AIBU for being fed up that nobody ever gets my choice of present

[SageMistAndSnowflakes]

I am a person of very simple tastes. I like to read. Everyone who knows me knows that this is my main hobby. I read everything, books, magazines, backs of cereal packets etc. etc. etc, always have done since I learnt to read.

So every year when people ask me what I would like for a present I have said things like "I'd like a book token please" (not recently of course) or "An Amazon gift voucher would be great, so I can get books for my Kindle".

Apparantly this isn't a 'real' present, so they (Mum, Dad, Brother, DH) never ever get me what I ask for.

AIBU for feeling miffed about this or should I be grateful for what I do get (which BTW I am).

I've just readthat back and I sound like a right moany cow! I'm not really, honest.

Yanbu, I could have written your post apart from the kindle part!

Just buy me a frikkin book!

YANBU.

Could you create a wishlist on Amazon and then they can buy your presents from it, so that they are buying the actual thing rather than 'just' a voucher?

I was trying to find out what my twins wanted and it was just money, apparently from everyone. I did my lobbying, isn't it nice to open things under the tree and get real presents etc or even a few of them but they were unmoved. I think some people would just rather that than open thing after thing they really hate, someone has spent hard earnedm oney on and which you then have to pretend you like.

As my aim is to rid my house of possessions and I can buy anything I want within reason presents are a bit different for me and I'd rather give than get anyway. Removing things from my house rather than giving me more would be a better present, not that I really want anything.

The Amazon wish list is a good idea. DP has one and it's very helpful.

Or give them a list of book titles you'd like, so they can actually buy and wrap the thing for you.

Putting your choices on an Amazon wish-list does sound like a good idea in this situation.
Personally, I find the whole adult Christmas present thing tiresome so I largely avoid it now!

I know what you are saying.Ive been asking for a shower cap for years but its never considered a proper request.

No I want a fluffy pink type one as a gift from my ds...each mother's day I ask but no luck so far :(

This has always annoyed me and I was always puzzled as to why people would rather get me something that I didn't want rather than something I did. Then one year my sister explained that to everyone else books were 'boring' and they wanted to get me something more enjoyable (to their minds). Maybe if your family don't read as much as you then they are taking a similar view to mine.

I hate giving cash, as it's very impersonal. But if you give a voucher for a shop or website that you know they love, then why not?

FWIW I'm exactly the same without the Kindle part. DP asked if I'd like one and I told him "no way josé". For me it's all about actually having the book there with you. I love turning pages, feeling the softness of the paper and the hardness of the cover, and I especially love the smell. Old books and libraries have the smell of knowledge. Can't beat it.

I wasn't supposed to find out about it, but DP has ordered several Stephen King books for me for Christmas. I can't wait until Christmas Day! After food, late afternoon, snuggled under a blanket in my new Christmas Pyjamas with a mug of Baileys Hot Chocolate and a new book.

Bliss.

I'll take your cast offs Xenia

I think one of my girls has a load of old thick tights as my birthday present this week. I don't tend to cast things off until they have holes, have been repaired and we can't use them for anything else. The emptying of the house isn't happening any time soon with 3 children returning after university with "stuff" although as the older ones buy homes I am going to be vigorously turning up there with hired vans full of their stuff.

OP I feel your pain. I asked DH to get me a new set of saucepans for Xmas - I love cooking and have seen a set that I would ADORE but he said he was not getting me pans as other people would think if wasn't a proper present, even if it was what I wanted

I find a fair amount of people I know simply don't buy online. For many, it's common place, but I think it's important to remember that still quite a lot of people just don't buy online - so telling them you want an Amazon voucher is useless. I know MIL, SIL, and an elderly close family friend (who always buys Christmas/birthday gifts for us and children) do NOT buy things online. Ever. They're not comfortable with it (of the three, SIL is the only one who even goes online) and it's just not going to happen.

your not a moany cow at all just want a new book for christmas : ) perhaps you could suggest a book for your parents maybe they dont get the whole amazon thing . or maybe a book voucher and something else , not everybody knows what kindle is , But i think if you are asked then suggest a physical present for them

I think it depends how close you are to someone. Its taken me many years to finally accept that happiness for DH comes in him buying his own gifts, that my brother just wants cash and that my sister is very specific.

They respect that I love useless surprises and really don't mind what I get.

My pile is always exciting, but we all get the same joy out of receiving our gifts, and I have to admit I get more joy in giving exactly what people want...

As my aim is to rid my house of possessions

er, xenia ..

Some people are a bit funny about you knowing exactly how much they have spent, I find.

A voucher or a book token is a big sign-post saying "I spent a tenner" when you might find a bargain that looks like a tenners worth when you get something else.

pixiestix i think you have hit it on the head , people dont want you knowing how much has been spent , which is fair enough personally i dont like giving vouchers

I am also a book person.

It is easy buying for my sister. We both love books. She says that she wants the book I have read and enjoyed the most. And she does the same to me. This means we both get to read authors we might otherwise not have considered! This year I am giving her "The Childrens Book" by A.S Byatt. I am also buying "The Beautiful Indifference" by Sarah Hall for both my best friend and dhs aunt. (my sister does not like short story collections) My niece is getting books by Anne Bronte, she is 16 and has grown out of the Twilight saga and now enjoying English classics. She did a project on Wuthering Heights, and is smitten...

OP, I always ask for books and only my DCs ever listen to this! They do this crazy thing called 'Asking me which books I'd like' and then they go and buy them and wrap them up.

YANBU.

But you may need to circulate a list of wanted books, though! I think with avid readers people get worried that they'll buy you something you've already read. Also, if you just say 'book' there's a danger you'll get the Loose Women Christmas Annual or Katie Price's Guide to Weddings.

I am with you on this one- my mother has the attitude that she won't buy people what they already have loads of, eg my auntie is ornament mad, but my mum refuses to buy her any as "oh she has loads of ornaments"- well yeah, that's because that's what she likes! Same with my dd- she won't buy her clothes because "she has loads of clothes- yeah, because she loves clothes!