DEAR ABBY: My husband's stepmother loves to buy me clothes, but the clothes are -- shall I say tactfully -- not my taste. She also buys my husband and me underwear, which makes me extremely uncomfortable.
Usually I gracefully accept her gifts, then donate them to charity. I feel guilty that she spends time shopping and buying items that she thinks I would like. But honestly, I find them unattractive and inappropriate. Recently, she insulted me by buying me clothes that were several sizes too large. I'm sure she selected them out of ignorance, not malice, but the implication that she thinks I'm much larger than I am makes me angry.
Should I say something to her about the incorrect sizes? And how can I steer her away from buying these unsuitable gifts? -- ILL-FITTING IN HIGHLAND VILLAGE, TEXAS
DEAR ILL-FITTING: Has it occurred to you that your well-meaning but misguided mother-in-law may love you like the daughter she always wanted, and that's why she's buying you clothes? Or, she may have too much time on her hands and spends her time shopping.
To refuse her gifts would be rude, but a better solution might be to suggest that you go shopping together. That way, at least you'd have something you might enjoy.