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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Why are men such twats about presents?

104 replies

Caroligula · 14/12/2006 22:49

Direct lift from a post on another thread (am I unreasonable?)

But why?

My worst one was a Delia Smith Christmas book. Someone else I know got a Dyson.

WTF? Post your bad presents here (I know this has probably been done before, but it is christmas)

OP posts:
notasheep · 15/12/2006 08:16

Because they find it difficult to think of anybody but themselves

NotQuiteCockney · 15/12/2006 08:30

DH has done a good line in presents that sound awful, but were actually just fine. He bought me a bookshelf for Valentine's once. And left it unassembled. (But I like assembling furniture!)

And once, for Christmas, he got me a Billy Blanks Abs and Glutes DVD. (But I like Billy Blanks, and had said I found the abs and glutes work the hardest, so he was being helpful!)

Really not annoyed about either of these gifts, but they do sound dreadful, to the casual observer.

UnquietDad · 15/12/2006 09:22

kernowcat - you'd have to ask her that! She seems to have appreciated all my gifts, although some have not been used as much as others (e.g. various bath items).

UnquietDad · 15/12/2006 09:23

"Because they find it difficult to think of anybody but themselves"

Rrrrright, because you're not generalising or stereotyping hugely in ANY way, then

expatinscotland · 15/12/2006 09:59

I buy my own presents.

So does he.

He's having his fitted today.

It's a new car stereo.

sis · 15/12/2006 10:12

a blow-up alien about three foot tall - the first Christmas after ds was born.

Katherine · 15/12/2006 10:21

I got a wheelbarrow once!

I've put in a request this year just to be safe.

The thing that drives me mad is that although he has plenty of time to organise things he leaves it till the last minute. Then moans about having to go into town with the kids and how he really can't afford the time etc. Ends up making me feel demanding! Not fair.

choosyfloosy · 15/12/2006 10:29

DH is brilliant at presents. But absolutely tanktop at surprises.

This year he bought me the Sound of Music DVD - I don't normally buy DVDs tbh but when I found it accidentally in a drawer which I go into really often Xmas Hmm I was delighted as I love it and so will ds.

And then the other day he was looking after ds and they were both bored so he got it out and played it

and now he's lent it to somebody else.

What am I supposed to do on Christmas morning? Guess I'll be grateful for a coffee again.

stoppinattwo · 15/12/2006 10:33

DP once borrowed £100 to take me out for my birthday, and i still ended up payin'..........work that one out

crazydazy · 15/12/2006 10:55

Nope sorry don't agree not all men are crap. DP leaves buying mine until a few days before but HE ALWAYS buys me absolutely lovely presents and usually some underwear (but thats mainly for him ).

Maybe I am just easily pleased though Xmas Hmm

santasaltire · 15/12/2006 11:24

slight hijack*
Greensleeves, did you buy your copy of Mrs Beeton from 1902, or is it a family heirloom. I'm only asking because i have a copy from 1924 which was a wedding gift for my great granny, and one from 1945 which was a gift for my granny.

About the Op though, my Dh has always been pretty good with pressies, possibly because i write a "santa" list for him with a few ideas.

scotlou · 15/12/2006 11:55

Sorry - my dh is great at presents too. Always buys me books - as that's what I love (including Dela cook books!), nice clothes etc. What I find very slightly annoying is that he refuses to buy me gifts "for the house". I really want a very good quality cook's knife - but he won't buy it (because it's not personal enough) and I'm too mean to buy it for myself!

ProfYaffle · 15/12/2006 12:21

My dh once bought me a heart shaped frying pan for Valentine's day.

SantaGotStuckUpTheGreensleeve · 15/12/2006 15:00

saltire, I found it in a charity shop for £2!!! It's a red hardback and is in mint condition, I am really chuffed with it.

santasaltire · 15/12/2006 15:29

It's probably worth a lot more than that Greeny. The 1924 issue i have is in mint condition, as apparently my great granny couldn't read !

elclose · 15/12/2006 15:59

i got a cheapy bookmark one year for my birthday!
The thing that annoys me is that i have to give a list otherwise i get nothing , why cant dh just get me a few suprise things i know its childish but i love suprises but i know that if he did get me something i didnt want i would be annoyed! i am too picky

kittyschristmascrackers · 15/12/2006 16:02

I can't remember if it was for christmas or not but before we had any kids dp wrapped up a coat I had already just bought for myself and then chucked some notes in with it to the same value as the coat!!
His reasoning was that he would have bought the coat but I had already got it. He couldn't work out was I was angry !!

wannaBeOnTopOfTheChristmasTree · 15/12/2006 16:25

my dh is excellent at buying presents too but he won't buy household things either - afraid I wouldn't appreciate them. I've actually asked for a pasta machine this year - think my mum might buy it. but I still think I should win because an auntie of mine once bought me ...

a digital watch!

mmm ve useful that to someone who can't see it

SantaGotStuckUpTheGreensleeve · 15/12/2006 16:26

Wow, thanks for that saltire, I'll "imply" I got it from a posh antique shop

Troutpout · 17/12/2006 10:44

God i must so win this...
2 xmas's ago....dh got me (and wrapped)

a roll of scented bin bags

Wtf!...Still can't believe he did that

Troutpout · 17/12/2006 10:49

so many other wonderful items too...

a ice cube maker which makes cube in the shape of the letters 'ice' (classy)

a plastic bird table thing with suction pads that you stick to the outside of your window (hate birds-they are lizards with wings)

one of those poles with a pecking bird on it (wtf!)

a red tin money box which plays a tune when you drop money in it

corn on the cob holders in the shape of corn on the cob (witty, that one)

i could go on and on and on...

meowmix · 17/12/2006 11:07

D'ya think on dadsnet somewhere there's a group of men saying "and last year she got me a jumper, wtf kind of present's that I wanted a scaletrix..."

kittyschristmascrackers · 17/12/2006 11:08

oh dear, I think you win

Original poster
Caroligula · 17/12/2006 12:01

Are we agreed - the runner up is the beetroot, the bin bags win.

OP posts:
edam · 17/12/2006 12:25

Dh once gave me Dr Who top trumps cards. For our wedding anniversary.