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Original poster

Worst Christmas present

461 replies

Bookworm512 · 25/12/2023 20:40

I feel ungrateful but also very disappointed. My husband is crap at gifting but this really takes the biscuit. I am a 53 year old woman and we have been together for 26 years. He bought me a periscope. Am I being unreasonable to be disappointed and ungrateful?😓

OP posts:
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6
Juleslovesmaths · 27/12/2023 19:31

It could be worse - my daughter got some windscreen wipers from her hubbie 😂😂

DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots · 27/12/2023 19:26

Violinist64 · 27/12/2023 18:21

Just had another thought. I wonder if anyone has been treated to the 12 days of Christmas decoration offered on eBay for £699.99. It really would be a statement piece if so.

I'd forgotten about that! Just checked my watchlist and it looks as though the monstrosity may just have been bought! The listing ended on Christmas Day at 2.33pm and it says it sold for £699.99. I think if it had just been taken down it would say the listing was ended by the seller or something. Oh well, there's no accounting for taste I suppose 😂😂😂

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 19:23

I have seen a few similar threads where husbands have gifted their wives completely thoughtless, stupid gifts just because well…. Let’s get the wife ‘something’ just so that I can say I got them a present. It’s as if they think of the most ridiculous or hurtful thing they can find to give you and act surprised when you aren’t grateful. What did he think you was going to do with a periscope?

My parents once gifted me a pack of 80 denier black tights for Xmas and that was it, that was my only xmas present from them that year. Not that I don’t go out and buy my own tights on a regular basis so didn’t feel much like a gift. Their excuse that it was something ‘useful’ and that i ‘needed them’ (on top of the 2 packs of tights I’d only just bought myself the week before) and couldn’t understand why I was hurt by the fact they just went out and bought me something that I buy all the time. It’s the equivalent of gifting someone a tube of toothpaste for Xmas because they know they will need it and it’s ‘useful’. This year I got a bar of Cadbury’s chocolate… all very well but I buy a bar of the same chocolate every week for myself and the kids! I do find it seems to be common among the older generation, especially with men that they just seem to buy the most outrageous presents ever just for the sake of saying they bought you something and don’t seem to understand why you feel the way you do!

Cerealkiller4U · 27/12/2023 19:23

Avacardo2023 · 25/12/2023 20:59

I'm similar age and marriage length OP and my DH handed me a bag of utter shite today. I have started to dread receiving any sort of presents from him but today I'm pissed off.

Anyway today's haul was a Mr Frosty (because I wanted one as a child and didn't get one, but he completely forgot he already bought me one for my 29th and another on my 40th and Mr Frosty was actually a bit shit and not how it looked on TV). So that, two silk eye masks (because why would you only need one, or in fact any) and a box of nut brittle.

I have two silks eye masks and I love them. If you ever want to sell them on?!? ♥️♥️♥️♥️

loveulotslikejellytots · 27/12/2023 19:21

My MIL bought me the biggest ugliest knickers I've ever seen. I mean I do like comfy short/boxer type pants, but I could tuck my tits in these 😂

No idea why she thought they were a good idea, we're really close and she buys lovely gifts. So these are a real curve ball. I also didn't realise until this morning that they are a multipack of black and brown!?? Who wears brown knickers?

May09Bump · 27/12/2023 19:20

Netaporter · 26/12/2023 05:06

So much to unpack here 😂 Is your DH planning on becoming the Donal McIntyre of the Dog Boarding world? Without the matching dog suit, how are you planning on disguising the fact you are not canines?

This has genuinely tickled me 🤣

Show quote history

I can't stop laughing at both the first post and your response 😂

Scubanicki · 27/12/2023 19:20

I am sorry you are upset but this did make me giggle! Of all the random things to buy you!

DC1888 · 27/12/2023 19:20

Aposterhasnoname · 25/12/2023 21:43

This is brilliant, I can just imagine the neighbours faces when a periscope pops out of the skylight.

😂

"Oh look it's Maud from next door having a nosy again"..... "Michael draw the curtains!"

Honest to God a periscope? 😆

suicune · 27/12/2023 19:19

CantFindMyMarbles · 27/12/2023 19:10

Not everyone is great at gift giving.

and

Not everyone is great at gift receiving.

I hate these sort of cop outs.

Yes, not everyone is amazing at sourcing incredibly unique and wonderful gifts but there is a line that you shouldn’t cross.

Buying someone absolute shite every year (or nothing at all) is just so selfish. Especially when the giftee has given very affordable suggestions (eg a single novel).

It’s not as if OP was asking for a diamond necklace or something. She wanted a book. Something that her partner could have found on Amazon within 10 minutes and purchased, arriving to their home.

It’s so depressing, even more so when the partner in question only has one person to buy for (compared to the numerous relatives/friends the giftee often buys for) and they still get it hugely wrong.

If he wanted a wildcard gift he should have got her something she asked for or at least he knew she 100% liked.

I also hate this mentality of everyone should just be grateful for any gift they’ve ever received. If something genuinely thought out but just wasn’t along the right lines, that’s one thing. But why the fuck should anyone sit there on Christmas Day after they’ve even given an absolute shit present (that’s clearly for himself) and pretend to like it?

He didn’t give a fuck when he bought it. Why should OP?

Santina · 27/12/2023 19:19

It's been like it for a while, I won't rock the boat, she's too vicious and controls him too much. I don't want to fall out with my son even though he's allowing it to happen.

Dixiechickonhols · 27/12/2023 19:18

I’ve laughed so hard at this.

Cerealkiller4U · 27/12/2023 19:17

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 25/12/2023 20:42

I have a December birthday, and a couple of years ago MIL got me an iron for my birthday and an ironing board for Christmas.

I got a steam iron for Xmas once and I bloody loved it!!!

GothConversionTherapy · 27/12/2023 19:15

Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor · 27/12/2023 19:03

My brother used to buy presents then ask to borrow them. He once bought my mum a very posh coffee maker. As she was unwrapping it he said "I know you won't use it so I thought I'd keep it at my flat". Shrug 🤷🏻

At least it's easy to say "no I'll keep it at mine, it's perfect because I've been getting more into coffee recently." Probably won't get anything next year though.

ReJoyce · 27/12/2023 19:14

Santina · 27/12/2023 19:05

My son used to be so thoughtful over presents, not really expensive, just real meaning behind them. Since he has been with his wife, I get shower gel. Yes, shower gel, she sends me links to gifts she wants me to buy the children and things she needs for the house, I'm so close to asking what shower gel her mother gets. If I don't keep my mouth tight, I'm sure she will hold back me seeing the children. Such a spiteful character.

That's awful, have you spoken to your son about it?

CantFindMyMarbles · 27/12/2023 19:10

Not everyone is great at gift giving.

and

Not everyone is great at gift receiving.

Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor · 27/12/2023 19:06

The first Christmas with my boyfriend he bought me a vax machine....
We've been married over 30 years now & his present buying skills have improved massively!

Santina · 27/12/2023 19:05

My son used to be so thoughtful over presents, not really expensive, just real meaning behind them. Since he has been with his wife, I get shower gel. Yes, shower gel, she sends me links to gifts she wants me to buy the children and things she needs for the house, I'm so close to asking what shower gel her mother gets. If I don't keep my mouth tight, I'm sure she will hold back me seeing the children. Such a spiteful character.

Osiansmummy1 · 27/12/2023 19:05

My mil bought me a hairbrush.. I have very very very curly hair..

Whatonearthdidicomeinherefor · 27/12/2023 19:03

My brother used to buy presents then ask to borrow them. He once bought my mum a very posh coffee maker. As she was unwrapping it he said "I know you won't use it so I thought I'd keep it at my flat". Shrug 🤷🏻

Deathraystare · 27/12/2023 19:02

@IjustbelieveinMe ·

Get your revenge. Hide it somewhere well. When he asks suggestively if you want to try it (hem hem!) look confused. Let him explain, slap your forehead (lightly). "Oh I thought it was hand cream! I gave it to Jenny as she hadn't got any for Christmas and was out of it!"

TeddyBearCherx · 27/12/2023 18:57

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UncleHerbie · 27/12/2023 18:56

Late to this thread, I’d me using the periscope to check on his intestines - from the sphincter up!

ForTonightGodisaDJ · 27/12/2023 18:55

Criceta · 27/12/2023 18:46

My aunt bought me (and other female relatives) a hijab each a couple of years ago. None of us is Muslim.

That is wild 😂

Barney16 · 27/12/2023 18:55

Kendal Mint cake. From DP, to be fair did get other stuff too.

San141 · 27/12/2023 18:54

I got wine..I don't drink wine! Biscuits and chocolates..I don't eat either!! For 10 years I have said please don't buy either, but my mum still does!!!