Am I being ungrateful to not want a 'sentimental' gift?

[mumtomaxwell]

I'm turning 40 soon and my family and DH want to buy me a gift. There's nothing I really have in mind except some spending money for our big holiday this summer or vouchers towards a new iPad. They keep asking if there's anything I'd like that I'd keep for a long time?!

I'm being ungrateful aren't I?

Thanks all - I shall be polite but firm! We all clubbed in for a big gift AND experience for my dh when it was his 40th so I think they're going for equality.

Am I the only cynical one who thinks that the OP would rather have cash than presents? Sorry OP

I had dh's family tormenting me about a present for his 40th. They wanted to get him all sorts of experience vouchers that he would never use and hasn't used the three they bought before. They finally accepted he wanted a new phone and got it. Not what I would have chosen for him either, but it wasn't my birthday. Hope you enjoy whatever you do get, OP.

Not at all onehellofaride! I actually don't like the giving or receiving of cash as a gift... But when DH and my parents asked what I'd really like I didn't know what to say.

I'd ask for a special bottle of gin. If I was really careful, I might be able to keep it for at least two weeks.

YANBU at all. Some people are 'stuff' people and some people are not. The stuff people don't believe it when the 'non stuff' people say they don't want anything, because that mindset is just not on their radar and by not wanting anything, they are actually upset because you are denying them a shopping and buying opportunity and they are putting their desires above yours.

Remind them whose birthday it is so you should get the choice of what you want, which may be different to what they want. I rather have nothing at all than an item that I don't want that I then have to store and pretend to like. Is there anything you might need for your holiday like sunglasses, nice beach towels or beach bag? Guidebooks?

Am I the only cynical one who thinks that the OP would rather have cash than presents?. Sorry OP

I would! No shame in that. It's better than having a load of presents that I wouldn't have picked, don't like and won't use in the cupboard in my loft!

I'd rather have cash than pointless presents too.

I dont get the problem with giving cash towards something you really want such as an Ipad.