Page 12 | Well meant gifts that didn't hit the mark

imnotthatkindofmum · 2024-12-25T10:21:05+00:00

Here's a thread to post your disappointing gifts that you can't be disappointed with in real life! Let off a little steam without upsetting anyone!! My lovely daughter bought me some novelty earrings. I never wear novelty earrings but she's so proud of them i have to wear them. She was so secured about me opening them but now I have to work out how little I can get away with wearing them so she doesn't realise I hate them! Also DH only bought what was on my list. It was a cheap and simple list. I would have liked him to choose something he thought I would like. After 22 years not sure why I expect that though!

Gymmum82 · 25/12/2024 21:01

2025willbemytime · 25/12/2024 20:44

Get those elasticated ring things to wear around the arm and hold the sleeves back? They'll be covered by excess material if not cool.

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I’ve never seen those but will look for them. Thank you

Pinkypup · 25/12/2024 21:01

UsedToBeAtAmber · 25/12/2024 10:56

I bought DS a bottle of moonshine at a food fair in August. He's allergic to nuts. He's opened it this morning and it's hazelnut flavour. I don't know why I didn't see that when I bought it. There were plenty of other flavours I could have bought.

Ohhhhh is it tough nut?! That’s my absolute favourite and such a shame he’s allergic to hazelnuts as it’s the best one!

Waterweight · 25/12/2024 21:01

WillowTit · 25/12/2024 10:29

wear the novelty earrings today op, so she is pleased

Yh. & Then proudly declare "I'll wear them every boxing day" so you don't have too see them again until next year

How olds your daughter though cause if she's older then 10 you may have to just be honest & teach her about crap presents

TimPat · 25/12/2024 21:06

TwistedWonder · 25/12/2024 13:45

A man I had been dating for a few months mentioned to me about a photo I had of me with my DS (that my ex h had taken of us on holiday) and that I should have it blown up as a portrait. I said no as much as it’s a lovely photo I’m really not keen on having a huge version on my wall. He mentioned it again later and I gave the same response.

Come Christmas morning he turned up at my house with this massive blown up canvas of the photo and when I say massive it’s half the size of my living room wall. He said ‘I know you said no but I’d already ordered it’ - I think my horrified face said it all. And then he called me ungrateful

That was about 8 years ago and it’s still stuck in a cupboard never seen light of day - the man long gone.

Edited

@TwistedWonder BIL did similar when his oldest child was born, had a newborn photoshoot then had one of the photos printed on a canvas for PIL. It was MASSIVE, easily 6ft long and nearly the same high, and an extreme close up of the baby's face complete with drool hanging from lip.

I have noticed that while my in-laws have lots of photos of all the grandchildren on display, that particular offering has quietly disappeared at some point!

Nestnearlyempty · 25/12/2024 21:07

JaneAustensHeroine · 25/12/2024 17:40

Ditto. Wine and Dove sets here too. I use neither. Everyone knows I don’t drink.

I’m wondering whether a local charity could use the wine for a raffle?

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Schools certainly will for fetes etc

Nestnearlyempty · 25/12/2024 21:08

Gymmum82 · 25/12/2024 21:01

I’ve never seen those but will look for them. Thank you

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You can use those very stretchy thin plastic hairbands for that.

12345mummy · 25/12/2024 21:17

Bearsinmotion · 25/12/2024 10:29

DS got me a 1000 piece photo jigsaw of him and his sister. It is lovely but will be almost impossible as the background is at least half water, which looks identical.

I made the same mistake with my own DM a few years ago!

I also received a 1000 piece jigsaw with lots of samey colours and I really struggle with a 500 piece! My DH received a jigsaw from the same person and he doesn’t even do them. Good luck with it 🙏🏼

2010Aussie · 25/12/2024 21:20

JennyForeigner · 25/12/2024 20:54

My DH bought me a Taylor Swift crochet kit.

I can't do crochet for toffee and am not noticeably into T Swift.

We have a relative who sends a selection of amazing cheese from a local dairy every year, in a carrier bag by overnight delivery. That relative absolutely nails Christmas imho.

I've had 'Cornish Cream Tea' in a box delivered and it's lovely. What's not to like?

UsedToBeAtAmber · 25/12/2024 21:27

@Pinkypup
Yes it's Tough Nut. I'm going to share it with ds3

ExcludedatfiveFML · 25/12/2024 21:33

WillowTit · 25/12/2024 10:30

my dm always tells a story of her df being given ties for christmas and wore them both at the same time to make both dds happy

What an absolute legend. Beautiful!

ButtonMoon5 · 25/12/2024 21:39

evilharpy · 25/12/2024 12:56

I feel a bit awful writing this. I have a Christmas book that my dad bought me when I was 11, the type that has little flaps and activities inside. Absolutely treasure it especially now my dad is no longer with us. My daughter is 10 and the kindest soul ever. She knew my dad used to save little bits of art I did as a child and pop them into his books and notebooks. She made a load of little paper characters and put them in between the pages as an extra treat when I read the book, and wrapped it up as a present
Lovely - except she got pritt stick on some of the pages and stuck lots of bits together. I have got the majority off with a hairdryer and some rubbing alcohol but there has been some damage. I was devastated but could never let her see that, it was a lovely intention. Husband has been sympathetic and I guess it could have been worse.

Aww that is so sweet of your DD even if it wasn't quite right. I'm glad you managed to get most of the glue off though!

SebastianFlytesTrousers · 25/12/2024 21:49

My MIL who I know despises me bought me a candle from the TK Maxx bargain section with the red sticker still attached, which was shaped as a giant chinese food carton with a large wax fortune cookie on top. The fortune cookie unfortunately looked uncannily like a vagina with a tampon string hanging out due to the long wick. It was utterly charming... .😬

Picklewicklepickle · 25/12/2024 21:55

This is mega ungrateful but it’s annoying as I said to DH in November shall we not do gifts this year and just pay for a weekend away we’ve been talking about. No he says, he’s already got my presents. Fine, except then
he says today that he couldn’t think of what to get me so just got a random selection of stuff. He knows I would prefer experiences to things.

He was really thoughtful in getting me a T-shirt of something I really like. Except it’s marshmallow pink. My wardrobe is 95% black, navy or grey. I look fucking hideous in anything pastel. I really don’t understand why he picked pink, does he not know me at all?!

He also knows I lost my gold studs a few weeks ago, they were £35 so not mega expensive, I’d have loved a replacement pair. I don’t get it.

Bigbadmama · 25/12/2024 21:59

All you people moaning about getting crap gifts. I didn't get anything....oh a friend gave me some home made soap but nothing from my own adult children or DH (who is just thoughtless). This seems to happen year after year and I don't make a big fuss about it. Perhaps I should ?

changeme4this · 25/12/2024 22:06

Christmas Day present gifting didn't get off to a good start here. I won't bore with the details, but I'm battling with the emotions that I should be grateful but I feel very much invisible. DH is muttering things under his breath that the adult DC can hear, but I don't and when I ask what's been said, no one will tell me.

I'm incredibly mindful that I should be happy and that considerable expense was spent, but somehow I feel sad that no one actually took the time to listen and that generally, its not worked out well for any of us.

So hard not to feel churlish (and yes I know it's wrong and I should feel gratitude that I have my people around me and it's supposed to be about that etc). But I can't shake out of it.

Happiestwhen · 25/12/2024 22:10

PiLs go mad for the 2 for £20 toys at b&m. The ones they get are absolutely rubbish and always need about 6 batteries per item. Obviously we are gracious when receiving but they get thrown out a few weeks later, pure tat. I really wish they'd just buy selection boxes and pjs instead!

AnnaDelvorkina · 25/12/2024 22:20

Jk987 · 25/12/2024 17:26

Why no gifts or scarcely any cards in your life? Is there anything you do celebrate? Every good person deserves something...

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We don’t have any money this year. I knew we didn’t have any money but for my birthday I had actually expected maybe some supermarket flowers (I usually get a birthday bouquet but DH knows I am totally happy with a supermarket bunch) or a little gift to open and some sort of piece of cake with a candle in and the family singing. DH wished me Happy Birthday, I had the day off work, he had a medical appointment in the morning then got delayed coming home (I stupidly thought he might be sorting cake or flowers). I was kind of excited all day like a childish idiot and at bedtime he said well sorry no presents but there isn’t the money. So then we agreed no presents at Christmas either.
Family live abroad and didn’t send any birthday cards this year (or have got lost in the post.) Best friend also said she had sent one but I never received it either.
We bought a few nice bits for a festive meal last night which was lovely.

Soubriquet · 25/12/2024 22:23

I’m still waiting for my dh’s gift to arrive!! It was only dispatched on Monday! I ordered it early enough too so I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t here in time. It wasn’t cheap either. Two Viking styled kitchen knives for £100. I wonder if he will use them as display or actually use them

Loafbeginsat60 · 25/12/2024 22:26

Meandhimtogether · 25/12/2024 10:55

Dgc have bought me a lap blanket.
As my legs get very cold.
Lovely poem on the front.
So soft and warm.
The only thing is that it's in the
brightest Pink I've ever seen.

Get a machine dye and dye it navy blue 😉

LavenderViolets · 25/12/2024 22:52

Teenagerantruns · 25/12/2024 19:33

My DP wanted ideas so l shared my amazon wish list, didn't think to point out the oven Trays and kitchen stuff were actually just on the while l waited for them to go on sale , I guess this is my fault😅

LOL yes I learnt to have a private wishlist and a public one I share after making that mistake once.

RomComPhooey · 25/12/2024 22:52

avaritablevampire · 25/12/2024 11:09

Dh actually put some effort in this year, but he's been totally ripped off, and so I don't quite know what to do! He's bought me some opal gold stud earrings, problem is they're not gold, and they are fake opals. (I don't care that they're fake, as they are still pretty, but because they're not gold I can't wear them as I have a nickel allergy...nickel was supposed to have been banned as a base metal for this reason), but he was so excited to get me something he thought I'd love with no prompting, I really don't know what to do. I know he spent good money and has been totally had. Fuckwit who sold them to him must have known.
If I tell him they're nickel, he'll be gutted and feel miserable he's been had, if I say they are lovely he'll want me to wear them...currently already have a pair in, so I need to think this through carefully... Christmas dilemma!

I have nickel allergy. Pre-COVID we had an excellent local jeweller who dipped and electroplated the posts of some stud earrings I inherited from my grandmother so I could wear them. The opals might make it trickier, although if they’re fake ones maybe they’ll be OK.

ShinySilverThreads · 25/12/2024 22:57

avaritablevampire · 25/12/2024 11:09

Dh actually put some effort in this year, but he's been totally ripped off, and so I don't quite know what to do! He's bought me some opal gold stud earrings, problem is they're not gold, and they are fake opals. (I don't care that they're fake, as they are still pretty, but because they're not gold I can't wear them as I have a nickel allergy...nickel was supposed to have been banned as a base metal for this reason), but he was so excited to get me something he thought I'd love with no prompting, I really don't know what to do. I know he spent good money and has been totally had. Fuckwit who sold them to him must have known.
If I tell him they're nickel, he'll be gutted and feel miserable he's been had, if I say they are lovely he'll want me to wear them...currently already have a pair in, so I need to think this through carefully... Christmas dilemma!

Buy yourself some real gold opal earrings, chances are he won’t notice the difference

ShinySilverThreads · 25/12/2024 23:01

Picklewicklepickle · 25/12/2024 21:55

This is mega ungrateful but it’s annoying as I said to DH in November shall we not do gifts this year and just pay for a weekend away we’ve been talking about. No he says, he’s already got my presents. Fine, except then
he says today that he couldn’t think of what to get me so just got a random selection of stuff. He knows I would prefer experiences to things.

He was really thoughtful in getting me a T-shirt of something I really like. Except it’s marshmallow pink. My wardrobe is 95% black, navy or grey. I look fucking hideous in anything pastel. I really don’t understand why he picked pink, does he not know me at all?!

He also knows I lost my gold studs a few weeks ago, they were £35 so not mega expensive, I’d have loved a replacement pair. I don’t get it.

Dye t shirt black, easy with a machine washable dylon dye.
Buy yourself the new earrings.

i have a lovely china cup and saucer.. bought it for myself

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 25/12/2024 23:52

Bigbadmama · 25/12/2024 21:59

All you people moaning about getting crap gifts. I didn't get anything....oh a friend gave me some home made soap but nothing from my own adult children or DH (who is just thoughtless). This seems to happen year after year and I don't make a big fuss about it. Perhaps I should ?

Yes, you absolutely should. Their behaviour is not ok. You deserve better.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 25/12/2024 23:53

12345mummy · 25/12/2024 21:17

I also received a 1000 piece jigsaw with lots of samey colours and I really struggle with a 500 piece! My DH received a jigsaw from the same person and he doesn’t even do them. Good luck with it 🙏🏼

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I would kill anyone who gave me a jigsaw lol!!!!