Well meant gifts that didn't hit the mark

[imnotthatkindofmum]

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!

I have a gamechanging tip, after a few years of really crap disappointing christmas gifts I sat and wrote a list of things I wish I had received. The sort of things I’m always happy to receive.
It’s got my favourite shampoos, chocolates, craft items, lots of consumables that make decent gifts and lots of inexpensive stuff so it doesn’t feel cheeky sending out.

I save the list and then send it out when asked in October. It’s worked really well the last 2 years and saves the stress of thinking about what to ask for when winter gets a bit list crazy!

At a place I worked at, it was "traditional" for the partners to buy the managers a nice present and the managers to buy each of the partners something small and appropriate. Most years it worked very well. Then one year the managers gave us all identical fluffy onesies from New Look and told us we were expected to wear them to the Christmas lunch. They clearly thought this was hilarious. It was cringe-inducing enough for the three female partners (though I must admit that they got our sizes spot on), and the male partner wasn't at all amused. We were a diverse bunch and couldn't normally agree on anything, but we were quick to come up with a corporate "no, we're not doing that".

Blimey. In our family, We make Christmas about being with each other. We did buy one present each so that each person had just one present. Tbh we all buy stuff all year round when we want something, we don’t need loads of presents at Christmas. We are not religious. We spend more on people on their birthdays. There is no tension about presents at Xmas.

Omg, I think you need to stop showing enthusiasm for ANYTHING!! I'd be so confused if some one bought me a drumset based on a comment..... Drumming lessons, yes good idea but a kit?!

My husband got me a foot massager machine cos my feet often ache especially after the gym, however for some unknown reason it really makes my legs ache 😂

It’s so depressing reading the appalling shit given to wives by their crap husbands. A jar of Nutella or some reduced pyjamas from Asda? I would be deeply unhappy to be treated like that.

That is thoughtless, unless the giver meant to go with you. I would never gift an afternoon tea or similar type voucher for one person. If not too costly could you pay for a 2nd afternoon tea and take your DC for an after Christmas treat for both of you?

Yes, I get that.

But now that she has the gift should she:
A: let it go to waste
B: enjoy it anyway

What is with people giving people jigsaws of pictures of themselves to do? My SIL always does it. I have received so many housed of her and her family’s holiday pictures. I have no desire to do them and they straight in the bin. 😵‍💫

My ex was a narcissist spoiled by his family, we lived in another country, no family or friends, so for over 10 years I didn't have presents for my birthday or Christmas. Now I have a new family, and even if I get something I don't like, I'm grateful. I can afford to buy myself anything I want. So I'm just happy that now I have nice people in my life. No one is perfect x

As a gift, maybe she could write all the recipes in a nice notebook for you..

Who else wants to see the OP's earrings?

Well meant was the lovely pierced earrings from ds’ gf.. unfortunately my ears closed up when I stopped wearing them after an infection a few years ago.. however thanks to this thread I’m going to buy the converters suggested by a few people on this thread, so I can enjoy my gift after all. 💝

A 'designer' tracksuit. I was quite excited when I opened it, and surprised as OH doesn't really do labels (neither do I tbh but quite nice to have something fancy for once). When I got it out tho I realised it was definitely a fake, very see through and oddly sized. Asked him where he'd got it from and got an angry response. Found it on amazon for about £15 and terrible reviews. That was my only present. Oh well.

The angry response was to make you doubt yourself, question if you're a money grabber, greedy, as he doesn't want holding to account. You should absolutely hold him to account. Or accept more crap.

DH and I don't buy presents for each-other : we prefer to spend our money on travelling and sometimes buying a piece of art. We do buy presents for our children and grandchildren, they al seemed happy 😊 I myself got very thoughtfull presents so not complaining!

See, it’s stuff like this. It’s so depressing. Imagine that being your only present?! What is wrong with these vile men?!

A plastic tupperware pot from DH MiL.

2 pairs of PJs from DH (when I already own 8 pairs and explicitly told him no more PJs - he gets them every year for me 🥴)

A local area book from DH (that I bought us about 8 months ago and he read and sees daily on the bookshelf, he bought another one)

Also from DH I received a coin purse I bought myself and 4 pairs of socks I also bought myself, neither of which I ever intended to be gifts for me as I need both. For some reason he decided to take and hide them from me until Christmas.

He literally put no thought into what gift to get me.

My MIL in law got me one with me, my husband and our dog in the Christmas photos we’ve taken over the years, which I’ll definitely complete as we could then frame it and have it up at Christmas. It’s bizarre that some people think you’d do that with their photos 😅 I’d be creeped out by someone completing a jigsaw with me and my family on tbh haha!

^im suggesting you serve divorce papers on Valentines Day!

I would genuinely love that. I just think it would also be a lovely way for my husband to spend some quality time with his mum

Ah you see my elderly parents over the past few years have given me DH and DC money - we agreed this . The quid pro quo is we tell them what we bought. I still buy them presents but they worry about getting the wrong thing. We are all happy with money , it isn't lots , but we can go and buy something. That said between other family I do get an unwrapping present . & I don't care how inexpensive it is

That is shocking. I am so sorry. You need to ask your partner to say something to them. I have an anaphylactic nut allergy and am horrified that anyone would do this, let alone your parents in law. I wouldn’t expect someone without an allergy to understand but no way would I want to look at a picture of a nut let alone wear one on my feet

I love what I did get but having been bought a ring sizer earlier this year I had been hoping for an eternity ring!

Too late but you could buy yourself a super gift something you've always wanted and have it delivered to open Christmas Day or New Year's Day?