I don't deserve to get presents...UPDATE Post #65

[JerseyJanice]

I guess you would REALLY dislike mine, then:

I looked yours up - it's cute. I like the rose gold. It's very different. However, I adore my above one, so we may have differing tastes.

What about eBay'ing it?

I like yours, Cat. I don't know if it's for me, but I do like yours. What I dislike most about the one I was given is the metallic leather trim. I could put up with the fabric body of my bag.

Thanks for the info, Jaminmd. I think I'm going to try and exchange it at a regular Coach store although I don't believe MIL included a receipt. If they'll let me switch for a "normal" leather bag, I'll be very happy.

 

[ChrizJen]

No flames here.
My only suggestion would be to get into the habit of just telling your DH what you want. No hints, just come right out and say it.
I've had to work with my DP for years on this one. She's naturally intuitive when it comes to things like that, so she expects others to be the same way. And I'm just NOT. She could drop all of the subtle hints in the world, and I'm not likely going to pick up on them. She's learned that her best bet is just to tell me what she wants. Otherwise, I'm just going to ask for a list.
I hope you get some resolution on the jewelry issue. And I like your decision on the handbag situation. I happen to feel the same way you do about metallic leather. It just looks cheap to me. But you never know, it may just grow on you.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh, yes -- I do know. This year, DH bought me [drum roll] ... a phone card, a box of Mucinex-D, and a stick blender; one without a chopping attachment.

Note that one week ago, while making cookies, I had complained that my current stick blender had a broken chopping attachment, and what a shame that it was that it still worked fine but that I couldn't seem to replace that broken part that I needed. The new one does not HAVE a chopping attachment, so what I've got now is exactly what I had already. He purchased it less than one hour after I made the complaint.

The Mucinex was supposed to be a gag gift, because I complain that the pseudoephedrine restriction laws mean that I have to go and buy it once per week, she he bought it to save me the trip! Yeah, that was a gasser.

The phone card was a real wonder, because I already have one that has 17 hours of time on it, and I'm phobic about using phones. I don't use an hour of long distance time in 3 years! Guess I'm now set until my toddler finishes high school.

What I realized some time ago is that the REAL issue with the bad-gifts-from-spouses thing is the hurt that comes with it. It's not disappointment with the gift, it's disappointment with the giver. Your spouse is supposed to be the person who knows you better than anyone else in the world, but this is what they think you would want? Realizing that they really don't know you at all after howsomany years of marriage is just painful on a very visceral level.

ITA!!!!

amazon wish list....best invention ever for my husband

FTR, I had several "kitchen" items on it that I did get, and was thrilled!

I have one, he told ME to pick what I wanted from it......so couple that with me walking him into the clothing store and to a certain rack and saying "I want these for Christmas" I knew everything I got before I unwrapped it.... And yes, I was hoping HE would find something for me, I had a total of 4 stocking stuffers, 3 items of candy and my new toothbrush, that I bought...... To add to that he kept talking about "the one gift you don't know about" so I kept thinking I was getting something from him, but no, I knew about EVERY gift he got me so I have NO idea what he was talking about........LOL I love him, but I'm hurt that he didn't think of me, while I did think of him. kwim?

No flames here.
My only suggestion would be to get into the habit of just telling your DH what you want. No hints, just come right out and say it.
I've had to work with my DP for years on this one. She's naturally intuitive when it comes to things like that, so she expects others to be the same way. And I'm just NOT. She could drop all of the subtle hints in the world, and I'm not likely going to pick up on them. She's learned that her best bet is just to tell me what she wants. Otherwise, I'm just going to ask for a list.
I hope you get some resolution on the jewelry issue. And I like your decision on the handbag situation. I happen to feel the same way you do about metallic leather. It just looks cheap to me. But you never know, it may just grow on you.

This year I'm going to give him a list, it's going to be a very detailed list with plenty of items to chose from, for my bday, our anniversary and Christmas...and he probably won't use it......I'm going to do the universal wish list thru Amazon this year.

 

[kimmar067]

I like yours, Cat. I don't know if it's for me, but I do like yours. What I dislike most about the one I was given is the metallic leather trim. I could put up with the fabric body of my bag.

Thanks for the info, Jaminmd. I think I'm going to try and exchange it at a regular Coach store although I don't believe MIL included a receipt. If they'll let me switch for a "normal" leather bag, I'll be very happy.

......soooooooo, I guess it's safe to say that you WON'T be taking my advice and using it as a diaper bag then, huh......

 

[JerseyJanice]

......soooooooo, I guess it's safe to say that you WON'T be taking my advise and using it as a diaper bag then, huh......

Bite your tongue, young lady. My baby-making factory is permanently shut down.

We're going over to the Garden State Plaza later on. I'm going to bring the bag and see if the Coach store there will exchange it.

Of all annoying things, I received a fragrance gift from a work colleague who was kind enough to include a gift receipt, but I can't find the receipt now. The perfume smells like bug spray on me (Idole d'Armani or something like that--it's Italian for Raid) so of course I'm taking it back. I probably left the receipt in my desk. I could swing by the office and get it, but do you think it's necessary? It's from Macy's.

 

[kimmar067]

Bite your tongue, young lady. My baby-making factory is permanently shut down.

We're going over to the Garden State Plaza later on. I'm going to bring the bag and see if the Coach store there will exchange it.....

... good luck with THAT!!! I was there yesterday and it took me over 20 minutes just to get IN the parking lot near Best Buy...

 

[JerseyJanice]

That's one reason I waited until today. I'm hoping the crowds will thin out a bit.

By any chance, did you go to Bath & Body Works? If so, did they have a lot of stock? The main reason I want to go to the GSP instead of Paramus Park is because the GSP B&BW usually has a much better selection.

 

[kimmar067]

That's one reason I waited until today. I'm hoping the crowds will thin out a bit....

... you funny rady.....

...By any chance, did you go to Bath & Body Works? If so, did they have a lot of stock? The main reason I want to go to the GSP instead of Paramus Park is because the GSP B&BW usually has a much better selection.

....ehhhhh, so-so.....I agree that GSP has more to offer than PP....BTW ~ that's where I'm going today....well, actually to Bensi, to celebrate a colleague's 60th b-day....

 

[JerseyJanice]

Have fun, Kim! Let me know how you like Bensi. I haven't been yet. My coworker with the Irish descent loves it, but I can't exactly go by her opinion.

 

[kimmar067]

Have fun, Kim! Let me know how you like Bensi. I haven't been yet. My coworker with the Irish descent loves it, but I can't exactly go by her opinion.

....well, it's better than Maggiano's....

 

[JerseyJanice]

That's good to know! This is the same coworker who likes Maggiano's--and has the ugly gold metallic Coach bag. I love her dearly, but obviously, she and I have different taste.

 

[kimmar067]

That's good to know! This is the same coworker who likes Maggiano's--and has the ugly gold metallic Coach bag. I love her dearly, but obviously, she and I have different taste.

.... OMG, you just made me chuckle out loud!

 

[CathrynRose]

That's good to know! This is the same coworker who likes Maggiano's--and has the ugly gold metallic Coach bag. I love her dearly, but obviously, she and I have different taste.

I must say - I do not like Maggiano's either. I'm not as bad as your co-worker.

 

[C.Ann]

Putting on my flame suit here...

I am grateful, truly, that I have a husband and family who love me and want to buy me nice things. It could be that I have control issues, but it irks me so much to get gifts I don't like.

My MIL tried to do a good thing by telling her son to always get me nice personal gifts and not things for the house. But you know what? Nothing thrills me more than a new "toy" for my kitchen. My food processor broke; I tried to bake my annual Christmas cookies, but they're arduous to make without a food processor. I really want a new one. I threw every hint in the world to both my son and husband, but DH had to go with MIL's rule and buy me a necklace--something I don't want or need.

The worst part? I have a very thick neck--always have, even back in the day when I was skinny. Must be the Italian in me. The standard 18 inch neck chain fits me like a choker and is very uncomfortable to wear. So in a little while I have to go the jewelry exchange where he bought this and exchange it for something.

His feelings are hurt that I didn't like my present. If he had given me a check like he usually does, I could get myself the food processor that I really wanted. The jewelry receipt very clearly states "no refunds/exchange only" so like it or not, I have to get a piece of jewelry. Yeah, I know there are much bigger problems to have. Still. I want a food processor.

Next present I'm unhappy with--MIL goes to Lancaster PA every fall to shop for Christmas. Each of the past two years, she bought me a nice Coach bag and I loved her to pieces for it. She did it again this year, and guess what? I don't like the one she picked out--at all. It's a "Signature Zoe" bag with metallic rose gold leather. I don't like the look of metallic leather, and I can't stand fabric pocketbooks. I have no clue what to do with this bag. It can't be exchanged so I'm thinking I will have to learn to like it. It just kills me to know she spend a lot of money on this bag, and it's not my taste.

Much as I'm not a fan of them (and "had" to do it this year for my Dson-in-law's benefit), go with the Amazon WISH LIST next year.. There's even an option where you can rate the priority of the item you are requesting.. DD and DGD did them as well this year and although they were never made available to anyone but the 4 of us here, at least I didn't end up with a hot water heater again!

 

[kimmar067]

Much as I'm not a fan of them (and "had" to do it this year for my Dson-in-law's benefit), go with the Amazon WISH LIST next year.. There's even an option where you can rate the priority of the item you are requesting.. DD and DGD did them as well this year and although they were never made available to anyone but the 4 of us here, at least I didn't end up with a hot water heater again!

...you....got.....a.....HOT-WATER HEATER.....for CHRISTMAS??!?!?

 

[dicar123]

Oh, a place to complain about gifts! LOL!

I love my husband, but my word is he a nitwit sometimes. For years early in our marriage he would attempt to buy me pajama sets. Cute ones, but as my top half is a whole size bigger than my bottom half...sets NEVER work. And he'd always say, "I thought the top looked big enough..."

He went to buying me sleep t's and nightgowns. Wonderful!

This year he got brave. He found pajamas as separates. Mix and match, cute as can be! I was thrilled. Until I realized he bought everything in the same size. Really? The point of separates is...what? Refreshingly, the tops are the correct size this time. It's the bottoms that are waaaayy swimmy on me. He did apologize for overestimating the size of my rear end...

 

[AmazingGrace]

It doesn't help that every stinking time you turn around, the media is telling us that if we don't get jewelery, our dh's are scum. "OOOOOHHHH He went to JARED!!!!!" Gag me with a diamond encrusted spoon!!!!

 

[kimmar067]

Oh, a place to complain about gifts! LOL!....It's the bottoms that are waaaayy swimmy on me. He did apologize for overestimating the size of my rear end...

...I feel a TAG coming on.....

 

[crz4mm2]

My In Laws ask for a list every year. That's good IF they get what's on the list. This year I asked for a step stool for the kitchen and a DEEP 5-6 quart stainless steel or aluminum fry pan with lid.
My MIL asked DH why I wanted another step stool as they bought me one last year(it is in my walk in closet. I want one for the KITCHEN). He told her I didn't really want one cause I already HAVE one
It was MY LIST that I WROTE!
I told DH to mind his own business.. Jeez.
I got a 5 quart T-fall pan that is not stainless or aluminum (wanted that so it would match my other pans that hang on the pot rack). sigh.... AND it has ridges and won't work with my flat top stove.

Sigh.

At least DH came thru (thanks to DD who told him what to get!) with an electric wine bottle opener. This thing is the BERRIES!!!

 

[kimmar067]

At least DH came thru (thanks to DD who told him what to get!) with an electric wine bottle opener. This thing is the BERRIES!!!

...and a LETHAL WEAPON in at least 6 states.....







































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