#1
Then she read my diary, decided she didn't like what I'd written (I was 14) so she said she "burned it".
Thanks mum!
#2
It was a china lobster pot, with gold highlights, with china lobsters and crabs running all over it decorated with china roses and a vase as part of the back of it. I think DH and I laughed for about 30 minutes straight after opening it. It took pride of place in our bathroom for many years until a visitor broke it . The following year they gave us a brown resin fish with red rhinestone eyes which I also admired greatly as it was completely insane.
Look, if you’re stressed about gift-giving, you wouldn’t be the first, and you definitely won’t be the last. In fact, 56% of people admit they feel this way—especially parents with young kids (66%), millennials (64%), and women (64%). But that doesn’t mean you should give up entirely and settle for something completely random, because honestly, that’s probably not much better or sometimes even worse than giving nothing at all.
#3
She also gave me a gift token for DH’s favourite restaurant, that I don’t like at all.
DH got me quite pretty, very overpriced polyester PJs, two sizes too big.
I have recently started night sweats and hot flushes. If I didn’t like polyester before, I sure as hell can’t wear it now.
On the plus side MIL hates cats with a passion, and my cat sat staring at her furiously all through the christmas dinner. It really put MIL off her food and that was very funny.
#4
Instead, you can dedicate some time to becoming a better gift-giver. Of course, some might say that only people with a natural talent for it can be any good, but I believe it’s a skill anyone can learn. If you’re willing to put in the effort, that is.
#5
One year, for my birthday (which I know isn't the question but it's right after Christmas), my family gave me a stadium tour of the football team my dad and brothers support. I don't give a s**t about football...
#6
I don't eat ham and don't drink alcohol. It was like the guy just gave me half his lunch and some petrol station quality booze.
#7
If I had to boil it down to one thing, I’d argue that the ability to choose fabulous gifts comes from having a good sense of context. A gift doesn’t need to be expensive to stand out—even something as trivial as a box of matches can feel perfect when it fits the occasion. What I’m saying is, if you’re picking out something for someone you know fairly well, it should ideally carry a bit of personal meaning.
#8
Then she had a strop because I didn't buy her some fancy perfume she'd asked for. I got her a book.
The reason I got her a small token gift in the shape of a book is because she has form for shitty gift giving and I don't engage with her any more. For my wedding she gave me a few pounds in loose change (I got her a kitchen aid for the record, something she asked for and something that cost me a lot of money). She's not short of money and neither is her husband.
I knew she'd give me junk again this year so there was no way I was spending anything other than a tenner on her. She's an entitled cow.
#9
#10
Women's socks don't fit me as I'm very tall and have proportionate feet, so I wear men's.
I especially can't wear slippers socks as they are super snug. He proudly presented three pairs "because he's not seen me wear mine and thought I needed new".
His face when I said no, they just don't fit like the pair last year, and the year before and I've told you multiple times.
Still. Beats the year he said he'd seen an electric blanket in Lidl and I in no uncertain terms said do not buy me that. He did.
A set of matches can go from being an awfully cheap and degrading gift to something magical if it’s the same one your mom used before moving to a different country and thought she’d never find again. A toothbrush might seem like a terrible choice—until it’s a sleek, high-end version that comes in a case with printed initials.
During the holidays, I once gave my dad a keychain for his car keys after he’d spent weeks complaining that he couldn’t find one that didn’t look silly. I had a personal message engraved on it, and he absolutely loved it. Later, when he took his car in for maintenance, the mechanic noticed the keychain and remarked on how sweet it was, which made the gift feel even more special.
#11
for context my sister has seriously disordered eating even years after this incident so it’s more a reflection of her own self esteem I think
#12
#13
when I asked her why she thought I would want that as I had a 4 week old baby, her
response was “well I like it so if you don’t want it then I’ll have it” she then went and put it on her bed
Perhaps the best way to capture this idea is with one word: sentiment. Rodney Perry, digital creator, cultural critic, and founder of the Simply King podcast, sees it as the heart of any memorable present.
“I believe this applies to anyone with any connection,” says Rodney, who takes pride in being a thoughtful gift-giver. “If you can’t think of the perfect gift, use this method: give two gifts—one that’s sentimental, and another of relative value.”
#14
Anyway, my friend's mum was always grateful for them as prizes in a raffle she organised!
#15
#16
I dumped his sorry arse years ago but was absolutely fuming when I saw the birthday present he gave to our son for his 40th ....it was a used CD I remember him buying many years ago of the musical Oliver. Not wrapped no card just a note to say please send this back when you've watched it.
#17
I hadn't asked for one, so I was a bit confused - until the turkey was ready to serve and he said "where's that new carving knife?" and proceeded to open up "my" present and use it.
He has got a lot better at present buying since then...
#18
#19
#20
For weeks, he kept going on about the amazing Christmas gift he'd got me, I was so excited. I'd bought him some posh aftershave and a nice shaving kit and was looking forward to exchanging presents.
The day came and I giddily opened my present, only to find a money box, a chalk, clown money box... With it's big red shoe chipped... I kind of looked round, bewildered, thinking it was a joke, but it really wasn't! He was so smug and so proud of himself for getting me this perfect gift.
Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate anything I'm given, I'm not ungrateful at all, I never have been. But it was the whole run up to this gift that was the issue. It was amazing, I'd absolutely love it etc... Talk about a let down! Before anyone jumps in to say maybe it was all he could afford, it wasn't! He had enough money to go to the pub every night for a few beers! Obviously I wasn't high on his list!
I think it "sadly" got broken not long after that!
(We broke up a couple of months later when he tried to get me to get with the barmaid of our local pub! She had the good grace to let me in on what was going on, when I shunned her advances. So I marched back into the bar and promptly poured my pint over his head and stomped out! Never saw him again!)