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Appropriate and inappropriate presents

Steven

...for Christmas, birthdays etc.

* Somebody bought me an organiser-type diary. A very kind and well-meant gesture but even the thought of getting organised frightens me, as the prospect is too overwhelming. This isn't a matter of choice or preference - I just cannot even be brave & capable in the face of such harmless things as the colour-coded sections of the organiser. I flounder and panic as soon as I even look at it. Still, the thought is very much appreciated by me.

* On the brighter side, I was bought some toy dogs and cats for recent birthdays! These are such a comfort to me, and their quiet company is wonderful. I would love to have a real pet but my memory's not reliable - I often get days confused or, apparently, miss time - so I'd always be worried about whether I'd fed them or not.

What appropriate or inappropriate gifts have you received?

  • in reply to AuTriker

    Thank you for your very kind words, Triker. Slight smile

  • in reply to Steven

    Oh no, I so feel for you. I know exactly what you mean! No advice, sorry, it's not a problem I have solved myself, not that mine are the same, just I recognise the feeling. But sometimes just knowing someone else gets you and you are not alone having such annoying problems that don't even make sense to yourself.

    I have a weird relationship with the idea of getting organised. On the one hand, it would be so useful to not be so disorganised and feel unable to be on top of things and worry about not getting something done that would cause a problem. Yet at the same time I am afraid that being organised will mean I actually have to do those things I can't face doing! I think I may need help...

  • I just don't make sense, even to myself: I'm frightened to make use of the organiser diary because, if I lost it, then I'd panic at losing something I really need which reminds me of important dates etc. And yet this fear is stopping me from writing those reminders in the organiser in the first place.

  • in reply to Sporadic Sparkly

    Yes I know it's common. I no longer eat food I haven't prepared myself because I know people are forgetful.

    I think my family have just decided that gifting is what you do, so they buy the same thing for everyone with the expectation that no one really wants it.

  • in reply to HP35

    Considering what a stressful and busy time the run-up to Christmas can be, perhaps it was just absent-mindedness on their part. Things like that have happened within my own family. For example, it was well-known within the family that dried fruit would make my dad violently sick, and that my mother had an overwhelming dislike of butter and cream (unless used in cooking). There would almost always be someone who would forget.

  • The big one for me when I used to engage in gift swapping was products containing milk from people who know I don't eat dairy. Do they think I'm going to treat myself to diarrhea for Christmas? That baffled me.

  • An aunt once gave me a jumper she'd knitted for me. It had three arm-holes. I wish I was joking.

  • I used to get tons of aftershave, now I just got a t-shirt. 

  • I can't say I've ever received what I would describe as an inappropriate present, but I have received plenty of unwanted presents over the years, along with gifts that I have specifically requested and/or wanted.

    I'm at an age where if I do receive gifts, it tends to be in the form of cash or gift cards/vouchers. Great for me because it means I can then treat myself to things I definitely do need or want, such as clothing or items related to my interests/hobbies.