“It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!”… Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”
Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Has your nearest and dearest (who should know better) ever bought you really awful gifts for Christmas?
Twice it happened to me – and I guess that’s not bad in 41 Christmases. It was our first Christmas; very newly wed having been married in November. Christmas 1957 in London – Christmas Day dawned and we went to my parents’ house to celebrate with the rest of the family. Everybody passed presents and I was presented with a large, beautifully wrapped box by my new husband.
I couldn’t wait to open it…It contained a Sunbeam Mixmaster.
A household appliance as a present did not feature high on my list of gifts I would like to receive. My DYS (Dashing Young Scotsman) really couldn’t understand my disappointment. My mother and sisters thought I was so lucky. But that was the first and last time a household appliance featured on any gift list. Mind you the gift worked hard and well for many years.
Fast forward 1972 to Wellington, New Zealand. The children were still at home and as was our tradition we all sat around on Christmas morning with coffee and croissants and opened our gifts. One of our traditions was that the children took it in turns to give out the gifts. My daughter presented me with (again) a beautifully wrapped gift and when I opened it there was a silver goblet nestled in amongst tissue paper. One of my pet hates was and still is silver goblets. I have always hated drinking from them.
Having matured some since 1957, I smiled as graciously as I could as I accepted the gift. My DYS was sitting, face wreathed in smiles as he watched me open it.
Another round of gifts and I was presented with another box, slightly different in shape but still beautifully wrapped. I opened it. Oh no – a matching silver goblet sitting in a bed of tissue. My face must have told everything on my mind, because my small son couldn’t help himself and told me to be careful with the tissue. And then, nestled in the tissue was a beautiful gold necklace. Maybe the goblets came as a free gift with the necklace but ….. We have all laughed about that gift and it has become one of the tales that gets trotted out each Christmas.
Have you ever been given a gift that you wished you hadn’t received? Let me know.
..
And here’s a song that many of you (read most of you) will not have heard.
Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. Author Unknown
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I choose how I will spend the rest of my life 
My ex-husband once bought me a coffee machine for Christmas (so he could have a cup of coffee any time during the day 🙂 ) – my reaction was the same as yours! A household appliance is a present for the house, not for the wife. All husbands take note!
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Mine learned very quickly – I hope yours did too.
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I have always been one who enjoys getting appliances for Christmas so am having a chuckle here – though I do know most people prefer something more personal!
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I never thought household appliances were personal enough. But I am glad you enjoyed yours.
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I feel terrible for not liking this, but my husband got me a gift certificate for an expensive spa. Still haven’t used it. He didn’t understand that I didn’t want that because I didn’t want to try an expensive service, find out that I like it and then not be able to afford to do it again. Now, he tells me what he’d like to get me and if I like the idea, I’ll go pick it out 🙂
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I understand not wanting to use the gift certificate for the spa and now you have a very sensible solution to the vexed question of Christmas presents.
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In my family we had a tradition of making lists of things we would like. Family members would pick something from the list and let the others know what they bought so there weren’t any duplicates. My new husband was unfamiliar with this tradition and our first Christmas he bought me everything on the list! That year I got 2 of everything.
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I can see how your new husband would be confused – and 2 of everything – WOW! Hope your ankle is healing well.
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I love the song!!
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It’s so very New Zealand. Thanks.
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It took us a few years to smooth out those gift confusions! Love the song, too! thanks…just sent it along to family members.
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Yes the song is fun. Happy Christmas.
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I think there cannot be too many husbands out there who made the mistake of giving an appliance gift twice. Only if there are more charitable wives out there than I 🙂
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It’s amazing how quickly men can learn!
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I prefer practical gifts to jewelry . . . so the mixer would have worked for me. Not so, the silver goblets ~ I don’t want any silver to polish.
These days, we give each other CHOCOLATE and other consumable treats . . . YUM!
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Chocolate and other goodies – works for me too!
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I don’t mind appliances. If it is something that makes my life easier, I’m all for it. But I’d much rather have art supplies. 🙂
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Well I’m with you but not art supplies. Perhaps a beautiful notebook to carry around with me. Happy New Year 🙂
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