Crappy Gifts?

Question

Yes... i should be thankful the thought was there. But for Christmas, birthdays, holidays... everything, both my mom and my aunt have bought me really really bad, impractical gifts. For example... a seatbelt cutter.... a bin full of caribbeaner clips that you can't use for climbing.... hospital lotion....a lamp that you strap to your head.... you get the point. The worst part is that I know they are actually paying a bit of money for some of the things they've gotten me. I live in a small apartment, and i hate to waste..so i get these impractical gifts, when throughout the year there are certain things i would LOVE to get, but don't do so. How do i tactfully say, if you have to spend money on me, please do it for things i will actually enjoy, instead of things i'm going to throw out bc they are useless and taking up space? idon't want to hear about how i sound like a spoiled brat, and shoudl be thankful. just give me a tactful way to approach this...ps.. they start shopping in february

Answer 1

What I started doing was making a wish list on Amazon.com. If they don't have computers or don't shop on line, print out pictures of what you want and say "I wanted to make things easy for you and in case you are interested, here is what I'd love this year"! It worked for me BIG time! I got a small dishwasher I wanted this year! I also made a list of all my favorite CD's and movies. When I'm in a store, I point to something I want and say "I'd LOVE that for my birthday"! My husband always buys something I chose and I do the same for him too! I wouldn't tell them they give crappy gifts though.

Answer 2

A seatbelt cutter? Hospital lotion? Doesn't sound to me like they spent ANY money on things. Ask her if this year for Xmas, can she please give you gift certificates from 2 stores and tell her which ones. It will spoil her shopping, I'm sure, but oh well. Don't bother to tell your Aunt - your Mom will do that. You might ask Mom what she wants, also. Maybe that's a good way to start the conversation, actually! Suggest you exchange list of 'wants'. Don't worry about other holidays. She'll get the idea from Xmas. If not, you'll just have to grin and bear it like you have been doing. I'm laughing because there probably isn't even anybody that you'd give the gifts to to get rid of them as they aren't good gifts. LOL

Answer 3

Maybe you could try talking about things that you like or need in a casual way in daily conversation to give her some hints and hope that she will pick up some ideas.

Like, if you need more cups or something to your kitchen then sometime when she's over for a visit you and you're giving her some coffee you could say something like 'oh, I really should get myself some new cups. I saw some cute ones in [some store you like]. Maybe I should invest in some new stuff for my kitchen."

Or if there's some book that you want you can casually mention that you've wanted to buy this really interesting book (and mention which one it is), but you never have time to go to the bookstore.

Maybe just subtly including it more often in your conversations what sort of things you need or would like to get could help her with ideas.

Answer 4

You are voicing what 99% of people are actually feeling. Why not give cash instead? What's so tacky about cash? Put it in a nice lovely envelope with a card and that will be the best gift for anyone. They can then decide what to buy for themselves or safe it in their bank. STop wasting precious hard earned money on crappy gifts.

Anyways back to your question, ...........just tell them what you want.

Answer 5

You carefully worded your question so that you really didn't come across as a spoiled brat. However, there IS no tactful way of changing their spending habits unless you are just honest with your Mom and tell here what you would LIKE for your b-day, etc., and she might relay wishes for other for practical things for your aunt to give you as well. Other than that, or returning the gifts, I can't help you.

PS My Mom died 12 years ago, wish I had a gift from her.

Answer 6

actually the seatbelt cutter is a really good gift. i want one of those myself. you never know when your car is going to flip into a canal!

i think that a wish-list is the best way to NOT tell them their gifts suck. it could hurt their feelings no matter how much sugar you coat it with. a simple wish-list of things you would like would let them know EXACTLY what you are looking for, or at very least give them an idea of what you may want.

Answer 7

Ever hear of E-Bay? How about regifting? Take all the stuff they give you and sell it and then buy something you really like. Your crap may be someone else's treasure. There really is no tactful way to tell someone that their gift is a piece of useless crap.

Answer 8

Drop some hints and say "Oh WOW I really need one of these..." or "oooh I love those...." Does she pick up on subtle clues? Or does she need more direction? If so, you could just say "Hey I know how hard it is to buy me gifts, so here is a small list of stuff I need just in case you need ideas.."

Answer 9

Ask your mom if you could give her a list of things that you need so that she could buy you gifts from that list. I've always given my mom a list of things I would like. She will probably appreciate being able to get you things you need or want.

Answer 10

tell her to stop buying you CRAPP and start just giving you the cash equivalent to what they would have spent and you will pick out what you want.