Erik shared with me some really thoughtless or clueless gift-giving stories he’d been listening to on the radio while coming home from work. It was not only funny, but also sad in some case. He didn’t relay all of them but here are a couple:
A husband bought his wife a shotgun and a day glo vest. While both of these may seem to go hand-in-hand, the wife didn’t hunt nor was she interested in guns of any kind.
Another wife relayed her story of disappointment when she opened her gift from her husband and then didn’t know how to react even though she knew he loved her and cared for her safety; he’d given her tire chains.
Another was a friend’s gift which was a slushy maker. The receiver realized, however, it was used since it hadn’t been cleaned.
It’s been years since I’ve been in a position to give gifts to anyone. This year I can finally give to Erik which is a first since I never had funds before (I surely didn’t want him buying his own gifts), aside from those I made. I actually spent almost my entire allotment on his this year and am terrified he’s not going to like them so I left the receipts inside so he can return them.
I do remember MANY years ago buying a ping-pong table for my x who loved the game. My neighbor next door helped me put it together in the basement so it would be a surprise ready to go. I’d also purchased a movie camera and his family members got accessories for the camera which would be opened later Christmas day.
First he opened the camera and sighed a VERY exasperating sigh and informed me that he was not taking it out of the box at all and said that he wanted the receipt so he could take it back as soon as possible. I was crushed because not only did he not want my gift (just this one cost a fortune), but that other gifts he was going to get that day would be filling up the car to be returned and other family members would likewise be crushed.
The next few gifts (I don’t even recall now what they were) were considered then tossed aside except for one which was a butterfly knife.
However, I hoped that I might be redeemed at least in part when I led him to the basement for his last gift, the ping pong table. He stood, head jutted up between basement ceiling beams and I got another sigh. He was taller than either me or my neighbor and would not even be able to see the ball coming let alone hit it back. He suggested sarcastically that he could cut his legs down a bit, and at that moment I even considered it. (the table could have been moved, but he was not interested, simply turned around and went back upstairs to watch tv and play with his knife)
I cried the rest of that Christmas away. I never wanted to give another gift to anyone except maybe a cheap token. And I didn’t.
I’m sure I have received dumb gifts but I have loved them all because someone thought of me even if it was only long enough to write or type out my name for an address or a little tag. I am terrified Erik will not like the gifts I got for him and Ikeep looking at the wrapped and hidden items every day…..scared….......
(Crafty was crushed.)
Unfortunately, we can’t afford Saks 5th Ave….. 
Did it again…. 
