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!

My auntie who is very much taken in by “labels” has got my ds a top, pants, trainers and socks all 2 sizes too small, all labels that I’m really sorry but don’t know what they are.
He won’t wear the socks as they have seams, the trainers will be unworn as he has zero interest in them and obviously can’t wear the labelled garments as they just don’t fit.
lord knows how much this little bundle cost but it’s a total waste of money unfortunately.

He is a primark & Asda George kinda guy.

Completely bitchy of me, but we got baby clothes. At least they're a joint present so equal opportunities identity loss! They are nice baby clothes though so can't really complain.

@roobyred So sorry that you feel so lonely. Hope when your DC gets back you can have some noisy, silly fun together.

Maybe you can gift the afternoon tea voucher to someone who’s desperate for some peace and quiet.

I've heard that coating them with clear nail varnish can prevent the allergic reaction. Worth a try?

@StamppotAndGravy That’s a bit crap! I’d have been tempted to ask, and where are our gifts? after opening the baby clothes. (I would never actually dare to do this.)

Another bloody gift voucher from someone we always make a lot of effort for with Christmas and birthdays. Retired and fully mobile so no excuses. Very close family member. No more effort will be made. Pisses me off every year that they can't be arsed to put any thought into gifts. Ever.

@chinahandsff That’s rubbish 💐🎁💝

The venue might let you have it as a takeaway if you don't want to sit by yourself x

My DM bought me a lovely jigsaw but it's a Christmas one and I only do them in the run up to Christmas. I accept this is self imposed but this one will have to wait until the end of the year for me to enjoy it.

That's a weird old present, truly. I think I'd probably ask an acquaintance or relative to go with me and offer to split the voucher discount, iyswim. Or give it away to the next school raffle. Is there a 'use by' date on it?

I've heard that coating them with clear nail varnish can prevent the allergic reaction. Worth a try?
Brilliant! Thank you. I'll definitely give it a go!

@avaritablevampire Oh that’s tricky. I would tell him gently and you can go back to the shop together to pick out ones that you’re not allergic to (and better value for money! You can also sternly eyeball the assistant who ripped off your DP.)

I'm allergic to nickel too, but I can get away with wearing cheap earrings for the occasional evening. My ears get a bit itchy after a few hours but it's bearable.

You could try an antihistamine and just wear them through dinner?

I didn't get any presents to open this year. I can relate to PP up thread who said they wish they had even a bag of rice to open.

My boyfriend got me something, but he chucked that at me unwrapped in early December. He thought he was being nice, but it's not very Christmassy.

Ah well. Maybe next year.

@SilviaDaisyPouncer I hope you have some money to treat yourself and or the guts to ask your DP where your Christmas present is. Did you give him something?

A book I've already got - has the receipt though so now have the gift of choice in Waterstones! Fab!

@Tracystubbs I hate shopping for cross stitch now (I always have a couple of big ones on the go) - it just results in millions of diamond art kits which is easy to miss if you're just focusing on the pattern. So annoying. I also don't diamond art!

Spare a thought for those of us who so want to give nice presents but they overthink it because of this, second guess themselves, and become extremely anxious.

Luckily I have an understanding family.

But why did you accept that treatment? "No thanks, i prefer to have presents to open on Christmas Day."

Solidarity @roobyred .

I’m sat alone whilst the kids are with their Dad and his overbearing family. It’s my first year as a single parent & he wouldn’t even let me speak to them on the phone this morning.

Loneliness is rubbish.

Definitely try to book it with a friend. Or I’ll
come with you if you like!! 🤭

My well meaning MIL bought me 2 huge tubs of anti wrinkle cream, one of which is retinol which I react to. I'm only 44 and didn't think I looked that wrinkly 😂

I do a list each year , I had thought about stopping it and relying on DH noting things I’d said I’d like then today off list I’ve opened a pack of 10 Coke , 7up etc flavoured lipsalves that kids would like and a pair of XXL PJ’s when he is fully aware I’ve lost 4 stone this year and a 16/18.One gift was the fleece for the allotment which must have got mixed up with his parcels - thankfully that was a genuine mistake as I was baffled.

On the PJ front mum has got me a pair of the thickest fluffy ones I’ve ever seen think abominable snowman - ideal for a menopausal woman 😂

A ridiculously expensive bit of equipment relating to a hobby I do that I am bumbling along being crap at with the equipment I already have. Now the pressure is on to get good.

Not a Christmas gift, but my brother brought me a wireless headphones set

I work on a call centre with a headset clamped to my head and the thought of having to do that at home as well left me sick and angry

My son bought me some giraffe earrings one years where the head was on the front of the ear and the back was the neck and legs dangling behind
But because they were cheap/not that accurately shaped they actually looked like a pair of dangling bollocks 🤣

I wore them over the holiday around the house and then put them in my jewellery box and he forgot about them lol.