Unwanted stuff

[piroska]

Tell them, no gifts from now on.
We never did other than kids.

Even GD this time who is 13, I asked her, she asked for books. And what books.
She actually got some boots as well....mainly as I can't wear them and I asked her if she wanted them...LOL.

[prefect]

Our family is atheist and I actively hate on any form of religion or religious people. We treat Christmas day as just a holiday like Labour day ANZAC etc no presents no special meal. This Christmas day I put new brake shoes and wheel cylinders in my sons car.

[Roscoe]

Our family is atheist and I actively hate on any form of religion or religious people. We treat Christmas day as just a holiday like Labour day ANZAC etc no presents no special meal. This Christmas day I put new brake shoes and wheel cylinders in my sons car.

How sad. You don't have to be religious to have a Merry Christmas. The big enjoyment we get out of Christmas is seeing our grandchildren's joy when they open their presents. Priceless. Many of our non Christian friends treat it as a special day - exchange gifts and have a special meal together. In a similar way we celebrate Diwali, Chinese New Year, etc.

[Agent_24]

That's not very nice. What do you tell them when they ask you if you enjoyed their gift? Do you lie or do you tell them you gave it away or sold it?

Are you saying that if you gift someone something, they must keep it and use it even if they hate it, just to make you feel good? That's just silly and doesn't get anyone anywhere. It's better to be honest about things in the end.

I knew a man who died with a freezer full of pies his neighbour's wife always gave him for Christmas. He'd lied and said he liked them just to be nice. Ironically the neighbour was the one who had to clean out the freezer. Is it better to feel sad momentarily, but then feel happier when you get someone a gift they actually want, next year, or to discover your friend had been lying to you for 30 years?


When I buy gifts, I always include the receipt in case the person wants to return or exchange it. Of course I hope that they enjoy it and love it, but if they don't they have the option to change it. I'm not offended. That's just the way gifts are. Sometimes you get it wrong. If you're worried about it being an unwanted gift, ask them first if they have a preference, or maybe just give them a gift voucher to their favourite shop.

You could also ask if they have an Amazon wish-list etc and buy them something from that. It's still a surprise, but you also know it's going to be something they actually want. Everyone wins.
(Except the Amazon warehouse-slaves but that's another discussion...)