12-20 CATurday Loose Lips

Still on the holiday theme

Was there a gift you really really wanted and kept hinting to others about but didn't receive?

When the Broadway version of The Lion King was in town I really wanted to see it. I kept hinting to a then-friend about it. We worked at the same company at the time and could get discounted tickets to see the show. Christmas comes around and she gives me a wrapped gift. It was a bit large for tickets but thought she might have done that in purpose, you know to make me think it was something else. So I open it later and it was ... a dress up doll. To say I was sooo disappointed is an understatement I was even more disappointed when she later bragged about taking another friend to a fancy dinner where they dressed up in prom-like dresses and then saw the Broadway show afterwards. She said she"owed" that friend, whatever that meant. Then she spoiled the show by telling me how the show starts and a bunch of other things. I don't remember what I got her as a gift but it was probably something she wanted or I knew she would like.

Sorry Squeem, gift stories like that are so sad.

We just had one yesterday. Katie has been working really hard on a custom advent calendar of her friends for a white elephant gift exchange. She had probably 20 hours into it, cutting out pictures, making the boxes, wrapping the gifts. A really thoughtful gift. She brings it to the party yesterday, and the gift she gets back are little stuffed animals that appear to be used and already washed. I was so upset for her!

That's so rude Gifting a used item to someone

I refuse to do work related Secret Santas / White Elephants / etc. I did a few early in my career but they ranged from awkward to just inappropriate.

Aw, this is a sad topic today! I'm sorry about your disappointment, Squeem, and I'm sorry about Katie's sad present, Tim (child? partner? sorry, missed some context).

I have to admit, in my family (and I do most formal holiday gift-giving with my family of origin; with friends, I'm more inclined to give things at random times when I see something that suits them, or I draw them things) ... I'm a big champion of wishlists and being up front if there are things we really want, rather than hinting. Which doesn't mean any of us stick to them and give/receive no surprise gifts (the majority of gifts still tend to be a surprise, as we all enjoy the challenge), but I like direct communication a lot, and when I buy from wishlists I usually pick something that has some personal connection/meaning for me as well so it's not just rote.

As an adult, I like picking out gifts--or even better, making them, when I have the time/energy--more than receiving my own, ultimately? So my biggest disappointments tend to be when something I give doesn't go over as well as I'd hoped. That happens most often with my extremely picky dad. I think I was saddest when, as a teenager, I made him a carefully-curated mix cd (I love making playlists and still give my brother a physical cd every year), and he could not work up any enthusiasm. He's spent my whole life sharing his tastes in books, music, etc with me (often with considerable pressure), so I wanted to give a little back, but apparently he just didn't see that as a two-way street. The same thing happens when I give him books I think he might enjoy but definitely hasn't read yet (he's a retired English teacher and one giant wall of my parents' home is all bookcases, which certainly aren't the only ones, either). I still try now and then, but it's frustrating.

Yep, partner, and our in-house FDMB calendar designer

That’s a bummer, Allie. Even if he doesn’t show it I’m sure he’s happy that you took the time to think about him like that.

Tim & Pookey said:

Yep, partner, and our in-house FDMB calendar designer

That’s a bummer, Allie. Even if he doesn’t show it I’m sure he’s happy that you took the time to think about him like that.

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Those calendars are still adorable and I love them! My son used to buy me the Save A Fox calendar every year, but I don't them anymore as I believe foul play in the whole foul. So needed a new calendar to get and didn't know what. Till I saw those guys sale. Love them! Please let your partner know what a great job it was.
As for present you wanted and didn't get? @Allie & Gen knows about this one, but my father bought me some books that were hard to find one year. But she knew I was a sneak and would re-open gifts because I HATE surprises and worrying if I have to pretend I like something so as to not hurt someone's feelings.
So she hid them really well in the attic.
In fact, she hid them so well, she never saw them again.
Knowing I was this close, but too never see them sucked.