Christmas present dilemma.....

[morgan200]

I have a dilemma....

DW has bought me a record player for Christmas. Its a joint present from her and the kids who are really excited because they keep saying how much I am going to love it. They don't know that I know and they are looking forward to the surprise. It wasn't cheap however DW has overlooked a number of things:

1. I don't have any records.
2. It will need an amp and speakers to work which will cost probably about £250.
3. I don't have time to sit around listening to music.
4. If I were to buy music which I hardly ever do, it wouldn't be vinyl because I couldn't listen to it in the car which is where I mainly listen to music.

It's all very retro but totally impractical.

What do I do to avoid upset and disappointment on Christmas Day?

I could 'accidentally' find it and mention it soon so she can return it and get a refund and buy me a drill or something useful

I could be delighted with it on Christmas day but then point out some of the drawbacks.

Am I being totally ungrateful and shouldn't even mention it...

Help please!

Its a lot of money to spend on something you dont want so id have to drop some sort of hint.

Can you find an advert for one or accidentally see one while out shopping and then say how lovely it is but impractical - basically what you've said above.

It’s just a shame the kids (I assume young) are involved and are excited. Maybe just talk to DW

Being an adult and finding out about a present is to hard and not something that is a big deal. Let your wife know, she has time to sort it out either way.

It won't need speakers my dds has built in speakers just smile say thank you but a few records and let it be a bit of furniture.

You should definitely tell your wife what you have told us. Then together devise a plan for how to let the children know its going back.

Take one for the team and accept it is more a present for the DC than you. Teenage DD just checked you have your in-car music preferences sorted already?

Something like this happened to me on a smaller scale. I accidentally discovered that my husband had bought me the “wrong” camera bag last year (uugghh I hate to be ungrateful but I have a lot of camera equipment and needed a very specific bag)—I just dropped a massive hint because I didn’t want to have to feign happiness over the wrong bag and then have him wonder why I never used it. It wasn’t a big deal, we said no more about it but I unwrapped the “correct” bag so clearly he got the message. I’m sure your wife would rather you have something you liked so just tell her or like me, hint at it in an unmistakable way. It’s a shame that the kids are excited but honestly it’s a lot of money for something that will just end up gathering dust.

Is it a turntable or a record player? Is it this kind of thing?

Think they're self-contained - and cute. Treat it as a fun present. Records sounds lovely and it's pretty easy to get a few to play on it.

You must say all this to your wife

Yes, please say all this to your wife.

Then she can return it for something you will actually like. And I am sure the kids will be excited about the other present too.

Thank you to everyone who has replied. It is a Denon 300F Turntable which is priced on Amazon at £250 so it is not cheap and will need Amp and Speakers to function. Overwhelming view is to man up and mention it sooner rather than later. Hopefully I can find the right words......

Just be gracious about it. Not all presents are perfect. And you might come to like it once you’ve got some records.

Why on earth would she buy a record player when you have no records?
Flipping expensive ornament.
Just tell her.
Will she be able to get her money back?

Now I really want one of these - even has a USB port.

www.iwantoneofthose.com/electronics/audio/gpo-retro-attache-briefcase-style-three-speed-portable-vinyl-turntable-with-free-usb-stick-and-built-in-speakers-apple-green/11128918.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&shoppingpid=FNDD_MUM&&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000044528445&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_4jgBRDhARIsADezXcj0xgl0l0oovrdF4IdyoXx7A0EbqJlJrGKNsnuvI67g0A_1YqdeuesaAsrPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

£250 for a non-portable set up in need of speakers is a bit of a different kettle of fish. Agree you should raise it and explain.

Just be gracious about it. Not all presents are perfect. And you might come to like it once you’ve got some records.

The most bonkers reply ever 😂