Why do people never ask before buying gifts?

zulubabe

My oh has just celebrated his 30th birthday & I know this is going to sound mean but why don't people ask before buying dvds or cds for someone - he's ended up with duplicates of 2 dvds which he has already. I know both of the people & I'm just shocked they didn't ask me if he had them already. I feel awkward asking the people in question for the receipts to return them is there anything else I can do??

logan

send them out for xmas? lol

exup

just simply tell them thanks but he already has them - try not to feel guilty over it. yes they should have asked either you or your other half, maybe also politely offer to help them out if they are not sure what to get as a replacement.

When it has happened to me in the past I have offered to either take the DVD/ CD back to the shop (most people know what price they are anyway) or do they want to swap it themselves. and vice versa on the odd occasion I have done it

soblivion

I agree with exup, don't feel awkward about it. If it were me I'd much rather know so as you or I could change it so your OH could enjoy a present than it stay in a drawer unused.

ikkle87

Dont feel awkward about it however a lot of places are not taking returns of dvds and cds now as you can copy them so i think they have to be sealed.

aaranj

I completely agree with the title of this thread.
why? i hear you ask. because every single christmas and birthday when i open my gifts, i am almost killed by an avalanche of shower gels. i'm not kidding. last christmas i got about 26 bottles of lynx shower gel and then on my birthday (which is only 2 months later) i got 19 bottles. i understand that shower gel/aftershave is the "safe" present for lads from teenagers upwards, but please just think before you buy! if we need shower gel we buy it ourselves (saying that i dont need to buy for the next couple of years). if you really don't know what to get someone for christmas/birthday money in a card or a gift voucher would be more appreciated

plzhelpmesave!

.. although i undestand, i also disagree to some extent! A gift is a present, something which is usually a surpirse - sometimes pleasant, sometimes not!

If everyone asked you before buying you something, life would be a bit boring and gifts would become lists of what you want and what people can get you. Some people are in a position to ask, others aren't or don't feel comfortable asking, as they are willingly giving a present of their own choosing.

If you don't like it, already have it or won't use it- you can recyle it, pass it on, sell it or give it to charity!

- sorry - this sounds like a rant! I was up late wrapping Eid presents for kids and kept changing my mind about who gets what trying to give them what i think they would like the most - so this struck a chord with me. xx

coffeelover23

I agree that sending money in a Christmas card is usually well received, but I also feel like it's a cop-out. I think a good gift should be a surprise, and something that you thought that the person would like. If you really don't know what to get them, just go with the cash.

(I usually will ask people in my family what they want just out of courtesy if I can't think of anything)

skintchick

coffeelover23 wrote: »

I agree that sending money in a Christmas card is usually well received, but I also feel like it's a cop-out. I think a good gift should be a surprise, and something that you thought that the person would like. If you really don't know what to get them, just go with the cash.

(I usually will ask people in my family what they want just out of courtesy if I can't think of anything)

:spam:

Someone please report this poster. They are spamming in all their posts. Don;t click the link, it looks dodgy.