What do I want for Christmas?

[DappledThings]

I hate presents at all times. Most of my family do and for Xmas we do the goat thing.

DH and I have agreed to buy a picture together that we've seen so we're buying that together for each other.

SIL is visiting tomorrow and has asked for suggestions. I usually manage to come up with something but cannot be arsed right now racking my brains. I asked DH why I can't just ask for another goat and he thinks she'll be offended by that.

I don't really wear any make-up or jewellery so that's out. I don't use any expensive toiletries and hate being bought clothes. I don't like gadgets or perfume. I love to read and usually get away with book tokens for my birthday but might get rolled eyes for that this time.

What do you all want? I need an idea I can steal.

I am fucking awful to buy for which is exactly why a goat is perfect but apparently it's not a "proper" present.

I'd ask for a bird feeder /food.

I love candles at the moment - light some every night through winter to feel cozy.
I also love snuggly warm soft socks, blankets, pjs - bit of a theme going here!!!

Never seen the attraction of candles sadly

Something for the garden. Posh socks. A book. Pjs.

Things like PJs and stuff yes I would use but they're just presents for the sake of presents. Not anything I really want. It's all just a bit random and pointless. I just don't get it and find it all so irritating.

Birthday is worse.

Primark definitely do gift vouchers, usually in front of the tills.

You sound rather bah humbug!

You sound rather bah humbug!

Ah but I love everything else about Xmas. Just not the presents. We had one as a family about 15 years ago where we managed to put off opening anything till the 27th. Only my mum like a presents so my dad and brother and I just kept changing the subject whenever they were mentioned and held it off. Was a much more relaxing and fun time having that aspect of things ignored for a few days

Hmm I agree with chocatoo.
What actually gives you pleasure in life?
Your posts read to me like you feel above 'normal' gifts that 'most' people would enjoy.

I enjoy lots of things. But I am massively awkward about receiving any gifts.

It's not about being above anyone. Just that if money is spent on charity and not on me directly I get to skip all that weirdness.

But surely by going round in circles like this you are creating more weirdness!
I'm not trying to be harsh but you have had loads of great suggestions on here all of which you have given a 'reason' they won't work.
It's just a gift 😁

I know, I know. Sigh.

Ultimately I get pissed off that I'm not allowed what I actually want as it doesn't conform to what is apparently a "proper" gift. So I have to accept something I know is a waste of money and that just makes me cross.

6 months till my 40th and I'm already trying to work out how to word "seriously, goats or nothing" and put my foot down. Look out for a thread around April asking for help with that!

If you’d rather have a goat then I’m assuming your an outdoor person
Would good handcream and lip balm be any good? Thermal socks, leather gardening gloves?

Ha ha. It's not a real goat you know....

I need a new purse so I sent my dad a link to a beautiful red leather one i found on amazon

They are asking you what you want. Why is telling them awkward? Don't geddit

I hate to be the one to ask but what the frig is a goat in this context?!

www.goodgifts.org/super-goat.html.

I don't know how to do clicky links

I love a goat too. dancingqueen it's where you give an Oxfam gift or similar. You get a card about it and someone in much greater need gets a goat, or something like a lot of farming tools, or books for their children. Lots of charities do them - Practical Action have a nice selection.

OP you might like to steer your family towards the Book Aid reverse book club.

I’m wondering too dancing seeing as goats have been mentioned in two posts by the op

Ah, I see, it is a real goat though, just not one you’d own

Nice shower gel or bath salts, lovely socks - falke wool balance are great.

I'd like a new electric hot water bottle as my last one got broke.

White silk pillowcases and new Dunlopillo latex pillows, (latex pillows are the best thing ever!)

Essential oils. IF you love Christmas, how about something Christmassy? A decoration or TK Maxx voucher to pick some things from there? Or sunscreen? I'd be a book and a bottle of wine. Perfect gift. Or a bottle of gin if you drink gin? Everyone likes to pick gin, there's loads to choose from!

A honey subscription from Hive and Keeper. It's fabulous! You get different unique honeys in season from British beekeepers and so support them and encourage the increase of the bee population. The lovely woman who runs it sends you updates about the bees and the keepers.

www.hiveandkeeper.com/

My dad is like you in that he’s a practical person who wouldn’t want stuff for the sake of it. But because he knows people like to give presents he will tell me the name of a couple of books he would like because he doesn’t want to be massively awkward! You are sounding a bit ‘me,me,me’ rather than thinking that someone is kind enough to want to get you something and trying to be helpful.

Can you suggest you all go out for a meal or a family activity in the new year instead of presents?
I feel the same as you. I don't like giving or receiving for the sake of it just because it's Christmas and we should.
I'm dreading Christmas this year as to me Christmas is all about family and spending time with them. I lost my beloved Dad in May and it'll never be the same again.