Holiday gifts first world problems - Page 5

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

@Desert Lily wrote:
@haddon9 I'd be gracious, keep the turn table & album, be grateful, and say nothing about wanting to give it back. Is having a turn table worth risking hurting your brother's feelings? He made it such a kind & thoughtful gift.

Sometimes we need to know how to receive as well as how to give.

@Desert Lily Exactly!

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

Nothing so hurtful when you give a gift you think the person will love and they turn around and tell them you don't. Your brother obviously put thought into this gift especially since you mentioned all the albums you have. I too would have thought this the perfect gift.

Why not find a place for it and dust off those old albums and give them a spin. You just might enjoy reliving old memories again instead of complaining you have no place for it.

Northray · ‎08-29-2013

@Biftu wrote:
Nothing so hurtful when you give a gift you think the person will love and they turn around and tell them you don't. Your brother obviously put thought into this gift especially since you mentioned all the albums you have. I too would have thought this the perfect gift.

Why not find a place for it and dust off those old albums and give them a spin. You just might enjoy reliving old memories again instead of complaining you have no place for it.

Exactly. Something I read once about receiving gifts.

There is a story about a missionary in Africa who received a beautiful seashell for Christmas from one of her students. She admired the shell and expressed how lovely it was and how far he had walked to get it, as the beach was far away. He replied, "Yes, the walk is part of the gift."

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

-Rumi

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

It really is the thought that counts. I think the precious gift of nostalgia was given.

@haddon9, are you certain this Sony isn't Bluetooth capable? I think now most are and large speakers would be optional.

I would find a place for it, even if it means rearranging some things. I would find a time to use, while preparing meals, while housecleaning, or during down time like when reading the paper or paying bills.

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

Often we receive gifts with a gift exchange receipt. The giver was not sure of the size, if you already had one, or had space for it. Those gifts weren't seen as perfect, hadn't been given a lot of thought, their feelings weren't invested in the gift. Those gifts are free to exchange, give away.

Others gifts should never be rejected, no matter how sugared the rejection is,

it will never be forgotten.

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

@occasionalrain wrote:
Often we receive gifts with a gift exchange receipt. The giver was not sure of the size, if you already had one, or had space for it. Those gifts weren't seen as perfect, hadn't been given a lot of thought, their feelings weren't invested in the gift. Those gifts are free to exchange, give away.

Others gifts should never be rejected, no matter how sugared the rejection is,
it will never be forgotten.

@occasionalrain I have to disagree with you about gifts given with gift receipts. I often give gift receipts with gifts I have given a lot of thought to and my feeling were invested in the gift, but especially gifting clothing to kids and teens is tricky regarding sizing. This year they want oversized, last year it was fitted. Who can keep up! Not to mention how fast they grow. I would hope they would exchange the gift for something they like that fits, but up to them,

Agree, gifts from the heart should not be returned. That is disappointing and hurtful.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@Etoile308 wrote:
It really is the thought that counts. I think the precious gift of nostalgia was given.

@haddon9, are you certain this Sony isn't Bluetooth capable? I think now most are and large speakers would be optional.

I would find a place for it, even if it means rearranging some things. I would find a time to use, while preparing meals, while housecleaning, or during down time like when reading the paper or paying bills.

@Etoile308 @Etoile308 Yes it is Bluetooth capable. However I have told my brother many times (and it's not going to change) that we just don't use Bluetooth or wireless in our home.

My husband has a severe autoimmune illness and he stubbornly believes that it is a health hazard. So how do I connect? Right now my laptop is using old fashioned eithernet. We do have wireless that I only turn on to download kindle books.

I guess I failed to explain this. So this means that I would have to connect via wire or cable the turntable to a receiver & speakers.

I suppose I could do so by placing the TT on the coffee table in the middle of the room with wires running to speakers and our old receiver. Not something that will work very well since my DH doesn't walk well unassisted and could easily trip over wires.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I appreciate all replies and it is interesting to see the opinions of others.

I'm still not 100% sure of what I am going to do going forward but I will have to decide within the next few days.

For those of you who would keep it no matter what, would you do the same if a close relative purchased you a new easy chair for your living or family rooms even though you really don't need or want one?

You might have complimented theirs or someone elses'and they may have assumed that you want one. It may not be the right color, fabric or you have your room already set up just the way you like it. Or it might just be an eyesore in your room. However they did it with what appeared to be love & thought and my goodness you will keep it not matter what because you want to spare feelings.

ETA: One thing I have definitely learned is in the future to watch what I say!! I thought I was having a casual conversation....we talked about 70s music, etc and never realized that they thought I would want this! Got to pay more attention to what I say in the future!

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

@haddon9 Your brother sounds like quite a guy. You are blessed. I don't know if this was discussed, but do you have spare room you can set it up. Maybe request his help setting up? I might use it. If I had to set up, IDK. But he seemed so excited and happy for you. Maybe didn't realize any work that had to go in to set up?> This is a bit of a quandary. I say keep it, and make sure you do like I do every holiday, and refuse gifts. lol. I tell family kids and grands included we don't need a thing. If we can't eat it, we can't use it. We are trying to downsize. This year we got all gift cards to our favorite restaurant We love it, even then they didn't need. But I have found, it doesn't matter what I say, they HAVE to give gifts. So we settled on food

“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan