Hahaha same thing with me I have 4 brothers and sisters and they each have 2-3 kids, every christmas I get tackled.

My parents are horrible with gifts, they have no idea what to get me despite the face that walking into my room you're confronted by a suped-up computer, a Big screen TV with a Mega-Drive and a PS2 hooked up to it, two bookcases full of books, one bookcase full of action figures (mainly Star Wars and Transformers) and a tower with 150+ DVD's and another tower with 300+ CD's. They know most of my interests yet have no idea what to get me. Thankfully they got me money for X-mas but for my birthday a few days ago, guess what I got? A coffee mug. Yup, a mug. "Uh.. thanks... it'll go well with the coffee I drink... yeah..." I hardly ever even drink coffee, it's ridiculous, and what's worse is that they asked me what I wanted, and I told them! Yet they got me a mug... sheesh, my bro and friends got me great great great gifts though, but I'm a little upset that my parents would get me something they should well know I'd never use.

not that I know a lot about it, but...

most of the times I receive bad gifts are when someone doesn't know me that well, but feel somewhat obligated to get me something. Family, often.

as much as I don't like it, the only reasonable thing I have found that works is to find out more about each other.

yeah, that's a pain. but it's worked a few times. If it's women, I suggest, after some time has passed since the poor gifting, that we go shopping for someone else. Like with my aunt, who got me a t-shirt to a school I never went to, I ask to help me choose something for my gf and we spent some time getting to know each other and picking a gift (yeah, I spent too much anyways). The following birthday, she did much better (gift certificates to amazon, and pre-orders on some new DVD's) and things went smoothly ever since.

But then if it's someone you don't want to spend time with, I recommend the poop in a box solution.

I knew I had officially become an adult about 3 years ago when my grandmother gave me an argyle sweater for christmas, like the ones she got for my dad and uncle for as many years as I could remember. I guess I became an adult at the ripe age of 23.

Truth is, I hated the sweater and it too went to the goodwill pile, but at the same time I absolutely loved that she got me the sweater. I'll always be her little grandson but I had finally achieved the status of 'adult' in her eyes.

Every christmas, I've found that I gravitate less from the quality of gifts I get from others (I find a use for anything) and instead on giving gifts that my close friends and family will remember me for years down the road. Seeing them smile when they open the wrapping, and then having them bring it up later in the year as a great present, makes me really happy, happier than any 10-20 $ gift could ever have.

I've never gotten anything that I've really hated. I guess i've been lucky that way :)

I haven't really, either. I got a DVD player, and some other things I needed this year. Can't really complain much, except to ask a WTF on getting a 2004 Almanac? What is that?

most people would consider it crappy, but I loved my christmas gift : SOCKS
fuuuck yeah. I've needed new socks for a while...
oh yeah, and my parents paid for a new clutch on my car, and a microwave... but seriously, the SOCKS are where it's at!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by d4in
[B] I got a water hose and a 25 foot, 2-pronged extension cord from my mother-in-law, what a haul!!!!!

orange ones like an outdoor, electric weed-eater type, but 2 pronged. Who is gonna use that?


Water Hose-Ungrounded Extesion Cord. Deadly mix. Maybe you better watch yourself when she's around. Maybe she will light you up.

About the $10 gift. At least she thought enough of you to get something.

I personnally like to give as well. I really could care less what i get. If its usuable great, if not it goes in the rummage sale closet. . 'One my mans trash is another mans treasure...or woman'.

mr b

Careful about taking that on an airplane.
You might get accused of being a terrorist. :p

just bout everything I got this year was pretty crappy.... dunno why... karhma I guess

My daughter got way better gits then I did and she is only 6 months old. I got crap in a box for christmas.

I have this friend whose sister gave him stupid gifts that really ticks, so for the longest time (like 10 years or so), every january he would bitch with me what a bad choice of gift on the sister's part...

so finally in 1995, his sister passed away at the age of 37, he didn't have to worry about getting a stupid gift from his sister anymore..

so that's life...

a tool box from g/f parents with the joke 'you wil be able to get all those jobs done'
f***k off next xmas i will sent them a two rope with nooses and the same message.
:rolleyes:

Thats why I always ask for money because if you dont you end up with a 4th wallet or a 3rd sweter that you will never ware.

Money is the best way to go....get yourself what you want...Dont let a family member screw up christmas for you