Why oh why does my aunt-in-law insist on giving me hassle as a christmas gift every year?!
This year she got things sent to me SIX WEEKS EARLY, so I opened them, found a lotion collection (a generic gift and chemical laden when I prefer natural/organic stuff, but ok, and it doesn't smell to high heaven like last year's body wash) and a *hideous* bracelet (misshapen metal hearts that are so large that one covers my entire wrist).
DH's family is militaristic about thanking people as soon as you open the gift, so when I got the lotion set, I emailed her right away (I got home late from dog class and explained that, expressed happiness in the items, etc.). No reply. >.< I got the bracelet today and don't know what to do - I NEVER talk to this woman, I've met her once, I don't have her phone number (DH has it on his phone), and I have to thank her and find something nice to day about a "gift" that is unwanted and reflects how little attention she has paid to who I am (I never wear jewelry really) or the fact that I work as a dog trainer every day and thus, perhaps, a dangly wrist ornament might not be the best gift.
I would be THRILLED if we just got a christmas card from the AIL, but no such luck.