to hate buying presents for the sake of it?

[create]

I love buying gifts when I have a good idea and/or know what someone wants, but most of the adults in my family don't really want anything. So Christmas and birthdays come around and I buy another shirt or jumper that they may of may not like, but certainly don't really want or need.

For my Dad's birthday this year I bought 6 bottles of beer, which I know he will enjoy, but it did feel a bit tight, especially as he's been giving me 2 days' free childcare pw for the last 10 years. If I had a really good idea I'd spend £100 +, but I didn't and it seemed stupid to spend it for the sake of it.

Should I have tried harder?

No I think it's fine. If people won't tell you what they want then it can be really annoying.

Could you not have taken him somewhere nice instead?
Like my school report, I'm afraid - must try harder.
YANBU though - hate trawling around for crap

i always ask my parents what they might like - if they don't know then its money or voucher they can put towards something.i have bought them enough jumpers/slippers etc to last a lifetime.

Pinkie, my Dad is an extreme example of difficult to buy for. He doesn't like restaurants where you get waited on (very working class upbringing and having people serve him genuinely makes him uncomfortable) - his favourites are BHS cafeteria type places or McD's

We though we'd solved it with the Chinese buffet place, but he insisted on paying!

He thinks theatre (except panto which is always his treat) is a waste of money, loves sport on TV, but objects to the cost of seeing it live (even if he's not paying)

I have to go through all this again for Christmas.....

Don't tell him then - say will you come shopping with me (or other boring activity he will agree to) then spring panto or day at races on him.

Hear your pain - I have equally awkward family

I feel you pain. My DH's family insist on presents and get very petty if you don't buy anything. FIL recently made a point of asking why we'd bought SIL's BF a present, decided it must have been a freebie we'd passed on. This was mentioned because we don't usually buy b'day presents. I resisted pointing out that SIL BF is someone you enjoy shopping for.

My family only do presents for the kids. Collectively we get something for my Mum and Dad as it seems unfair that they spend so much on all 7 Grand Children and get nothing back. They, of course, tell us not to bother, but we do anyway.

I would much rather get something that has had some thought put into it or nothing at all, than the lilac fluffy dressing gown and too small slippers to match [shudders at memory of this particular xmas gift].