Terrible Christmas gifts

Sometimes I just wish that people who didn't know me very well (or even ones that do!) would not try to give me Christmas gifts, or any gifts at all, and would, instead, just donate the money that they were going to spend to charity.

I mean, my partner's parents gave me two pairs of gloves and two scarves, and a cheap dollar store bracelet (and I don't even wear jewelry, really), and a key ring....stuff that I won't even use. I mean, my partner's step-mom was like, "I thought you'd like this scarf and glove set because you're pretty frou-frou." (they had feathery stuff all over them). I was almost insulted, actually. Because I'm not frou-frou at all...and asking others if they agreed with her since then, they disagree with her that I'm frou-frou. In fact, I'm pretty far from that.

I get a lot of perfumy stuff from people and I'm allergic to perfume-y chemical stuff...I wish they'd take that ten or twenty dollars they've spent and give it to charity instead...that's more worth it to me....

But I guess I should be thankful, huh? I don't know...it just bugs me.

What's been a terrible gift that you've gotten?

 

I never had a terrible gift..but yes I understand from what you're saying.

 

It is what you make of it. I try not to get upset by that stuff because they take the time to go out and pick you out something and maybe they don't spend enough time with you. I know my aunt bought me some things that aren't very me but it is the thought that counts with the things she bought me.

They are things. Regift them and don't get so upset.

I know my aunt doesn't have alot of money, insult her and tell her to give that to charity? That would hurt her more!

 

I'm not extremely upset or anything...LOL

I do the regifting thing, which saves me money in the long run, but I guess I think the money would be much better spent somewhere else. If someone told me in passing that they preferred having money donated to charity as a gift, I would do it in their name and wouldn't be insulted by it at all...I think that's generous and thoughtful of others...and I'm pretty poor!

It was just weird, because as I was opening the gifts, they realized that they had given me two sets of scarves and gloves and it was kind of awkward...they just, apparently, acquire things througout the year, wrap them, and give them out to people at Christmas and Birthdays and stuff. It's not that they put thought into them because they didn't even really know WHAT they got me...

 

Who knows, maybe you've bought something for someone and they thought what the fuck this isn't me AT ALL! Haha...

 

The catchall response to gift dissatisfaction is, "it's the thought that counts"... sometimes it's the lack of thought. You may want to establish some level of communication with these folks and find ways of working these details into casual conversation. Giving you a perfume gift can be interpreted as "I know nothing about you but imagine you might like this". Next time around someone might recall a comment like "I love the smell, it's too bad I'm allergic" as a cue to steer clear of perfume gifts. If someone feels close enough to offer a gift should be willing to have an occasional lunch with you. Time spent gives people a chance to learn something about you.

 

Well my grandmother gave me an old metallic gold purse with a matching bow on it for Christmas. I happen to recall her using that purse back in the 80's.

I'm used to her doing things like that though, she has no idea what my tastes are, and she's stuck in the "I'm still 8 years old" mode. Oh well, I just turn on the charm, thank her with a huge Cheshire grin and a hug.

 

DancerAnnie, I know exactly what you mean.


I've been with my husband for over 6 years, and it's funny how I get the occasional gift that absolutely isn't me at all, and you'd think that certain people in his family would know me by now!

I've never been one to wear perfume, make up, or anything really frilly and girly, and yet something of those sorts tend to sneak into my christmas gifts. It's not that I don't appreciate the thought behind the gift, but it's abit of a waste of money to spend on tinselly things like that on me... I hate being a regifter, but those sorts of things tend to go to someone who I know would use it....

 

You might want to check that purse out on ebay, you may be pleasantly surprized as to what it's worth now.

 

Maybe you should let these people know that you won't use shit like that, rather than fretting about it at all?

 

His step-mom scares me a little...

I'll just let it go until next Christmas...

 

Wow, this year my only gift complaint was that my dad must think I'm a whale. Haha. Everything he bought me clothing-wise swallows me. Not a big deal, though, it was just a couple of t-shirts and a pair of pajama pants, all of which can still be fairly oversized and not cause a problem.

Daniel's mom bought me an awesome shirt and a ton of little stocking stuffer dollar store toys and a handful of little foil wrapped chocolates. It was so exciting getting a stocking again, I haven't had one since my brother believed in Santa Claus many many years ago.

Christmas is always so much more thoughtful at his family's than my own because my parents are lazy and insist on a list of things we want. If they don't get that, they give us cash. I hate that, it ruins the surprise.

I think I'm at either a weird age or period in my life where I'm stuck between asking for practical things and asking for goofy impractical electronic stuff that I'll probably lose interest in soon anyway. Ha, maybe that finally means I'm breaking out of that materialistic immaturity.

 

ah, the dreaded list!

I've had a couple people in years past who've asked me for ideas, which I don't mind because I do the same, but I hate making lists. My husband's family is completely codependant on exchanging Christmas idea lists in November.

 

I guess I am lucky, my girl's parents know us well. They gave us a goas card and some stuff to do laundry(b/c we always take like 10 loads of clothes every time we go home-ITS FREE) and alot of other stuff we needed around the house. They even got me a nice pair of chef pants! Sorry for rubbing it in! You could always return the perfume and donate the money or just donate the perfume and remeber it is the thought that counts-HAHA

But I do know what your talking about, my family is kinda the same way!

 

Some people think it's dorky, but instead of getting eachother gifts on my dad's side of the family, we do an ornament exchange. Eveyone buys and wraps an ornament, puts their name on it, and when we get together to celebrate Christmas together we pick one out of a basket. I have some really creative and crazy family, so I like it a lot because you get a collection of really unique ornaments. I always put the year on the ornament too, so that's kind of neat. I don't know...it's dorky, but I like it.

 

Remember some folks receive nothing every year. So be thankful you received at least the acknowledgement that you are there. I never complain. Hey, if someone thought enough to wrap or give me a present that's more than enough for me.

 

I would RATHER have those people recieve my gifts...that's why I wish they WOULD just donate the money to charity.

 

My girl and I didnt do alot for each other this year, we mostly bought toys for tots, hopefully some of those kids will remeber those toys for the rest of their life!

I like that exchange of ornaments Annie.

 

The ball is in your court now, you can take all those things you don't appreciate and donate them to a charity for their thrift stores. And by being gracious you actually are donating more than the gifts.

 

Yeah that has crossed my mind for sure...I already have tons of stuff, even from last Christmas that I want to give away...