Miss Manners: I caught my mother-in-law in a lie and can’t move past it
Cleveland
Last updated: May 15, 2026
The author's mother-in-law gifted personalized presents to her children and their spouses after a trip to New Zealand. While the gifts were appreciated and thoughtfully chosen, a social dilemma arose concerning the presentation and acknowledgment of these gifts.
- The mother-in-law presented the gifts individually to each of her adult children, bypassing their spouses. This created an awkward situation, as the spouses felt excluded and unacknowledged, despite the gifts being intended for them as well. The author questions the proper etiquette for acknowledging gifts when they are part of a larger family distribution, especially when the presenter’s method of distribution causes social discomfort. The underlying issue revolves around family dynamics and the perceived slight towards the spouses, impacting the atmosphere and potential for future gift-giving occasions.
