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Original poster

Worst Christmas present

461 replies

Bookworm512 · 25/12/2023 20:40

I feel ungrateful but also very disappointed. My husband is crap at gifting but this really takes the biscuit. I am a 53 year old woman and we have been together for 26 years. He bought me a periscope. Am I being unreasonable to be disappointed and ungrateful?😓

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Dixiechickonhols · 27/12/2023 19:18

I’ve laughed so hard at this.

Santina · 27/12/2023 19:19

It's been like it for a while, I won't rock the boat, she's too vicious and controls him too much. I don't want to fall out with my son even though he's allowing it to happen.

suicune · 27/12/2023 19:19

CantFindMyMarbles · 27/12/2023 19:10

Not everyone is great at gift giving.

and

Not everyone is great at gift receiving.

I hate these sort of cop outs.

Yes, not everyone is amazing at sourcing incredibly unique and wonderful gifts but there is a line that you shouldn’t cross.

Buying someone absolute shite every year (or nothing at all) is just so selfish. Especially when the giftee has given very affordable suggestions (eg a single novel).

It’s not as if OP was asking for a diamond necklace or something. She wanted a book. Something that her partner could have found on Amazon within 10 minutes and purchased, arriving to their home.

It’s so depressing, even more so when the partner in question only has one person to buy for (compared to the numerous relatives/friends the giftee often buys for) and they still get it hugely wrong.

If he wanted a wildcard gift he should have got her something she asked for or at least he knew she 100% liked.

I also hate this mentality of everyone should just be grateful for any gift they’ve ever received. If something genuinely thought out but just wasn’t along the right lines, that’s one thing. But why the fuck should anyone sit there on Christmas Day after they’ve even given an absolute shit present (that’s clearly for himself) and pretend to like it?

He didn’t give a fuck when he bought it. Why should OP?

DC1888 · 27/12/2023 19:20

Aposterhasnoname · 25/12/2023 21:43

This is brilliant, I can just imagine the neighbours faces when a periscope pops out of the skylight.

😂

"Oh look it's Maud from next door having a nosy again"..... "Michael draw the curtains!"

Honest to God a periscope? 😆

Scubanicki · 27/12/2023 19:20

I am sorry you are upset but this did make me giggle! Of all the random things to buy you!

May09Bump · 27/12/2023 19:20

Netaporter · 26/12/2023 05:06

So much to unpack here 😂 Is your DH planning on becoming the Donal McIntyre of the Dog Boarding world? Without the matching dog suit, how are you planning on disguising the fact you are not canines?

This has genuinely tickled me 🤣

Show quote history

I can't stop laughing at both the first post and your response 😂

loveulotslikejellytots · 27/12/2023 19:21

My MIL bought me the biggest ugliest knickers I've ever seen. I mean I do like comfy short/boxer type pants, but I could tuck my tits in these 😂

No idea why she thought they were a good idea, we're really close and she buys lovely gifts. So these are a real curve ball. I also didn't realise until this morning that they are a multipack of black and brown!?? Who wears brown knickers?

Cerealkiller4U · 27/12/2023 19:23

Avacardo2023 · 25/12/2023 20:59

I'm similar age and marriage length OP and my DH handed me a bag of utter shite today. I have started to dread receiving any sort of presents from him but today I'm pissed off.

Anyway today's haul was a Mr Frosty (because I wanted one as a child and didn't get one, but he completely forgot he already bought me one for my 29th and another on my 40th and Mr Frosty was actually a bit shit and not how it looked on TV). So that, two silk eye masks (because why would you only need one, or in fact any) and a box of nut brittle.

I have two silks eye masks and I love them. If you ever want to sell them on?!? ♥️♥️♥️♥️

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 19:23

I have seen a few similar threads where husbands have gifted their wives completely thoughtless, stupid gifts just because well…. Let’s get the wife ‘something’ just so that I can say I got them a present. It’s as if they think of the most ridiculous or hurtful thing they can find to give you and act surprised when you aren’t grateful. What did he think you was going to do with a periscope?

My parents once gifted me a pack of 80 denier black tights for Xmas and that was it, that was my only xmas present from them that year. Not that I don’t go out and buy my own tights on a regular basis so didn’t feel much like a gift. Their excuse that it was something ‘useful’ and that i ‘needed them’ (on top of the 2 packs of tights I’d only just bought myself the week before) and couldn’t understand why I was hurt by the fact they just went out and bought me something that I buy all the time. It’s the equivalent of gifting someone a tube of toothpaste for Xmas because they know they will need it and it’s ‘useful’. This year I got a bar of Cadbury’s chocolate… all very well but I buy a bar of the same chocolate every week for myself and the kids! I do find it seems to be common among the older generation, especially with men that they just seem to buy the most outrageous presents ever just for the sake of saying they bought you something and don’t seem to understand why you feel the way you do!

DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots · 27/12/2023 19:26

Violinist64 · 27/12/2023 18:21

Just had another thought. I wonder if anyone has been treated to the 12 days of Christmas decoration offered on eBay for £699.99. It really would be a statement piece if so.

I'd forgotten about that! Just checked my watchlist and it looks as though the monstrosity may just have been bought! The listing ended on Christmas Day at 2.33pm and it says it sold for £699.99. I think if it had just been taken down it would say the listing was ended by the seller or something. Oh well, there's no accounting for taste I suppose 😂😂😂

Juleslovesmaths · 27/12/2023 19:31

It could be worse - my daughter got some windscreen wipers from her hubbie 😂😂

Avacardo2023 · 27/12/2023 19:34

@littlebopeepp234 I agree with you - I'm always baffled when people gift stuff that you buy every day that's not even special. I was on another thread where someone was asking for ideas for their new boyfriend and people were suggesting good coffee or cheese and that's not even a gift in my mind.

Blinkityblonk · 27/12/2023 19:35

Oh we gift ordinary (but nice) things in our stockings, like moisturiser, nice razors, stuff like that, the children love a restock based on all the new stuff they get. I agree for main gifts that's not so impressive.

OP, this has made me laugh so much, your loss is our gain.

Newchapterbeckons · 27/12/2023 19:37

This thread is just what I needed!! I will be looking out for a periscope on my morning walk from now on 😂
Maybe ops dh is a conspiracy theorist and is going to have her stationed by the skylight alll night looking out for ufos, Russian fighter jets and auroras!!!!!

My poor dh was treated to plastic hangers in a carrier bag, not even wrapped by his mother. He is clearly a man with zero expectations. My dd14 was given a pink blankie for newborns which was mortifying.

mauvish · 27/12/2023 19:38

Stressybetty · 26/12/2023 03:17

DH and I agreed we'd just give token presents under 20 quid so wasn't expecting much.
Didn't expect to be presented with a latex mask of a black poodle.
He'd got himself a Labrador one and thought we could film YouTube videos on dog boarding in disguise 🫤
Tried it on and can't even see out of it!

I didn't think the periscope could be bettered, but actually I think the pair of latex dog masks might just pip the periscope at the post/take the (dog) biscuit.

But is there any chance that the latex labrador is hoping you'll use them for something a bit (ahem) "different" to, err, "spice up your love life"? If so, then yuk and triple yuk and run for the hills!

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 19:40

Avacardo2023 · 27/12/2023 19:34

@littlebopeepp234 I agree with you - I'm always baffled when people gift stuff that you buy every day that's not even special. I was on another thread where someone was asking for ideas for their new boyfriend and people were suggesting good coffee or cheese and that's not even a gift in my mind.

Yep I don’t get it at all. I do find that these weird random gifts such as a periscope and using the excuse it’s because they think you might want to look at the sky- nah you just walked into a shop and picked up any random object without giving it much thought, wrapped it up and then gave it as a present for the sake of saying “I got you a present”. Completely thoughtless and a lack of effort non-gift!

Sorry op, although I know you can see the funny side of it and it’s that ridiculous we can’t help but laugh, I’d also probably be quite hurt if it was me, especially if you’d gone and put some thought and effort into buying his gift.

As for those every day gifts from my parents, they were born towards the end of WW2 when everyone was on rations so people would have been way more appreciative of a pack of tights. However they seem to have failed to move with the times and still don’t understand why people in 2023 would be less appreciative of them.

Ohsotirednurse · 27/12/2023 19:40

I got a much wanted Cuckoo Clock. Slight problem? The cuckoo doesn’t bloody cuckoo- it tweets!! lol

RhubarbFairy · 27/12/2023 19:43

The periscope is hilarious. You absolutely win the random gifts game forever.

I need to know more about these latex dog masks and more specifically, the plan to go undercover at dog boarding.

From the outside, putting a tub of Pringles in DS2s stocking looks like a shit gift. He was absolutely delighted. As was DS1 with his bag of pretzels. Tweens and teens, tech and snacks are the way forward!

Greenly3 · 27/12/2023 19:45

Oh I haven’t laughed so much in ages! Not just at the op post but the replies of various presents gifted !! Hilarious I love mums net for this alone 😂

ChocolateCinderToffee · 27/12/2023 19:45

@Bookworm512 I think your husband has bought you what he wanted for himself. Hide it carefully, and sooner or later he’ll ask for it. Then you’ll know.

AhBiscuits · 27/12/2023 19:49

RhubarbFairy · 27/12/2023 19:43

The periscope is hilarious. You absolutely win the random gifts game forever.

I need to know more about these latex dog masks and more specifically, the plan to go undercover at dog boarding.

From the outside, putting a tub of Pringles in DS2s stocking looks like a shit gift. He was absolutely delighted. As was DS1 with his bag of pretzels. Tweens and teens, tech and snacks are the way forward!

My kids got Pez, Nerds and Prime in their stocking, they were delighted.

CantFindMyMarbles · 27/12/2023 19:49

suicune · 27/12/2023 19:19

I hate these sort of cop outs.

Yes, not everyone is amazing at sourcing incredibly unique and wonderful gifts but there is a line that you shouldn’t cross.

Buying someone absolute shite every year (or nothing at all) is just so selfish. Especially when the giftee has given very affordable suggestions (eg a single novel).

It’s not as if OP was asking for a diamond necklace or something. She wanted a book. Something that her partner could have found on Amazon within 10 minutes and purchased, arriving to their home.

It’s so depressing, even more so when the partner in question only has one person to buy for (compared to the numerous relatives/friends the giftee often buys for) and they still get it hugely wrong.

If he wanted a wildcard gift he should have got her something she asked for or at least he knew she 100% liked.

I also hate this mentality of everyone should just be grateful for any gift they’ve ever received. If something genuinely thought out but just wasn’t along the right lines, that’s one thing. But why the fuck should anyone sit there on Christmas Day after they’ve even given an absolute shit present (that’s clearly for himself) and pretend to like it?

He didn’t give a fuck when he bought it. Why should OP?

Show quote history

you might get vertigo on that high horse.

im a thoughtful gift giver. And sure…he could have done better. But, hey….not everyone thinks the same. Why complain when you know exactly what to expect from him. Seriously….I don’t get it. I hate the ‘poor me’ mantra. It’s pathetic and immature.

LifesTooShortForYourNonsense · 27/12/2023 19:52

I’d love a periscope :) Seriously though I’m so fed up with these ‘I didn’t get what I wanted for Christmas / birthday’. Buy your own present. I got myself new straighteners, DH got himself an Oodie. Sorted.

RhubarbFairy · 27/12/2023 19:54

Yep, mine got two bottles of Prime each, too. My stomach turned a bit when DS1 immediately took a swig. At 7:40am!
Easily pleased.

mumedu · 27/12/2023 19:56

OP, you seem to have cheered lots of people up. This is a gift unto itself, so enjoy the good vibes.