Your daughter in-law has a right to believe people will be horrified. I wouldn't be going if I lived next door! What is her sister doing herself to get back up on her own feet. Sounds like absolutely nothing. 50 years old is old enough to know what and how to do things. No need for MaMa to do it for you. Nothing surprises me as far as manners or lack there of now a days. You are much more gracious then I would have been sending nice dishtowels. I wouldn't want to encourage the bad behavior...I would have RSVP that I would not be attending and I wouldn't have sent a gift either. NancyLouise

LOL! I think Mamma Dearest is trying to get her to move out!
About as bad as the mother who gave her daughter a combination high school graduation party and baby shower....and Not a wedding shower!

I think this is a case of a mother losing all social grace in an attempt to get her daughter to move out.

I agree it is tacky!

I would have been the daughter to tell my mother that this was absolutely horrible to do and put the kabosh on it myself.

I think you are being smart by sending her something. Good way to keep the harmony!

I'd actually give the mom a partial pass.

A "starting over" shower is what family does when something like this happens. Your family is who is supposed to help you re-establish your life and get back on your feet. (My family once hosted a "shower" when my aunt lost her home in a fire.)

Typically, I'd be irritated by the gift card request, but they are not extravagant shops. She's not looking at Pottery Barn, it's Target. This may be an attempt to let people know that she's not looking for fine china, just necessities. (It may also be a way to force deadbeat daughter to purchase needed items and discourage gifts of $) The execution was tacky, but I think there may have been good intentions behind it.

I also wonder at the invitation list. I'd keep this to close family and friends. You aren't trying to hit your third cousin up for a gravy boat, but you want this woman's support system to come together to help her start over. (And possibly create some sort of visible gesture of support like hey, look at all of these people who love you and are willing to help you out, you can get through this, now quit sleeping on my dang couch)

I think under the circumstances, the no family rule doesn't apply. This is actually more of an only family situation.

I'm still throwing penalty flags for the invitation to the extended in-laws 250 miles away and the gift card request though.

And I'm definitely thinking that the daughter needs to grow up, get a job and get on with things.

I had a flood at my old apartment (lost a car, not my home) and I understand that it can shake you. But you don't get to hide under the covers for the rest of your life afterwards.

That was a bit of a rant, but I think that dish towels were exactly the right gesture. This woman is clearly struggling, and a $10 gesture to let her know that people 250 miles away care about her and are pulling for her to get her life back on track may be what she needs to get her act together. Well worth it. Etiquette or no.

Around here, when shoeone meets with a flood or a fire....friends, neighbors, church members, co workers all donate piles of stuff....and very often the person or family surviving the disaster has so much stuff they end up giving to others.
Speaks to the situation that after a year the mother has to invite people to a starting over shower to get her re equipped.
Dish towels were a kind thing. But a better thing would be a job offer.
Linda C

I'm with craftfetish. I wouldn't do it, but under the circumstances, I don't think it was all that terrible for the mom to do this -- certainly not what I'd call "A New Low in Tastelessness." Would that this were the low!

I also agree that sudiepav handled it beautifully.