Christmas present moans

[JoeBloggs]

People send A LOT less now than they used to in my experience. I remember my mums whole living room used to be covered in them when I was a child, all across surfaces and tables, stuck down the back of the door. They were everywhere.

Same, my mum had hundreds. All on string across all four walls in every downstairs room!

 

[ATV2021]

I hate opening presents in front of people because, even when I like something, I look like I don't then have to spend time reassuring someone that I do actually like it.

This is when I'm glad I live alone so can do Xmas without being glared at hahaga

 

[DCICassieStuart]

Not a present moan but I HATE Christmas cards. Make the place look cluttered and I just find them pointless

I never send them but every year always feel a bit guilty ha

I've got this holder for them because I don't want them all over the mantlepiece, tv unit etc.

 

[JustmeKC]

I’m not a fan of Christmas cards either, particularly religious ones because everyone who knows me knows I’m not religious. Then the hassle of people expecting cards in return and I just can’t

 

[emmer_moans]

I’m not a fan of Christmas cards either, particularly religious ones because everyone who knows me knows I’m not religious. Then the hassle of people expecting cards in return and I just can’t

And old family friend we never speak to all year (for almost a decade apart from wishing Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas etc) messaged to check what our address was so they could send a card. I tried to say don't worry about it but they weedled the address out of me after an awkward "how are you both" catch up and have sent us a card. We don't send cards so now I look rude

 

[Pesky Tarian]

Same, my mum had hundreds. All on string across all four walls in every downstairs room!

My mum always made us cut them up with pinking shears to use for gifts tags next year! Now she'd probably be seen as an up cycler/eco warrior .... we just thought she was tight

 

[lemonlime]

I still write letters and love cards but maybe because I don't receive them by the truckload. If I had to sort out correspondence with dozens of people and had to store hundreds of cards, that would get old real fast.

 

[CherryAcid]

So this isn’t quite a Xmas present moan but it was my birthday end of oct and one of my friends who lives away literally regifted me several stufff I got her the Xmas before. A nice eye palette and a dvd. These were all things she had wanted at the time so no idea why she regifted them back to me also the palette had been swatched.
I’ve put a lot of thought and spent quite a bit on her for Xmas so I’m gonna be fuming if she has regifted me her birthday presents from Jan. If she does then I’m just gonna buy her a box of chocolates for her bday instead of the thing I know she will love.

ETA it’s not a money issue, she spends lots on her and her husband all the time.

 

[thegirlscout]

I think I’m in the minority here but I’m not a fan of gift cards! If I get them it’s from brands/shops that I never shop at so I feel like I *have* to buy something just to use them.

 

[ATV2021]

I think I’m in the minority here but I’m not a fan of gift cards! If I get them it’s from brands/shops that I never shop at so I feel like I *have* to buy something just to use them.

I use those ones to buy birthday gifts for others saves me money to then buy myself something pretty

 

[Lolly505]

Usually I like to think I'm alright with gifts but this year I've proper struggling with what to get people - not helped by everyone telling me not to get them anything (when they'll inevitably get me something) because none of them seem to see me as an adult earning a living wage

So as much as I've put thought into the gifts I have got, I'm fully expecting all my gifts to end up on a list these They're all practical for the person and themed to people's interests but ultimately can't help but feel like they're just a bit naff

I'm legitimately the auntie who buys you an encyclopedia (A kids' science encyclopedia because he has ASD and likes his science but still. Brutal.)

 

[slippyfrog]

One year I bought my best friend’s daughter some lovely Gin & gin glasses. She was moving into a new place at Christmas. Any hoo she clearly didn’t like it cos my best friend regifted back to me, a year after on my birthday. What also annoys me is every single year I was ask her what she would like for Christmas and go to a lot trouble to get it & she never asks me. Usually get a smelly set from boots.

Just to add my best mate’s daughter does like gin.

 

[Peaches_xox]

This is gonna sound well ungrateful cos I haven’t even opened the present yet but usually my mum asks for a list. On my list would just be the essentials. I don’t want much but I do find it super helpful to not have to buy skincare stuff / make up / perfume after Christmas. This year she hasn’t asked so I asked her if she’s gone rogue and she said she hasn’t bought loads this year she’s just got me the one present which is fine. I am 30 after all. But apparently it’s ‘so good’ and ‘very expensive’ there’s nothing ‘very expensive’ that I bloody want just get me my skincare and some new bloody pyjamas! She said my sister was getting money and I was like oh right I didn’t know money was an option and she goes all defensive ‘I’ve got you a really good present actually’

 

[primarkqueen93]

So this isn’t quite a Xmas present moan but it was my birthday end of oct and one of my friends who lives away literally regifted me several stufff I got her the Xmas before. A nice eye palette and a dvd. These were all things she had wanted at the time so no idea why she regifted them back to me also the palette had been swatched.
I’ve put a lot of thought and spent quite a bit on her for Xmas so I’m gonna be fuming if she has regifted me her birthday presents from Jan. If she does then I’m just gonna buy her a box of chocolates for her bday instead of the thing I know she will love.

ETA it’s not a money issue, she spends lots on her and her husband all the time.

Does she not remember it was you who gave them her? How embarassing :/

 

[emmer_moans]

This is gonna sound well ungrateful cos I haven’t even opened the present yet but usually my mum asks for a list. On my list would just be the essentials. I don’t want much but I do find it super helpful to not have to buy skincare stuff / make up / perfume after Christmas. This year she hasn’t asked so I asked her if she’s gone rogue and she said she hasn’t bought loads this year she’s just got me the one present which is fine. I am 30 after all. But apparently it’s ‘so good’ and ‘very expensive’ there’s nothing ‘very expensive’ that I bloody want just get me my skincare and some new bloody pyjamas! She said my sister was getting money and I was like oh right I didn’t know money was an option and she goes all defensive ‘I’ve got you a really good present actually’

Presents are a minefield for many it seems so many ways it can go wrong, and so much stress involved. To be honest I would rather my family stopped doing them and we each treat ourselves

 

[Geranium]

I once splurged and bought my best friend an expensive (for me at the time!) bracelet. She never wore it and one day when we were at her house getting ready I noticed it in her jewellery box. I said something like “ nice bracelet “ and she said “ oh that, it’s horrible, I never wear it, must have been a gift from someone as I wouldn’t ever buy something like that”. I was gutted.

 

[rosemarina]

I sincerely hope you told her.

 

[Kim Mild]

This is gonna sound well ungrateful cos I haven’t even opened the present yet but usually my mum asks for a list. On my list would just be the essentials. I don’t want much but I do find it super helpful to not have to buy skincare stuff / make up / perfume after Christmas. This year she hasn’t asked so I asked her if she’s gone rogue and she said she hasn’t bought loads this year she’s just got me the one present which is fine. I am 30 after all. But apparently it’s ‘so good’ and ‘very expensive’ there’s nothing ‘very expensive’ that I bloody want just get me my skincare and some new bloody pyjamas! She said my sister was getting money and I was like oh right I didn’t know money was an option and she goes all defensive ‘I’ve got you a really good present actually’

You'll have to tell us what is .

 

[thegirlscout]

This is gonna sound well ungrateful cos I haven’t even opened the present yet but usually my mum asks for a list. On my list would just be the essentials. I don’t want much but I do find it super helpful to not have to buy skincare stuff / make up / perfume after Christmas. This year she hasn’t asked so I asked her if she’s gone rogue and she said she hasn’t bought loads this year she’s just got me the one present which is fine. I am 30 after all. But apparently it’s ‘so good’ and ‘very expensive’ there’s nothing ‘very expensive’ that I bloody want just get me my skincare and some new bloody pyjamas! She said my sister was getting money and I was like oh right I didn’t know money was an option and she goes all defensive ‘I’ve got you a really good present actually’

My mum asks for a list too! I usually write down 5 things I’ve seen throughout the year that I would like (a book, a perfume, etc) and she shares it with my siblings. Well one sibling ignores it and keeps buying me cuddly toys every year for birthdays and Christmas and then gives sentimental reasons so I feel like I can’t donate them (‘this reminds me of our dad’ ((he died last year)) or ‘you always wanted a dog so I’ve got you one as a cuddly to make up for it’). She knows nostalgia and sentiment is my kryptonite!

 

[CherryAcid]

Does she not remember it was you who gave them her? How embarassing :/

Clearly not, I didnt even know what to say except thanks. Without sounding ungrateful she tends to gift me a ton of freebie beauty samples and some choc or a book. I always put effort into her presents and it makes me not want to as she clearly doesnt think twice about mine. I would rather we just send each other cards for xmas/birthdays.