What is the worst present you received this Christmas..and why?

Caterina

Reading all these posts makes me want to run to the hills screaming why? Why? WHY? So much waste, of money, energy, time, space, resources...why can't people just stop buying gifts just for the sake of buying gifts?

The other day I read a post by Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home, where she described a fairly cringe-worthy moment when after a speech she realised the Mayor was going to give her a token of appreciation and she had to explain to him that she does not accept material gifts, in line with her philosophy.

This might seem extreme but I understand exactly where she is coming from.

I have just finished reading the book Stuffocation, can't recommend it highly enough! Possibly borrowed from the library, of course. Do as I say, don't do as I do - got it on amaz0n because I could not get to the library in time before leaving, but it is such a great reference book that I will keep it and will keep dipping into it for more inspiration.

jintyb

I know you shouldn't give ti receive but after spending a considerable amount on vouchers for close family members and getting a selection of useless items in return it just is a bit galling. Took the stuff back and discovered everything had been bought in the sale, total value £24 ( for two of us)
Got ourselves a dine in for two deal with it. Merry Christmas ��
As if thats not bad enough, you don't even get a thank you from the family members concerned. ��

Owain_Moneysaver

Stockie wrote: »

*I'm a thirty something single bloke who's into tech/tv & the pub, I can't stand anything above minimal simple cooking*
This year my "aunt who always buys the weird presents" got me a crepe making set [/URL]

Perhaps she hopes that if you learn to make crepes you won't be single much longer

LameWolf

beautiful_ravens wrote: »

Nothing will ever beat the time I turned 30 - an event I was dreading and amazed about all at once - my ex got me 12 AA batteries and an oven glove. It was the only time in my life I wasn't able to cover up my disbelief and disappointment on opening a gift, my face literally fell and a ''Thats it? I turn 30 and you get me this...?!'' argument followed.

There's a reason ex's are ex's!

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Now - to me - that's disrespectful.

One has to respect any that anyone has - even if you think they're daft.

I have a friend with a phobia. The first time she told me not to even mention it in conversation I thought she was joking - but I came to realise (2 or 3 mentions later) that it does seem to be genuine. How can saying a word harm you? But that's how she sees it - so I have to respect it. So I steer well clear of mentioning anything to do with it - even though I find it illogical (mind you - some would say mine is too...and, in some ways, it is....).

That's just the thing about phobias though, they're not logical. If they were, you could talk yourself out of them. Mine is telephones. If my DH is using the phone, I have to leave the room. I know it's daft, it's not like the phone's going to bite me, but I just can't stay there while he makes a call; the anxiety I feel is simply too overwhelming. And of course, he deals with any phone calls I need to make on my behalf - I even had to give the GP surgery written notification that if they wanted to call me, they'd actually be speaking with DH.

Islandmaid

What 'hisses' me off is when I buy, what I consider to be a considered gift for my 2 yo niece, and my sister doesn't even acknowledge it's been received, let alone appreciated (obviously not DN's fault) - all I have to rely on is delivery tracking- this is both birthdays and Christmas.

My kids always send thank you notes and always have - I did on their behalf when they were little

knitandsew

This year my MIL (who is super critical of any gifts she receives) got me....a blister pack of 4 highlighter pens!!!

:j:j:jLUCKY LUCKY ME!!!!! :j:j:j

mmmsnow

My beloved gran who passed away a few years ago was the absolute worst at buying presents. Reading all these stories actually brings a tear to my eye as I'm reminded of her. The worst of it was, she used to spend the entire year buying stuff.

Because of her severe arthritis, I'd wrap all the presents (bar my own) under her watchful eye. I became very skilled at wrapping bottles of Baileys and tins of Quality Street. In return, my Christmas presents were weirdly shaped, tape covered mishaps and I absolutely loved that because it meant she'd done it herself, despite the struggle.

Over the years, she bought me:

* Winnie the Pooh pyjamas (separates) with a size 22 top and a bottom that was an 8.
* A gaudy fake gold and diamond chain that looked like a rapper would wear it. It had a giant M pendant as well, which is my initial. I don't even wear jewellery.
* Chocolates that had expired several months previously (as I said, she bought these throughout the year and that's not the only thing she gifted that was expired).
* An Alison Moyet CD (she managed to mix up ALICE COOPER with ALISON MOYET). After my confusion opening it, she said, "That's the man with the funny name that you like, isn't it?" Poor Alison Moyet.
* Men's boxer shorts (small), men's football socks (the ones that go up to your knees) and a Lynx Africa set (I don't know if she thought I was transitioning that year).

In 2009, we struck an agreement that she would just buy me socks (women's socks, I was specific) and after that, I would get 50 of pairs of them a year. What a woman.

Mossfarr

I know it wasn't christmas but my worst ever gift was from my husband for my 50th birthday.
For his 50th two years earlier I treated him to a trip of a lifetime, four days/ nights in New York followed by three days/nights in Las Vegas. On the day of his birthday I'd arranged flights to the Grand Canyon where we landed and enjoyed a champagne breakfast. Transport to and from the airfield was by personal Limo. It was fabulous.
What did he surprise me with on my 50th?
A bunch of flowers from Tesco.
I've never got over it.
Guess what he's getting for his 60th (next year) NOTHING.

Hard_Up_Hester

I've received lovely gifts this year, but for years my ex husbands aunt used to buy me a pair of tights size XXL, I was a size 12 at the time, she also bought me a bottle of aftershave one year!

no.1swimmum

Mossfarr your post made me smile. I did a similar thing for DH 40th birthday, putting a lot of thought into extra surprises during our holiday. A couple of years later for my 40th I got a Lonsdale pencil case!! He has bought me some strange presents over the years, but is gradually getting better, this Christmas it was just one small present that he got wrong! I haven't told him nor will I. I sometimes wonder if it is because he didn't have a Mum around when he was growing up, despite the present mishaps I love him, it's just a quirk he has to buy strange gifts!!!!!