topic Re: Holiday gifts first world problems in Community Chat

Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 16:52:06 GMT

Have any of you recieved a gift and wondered what the heck you're going to do with it? Most of the time depending on the item, I can regift or donate particulalry if it is small.

However last night my brother and his significant other gave me and my DH an expensive Sony turntable. They were both so excited when I opened it I played along and acted excited too. They even gave me an LP, "Eagles Hotel California". I asked what gave them the idea to get this for us?

He said that we had talked at Thanksgiving and I had mentioned that we gave our old turntable to DD and we still had over 1,000 LPs in the basement. You could say that I'm holding on to them for sentimental reasons but this doesn't mean that I want a turntable.

I decided to see if there was a place for it in our family room but it's been a long time since we had a traditional stereo and have long replaced the entertainment unit with a large flat screen TV stand with room for a few TV items....no room for a turntable.

No room for a turntable on any of the shelves. When I buy myself anything for the house or outdoors I always measure to see if it would fit.

Honestly I don't know what to do with this! What would you all do? There is no place to put it and I don't want to go out to buy a table just to put this on.

Would you just thank him and let it be? Or tell him the truth? I don't want to hurt his feelings.

I just don't understand why he would think that I would want something like this when it is large and requires work to set up.....I know it's a petty problem and many people have many serious issues.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

beckyb1012 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 16:56:41 GMT

I would keep it just for the excitement that they felt buying it for you. I still have two VCR's with a huge inventory of VHS tapes. I can always find room for memories and nostalgia, and that album they gave you is a great one.

eBay as a ton of LP records for sale and many still sealed.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

Hoovermom — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:00:27 GMT

Does he live near you? If he doesn't, maybe find a closet that you can put it in and take out when you want to use it. Otherwise, if he lives nearby and comes by frequently, I don't have any suggestions for you. I am sure he was excited to give you this gift.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:33:40 GMT

@beckyb1012 Yes it is a great album....we already have it! Now I have two. I can always give it to DD.

However concerning the turntable, I feel bad but the only thing to do if I keep it is for it to remain in the box in the basement. There is no place other than my dining room table to put it and that's not going to work.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:04:52 GMT

@Hoovermom Yes he does live near me. It's not like taking out something that merely has to be plugged in. If it were that simple I would do what you suggested.

It has to be set up and connceted with speakers and a reciever we just don't have anyplace to do that.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

SamBrown — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:16:07 GMT

@haddon9 just thank them and let it be. They don't need to know if you donate it or give it away. If it's ever mentioned, tell them you have it hooked up in your bedroom and you enjoy listening to the records in the evening before bed.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

ValuSkr — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:18:33 GMT

That's a tough one. He must have thought you regretted giving your old TT to your daughter.

I would offer the new TT to your daughter, hoping that she takes it. Then take your old TT back from the daughter and assure your brother that she plays LPs much more than you and will appreciate something "not vintage" and you don't really have room for it in any case.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

cindyNC — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:19:24 GMT

I would just store it in the basement. And punt if they come over and ask about it.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:20:53 GMT

A lady in my discussion group sold her husband's albums and turntable to a used record store after he passed.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:29:10 GMT

Thanks for all of your thoughtful replies! This is such a silly dilemma!

Just because we were having a conversation at Thanksgiving about my record collection doesn't mean I want another turntable. We gave away the old one for a reason. DD really wanted it along with some LPs and loves the whole mid century modern vibe.

At my age I think I no longer want "surprises" except seeing someone important in my life whom I haven't seen for a long time.

A gift card is always an easy and welcomed gift ....I always appreciate a gift card to a local restaurant... Sigh.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:31:31 GMT

@SamBrown wrote:
@haddon9 just thank them and let it be. They don't need to know if you donate it or give it away. If it's ever mentioned, tell them you have it hooked up in your bedroom and you enjoy listening to the records in the evening before bed.

@SamBrown That could be a great idea excpet I need speakers and a reciever for it. Hmmmm maybe the office I could always get those at some point in the future.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:35:22 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
That's a tough one. He must have thought you regretted giving your old TT to your daughter.

I would offer the new TT to your daughter, hoping that she takes it. Then take your old TT back from the daughter and assure your brother that she plays LPs much more than you and will appreciate something "not vintage" and you don't really have room for it in any case.

@ValuSkr It is a serious possibility to give it to DD. The old one is about 50 years old and this new one has bluetooth & has a wireless feature.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

SamBrown — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:00:13 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@SamBrown wrote:
@haddon9 just thank them and let it be. They don't need to know if you donate it or give it away. If it's ever mentioned, tell them you have it hooked up in your bedroom and you enjoy listening to the records in the evening before bed.
@SamBrown That could be a great idea excpet I need speakers and a reciever for it. Hmmmm maybe the office I could always get those at some point in the future.

@haddon9 don't even bother yourself about all of that. Just get rid of it and if they ask "it's in the bedroom". I received an awful gift from my granddaughter's mother - I didn't even bring it into the house - I put it right in the dumpster where it belonged. (Not saying your turntable belongs in the dumpster - but don't stress over it - get rid of it.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:17:34 GMT

@haddon9. I'd come clean and admit I had no use for the turntable or any place to put it. Perhaps if you act now, there is time to return it.

I don't see how you can pretend to enjoy it when it's in the basement.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:19:06 GMT

@SamBrown It is frustrating! I will consider doing just that.

I know it was an expensive item to get even if he got it at a great Black Friday price. I just don't understand what he was thinking. I never like to give people pricey gifts unless they request it particularly if it requires work and the right space.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

haddon9 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:22:02 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@haddon9. I'd come clean and admit I had no use for the turntable or any place to put it. Perhaps if you act now, there is time to return it.

I don't see how you can pretend to enjoy it when it's in the basement.

@Kachina624 I'm leaning towards doing that. I will be honest and say that I was very excited (I was!) when I opened it but after some thought I realized that I don't have both the space and right equipment for it.

I just don't want him to feel bad but it would be worse to waste the money on it. I'm sure he can return it.....fingers crossed!

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

Iwantcoffee — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:32:22 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@SamBrown It is frustrating! I will consider doing just that.

I know it was an expensive item to get even if he got it at a great Black Friday price. I just don't understand what he was thinking. I never like to give people pricey gifts unless they request it particularly if it requires work and the right space.

You have 1000 LPs and nothing to play them on, it is a thoughtful gift.

If you don't want the work involved, that is not on him.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

hkrgrl — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:40:44 GMT

thoughtful gift, but....

ouch that's a tough one.

i would say "i tried to hook it up but i just don't have all the necessary equipment to really enjoy it." " if you want to come over and try to find a space and hook it up, then come on over"!

something along those lines.

either it gets returned, hopefully or passed onto your daughter.

sad but these things happen all the time!

good luck!!!

Love me, Love my Dog

AdoptDon'tShop

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

willowbark — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:49:56 GMT

@haddon9 sad actually that a simple discussion led to an assumption that you wanted a turntable. No need to say anything to make your brother feel like a big dope so now unfortunately, it's on you to fake it each year that yes you love your turntable and use it frequently.

Re: Holiday gifts first world problems

Desert Lily — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:54:55 GMT

Turn tables & record albums have regained popularity with some young people. Retailers carry new ones and have a good market for them and LP records.

My millennial child bought a new turn table 2 years ago and ever since has been buying record albums to play on it.

Friends of my child had a turn table & albums for it on their wedding gift list this year.

Receiving a turn table as a Christmas gift isn't that much of a surprise.

If it were me, I'd be grateful that my brother loved & thought so much of me that he bought me a turn table & an album when he heard I [you] gave it to your DD and still had albums.

I wouldn't hurt that brother's feelings. I'd appreciate his thoughtfulness. Maybe I'd refresh my perspective on the turn table.