I always say I'm NOT sending gifts to the in laws because they don't appreciate them. But, hubby likes my aprons, so I thought I'd just make one for all of them.
This one is just pinned at the moment.
What do you think?

The breeze was blowing, so that's why there is a bit of distortion on it.

I feel your pain with UNAPPRECIATIVE family members. That is a call only you can make... will they even say thanks I got the package.

Good Luck with that decision.

Personally I say NO... I gots to much sh to do to be wasteing time on people who won't appreciate it.

But hey that is just my opinion!

See, that's the problem. If I don't send anything, then they'll call and ask if the package was sent/lost. When I tell them I didn't send them anything, then they call again and ONLY want to talk to Bill. Then he gets the guilt trip and we send something. The ONLY one who appreciates anything I send is his mom. She's a fan of what I make. I made her a quilt one year....she went out and when she came back, I was wrapped up in it. She quickly told me that was NOW HERS and I couldn't take it back. lol So, I know she appreciates it. The rest of them? Nope, they are just into what the price tag says. This way, I'm only out a few dollars. So, at least I am sending something, right?

Oh, and not to mention.....ONLY his mom and dad send us gifts. We don't get so much as a card from the rest of them, but, God forbid if we don't send something.

Maybe they WON'T get them and I'll give them to someone else.

Bill can deal with the repercussions later. They are already mad that we aren't going to visit for Christmas.

Like my Mom used to say.........."They can get glad in the same shoes that they got mad in". I know it is a tough decision, Terri. I have inlaws like that too. If you have the time, make the aprons.......love your aprons, you don't mind if I make some for my daughters and I do you? :D

Hope your Thanksgiving is special and happy!

So send them napkins or something else stupid easy. Then you feel like you did something and they can't complain. Perhaps they will be able to wipe their ungratitude off.

I don't mind. Go for it!

Easy peezy directions.

1. cut piece for apron 20" x width of fabric
2. cut 2 pieces 3 1/2 inches x width of fabric. Sew those together for your tie. I folded them in 1/2, then ironed down 1/4 inch on each side.
3. hem bottom and sides.
4. I used my ruffler, but you can gather the top how ever you want.
5. find center of top, place seam of tie and pin. Then pin and sew.

Voila...you have an apron.

To put in a towel... all I did was gather the top of it and sew it to top, then put tie on and sew it down.

Easy, huh?

I'd like to find manure to send them lol

Ok, that was mean.....

I'm just going to let hubby handle it. I think I'm going to keep the aprons for my friends.

Thanks for the directions, Terri! We will be sporting aprons for Thanksgiving and Christmas!! Wooohooo! :D

I was in KMart today. They have some REALLY cute thin kitchen towels in there that I saw, all embroidered up. You could get a couple of those and attach them if you want to put towels on the aprons.


I just finished talking to hubby. He said to make one for his mom and that is it. Said the rest of the family can settle on getting a card and if they don't like it, then oh well. :) :)
So, I guess I can keep all the rest of the aprons for me! :) :)

Just send them all some small thing, don't let them spoil xmas for you and your hubby.....Don't sink to their level, xmas is joy and family, remember you can pick your friends but not the family

ok well send your mother in law the good one!!!

Just so you know this year my Mother in law ..

... well we my fabulous husband and I were out shopping and he said oo this bathrob would be GREAT for my mom.. I looked at the price and said to myself 20.00 perfect. He went around the corner and found pjs 17.88.. He said what do you think of these .. I once again looked at the price and said oo even better. I am sure those will be perfect.

Let me describe them.... they are the pj's that give you SEVERE static. My mom is still laughing saying she will look like madoosa with lightening bolts shooting out of her head. I put on my biggest dirtiest grin. And said .. O well it is the thought that counts!

When will they just give up and get over the fact that we are not getting divorced in this life time! They are just stuck with MEEEEE!

Oh the towel is a must. The Kmart is right up the street from me! Thanks for the tip too!

Don't you just love in-laws. Terri great on just send them cards and mom is behind you. Love the aprons I just might try to find time to WHIP one out for my mom. hehehe She'd like that.

Oh, that's funny! And if she complains, just give her over to hubby. He's the one that picked them out! lmao

I know it's better to give than recieve, but come on....how many times do WE have to give before WE recieve?
I'll send a nice one to his mom. Won't make it a holiday one, that way, she can wear it all year long and brag on me. :) She does that and don't you know, I LOVE IT! lol
The rest of them can just "whistle Dixie" and be happy that they at least get a card.
I don't like to stress over them, just gives me a headache and then I can't sew! Not a good thing.

So, now that I posted directions....all of you who wanted me to make one for you, you can now make one for yourself! :) :)

I thought about picking some of those up for the aprons, but I already found a cute embroidery pattern. If I were smart,,,,I'd use the ones from KMart lol

Yes, make your mom one. She'll love it!! They only take about an hour to make

:D I think its very nice....

In your shoes, I'd want Hubby to explain why he lets people who make you feel badly make him feel guilty? :?

AND if he's going to insist on putting their selfishness above your feelings, why doesn't he take sole responsibility for the shopping or the making AND the sending?

on the other hand ....

you could just send them a box of recycled bags from the grocery store. they certainly couldn't complain you didn't send anything useful. :lol:

You could send coal.It's useful in a way. And they got something too.

send them one of those coconut crabs, that would keep them entertained for hours :mrgreen:

I feel your pain!


I really like your aprons!!!

He doesn't make me feel bad...he understands exactly how I feel. He's just him, that's the only way I can explain it.

BABEEGIRL!! I'M SMACKING YOU!!! CAN YOU FEEL IT!! THOSE CRABS ARE GROSS!!!!!

Love your apron, Terri. And thanks for sharing the pattern. I really like the towel idea!!!

Don't ya just love family members like that? :twisted: I really LOVE your apron..... I love the fab too

Send them some of those creepy crawly things you have running around there!!! :lol: :lol: That should make them think twice about wanting gifts!! :lol:

I bet they'd never say another word about you sending something!

"DUCKS"!

I make almost all of the gifts I give and those that don't appreciate it don't get them. I don't think they would be happy with anything so I'm not wasting my time or efforts.

The office I worked in had a gift exchange and it got so everyone just wanted gift cards. I said forget it. I'm not interested.

I get Visa Cards for the MY kids only because they are so hard to buy for. I do get them a little something else for their stockings.
For the rest of the family? Nope! MIL will get an apron and the rest will get cards.

I love this thread- you're solving my dilemnas. I told family I wasn't chipping in for gifts for Mom and Dad anymore. Not buying anything. If you buy for dad he puts it in the closet and doesn't wear it, then gives it away. Mom will wear it once and give it away (you don't know how TICKED OFF I was when my sister was wearing a dress I bought my Mom- quite expensive and she looked great in it!)

So, I'm saving my money and not buying anything. I don't have in-laws, they exist- but to them, I don't. I wouldn't buy them coal because that has value. I would put some of the stinkiest poo I could find in a plastic bag and wrap it nicely. After 26 years, they still refuse to acknowledge my existence (just got the kids straightened out that Dad isn't going home to Mom anytime soon- yes, she's still waiting for him).

Aw, family. thank God I have you guys for "sisters."

The only reason why I get for the MIL and FIL is because I am the FAVORITE daughter in law. Ok, Im the ONLY daughter in law. lol
And, MIL has a quilt I want. It was made by FIL's sisters, all 8 of them (there are 13 kids in the family), along with Grandmother and 2 great aunts. It's signed by all of them and it's just beautiful! MIL already said I could have it. One day she asked me what it was that I wanted in the house. I told her I wanted the quilt. Ok, I want her emerald too...it matches the bracelet and necklace she got me. :)
So, I stay in the good graces with MIL and the rest of the BIL and SILs, well....they get cards.

I would make a fancy card saying something like "A gift in your honor has been made to <whoever>.

One guy I worked with once was such a whiney-baby, I sent him one saying La Leche League. I found out where they were meeting and brought donuts to go with all that milk. I left a post-it on it with "A gift from " <his name>.

It was worth it, still bringing a smile to my face years later. There are too many ways, that you can combine good intentions and good actions.

Terri,

my favorite "present" for people like your relatives?? Go to the animal rescue site (its linked to the breast cancer site among others, they're all good, any one will do) and send a donation, then send them a card saying the money you would have spent on them went to charity. Sombody that NEEDS your money gets it...and the greedy relatives get to shut up!! But I'd still send an apron to your MIL since she does appreciate your effort!!

Mary

I think they would love them! I espeically like the towel to wipe your hands on.

You've done a great job!

Terri,
I absolutely LOVE your aprons. Thank you for the pattern, BUT...
You know, a gift from a good friend means SO MUCH :-)

I think your gift for MIL is right on spot, she will love one she wears every day and will love your effort.

I like the idea of giving a gift to charity of your choice in honor of your relatives...beneficial to everyone involved and doesn't have to be expensive...I know that Gideon Bibles will send each person a thank you note but doesn't list the $ given, or American Cancer Society, probably PetFinder or ASPCA or USO...your fun is endless. Habitat for Humanity and Heifer Project International, heck maybe even the Peace Corp!

Have fun with it, maybe send some to places they would hate (like the Democratic Party if they are Republican)- if you want to be evil :twisted:

Moonpi that's a spendid idea, I just love what you did. :)

Terri , Tha apron is awesome! I would send one to the mil and the heck with the rest . I am SO glad I no longer have in laws ! Good ridance to the whole clan. :lol:
Your MIL sounds like a sweetie , though, so spoil her. Don't let a bunch of sticks in the mud ruin your holiday.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving !
Sharon

OH Terri!
I know just what you mean! I married into a strange family. They give everyone in the family gifts at Christmas, but not us because we don't live in the city like they do! Even though we ALWAYS visit over Christmas.

For a few years after I met Paul I gave them gifts and they said thanks and that was it. So last year I didn't bother and one of the sisters asked if we were cutting out gifts Paul looked her straight in the eye and said, "Yep, Lori is retiring this year so we'll have less money."

Her reply? "I'm sure you won't be that poor!"

And these people run businesses and two of them are doctors! They aren't poor at all! I don't give gifts so I can get something back, but I'd sure like to be appreciated a little.

(only two of the six brothers and sisters gave us a wedding gift)

So last year I took the money and bought gifts for some disadvantaged kids in my school and I arranged for friends to give them out anonymously... Now THAT felt good to see one of the little girls after Christmas raving about her Barbie doll that she got!!

WONDERFUL IDEA for thoughtless relatives.......

Awe Terri, don't let it stress you too much. Christmas can be so stressful, and the added pressures about relatives. I think just do whatever makes you feel best. I can't take the stress of Christmas any more, even the stress of putting up a tree and decorating, so i haven't for about 5 years now. Part of it is i just can't do stress any more. Many times the past few years hubby has gone to his Mom's for Christmas dinner by myself, and i am so much happier to just stay home by myself and not have to do anything, but that's just the recluse in me lol. I've just had to learn what is too much for me, and thankfully hubby understands too. Don't let it get you down hon, you'll figure it out.

Personally, I'd send one to your hubby's mom and forget the rest. If they ask why, just tell them. They don't deserve anything. My 2 cents worth. Like the apron.

Well, we came to a decision. I am making one for MIL AND for FIL.
Yes, FIL is getting one too! It'll match MIL and I think he'll just love it.
For the rest of them? Nothing...and that's from hubby. He said if they don't like it, then too bad. We aren't going to waste our time, money and effort on them.
HURRY FOR HUBBY!!! :) :) :)