Gift from In-laws

OMG, I think the Waterford Crystal thing is an old person thing, because my mom thinks it’s a great gift too & she’s been trying to shove that stuff down my throat since I was a teenager. Apparently it is something you “should” have and that you can “pass down to your kids” (or some crap lol). Personally, I think it’s a boring waste of money & definitely not my style either (although, if you are into that sort of thing, it looks very pretty displayed in a hutch). It’s a bummer she doesn’t want to gift you an experience, as experiences in life are cherished far longer than tangible things. I know if I had an in-law trying to force expensive gifts on me, I would ask for a $5000 French bulldog 😂😂 Other than that, maybe you could look around at things that need updating. I understand not wanting clutter, I’m the same way. Maybe you could change up the decor in your house - new wall art, a beautiful mirror, etc. Or you could just ask for expensive appliances then sell them on FB marketplace and use the money to put towards the experiences she wouldn’t contribute to 😆

Oof, I feel sorry for your MIL. She wants to give y'all something where you'll look at it and think fondly of her when you bring it out/use it for years to come. I would be hurt in her shoes if her son thought of it as "clutter".

Maybe a Christmas ornament? A lot of places, I think Waterford included, do yearly ornaments. That way it's packed away most of the year but brought out for special occasions.

Giving and receiving gifts is such a delicate balance. I personally prefer to opt out of all obligatory gift exchanges (holidays, birthdays, anniversaries) and only give people things if I happen to see something I know they will love. I also don't like clutter and don't want to receive things just because someone feels the need to give something.

In some ways this is a generational thing, but also a different personalities thing (some people get REALLY hung up on needing to give gifts to show their love). If someone asks for input on what to give you, I think it's fine to say what you prefer. It seems like it is worth the effort here to come up with some suggestions you all can live with.

But there comes a point where it's just not polite to keep telling them their ideas are crap (even if you use much more polite words!) and you just have to accept whatever gifts they give. Doesn't mean you need to display it or keep it, though if it's not to your taste. Gifts that come with strings aren't really gifts.

How about a Christmas ornament?

I get her desire to gift something that will physically remind you both of her, my mom is the same!
If you haven’t done it yet, maybe a high-quality framed picture from the wedding? Or what a piece of furniture, like a coffee table? Last resort, Waterford makes crystal pitchers & bowls, so it would at least be more practical than just a statue...

Don't be afraid to surround your self with beautiful things that remind you of people you love. We use our Waterford Crystal all the time - Friday night cocktail before dinner out? Yup! Birthday? Yup, Really bad day at work? Yup. Using "special" things makes the everyday humdrum seem special. And when your MIL is gone someday, using the wine glasses she gave you will make you smile. You need wine glasses in your life anyway - at least make them nice ones!

Dishes/cocktail glasses? Christmas ornaments? Pick something that appeals to both of your tastes that can be used around the house. The older generations do not comprehend non tangible gifts and that is perfectly ok. Accept it and stay in her good graces.

I don’t know if you are this kind of couple, but she could order you a special wine or champagne every year for your anniversary to celebrate it!

Do you guys travel? My FH & I cruise a lot & we have a wall dedicated to our travels- just 1 pic with the date & place engraved in the frame.

I like the ideas of Christmas ornaments, bottle of wine and upgrading things if she insist on actual items! I would try to talk her into a restaurant gift card so you two can have a night out and celebrate! My mom likes to gift things, not gift cards or money so I’m always trying to think of things we have that need updating.

My grandma bought us place settings for every shower, the wedding, and anniversaries/Christmas/birthdays after. Honestly I really liked it because it made it easier on her to get us something (she's in her 80s) and the plates she picked out are beautiful! (She showed us one before buying any.)