How do you tell someone you don't like the Christmas present?

Question

2 christmases ago my mom got me a telescope for christmas, but it didn't work so she sent it back, I said it was fine. I didn't have a problem with it. So next x- mas comes and this time she get a better one. The thing is I never wanted one, I don't where she got the idea I would want a telescope from, so now every time, something happens, she says how she spent 250 on it and I never once used it. I'm sorry I just never wanted one, she keeps throwing it up in my face at times.

So should I just say I never wanted a telescope, and end the matter?

Answer 1

instead of telling people you don't like the present spend more time discreetly telling people about yourself & what you like thats how i have dealt with the same dilema & it has worked! that way your not offending anyone! Or you can just drop hints of "I saw the most awesome thing the other day but cant afford it ect" Best wishes for Xmas

Answer 2

Hi there!

You can try a few things.

Example 1:
You can be polite and honest with her, explain to her that you arent that crazy about telescopes and other gadgets, and that you are more nuts about the pie she makes. This I am sure will please her and distract her. She will remember what you said and may not go berserk over a "useless" gift.

TWO
If you have the habit of giving her a christmas present, you can tell her "well, instead of getting you something I like, I'd like to get you something you like. So help me here, and tell me a few of the favorite things you've wanted to have".

Your mom will obviously think you are sweet and dont worry, she wont ask you way too expensive things, (because you are her kid and not her husband (wink))

By doing this you might make her ask you something similar. And there you can mention what you prefer. Remember to keep in mind some simple things that you wanted to have like for example, a wallet or a pen, and you can tell her that.

There is no perfect answer to your question. So try out these few things and let's see if these work. If they dont, we can come up with something else.
:)

Have fun. Happy Thanksgiving!
:)

Answer 3

Wow, that's kind of a tough one. It's going to hurt her feelings if you tell her, but then nothing's worse than someone who does a good deed (or gives a present) and then continually reminds you what a great sacrifice it was. She's seeking some kind of recognition for this great and wonderful thing she did, for psychological reasons of her own. I'm not Dr. Phil, but my advice would be to sit her down and give her what's called the "praise sandwich". Tell her she's a great mom and you love how she wants the best for you and it was awesome the time she (fill in the blank). then say you don't mean to sound rude, but you didn't really want a telescope. then folow up with more praise like how great it was when she bought you concert tickets or took you to the train museum, or whatever you did that you liked. the "praise sandwich" works really well, because you give the person 2 reasons they are great, and sort of slip in the thing you really want to say. It's easier to take that way.

Answer 4

No, don't tell your Mom that you never wanted it. I understand your feelings, but there always has to be a bright side to everything. Even a telescope! Who knows, when you get your own pad a good telescope could be a good point of interest.

Answer 5

Well normally I'm pretty firm on just smile and thank them for the gift...Have you TRIED to like it? Give it a chance and see if you can appreciate it. It's obviously something important to her and she's your Mom. Try and enjoy it so that she doesn't feel bad and then next Christmas try suggesting something that you DO want. So, then hopefully she won't buy you ANOTHER telescope. I think that if you tell her she will feel bad and it will hurt her feelings.Good Luck.

Answer 6

I read a story once about a woman who got an extremely ugly leather jacket from her husband for Christmas one year. She couldn't stand the thing, but her husbands obvious delight in his choice of gifts showed her that it was special to him. He'd obviously thought he'd made a good choice and was excited about it.

So every once in awhile, when she heard him coming in, she'd go throw on this jacket and act like she'd been wearing it all day. His smile at seeing her wearing his gift made it worth the effort.

I'm saying to you to do the same thing with your mom, make her happy now and then and use the thing. Do it so that she sees you, or even better, ask her to join you in a few minutes of stargazing. You probably have no idea how happy that would make her.

If you tell her you didn't want it, it will make her spirits sink because it meant a lot to her.

Answer 7

Thank her and say you appreciate the gift, but that you didn't want a telescope. Let her know something you do want so this won't happen again.

Answer 8

You have to be gracious about presents. This year start dropping hints about things you do want so you can both be happy about the present. Your mom did spend a lot of money on something you apprarently don't appreciate. Maybe you can make the decision to sell it on EBay or something and recoupe some money back. Next time speak up before she spends a lot of money!

Answer 9

Tough call. It's always sticky dealing with good ol' mom. I'm a mom, so I think I would like the truth. I'd hate it, but the truth generally works. Maybe you could give her some ideas, so she isn't trying to 2nd guess what you want. Good luck.
(Be nice. She means well!)

Answer 10

No, just say thank you and be gracious. There is no gain on either side to tell her you dont like it. Let her think she's done something good. You will just hurt her feelings if you do. It's not like you have to wear it lol!!