I would say right off the bat, 'oh sorry I do not wear fur'. That's a black and white deal to me, no grey area. I don't know if you feel appropriate saying that to your BF's mother. I guess it would depend on her personality and your relationship with her. Sometimes my advice for tense situations is to try to incorporate some humor or laughter to lighten it up a bit. Could you do that with her? Laugh and say 'Oh I am so sorry and feel so bad but I just do not wear fur. How embarassing this is'. Then you both have a good laugh over it.
Does she live near you? You could wear the fake fur when she is near you even if you don't care for the pieces, but the rabbit fur, I don't think you could pull that off.
Your hair color is very pretty by the way. The hat seems to match very nicely. I think the hat and gloves are nice and funky/cute.

I have been loving those slippers since Angie posted them! Adorable. The gray hat is really cute too.

I don't really like animal print. I tried to like it because it's supposed to be one of those funky things that I should like, but I just don't. But that doesn't mean they're bad, just that I won't be the best judge. I'll leave it to others to analyze those pieces. I guess all I can say is that I would probably try not to wear them together.

As far as the black scarf goes, my first thought was also that I don't like fur either, but then my second thought was "fur in NM?" I don't know how long this is going to be practical for you.

I guess my feelings are probably more extreme than yours, but I don't even feel comfortable touching real fur so I would get absolutely no use out of it. I would probably have to give it away, perhaps to a consignment store or somewhere where they'll give you money for it. I know it's a gift but sometimes we get gifts that aren't suitable, and it's better to let them go than to have them gather dust in the closet.

Tanya - your bf has excellent taste, that hat is very cute.
It is also nice of his mother to get you such presents. Unfortunately I don't see your personality in these accessories.
I am also wondering what other people will say about the fur scarf. I received a real fur scarf as well and like you, I don't feel good about it either.

Thank you all for your advice!

I wouldn't wear that scarf in a million years, but I also do not feel comfortable saying that to her, which doesn't make me feel comfortable enough to get rid of it. I guess I'll just store it away with something, in case she ever asks about it, although she does live quite far away ( Chicago area).

Eep, how awkward, Tanya! I don't know what I would do if someone gave me fur. I would probably consign it, but I understand that you don't feel comfortable doing that. I love the hat and slippers. The hat does unfortunately seem matronly to me. The gloves are OK, but I have a hard time imagining them on you. They do seem older to me.

Cute items..I would keep them all.. Yes even the fur!! They have a fun funky edge.

Tanya, I saw those sheep slippers in a store window in Porstmouth last weekend and pointed them out to Jason who thought they were adorable. I must have missed Angie's post on them.

I love both the hats. The leopard print one may be a little out of your box, but it's very funky and I bet it's very warm! You have a lot of coats and I'm sure you can find a few that will work with the leopard hat! I also like the gloves and think they are fun...and honestly, who has enough gloves in New England?

The fur scarf--I wouldn't necessarily say anything to your BF's mother--but I certainly wouldn't feel obligated to wear it in her presence. I would donate it to some place that will use the proceeds for a good cause to reverse some of the bad karma attached to it. (I had a similar situation where my MIL bought me a Land's End cashmere sweater for my b'day that is 1. too large 2. too black and 3. too oldy lady-ish. I have not decided what to do yet. I could just exchange it and she'd never know--but I do see her regularly and I don't think she'd be offended if I told her it was too large. I'd rather be honest in this situation.) Anyway, you have some pretty good gifts there!

Tanya, I completely understand the predicament you're in. My MIL and I are always trying to guess at what the other would like. For my birthday, she sent me a hot pink rock necklace and a matching bracelet. Definitely not my style. I told Brendan not to tell his mum that, but he did anyway when he was in England! >:( (I think she asked him the kind of stuff I like as gifts). I felt terrible. But he said that she didn't mind, and then he told her the sorts of things I do like. So, it turned out okay, but I still feel badly that he told her. Anyway, I've gotten loads of weird stuff from her when Brendan and I were first together. I had a hat like the leopard one you have, but it was fake suede/shearling instead. It was black, and had a pom pom on top that was made of the same thick material as the hat. I swear, it looked like dreadlocks. :D I just gave it to Goodwill a few days ago, and now I sort of wish I hadn't because it always made me laugh when I put it on (I never left the house though).

Anyway, long story short, I think the longer you and Pete are together, the better she'll get to know you, and the better she'll be able to tell what you like. I finally just asked my MIL point blank the kind of stuff she likes getting as gifts. It's hard when you can't spend a lot of time together in person, though.

So, I'd probably keep the fur scarf stashed somewhere, even though I'm against wearing actual fur. I love animal print--I'm not quite sure what to make of the hat and gloves. I'd probably stash those too, until you feel comfortable giving them away (the day will come when you feel like you know Pete's mum better, and she knows you).

I like the chunky grey beret hat and the slippers--so cute!

hmmm. typing with one hand so forgive the lack of capitalization. this is hard. anyway, love the grey hat. i don't really like the other one. unlike maya, i like animal print. there's just something about this one thst i don't really like. hiwever, i do like the gloves. i think they're fun.

Tanya, I just remembered one of the consignment stores I want to check out in NYC has a program called "give the fur back to the animals" or something along those lines. They will take unwanted furs and donate them to be used as bedding for abused animals in shelters. If you decide not to keep it, that might be a nice way to part with it. Just a thought. If you decide to keep it, I completely understand. I think it's something to keep in mind down the road when giving them away becomes a less awkward option!

I'm sorry Tayna. This is a tough situation and we are all over the place with our recommendations.

So for the good, I like the grey had and the animal print gloves. I do not prefer the animal print hat. It is not the print - I liked the gloves. , I think it is the material. It just doesn't work for me.

The most difficult - the fur scarf. What does your BF think of the scarf? Does he know how you feel? Does he have suggestions? I agree with Ana, that the longer you know her the better she will know your tastes. Further to Maya's comment about fur in NM, the states in the West tend not to embrace fur, except perhaps the older or some of the very wealthy. (I went to a black tie form charity event a few years ago and a woman who wore her mother's fur apologized all evening.) I like Nicoles idea of finding good karma. Maybe Maya's recommendation is good karma. But that doesn't help with Pete's mom. Sorry.

I don't have a good solution for this either Tanya, sorry.
But I just wanted to say that those slippers look incredibly cosy and the grey hat is adorable (love that picture to;-).

Than you very much for the input.

So I personally do not like the leopard hat and the gloves, and would never wear the scarf. But I do not feel comfortable getting rid of any of them. So I have decided to put them away in the "keepsake" box along with a couple of other things I no longer wear but don't want to get rid of. Thank you once again for your input.

Nicole, here is the slipper post. I have the cream pair: http://youlookfab.com/2008/01/08/the-best-slippers

What can I say, Tanya – LOVE the slippers. There is no substitute! (I’m on my second pair and stocked up during the sale). Also adore the grey beret. KILLER.

I was going to suggest a keep sake box. Those types of gift situations are part of married life! (or almost married life). Do not wear the scarf or the hat if you don’t want to. I hope you feel a little better about what to do with these gifts.

Thank you for chiming in Angie. In the keep box they have ended.

Funny thing is that she has just called me to tell me how much she adores the sweater I got her for Xmas ( that BR turtleneck with buttons in bright purple). She says she is wearing it all the time and getting a lot of compliments. I was really worried that she was going to ask me if I am wearing her presents but luckily she didn't :)

Phew. Close one.

Told you, you could work for me :-)