[Jessie'sMom]

So needless to say we're having a garage sale this weekend. MIL, who is wonderful, will probably be there and I know there are things that she's given us that I will be selling. I'm in serious decluttering mode and really don't want to bring any of it back into my house.<br><br>
WWYD?<br><br>
Should I blatantly sell the stuff? Should I just pull all the stuff right now and put it in the donate bag and make an extra trip so she doesn't see it? Mostly I'm worried about the holiday decorations--she gives us two place mats, napkins, settings--but our dining room table and all setting are for 6 people. So what to do with two easter egg colored place mats with bunny napkin rings? The theme to the holiday stuff is always 'country-ish.' Nothing in my house is country-ish.<br><br>
The other stuff is clothing that she's given dd. I know she's going to want me to save it. I have saved one outfit from her. I'd rather sell all the other clothing and get new stuff. And it's all stuff she's outgrown. But MIL saves EVERYTHING.<br><br>
how do I approach this?

 

[sonrisaa29]

Are you sure she'll remember every gift or piece of clothing she gave y'all? Does she get her feeling hurt easily?

 

[Steady101]

I would sell it.

 

[TCMoulton]

If you think that there is a chance that she will recognize the items then I wouldn't chance hurting her feelings if it can be prevented. A few dollars profit is not worth having your MIL mad at/upset with you.

 

[Jennisee]

I'd sell it. If she asks, just tell her that you're unable to use it so you're passing it along to someone who will use it.

 

[Ruthla]

If she's the type to get overly upset about this kind of thing, then it might be worth it to donate the stuff discreetly. Otherwise, I would just put the stuff out to sell, and if she notices that you're selling things she's given you, maybe she'll get a better idea of what kinds of things to NOT get you in the future. I mean, when you give a gift, then the item is no longer yours and you don't get to decide if the item is kept or not.<br><br>
Is there any way to not have her over during the garage sale?

 

[JessicaTX]

If any of it has sentimental value to her, let her take it and store it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[Ruthla]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>JessicaTX</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8000113"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">If any of it has sentimental value to her, let her take it and store it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"></div>
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Nah, let her BUY it! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[eightyferrettoes]

Haha! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
My brain says, "Sell it!!" but I know if it were me, I wouldn't really be nearly ballsy enough. I'd probably sack it all up and drop it off at a donation center.<br><br>
And RUN!!!!

 

[pookel]

I think it depends on your MIL. Mine doesn't mind that kind of thing much because they regularly declutter their own house as well. For things like baby clothes, I usually play dumb and say, "oh, we had so much stuff I couldn't remember where anything came from, so if there were any special gifts in here you can pull them back out." Actually, that's not just playing dumb, half the time I don't remember!<br><br>
If you don't think she will be terribly hurt (in which case, discreetly donate), I'd ask her to help you sort through stuff. Then she can point out things she really thinks you should keep (for discreet donation later on!), and she'll also get an idea of what you don't want/aren't using.

 

[tboroson]

My mother is an utter shop-a-holic, loading my kids up with crap out the wazoo (and it is mostly crap. She'd much rather buy 10 things for $1 each than 1 thing for $10.) And she remembers every single piece.<br><br>
Personally, I would sell the clothing that's outgrown. Tell her you have no room to store that much outgrown clothing. Let the chips fall where they may.<br><br>
I wouldn't sell the holiday stuff. That's not "outgrown" or otherwise obviously unneeded, and she could be really hurt by that. Sell that privately through the TP, or Craigslist it, or something like that.

 

[Cranberry]

I wouldn't sell it if my MIL was going to see it. I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings even if I think the stuff is crap. I give or throw away stuff she gives me that I don't want.

 

[Momtwice]

I went to my sister's yard sale and she was selling a gift I had given her recently. I felt bad for two seconds and then I got over it.

 

[catholicmama]

Will she be there the whole time? LOL Encourage her to come early and then put it out after she leaves!!!

 

[StrawberryFields]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Cranberry</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8000711"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I wouldn't sell it if my MIL was going to see it. I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings even if I think the stuff is crap. I give or throw away stuff she gives me that I don't want.</div>
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<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/yeahthat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yeah that">:<br><br>
I'm going through a similar situation having a yard sale and decluttering ds' toys. So many things that I'd rather get rid of that I could make money from ($40 drop and roar dinosaur, $40 Leapfrog Learning table, $35 FP Stride-to-Ride Walker, etc., etc.) but I know the people who gave the stuff to him will see it.<br><br>
I struggled with the decision but in the end I would feel so embarrassed if I went to a friend/family member's yard sale and saw a bunch of my gifts displayed out with a $1 price tag. I don't want to put anyone else through that.

 

[Blooming]

I would donate the stuff or sell when/where she doesn't know.<br><br>
My mother in law gives us a lot of this type of stuff. I'm forever donating it and kindly suggesting books, gift certificates etc.. So I know where you're coming from.<br><br>
You said you're mother in law was wonderful, and in the spirit of keeping things wonderful perhaps the money isn't worth the hurt feelings.<br><br>
I would struggle with this too. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Maple Leaf Mama]

We are facing the exact same issue.<br>
The IL's buy so much CRAP from garage sales and give it to us-it's unreal.<br>
She has some wierd obsession with chairs. Baby/kid chairs. One stuck of fresh pain so bad we refused to use it. (Oh, and the wicker was trashed on the back of the seat and DD could have cut herself)<br>
We have 4 or 5 chairs from her.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">:<br><br>
We started cleaning out te basement on Sunday for the first time since moving here 8 years ago. (We are dump and runners so it's pretty piled up)<br><br>
IL's are having a garage sale in a couple of weeks.<br>
We had to decide what to do.<br>
We decided to send all of their "gifts" to the Salvation Army to protect their feelings. But DH also said he would have a talk with them b/c it's a bit out of control.<br>
Their earts are in the right place. But they are not very discriminating.<br>
(Boy's clothes for a real girly girl etc)<br><br>
Good luck! I sooo feel your frustration!

 

[Jessie'sMom]

thanks-everyone's input has helped. in the long run, i dont want her to be upset by seeing something she's given us or dd, up for sale. she really is a wonderful MIL and although I don't care for her taste in much of anything...I'm not going to sell where she can see it.<br><br>
COMING SOON in TP: Gifts from MIL For Sale<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[Momtwice]

I think everyone on this thread should trade their unwanted MIL gifts with each OTHER so the MIL's don't see them.<br><br>
Someone in Texas could be selling placemats from a MIL in Seattle...

 

[Jay'smom]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>TCMoulton</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8000041"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">If you think that there is a chance that she will recognize the items then I wouldn't chance hurting her feelings if it can be prevented. A few dollars profit is not worth having your MIL mad at/upset with you.</div>
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That's how I feel, too. I'm having a garage sale with my best friend, so most of what she's given to me or DS goes to the consignment shop. If we didn't have that option I'd donate it. I don't think she'd really mind, but I wouldn't want to take the chance of hurting her feelings over something like this.