Page 11 | Worst Christmas present

Bookworm512 · 2023-12-25T20:40:49+00:00

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?😓

Stressybetty · 27/12/2023 19:57

mauvish · 27/12/2023 19:38

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!

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😮 I hadn't even considered that!

Pigsinpainauchocolat · 27/12/2023 19:58

Sirian · 25/12/2023 21:48

I got stuff that I wanted at least. My family asked for some gift suggestions a while ago, so DH literally clicked on the links I provided and bought stuff. No thought whatsoever. I provided the links so Great Aunty Nora who doesn’t know me very well didn’t waste her money and didn’t have to think too hard. Not for DH to thoughtlessly just click and buy.

And yet, when MNers on here report on their shit presents, they always get told to send their DH a link so they get what they want.

NoodleDoodle24 · 27/12/2023 19:58

What on earth did he get that for?

My worst gift was when I was 19 or 20 with an ex. I had a full time job (a good one) and he was dicking around doing very little having left the only real job he ever had.

He gave me a list of things he would like which came to around £200. I said I couldn’t afford all of it but he literally begged (he was 22/23). I ended up buying everything on the agreement we were spending the same as not to feel awkward.

He opened his gifts at my house then gave me three gifts. One was a handbag that was houndstooth….but I’d just bought a houndstooth coat….so wouldn’t have worn them together. It was about £20. He got me a cheap fake leather photo album from t k maxx he’d left the price on that was £5. The last present I opened and thought oh he’s redeemed himself- my favourite perfume that was about £60 at the time. Nope, it was the body lotion…..a knock off version from a market stall in town as he’d pointed the stall out and I’d said I wouldn’t use knock offs because I have sensitive skin. He’d spent about £35 on me and I felt a total fool. I wish I could say I broke up with him immediately. It wasn’t until the following October!!!!!

WickedSerious · 27/12/2023 19:59

CantFindMyMarbles · 27/12/2023 19:10

Not everyone is great at gift giving.

and

Not everyone is great at gift receiving.

Okay then.

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 20:04

CantFindMyMarbles · 27/12/2023 19:49

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.

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I don’t think that poster is on their high horse. I am in agreement with them. It’s not so much about the gift it’s the complete thoughtlessness and lack of effort that goes into it. As the saying goes, it’s not the gift it’s the thought that counts…. But where is the thought? It’s as if someone had just walked into a shop, picked up the first random item they came across and gifted it just for the sake of saying they have given you a present. Something way more thoughtful that they feel you actually may need or want wouldn’t go amiss. I’d rather not receive a gift at all than be expected to be grateful for someone’s lack of effort, especially where I’d gone and put some effort into their gift and spent hours wondering what I could get them that they would actually appreciate and like. I actually believe some people seem to get a kick out of just being hurtful, selfish and putting no effort in at all just to see the other person’s reaction.

Pigsinpainauchocolat · 27/12/2023 20:04

They’re useful for looking out of armoured vehicles so maybe check that he’s not hidden a tank on the drive as a surprise

Hahaha that made me proper LOL

Stressybetty · 27/12/2023 20:06

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 🤣

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😂 Think the idea was the masks would disguise our identities not disguise us as dogs! 😂 He was quite surprised I'd got him a serious present not a joke one. I obviously didn't get the memo! This is the horror! Dog Mask Poodle Head Face Costume Novelty Halloween Party Dressing Up Masks for Adults and Kids amzn.eu/d/6uTOuYv

Nanny0gg · 27/12/2023 20:08

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!

I long for the day that the words 'older generation' are banned from this site.

RM2013 · 27/12/2023 20:09

Hilarious thread. DH is off the hook as always gets lovely gifts but my parents bought DH a doorbell 🤣 he must’ve mentioned at some point that we needed a new one

Letstrysomethingnew · 27/12/2023 20:10

Nearly everyone bought me toiletries or skincare. In some cases, very nice stuff. Grateful to have lovely people in my life who think of me at Christmas. But, as I try to skip into conversation throughout the year to avoid this happening every blumin Christmas and birthday, I have really, really sensitive skin and can't use any of it.

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 20:10

Nanny0gg · 27/12/2023 20:08

I long for the day that the words 'older generation' are banned from this site.

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🙄 must not use certain words for fear of causing offence. Despite the fact that wasn’t my intention!

Buggeredpelvicfloor2013 · 27/12/2023 20:13

I got a blender from my DH. To go with the one he bought me in July...

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 20:14

Buggeredpelvicfloor2013 · 27/12/2023 20:13

I got a blender from my DH. To go with the one he bought me in July...

How very imaginative of him ffs 🤦‍♀️

Pigsinpainauchocolat · 27/12/2023 20:16

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 26/12/2023 02:21

It's actually quite easy to make your own periscope with nothing more than a few pieces of plywood, nails, a drill for the holes and two small face mirrors.

Yes I'm pretty certain my son made something like this at cubs/scouts at some point.

Buggeredpelvicfloor2013 · 27/12/2023 20:16

Yup. Then wondered why I wasn't over the moon. Needless to say I've made him send it back. I barely need the one I've got, let alone a duplicate!

Pigsinpainauchocolat · 27/12/2023 20:21

ConsuelaHammock · 26/12/2023 04:52

This thread has me in fits of giggles. I got a step ladder. Apparently I’m always asking for dh to bring a ladder home from the farm so I can clean the windows ??

Oh jeez.

I'd be shoving that where the sun don't shine.

Items for the house/house chores are not gifts. And again for the men in the back - your wife is not a domestic appliance.

littlebopeepp234 · 27/12/2023 20:23

Buggeredpelvicfloor2013 · 27/12/2023 20:16

Yup. Then wondered why I wasn't over the moon. Needless to say I've made him send it back. I barely need the one I've got, let alone a duplicate!

Another one who has just walked into a random shop and picked up the first random item without giving it any thought and gifted it just for the sake of saying they got you a present. To add insult to injury, he’d already bought you one less than half a year ago which further adds to the thoughtlessness of it all… and just goes to show that it really was a thoughtless lack of effort gift the first time he bought it seeing as he obviously forgot he’d bought it. It does make you wonder what goes through some people’s minds when they buy these gifts! I think people like yourself and many other victims of such low effort gifts deserve a bloody medal!

Nanaof1 · 27/12/2023 20:24

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.

Oh, what piece is that? Over in the USA, so could use a bit of help finding it.

A statement piece......I need to see it!

Violinist64 · 27/12/2023 20:28

@DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots, I went to my own watchlist. It definitely says sold. Good grief - there really is one born every minute.

Violinist64 · 27/12/2023 20:30

@Nanaof1, there was a post before Christmas saying He’s back -12 days of Christmas. If you search you should find it. I promise you it is like something you have never seen (or wished to) before.

Returnofthemat · 27/12/2023 20:33

I got a tube of garlic purée. I can think of worse things to receive!

weegiemum · 27/12/2023 20:34

My mother in law gave me finger guards for when I'm chopping veg. I have a disability which affects sensation in my hands but have never cut myself in 12 years of having it! She thought she was being so thoughtful too, but it was a tad offensive, like I can't cope with normal life!

mauvish · 27/12/2023 20:36

Stressybetty · 27/12/2023 20:06

😂 Think the idea was the masks would disguise our identities not disguise us as dogs! 😂 He was quite surprised I'd got him a serious present not a joke one. I obviously didn't get the memo! This is the horror! Dog Mask Poodle Head Face Costume Novelty Halloween Party Dressing Up Masks for Adults and Kids amzn.eu/d/6uTOuYv

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OMG that mask is even better/worse than I'd imagined!

Did you keep a straight face? Well, I guess it wouldn't matter if you couldn't, you could always put the mask on to hide your true feelings ---

LakieLady · 27/12/2023 20:37

HarrietofFire · 26/12/2023 00:30

@OrigamiOwls. I did ask. I had terribly cold feet at a football match last month and we're going to another in a couple of weeks. To be fair he was being thoughtful but it's a bit of a rubbish present. I also would have liked a book or at a push a Molton Brown shower gel. Or a periscope.

Bloody hell, and here's me moaning about getting yet more Molton Brown shower gel that I can't use because it dries my skin out something chronic. I must have a couple of dozen of those bauble shaped bottles and little travel sized bottles. (Huge gratitude to DNiece who remembered and got me L'Occitane shower oil instead.)

I got an actual diary from MIL, and I haven't used a diary for years.

I've had worse though. My ex bought me a folding walking stick one year...

Sparklehaze · 27/12/2023 20:37

Lets be honest. It's clearly a rubbish present. There are two types of rubbish present though, one where zero thought was given, and one where they tried to come up with something. The first is the worst scenario.

Some people, men in particular are rubbish at finding presents. I am one of those, my wife has always sorted presents for all our kids. To make Xmas better all round, we forget the whole 'surprise' thing these last few years, and I just get her something she actually wants. We don't waste money, I don't get weeks of stress, she isn't disappointed. It's a good trade off over the surprise element.