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Post by epeanymous on Nov 10, 2014 3:44:48 GMT
Definitely scented lotions and soaps, which someone will give me once in a blue moon. I am allergic to a lot of scents. Usually I can find someone who wants them.
Otherwise, I think almost everyone except my mother and my husband give me gift cards, and both of them are awesome at picking out gifts.
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Post by nesser01 on Nov 10, 2014 3:53:29 GMT
I am ashamed to say, too many. The first thing that came to mind is the year my mother in law (rest in peace), who was totally into quantity over quality, gave me two huge gift bags full of thrift shop dresses for Christmas. Not name brand dresses, or new with tags dresses - these were lace collar polyester floral print dresses. I took those dresses over to my sister's house, we had a good laugh, then she lifted the lid on her toter and I threw them in. There is no way I would redonate them. I have gotten things that I immediately regifted or offered as raffle prizes at fund raisers. The most recent thing is a Longaberger Christmas tree platter new in the box. My cousin gave it to me. I donated it to a breast cancer fundraiser. This is my MIL. One Christmas we came home with 3 of those 30 gallon trashbags full of dollar store nicnacs and misc junk. I've tried giving her suggestions as to what we like....but it doesn't work. I've even said straight out, we would rather 1 gift or nothing than 100 things that will end up in the trash. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 3:54:50 GMT
Last year MIL got me a scarf thing. It was threaded through a giant bead with a pendant that looked like a polished rock. I guess you were supposed to wear it like a necklace? You still had to tie it, which made it VERY bulky and totally not appropriate as a necklace. The design was very colorful, too, and nothing like my style. My guess is she realized at the last minute she didn't have anything for me and ran to the dollar store to pick something up.
For a wedding present, someone got us a pair of ceramic candlesticks that had several designs and colors all over them. Not us at all! We kept them for a couple of years, then used them as a white elephant gift for a Christmas party. The person who got them absolutely loved them! Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
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raindancer
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Post by raindancer on Nov 10, 2014 4:35:46 GMT
I thought it was because of the caffeine, but after the other poster commenting on hot vs. cold drinks I could be wrong. Not to hijack the thread but it is from the 'strong drink and hot drinks. It's 'advised'. Part of the Word of Wisdom. Many of us drink Coke.I don't know want to get into a whole debate about it but that coffee was not part the accepted beverage of choice. You won't find Coke on a Mormon campus like BYU. I would not be comfortable with a Starbucks gift card, but that's just me. On the worst gift part- my grandma was notorious for regifting and bad gifts. The worst we got from her was a bacon rack fro the microwave from one of those As Seen on TV things. It had been passed around more than once we just happened to be the last ones to get it. From LDS.org: In the Word of Wisdom, the Lord revealed that the following substances are harmful: Alcoholic drinks (see D&C 89:5-7). Tobacco (see D&C 89:8). Tea and coffee (see D&C 89:9; latter-day prophets have taught that the term “hot drinks,” as written in this verse, refers to tea and coffee). The nuances of this culturally speaking are rather fascinating. I've heard everything from 'no caffeine', to specific beverages like coke, pepsi and mt. dew, to herbal tea and hot chocolate are ok, etc. It's all very confusing, and the only doctrine on the matter is tea and coffee. (Since they often serve hot chocolate an interpretation of "hot drinks" had to be clarified, but I have *never* met anyone who is LDS who will drink tea or coffee hot or iced. That doesn't seem to really be a gray area). (That's not to say it doesn't happen, just that the interpretation has been coffee and tea specifically for many years) Sorry for the hijack.  |
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Post by shanni on Nov 10, 2014 5:06:00 GMT
I put that part in after gifting one of DD's high school teachers with a Starbucks gift basket only to have her tell DD she was Mormon.  How rude of her teacher! Why would she say anything other than a gracious thank you? I'm Mormon, and I'd love a Starbucks gift card. They have yummy hot chocolate and desserts! If she didn't want to use it, she could have quietly passed it on to a coworker or friend. |
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Post by chlerbie on Nov 10, 2014 5:16:47 GMT
My SIL gave both me and my dsd (her niece) parasols. They were paper, like the ones that are in mixed drinks, except they were like the size of a four year old's umbrella. Then she bragged about how she'd picked them up at a boy scout's sale, where at the end of the day everything was 5.00 to fill up a bag and she was so EXCITED to find our gifts there. I could accept that *I* received that, but to give that to her niece? And we'd bought HER three boys expensive Nintendo type games, to top it off.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 10, 2014 5:22:52 GMT
I thought of one more! After DD was born, one of my sisters gave her one of those light up glow worm dolls that she obviously got from a garage sale. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with stuff from garage sales in general if it's clean and in good condition, and I sell stuff on consignment myself. What I took issue with was the fact that it was dirty and because it was a battery operated thing couldn't be washed in the washing machine. Was I giving that thing to my NEWBORN? How about NO? Gross.
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Post by ScrapsontheRocks on Nov 10, 2014 7:12:30 GMT
I'm 43 and I always buy my eyeshadow palettes at Target.  I just thought it was cheap. It might very well be, MAC girl. I don't really think your entry is in the spirit of the thread though. Be careful dismounting off that high horse |
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Post by Jockscrap on Nov 10, 2014 15:10:31 GMT
Really, normally I'm a smile and be thankful type of a girl, but my DH gave me a onesie in a zebra pattern, complete with ears on the hood and a tail. I don't mind practical presents and have had many kitchen things in the past from him, and I gratefully accept pretty much everything he gives me, but I am afraid I had a total sense of humour breakdown on receiving that. What made it even more irritating was that for a few days before my birthday he'd say things like: 'I'm really not sure you're going to like what I've got you'. Eh...go with your instincts the next time, Dear.
What on earth made him think that a 46 year old woman (and specifically this (then) 46 year old he had been married to for over 20 years) would want to dress like a flipping zoo animal.
It was immediately passed on to my DD19, a student who loved it - not surprisingly, what with her being the target demographic.
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Nov 10, 2014 15:30:07 GMT
An eyeshadow palette from target, seriously insulting, I only shop at MAC something like that should be given to a teen. Yes, that is insulting. |
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Post by mtscrapper on Nov 10, 2014 15:33:46 GMT
I put that part in after gifting one of DD's high school teachers with a Starbucks gift basket only to have her tell DD she was Mormon. How rude of her teacher! Why would she say anything other than a gracious thank you? I'm Mormon, and I'd love a Starbucks gift card. They have yummy hot chocolate and desserts! If she didn't want to use it, she could have quietly passed it on to a coworker or friend. I'm Mormon also and don't drink coffee or tea, but there are plenty of things to get at Starbucks. The Mormon Guide to Starbucks I wouldn't have an issue with a Starbucks card. I would be thrilled! I have always wanted to try their Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and just haven't done that yet. |
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Post by BuckeyeSandy on Nov 10, 2014 15:35:14 GMT
Unwanted items slowly make it to the trash bin. Some items make it to donation box, but not many.
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Post by krazykatlady on Nov 10, 2014 16:05:43 GMT
Really, normally I'm a smile and be thankful type of a girl, but my DH gave me a onesie in a zebra pattern, complete with ears on the hood and a tail. I don't mind practical presents and have had many kitchen things in the past from him, and I gratefully accept pretty much everything he gives me, but I am afraid I had a total sense of humour breakdown on receiving that. What made it even more irritating was that for a few days before my birthday he'd say things like: 'I'm really not sure you're going to like what I've got you'. Eh...go with your instincts the next time, Dear.
What on earth made him think that a 46 year old woman (and specifically this (then) 46 year old he had been married to for over 20 years) would want to dress like a flipping zoo animal.
It was immediately passed on to my DD19, a student who loved it - not surprisingly, what with her being the target demographic.
This is the best one yet! Are you sure he hadn't been watching that CSI episode where people dressed up like animals. Lol!! |
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Post by bc2ca on Nov 10, 2014 16:19:24 GMT
An eyeshadow palette from target, seriously insulting, I only shop at MAC something like that should be given to a teen. I'm 43 and I always buy my eyeshadow palettes at Target. I can't imagine giving make-up as a gift unless you absolutely knew it was a product/brand the person used, but even then color choices are so individual it isn't something I would buy for another woman. We have gifted the large sets that show up in stores this time of year to preteen nieces, who were in heaven. |
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Nov 10, 2014 16:27:28 GMT
I'm Mormon and don't drink coffee. I wouldn't want a Starbucks gift card just because I would have to drive an hour to use it. We don't have a Starbucks near us. I hear their hot chocolate is good, though. My husband got a Dutch Bros. gift card given to him recently, but they have nasty hot chocolate, so I'm holding on to it until this summer when the frozen lemonade and Italian sodas are back.  My BIL (also Mormon) gets Starbucks gift cards every year from his students and he and my sister love it! She's so cute about it. She adores their steamers and since he's a teacher and the sole earner, Starbucks drinks are a treat at their house. The gift cards are very welcome at their house. My MIL after twenty years still has no clue how to buy for me. I've gotten baskets of bath crap when I don't take baths. I think I get them because I buy them for her, a woman who loves bubble baths but won't buy nice bubble bath for herself. I buy it for her and then she thinks I want it back. Sigh. I had to stop buying her bubble bath just because of that.  I've gotten decor items that don't match my decor. But all of that is so much better than the years that I get nothing. I know they love me, but my expectations at Christmas are almost nil at this point. |
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Post by bc2ca on Nov 10, 2014 16:31:42 GMT
As a teacher I am privileged to receive lovely gifts each year from my students and their families. Every gift gets a thank you note and sincere gratitude since I know they are given with love, but honestly, some items end up in the donation bag or immediately get regifted to my kids or the break room. Things that come to mind are: a bag full of lipsticks - the ones that come with the free gifts at department stores so they aren't sealed or in a package of any kind, a furry pink bathrobe (I don't own ANYTHING pink and fuzz makes my contact lenses unbearable), a black velvet evening bag with poinsettias done in sparkly seed beads all over it, perfumes and heavily scented lotions, candies/treats with nuts, etc. I've been the force behind our teacher wish list binder so parents can get a better sense of what teachers might enjoy. Teachers can fill out a cutesy survey that lists favorite scents, drinks, stores, restaurants, colors, animals, etc. It also lists holidays that we celebrate (so the Jewish and Muslim teachers don't get as many Christmas ornaments) as well as a section about anything you prefer not to receive. I put that part in after gifting one of DD's high school teachers with a Starbucks gift basket only to have her tell DD she was Mormon. It also works for those of us with allergies and dietary issues. Most teachers will tell you that mugs and anything with apples on it goes straight to the donation pile, but I actually use the mugs I get - if not for coffee, then to hold pens/pencils/brushes in my scrap area. I do think the gift binder is a great idea. My kids schools have teacher's online "wish lists" that we use when gift buying. Most of it is practical classroom stuff, but they always list their preferred gift cards and include Starbucks and iTunes. Your DD's Mormon teacher should never have said a word, even if the gift basket included coffee, a Starbucks gift basket is probably one of the easiest things to regift or could be donated to a school fund raiser. My kids don't drink coffee, usually get a Starbucks gift card in their stockings and have no problem spending it. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Nov 10, 2014 16:35:39 GMT
An eyeshadow palette from target, seriously insulting, I only shop at MAC something like that should be given to a teen. I'm 43 and I always buy my eyeshadow palettes at Target. One of my most used eye shadow palettes came from Target...my boy got it for me for Christmas last year. It was probably $7-I think the Elf brand? |
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Post by workingclassdog on Nov 10, 2014 18:22:20 GMT
My latest eye shadow palette came from Forever 21 for 6.99 or 7.99.... I refuse to pay a ridiculous amount of money for eye shadow, that is insulting to my pocketbook.
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Post by alissa103 on Nov 10, 2014 18:54:12 GMT
Someone is our family likes to gift me their "previously read" trashy romance novels and grocery store paperbacks. Fun times. They look like they've been through heck and are creased in the binding, pages crinkled or look like they got wet, etc. Plus I don't read that stuff and have been reading on an e-reader for years anyway. These books always go straight to goodwill. This same person has also gifted me her own scarves still smelling of her perfume.  Another time DH got underwear in a size he hadn't worn since maybe 7-8th grade. We got a good laugh out of that one in the car on the way home! |
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by blue tulip on Nov 10, 2014 19:26:19 GMT
I thought of one more! After DD was born, one of my sisters gave her one of those light up glow worm dolls that she obviously got from a garage sale. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with stuff from garage sales in general if it's clean and in good condition, and I sell stuff on consignment myself. What I took issue with was the fact that it was dirty and because it was a battery operated thing couldn't be washed in the washing machine. Was I giving that thing to my NEWBORN? How about NO? Gross. ha, i thought i didn't have one til i read this. when DS1 was a baby, we visited my MIL. she said she had a gift for him, and pulled out from behind their couch this white puppy dog stuffed toy that played "now i lay me down to sleep" if you squeezed its paw. unwrapped, no box, and dingy yellow from all the smokers who lived there (herself included). i took it and said thank you and immediately threw it away at home. it was disgusting to touch. later that week my husband was burning the trash (we lived in the country) and out of the flames comes this "now i lay me down to sleep..." refrain. it starts out normal and then gets all warped and deeper toned until it screeches and stops. seriously freaked him out for a second til he remembered that puppy lol. |
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Post by arielsmom on Nov 10, 2014 19:41:57 GMT
One year dad got me and his girlfriend matching baseball style sweatshirts. I asked him if he had gotten her daughter's some also and he said no because they would not wear something like that. (Neither did I. It went to thrift still in its plastic.)
The girlfriend would regift my gifts to her so I started to give her things I would love cause I would be getting it in a few months for my birthday. Except the pot of hand creme which was half gone, presents got better. She did give my son in law a partial bag of Angel food that she tied closed with red hair and a sleeve of crackers and 3 tea bags. Still makes me laugh when I think how we all tried to hold it together. She was not poor, just did not give a darn what she gave us. Her children got designer purses, etc.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 19:43:13 GMT
I just learned something. I did not know that Mormons do not drink coffee. I don't drink coffee either. And I'm Jewish But it has nothing to do with religion. I just can't stand the taste of it. [br Some Mormons do and a friend of mine told me his family doesn't drink hot beverages so they will drink the iced coffee drinks. A friend and her husband will get a large hot chocolate and share it, she loves Starbucks gift cards. That's the difference between an active and inactive Mormon; the temperature of their caffeine.  Back to the topic, my grandma used to get so many freebies in the mail. Every Christmas she would have a "grab bag". It was trashy romance novels, things for the kitchen, ugly socks (think things from the Lilian Vernon catalog). It was HYSTERICAL! We would play along and pretend fight over the stuff. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 19:48:31 GMT
I thought of one more! After DD was born, one of my sisters gave her one of those light up glow worm dolls that she obviously got from a garage sale. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with stuff from garage sales in general if it's clean and in good condition, and I sell stuff on consignment myself. What I took issue with was the fact that it was dirty and because it was a battery operated thing couldn't be washed in the washing machine. Was I giving that thing to my NEWBORN? How about NO? Gross. ha, i thought i didn't have one til i read this. when DS1 was a baby, we visited my MIL. she said she had a gift for him, and pulled out from behind their couch this white puppy dog stuffed toy that played "now i lay me down to sleep" if you squeezed its paw. unwrapped, no box, and dingy yellow from all the smokers who lived there (herself included). i took it and said thank you and immediately threw it away at home. it was disgusting to touch. later that week my husband was burning the trash (we lived in the country) and out of the flames comes this "now i lay me down to sleep..." refrain. it starts out normal and then gets all warped and deeper toned until it screeches and stops. seriously freaked him out for a second til he remembered that puppy lol. [br OMG. Snort! I would have had to run husband to the funny farm. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Nov 10, 2014 19:56:08 GMT
Seriously, this thread has me cracking up. I can't believe some of the gifts you guys have been given. I have no story to share because I have not received anything weird. I have received decor items that aren't my style and stuff like that, but nothing used or just completely off the wall.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 19:57:57 GMT
One year my dad's wife got my sisters and me each a large Christmas lighted saguaro bathroom hand towel holder. Yeah.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 19:58:33 GMT
ha, i thought i didn't have one til i read this. when DS1 was a baby, we visited my MIL. she said she had a gift for him, and pulled out from behind their couch this white puppy dog stuffed toy that played "now i lay me down to sleep" if you squeezed its paw. unwrapped, no box, and dingy yellow from all the smokers who lived there (herself included). i took it and said thank you and immediately threw it away at home. it was disgusting to touch. later that week my husband was burning the trash (we lived in the country) and out of the flames comes this "now i lay me down to sleep..." refrain. it starts out normal and then gets all warped and deeper toned until it screeches and stops. seriously freaked him out for a second til he remembered that puppy lol. [br OMG. Snort! I would have had to run husband to the funny farm. That is hilarious! I forgot my son got a new stuffed bear that said the lord's prayer from my in-laws; they're Mormon! It is not a prayer that is recited in that religion. I also chuckled the year they gave my daughter a barbie doll with a tattoo and she was wearing a bikini (one piece swimsuits are strongly encouraged). |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Nov 10, 2014 20:24:51 GMT
My GMIL always meant well, but she would find something she thought I would like, and I would get it multiple times. I really found it endearing. For instance, about 5 years in a row, she gave me a lamp or lamp set. We only had 3 tables that are good for lamps, so I ran out of space for lamps quickly! I can picture her thinking, "Well, they started a house with nothing. I bet they need nice lamps." I was always grateful for her gifts, even when they weren't what I needed.
I'll admit, some of the posts in this thread makes me a little uncomfortable. Some of the gifts listed sound like they were given in good spirit, but they just didn't hit the mark, like the ones my GMIL would give. In some cases, though, the posters sound kind of mad about that. Some people just stink at gift giving or have complete opposite taste than you, even when they try.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 10, 2014 20:35:43 GMT
Back to the topic, my grandma used to get so many freebies in the mail. Every Christmas she would have a "grab bag". It was trashy romance novels, things for the kitchen, ugly socks (think things from the Lilian Vernon catalog). It was HYSTERICAL! We would play along and pretend fight over the stuff. Lillan Vernon? You struck the jackpot! That stuff is designer compared to the wondrous goodies from Harriet Carter where my MIL used to shop for our gifts!  |
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Post by myshelly on Nov 10, 2014 20:45:59 GMT
My grandmother, god rest her.
She meant well.
She was a quantity over quality person. And she also believed that she had to get every person the EXACT same thing so that no one could claim things weren't fair. I can understand that, but she took it to extremes. For example, one year she gave everyone a sheet set. Ok, not so bad in and of itself. But because everyone had to have the *same* thing she bought everyone king size sheets even though she knew not everyone had a king size bed. The queen size sheets cost less so that wouldn't be a fair present to the people who have queen size beds in her mind.
Another year she bought these picture collage frames that had a saying about family in one of the openings. Then she filled all the other openings with pictures of only the person she was giving the frame to. So I got an 11x14 frame with a quote about family in one opening and pictures of me, just me, some of them close ups of just my face, in the 6 other openings. It was weird.
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Post by AussieMeg on Nov 10, 2014 20:58:04 GMT
An eyeshadow palette from target, seriously insulting, I only shop at MAC something like that should be given to a teen. Even I - a relative stranger - know you well enough to know that an eyeshadow palette from Target is NOT an appropriate gift for you! |
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I've gotten decor items that don't match my decor. But all of that is so much better than the years that I get nothing. I know they love me, but my expectations at Christmas are almost nil at this point. 
