Help me decipher this...

[VillainV]

My MIL gives us lots of clothes for C. It's mostly Carters onesies, jammies, etc. She doesn't see him a ton, so some of the clothes are just the right size when he gets them (so he wears them like once before he outgrows them) or won't be seasonally appropriate. I'd love to be able to return some of them or exchange for the next size up, but she always give them to us without tags and already washed.

I don't know enough about Carters clothing line to know if these are current season clothes, though I think some of them are.

Do you think no tags/already washed means they come from yard sales or are hand-me-downs? I don't really care either way...it's super-generous of her, and I have no problem with second-hand clothing. It's all in great condition. But if she is going out and buying new stuff, then it would be nice to leave the tags on so we could return or exchange things.....I just feel awkward asking her.

[vmars]

Eh, if she asks his size I would tell her. I always ask before I buy someone baby clothes. She may be getting them second hand and washing them first which is why she didn't ask for a size. The most I would say is "this is so cute, I hope it will still fit C he's growing so fast!" Hopefully then she will ask what size to buy.

[halfpint]

I don't know, my mom washes even new stuff first, I think she thinks she's being helpful. A few times she's purchased things way off on size/season, so I've just told her - "we loved this, but unfortunately it's too small. Where did you get it, maybe I can buy the next size up?" I think she got the message after a few times and started leaving on tags.

[yellowbrkrd]

I would just say thank you and tell her that unfortunately these probably won't fit, because he's already in size x.

My grandmother is the queen of buying second hand and sends me home with clothes every time I see her. I just make sure she knows what size he is in.

[Jalapeñomel]

I'd just say thank you, and then donate them.

[cricketwife]

Can your H ask her is she's buying new to leave the tags on?

[VillainV]

@vicmo, that was my other thought...that she's doing it to be helpful. In the long run, I guess it's not a huge deal if there are a few "duds."

[dragonfly08]

I suppose it could be her being helpful by removing tags and pre-washing for you, but my oldest is almost 11 so we've been given A LOT of clothing over the years (for example, I just pulled their fall/winter stuff out of storage and it takes up 8 boxes). We have never once in all that time been given a newly purchased item with no tags, already washed. Anything that was in that condition was definitely a hand me down, so if I had to guess I'd say the stuff you're getting is second-hand.  Like pps have said, the best you can probably do is really talk up what size he's in and hope she notices.

[lilybug]

I would assume they're probably secondhand. I'd just be sure and keep in touch with her about what size you're buying for the next season. "MIL, thank you so much for those sleepers! He'll get a few uses out of them before we move up to 9 mos for winter stuff."

[mlt]

My mom loves to go thrifting and the stuff she buys is usually from Goodwill. Unfortunately she buys the wrong sizes, off season, poor quality, etc. about 75% of the time. I tried to tell her to save her $ and energy and she got super offended. Now I just donate it. So far she hasn't noticed that my kids never wear the stuff she bought. :/