Re: Would you be happy with this gift? Help!

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

Years ago when I worked, we had a Christmas party at my job. We picked names with the other girls and were given a $5 limit. This was back in the 70's. I remember I got an ugly coffee mug with something she stuffed inside, I don't even remember what was inside it. I hated that mug. JMO

"Pure Michigan"

debic · ‎09-02-2010

For me it would be about the game. Have fun with that. Who hasn't gotten things they don't like? In a game it doesn't seem to matter. I've gotten white elephant gifts and still had a great time. Heck I'd even do poopouri for a gift in this situation.

And the mug would be a good gift for me, I drink a lot of ice water, if I didn't like it I'd just give it to someone else that did.

~~
*Off The Deep End~A very short trip for some!*

faeriemoon · ‎03-14-2010

I think gifts to charity are wonderful, but not in this particular situation.

(Also, when donating to charity in someone else's name, make sure it's a charity THEY love, not one that YOU prefer.)

~What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind.~ William Shakespeare

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

I have had a LOT of experience in this sort of thing. Will sprare ya'll the details. A Tervis tumbler would be a heck of a lot better than things I have recieved. There is a reason I make a trip to Goodwill right after Christmas, its not only to make room for my new things.....

With the tervis tumbler, even if they don't like it or drink coffee, they will probably have someone they know who would use it that they could give it too.

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

<snip>

@software

Honestly, I would rather have dustcloths and Pledge than blankets, throws, mugs, candles, bath stuff, lotions, coffee table books, etc. etc. I have hauled boxloads of all those things to the Salvation Army and I STILL can't get rid of them. For me AND for my mom. I've been "thrown" to pieces! LOL!!! I get mugs from all corners (work, gifts, etc.).

Please no gadgets, things to display and dust, fill my cabinets with, or store. Get me something to use up, spend (gift card), or eat. No more STUFF! Please!

I guess this sounds mean, but honestly I've cleaned out two houses in recent years and two offices and am trying to get to my own house--which of course is always and forever last on the list. So I'm simply "stuffed" by now. I'm sure the people at the Salvation Army think I'm nuts or some kind of hoarder, but I swear as soon as I get a box gone it seems like another one or two take its place. Upcoming? ANOTHER house to clean out.

Is it just me? Do I just live in a hobbit hole and y'all have 6,000 sq. ft houses that you can take in all of this? Is anyone else in this leaky boat filled with stuff???? Has gifting outlived itself in many instances? Is it just me who is overwhelmed? And I am being serious here, I am simply overwhelmed. . . I feel bad about admitting and saying this, but it is the truth. I think I needed to say that. . . I truly feel bad about it, but to be honest, I really don't want more stuff.

@software

I absolutely, totally get you. When I was a child I remember my mom and grandmom saying, 'I don't want anything for Christmas, I've already got everything I need and my closets are stuffed with last year's gifts.' I remember thinking - "I want STUFF."

Now I'm the one "Please don't give me anything I have to dust or otherwise care for. A donation to the SPCA would be great, or some cut flowers that look great and then fade and can be tossed with fond memories and NO guilt."

Did the Grinch get me, or is it just too D much consumerism?

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

Stray · ‎04-20-2013

I wouldn't like the gift ....how about a halo charger? I bought a bunch to give out to neighbors and manicure/pedi tech. I gave one to my trainer last year and he loved it

software · ‎06-08-2016

@Sooner I completely understand. I'm all for purging and limiting tchotckes, but it's CHRISTMAS. It's a GIFT. And in the type of exchange the OP describes, it's probably the kind we call "dirty Santa" people get to choose & swap gifts around until they settle on something they want. Sure you can use a 2017 calendar?? And throws & blankets wear out after a while, get rid of the old, make room for the new.

VaBelle35 · ‎03-10-2010

The community where my father used to live in Florida did a gift exchange game (it wasn't white elephant though) and it involved scratch off lottery tickets and they loved it. I think everyone did $5 worth of tickets.

I think those are always fun. Who doesn't love money?

===================================
QVC Shopper - 1993

# IAMTEAMWEN

software · ‎06-08-2016

We shouldn't want useless things, I agree.

But some of the things we do have & use, can be donated to make room for the new. Everyone needs a calendar, how about donating your old blankets to make room for a new one. Towels wear out. Can't have enough flashlights, right? How about a little set of specialty jams. What about a book? Read it & donate to your library if you don't want to keep it.

It's about the giving of the gift, not necessarily the item itself. It's the gesture. The gift is the GIVING. The item is a bonus.

@Drythe wrote:
<snip>

@software

Honestly, I would rather have dustcloths and Pledge than blankets, throws, mugs, candles, bath stuff, lotions, coffee table books, etc. etc. I have hauled boxloads of all those things to the Salvation Army and I STILL can't get rid of them. For me AND for my mom. I've been "thrown" to pieces! LOL!!! I get mugs from all corners (work, gifts, etc.).

Please no gadgets, things to display and dust, fill my cabinets with, or store. Get me something to use up, spend (gift card), or eat. No more STUFF! Please!

I guess this sounds mean, but honestly I've cleaned out two houses in recent years and two offices and am trying to get to my own house--which of course is always and forever last on the list. So I'm simply "stuffed" by now. I'm sure the people at the Salvation Army think I'm nuts or some kind of hoarder, but I swear as soon as I get a box gone it seems like another one or two take its place. Upcoming? ANOTHER house to clean out.

Is it just me? Do I just live in a hobbit hole and y'all have 6,000 sq. ft houses that you can take in all of this? Is anyone else in this leaky boat filled with stuff???? Has gifting outlived itself in many instances? Is it just me who is overwhelmed? And I am being serious here, I am simply overwhelmed. . . I feel bad about admitting and saying this, but it is the truth. I think I needed to say that. . . I truly feel bad about it, but to be honest, I really don't want more stuff.
@software

I absolutely, totally get you. When I was a child I remember my mom and grandmom saying, 'I don't want anything for Christmas, I've already got everything I need and my closets are stuffed with last year's gifts.' I remember thinking - "I want STUFF."

Now I'm the one "Please don't give me anything I have to dust or otherwise care for. A donation to the SPCA would be great, or some cut flowers that look great and then fade and can be tossed with fond memories and NO guilt."

Did the Grinch get me, or is it just too D much consumerism?

tucsongal · ‎03-10-2010

@Katcat1 wrote:
You can't go wrong with a gift card then the person can buy what they want. You can always add a nice bar of soap for $5 so they have something to open (for the woman only). Men could care less.

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You can find beautiful soaps that have a gift card envelope/slot as part of the packaging. I've found them before at TJ Maxx, etc.