Be honest, you hated that gift! Read me and reply!

[Elle]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

OK, I have been having this debate with my husband and co-workers all month: Is it the thought that counts when it comes to receiving a gift, or does it totally annoy you when you get something that you don't like or will never put to use? I don't think that it's the thought that counts at all, because if they really thought about you, they would get you something that they know you liked, wanted, or needed! Yesterday my ex mother-in-law (long story, lol) gave me a lotion and spray from Victoria's Secret. I have known this woman for 15 years and she knows that I cannot wear anything fragranced as I have severely sensitive skin. Now I have to go back and either exchange it, or re-gift it to someone else (which I hate doing!). I would have much rather received a gift card for the same amount, and I could have gotten some cute panites or something that I can use! Did you get a horrible gift yesterday and now you have to return it or re-gift it? Tell me about it! Which side do you take?

After thinking about this. I had to wonder. Can I assume that your MIL is older. Maybe she didn't have VS around to shop from until recent times. I thought about your comment about you would prefer that she bought you cute panties. I'll assume that she has not bought them before. VS is probably new to her. She was most likely out of her comfort zone, thinking she was "spicing" things up. IMO this being a very fun gift from her. She most likely thinks a lot of you, is really close to you. Being an older generation just buying "victoria's secrect" like we buy "something FROM victoria's secret. It's sexy stuff to her. Just walking in the store is taboo etc. Is this possible?
Either way, she likes you a lot. She's older. She doesn't get it. Its VS. They don't know it's for anytime wear. Ask her, I bet she thinks it's for you-know-what. Which is harmless but funny. I bet she isn't wearing buying herself panites from vs,is she? Now, if the gift was a magnet to close your attic door tighter to save energy or something as thoughtless. Then I'd question it. LOL

[yorkie_mama22]

I think it's the thought that count, but I do agree sometimes certain people should put a little more "thought" into it. Theres been times that I thought " What the heck, why did you even bother? " Usually though I can find good use in anything and I am always grateful for what I get. I've also been lucky to not get any silly gifts or things I didn't really want.

[WV~Yorkies]

I just wish I would had got a gift to open. My husband always tells me go buy what you want. Which is good in a way but I wish just once he would go take the time to go and pick out something for me..from the heart even if it's a fry pan. LOL My mother just gives me cash. I have never received anything from my mother-in-law and hope I don't that means I am on my death bed...

[browniesmom622]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

Lol that's true, in that case I'll take my unwanted gift and give it to them.

Donating Gift's you don't want is very nice.

[red98vett]

I haven't read all the replies but had to comment. This is trivial but also - something that opened my eyes this year.

Our family was going to do a 'secret' santa type thing due to the economy and the many people we normally buy gifts for. Our reasoning was to do Christmas for the kids and for the adults, we each picked ONE name our of a hat on Thanksgiving.

I guess the reason I'm posting is I have an Aunt who is a wonderful person and very very wealthy but I don't understand her at all.

She went all out buying for 'certain' family members (my cousins who are master suck ups lol) .....BUT - For the 4th year in a row, she gave me and a few others (yet another) a picture of herself and her 'boyfriend'.

A MAGNET picture for the fridge.

Add this to all the other framed photos of her own self and boyfriend she's given me for 4 years straight -I now have a collection.

This would never bother me except I now have more framed pictures of her than I do my own parents. It's getting funny - people who've been in my apartment think she and her boyfriend are my parents.

I have a grown son I'm practically supporting this year - live alone since my husband died and money is very very tight....been horribly sick for almost 2 weeks with the flu and dragged myself out Christmas eve to make a nice Christmas for my family members.....I made a special trip to Specs to get her a bottle of her favorite wine. What hurt was I didn't even get a thank you.

I normally wouldn't post this but some of us in my family had joked about getting another picture of her for a gift thinking no way would this happen yet another year - and low and behold - that's exactly what she did !

I love my aunt dearly but am taking all but ONE photo down. I put alot of thought into the gifts I give. Sure it would be easy to give out photos of myself but who the heck would want any ? I'm not that egotistical lol !

Boy that felt good to say outloud ! Thanks for listening and I hope each and every one of you has a HEALTHY HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

[AprilLove]

Originally Posted by red98vett

I haven't read all the replies but had to comment. This is trivial but also - something that opened my eyes this year.

Our family was going to do a 'secret' santa type thing due to the economy and the many people we normally buy gifts for. Our reasoning was to do Christmas for the kids and for the adults, we each picked ONE name our of a hat on Thanksgiving.

I guess the reason I'm posting is I have an Aunt who is a wonderful person and very very wealthy but I don't understand her at all.

She went all out buying for 'certain' family members (my cousins who are master suck ups lol) .....BUT - For the 4th year in a row, she gave me and a few others (yet another) a picture of herself and her 'boyfriend'.

A MAGNET picture for the fridge.

Add this to all the other framed photos of her own self and boyfriend she's given me for 4 years straight -I now have a collection.

This would never bother me except I now have more framed pictures of her than I do my own parents. It's getting funny - people who've been in my apartment think she and her boyfriend are my parents.

I have a grown son I'm practically supporting this year - live alone since my husband died and money is very very tight....been horribly sick for almost 2 weeks with the flu and dragged myself out Christmas eve to make a nice Christmas for my family members.....I made a special trip to Specs to get her a bottle of her favorite wine. What hurt was I didn't even get a thank you.

I normally wouldn't post this but some of us in my family had joked about getting another picture of her for a gift thinking no way would this happen yet another year - and low and behold - that's exactly what she did !

I love my aunt dearly but am taking all but ONE photo down. I put alot of thought into the gifts I give. Sure it would be easy to give out photos of myself but who the heck would want any ? I'm not that egotistical lol !

Boy that felt good to say outloud ! Thanks for listening and I hope each and every one of you has a HEALTHY HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

V',
I had to comment, I have an aunt who is almost exactly as you describe your aunt! We are not close, but she taught me (although she doesn't realize it ) that having money does not equate to having happiness so I totally understand! and just wanted to give you some hugs and hope your New Year is Happy and Healthy and enjoyable too!!

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by AprilLove

V',
I had to comment, I have an aunt who is almost exactly as you describe your aunt! We are not close, but she taught me (although she doesn't realize it ) that having money does not equate to having happiness so I totally understand! and just wanted to give you some hugs and hope your New Year is Happy and Healthy and enjoyable too!!

haha - ya - the gift part didn't bother me a bit - it;s the fact that she keeps doing it - she's a 'professional' shopper all year - doesn't work - has more $$ than she could ever possibly spend ....yet if I put out ALL the pictures I'm collecting of her I'd have no room for my immediate family - so not out of spite but she is now going to honor one spot in my living room and I think I'll reuse the frames for my mom and dad & 2 sons The frames are really nice
(cept for my latest magnet photo)

[smartpuppiepets]

Originally Posted by red98vett

haha - ya - the gift part didn't bother me a bit - it;s the fact that she keeps doing it - she's a 'professional' shopper all year - doesn't work - has more $$ than she could ever possibly spend ....yet if I put out ALL the pictures I'm collecting of her I'd have no room for my immediate family - so not out of spite but she is now going to honor one spot in my living room and I think I'll reuse the frames for my mom and dad & 2 sons The frames are really nice
(cept for my latest magnet photo)

Suggestion: Keep the magnet picture in your fridge and use the other nice frames with "outdated" pictures for your family ! There it is, and you have the excuse, since you have so many you will only keep the newest one in display ... and use the wonderful frames she gifted you for your own enjoyment !
XOXO

[Lori63]

No offense here, but I think considering the fact that there are many, many people in this world that have fallen on hard times that didn't even have a Christmas dinner!!! For you to complain that you got a gift you can't use makes my heart bleed for you!!! TRY to not be so selfish and then you may APPRECIATE that someone, ex-mother in law, was at least thinking about you.

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by Lori63

No offense here, but I think considering the fact that there are many, many people in this world that have fallen on hard times that didn't even have a Christmas dinner!!! For you to complain that you got a gift you can't use makes my heart bleed for you!!! TRY to not be so selfish and then you may APPRECIATE that someone, ex-mother in law, was at least thinking about you.

I think she was just venting and wanted some honest opinions , not being selfish at all.
While I do feel for you and your situation that does not give you a free pass to be rude yourself/ JMO

[BellaBlue82]

Originally Posted by Elle

I think a gift certificate is pretty thoughtless. Sure it's okay for your the mail lady, give her one for a manicure. But for a family member it's just rude. I love to buy gifts. Some people just make it hard so it's not fun for them. It's not easy for everyone. It doesn't mean they don't care or does it?

I LOVE getting gift cards (as long as it's somewhere that I shop!)!! It's true that it's so hard to buy actual gifts for people nowadays, so for me, receiving a gift card to Dillards, Sephora, the mall, or even Wal-Mart is great because I will ALWAYS use it!

[BellaBlue82]

Originally Posted by Elle

After thinking about this. I had to wonder. Can I assume that your MIL is older. Maybe she didn't have VS around to shop from until recent times. I thought about your comment about you would prefer that she bought you cute panties. I'll assume that she has not bought them before. VS is probably new to her. She was most likely out of her comfort zone, thinking she was "spicing" things up. IMO this being a very fun gift from her. She most likely thinks a lot of you, is really close to you. Being an older generation just buying "victoria's secrect" like we buy "something FROM victoria's secret. It's sexy stuff to her. Just walking in the store is taboo etc. Is this possible?
Either way, she likes you a lot. She's older. She doesn't get it. Its VS. They don't know it's for anytime wear. Ask her, I bet she thinks it's for you-know-what. Which is harmless but funny. I bet she isn't wearing buying herself panites from vs,is she? Now, if the gift was a magnet to close your attic door tighter to save energy or something as thoughtless. Then I'd question it. LOL

Lol she is no stranger to VS, she's only 55 and she and her husband definitely are on the naughty side! And I didn't say that I wanted her to buy me panties, I said I would have rather had a gift card from VS so that I could go buy panties or something else for myself!

[BellaBlue82]

Originally Posted by WV~Yorkies

I just wish I would had got a gift to open. My husband always tells me go buy what you want. Which is good in a way but I wish just once he would go take the time to go and pick out something for me..from the heart even if it's a fry pan. LOL My mother just gives me cash. I have never received anything from my mother-in-law and hope I don't that means I am on my death bed...

My husband is the same way though, because I'm so hard to buy for. But I tell him gift cards... I love them. Oh, and I would welcome cash with open arms lol!

[BellaBlue82]

Originally Posted by AprilLove

V',
I had to comment, I have an aunt who is almost exactly as you describe your aunt! We are not close, but she taught me (although she doesn't realize it ) that having money does not equate to having happiness so I totally understand! and just wanted to give you some hugs and hope your New Year is Happy and Healthy and enjoyable too!!

LOL these sound like the kind of people that when they pass on they'll leave all their money to their dog!!

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

LOL these sound like the kind of people that when they pass on they'll leave all their money to their dog!!

hahaha - that would be pretty cool but she isn't a pet lover. I don't think she's ever had one. She's a really great woman though - does alot of charity work etc but also seems to love giving photos of herself out as gifts