), that was HILAIOUS. and DH's comments (dear/darling husband) icing on the cake. or spaghetti sauce on the tablecloth. lol... i'd just throw it all away... that's what claire intended for it anyway... it didn't mean anything to YOUR GIL. :)