Would you tell your DP/DH you didn't like their Christmas present?

[AlwayswinterneverXmas]

Dh is usually extremely thoughtful with gift buying/giving and have never had a problem so far where I haven't at least liked (if not loved) something he's bought for me.

About a week ago DH casually mentioned he hoped I'd like what he'd bought me for Christmas, then today I was hoovering and saw something under the bed and I KNOW I shouldn't have looked but I did. Turned out it was a really tacky necklace & clip-on earrings set and I nearly burst into tears . Not my style at all, I don't even like wearing jewellery, especially earrings, and have told DH this before, although don't expect him to remember everything I mention so would happily wear them if they were nice (have done this before with a gorgeous necklace he bought me even though I hate the feel of it when I wear it, because I loved the thought), but they're so naff and tacky. The receipt was there and he'd spent £35 on them so don't feel it'd be fair to pretend I like them and 'forget' to ever wear them, especially as I suspect he'll be hoping I wear them regularly. But also don't want to hurt his feelings by saying I don't like them, he's already one of these people who checks 5 times you really mean it when you say you like something and don't want to kick his confidence when he's usually so thoughtful, but don't want to be stuck wearing these!

What makes it worse is because he's not that confident he actually asked for a list this year of the sort of things I'd like and I wrote a massive load of the sorts of things I'd like for him to choose from which seems pointless now!

Don't know what to do on Christmas now when I have to unwrap these, feel so ungrateful but they're really not nice, do I tell him or stick with them?

(oh and we've already shopped for all family/friends so definitely not for anyone else unless he's got a bit on the side which I doubt)

I did a similar thread earlier in the year. DH bought me s watch for my 40th. It wasn't quite the one I wanted and I was worried about saying something but as it was expensive I didn't think I could keep quiet

I was encouraged to gently tell him. In the end he was absolutely fine about it. He said he'd rather I had somethingI really loved

My mother once told me the gift I bought her for Christmas was ridiculous - I left it back and she went without a gift that year....I'd advise using more sensitive language than my mother considered necessary.

Oh well my dh has a habit of buying odd gifts.

My very first gift from him was a potted cabbage. That should have been a warning sign to me.
One Christmas he got me a meat cleaver.
One birthday I got a calculator.
Last year he got me 3 pairs of large granny knickers in brown. They were hideous. I use them as my period knickers.

I now write a list but I know for a fact, from dd, that the slippers I asked for are granny slippers. She said that at least she managed to drag him away from the MENS section as he said some MENS slippers would be good for me.

I also know that my sister has got some illuminous underwear from her husband as my niece emailed me in a panic. I don't know what she thought I could do about it!

In your situation I would do the usual "oh how lovely" act but then tell him that the earrings are uncomfortable and has he kept the receipt as you might just exchange for some earrings that fit better (he won't know you are bullshitting, what do they know about earrings?). If you take them back, completely unopened with the receipt and explain it was a present you really didn't want, I'm sure they would give you a credit note. You can then tell him that they didn't have any more so you chose something else instead.

In future, include with your list an image and full details of where he can get said item. That's what I'm going to do from now on.