Things I so badly needed

I can never think of things I need but this year I asked for a photo book of our family holiday in Florida. This book has given me hours of pleasure and I treasure it.

My ACs are very considerate and generous. But like a lot of you I don't need more 'stuff'. These last few years I have asked that they make a donation to my charity of choice and buy me something small to open on the day - perhaps something special to eat or drink which I could share with friends on a later date in the bleak midwinter when family have all gone home.

This year I asked for the same thing.
Because I had suffered a bereavement ( I think) they ignored my request and bought me something expensive to make me feel physically comfortable.

I do really appreciate the kind thought, and made sure they knew this. But inside I am slightly upset, thinking of the admittedly very small difference that charity donation might have made.
I have a home, enough to eat and enough to wear, I can pay my fuel bills and afford to keep a pet. Not everyone can say the same.

I don't expect everyone else to feel the same - people should do whatever gives them joy and satisfaction at Christmas.
But now I feel this particular charity has missed out ( I have made my own donations) and I should make up for this!!

I may risk being unpopular for this but I find telling loved ones not to buy you a gift rather unkind. The greatest pleasure at Christmas and some other occasions is choosing and giving someone who you love a little gift. I think I would be most upset to be denied this.

For the first time & having checked with them beforehand I provided a list to my adult sons with the précis that
1. I did not expect any presents.
(but knowing this would be disregarded I moved on to )
2. If they were still going to buy me anything, I did not want them to spend excessively &
3. Provided a list for guidance only from which they could select.if they wished
This contained items I would like and could but would not buy for myself & ranged from Potato ricer to Maltesers. & favourite bath oil.
I was delighted with my presents & will certainly use them; my sons found it helpful.
So win win all round.
Will probably repeat next year.

I ‘need’ a Georgian chest of drawers to go in the newly decorated front bedroom.

67notout

Last spring I was potting on all my plants, then ran out of room to harden them off. I can remember saying oh I need a proper walk in greenhouse. Christmas Day came and my family had bought me one! I’d forgotten I’d said it but they hadn’t. How thoughtful of them, I am about to start sowing seeds now.

Oh 67notout, that is such a thrilling gift! Now you will be able to share seedlings, cutting and tomatoes with your lovely family.
The gift that keeps on giving indeed

GrannySomerset

My son has given me nine months of flowers delivered by an excellent local florist. Last year I had six months and was so enthusiastic that I have another three months this year. I couldn’t be more delighted.

Lovely present and so very thoughtful

My daughter gave me a gift token for my nearest garden centre. I can use it for plants later in the year if I haven’t already spent it on clothes, as they sell really nice tops there. They have a fitting room, or it close enough to return an item if I don’t bother to try it on or it doesn’t fit.

My son has given me nine months of flowers delivered by an excellent local florist. Last year I had six months and was so enthusiastic that I have another three months this year. I couldn’t be more delighted.

I have the same every year and just love it: a box with blocks of good quality cheeses, chutneys and various biscuits and a fruit basket, with mainly oriental fruits. Delicious. I can live on that for 2 weeks.

ferry23

Are you judging me eddiecat for buying a few things for myself? If you are, enjoy your moral superiority, I couldn't care a jot.

You may be content in your sackcloth and ashes, others not so much.

Well that certainly told her in a horrible way!!

One of the best Christmas presents I had several years ago was a trip to the theatre. My son and his girlfriend bought the tickets, picked me up from home and we enjoyed the performance together, then they took me home again. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Just the same here. I did this year manage to suggest a pair of slippers and secateurs. Family think I'm mad not being able to give them clues as to what I'd like or need. I did say what I did not want ie hand moisturiser. I did get lovely cosy slippers, really good, comfortable to hold secateurs along with leather gardening gloves. Will try harder for next year. Came back from 2 weeks away visit to DS only to find nextvday my 20 year old washing machine had died. Would have been good to add to gift list, wonder if Santa would have left a new one for me!

Each year i say ill give them all giftcards then end up seeing things i know they would love and buying it early.😁

I have a granddaughter with an evil sense of humour! Last year I was given a jigsaw of various trees…..perfumed with eucalyptus, this year a 3D jigsaw!

One son bought me a (not very expensive,but pretty) watch because i keep asking him the time when we go anywhere.😅😂

I told my daughter if she finds the giftcard she mislaid to treat herself with it, or give me it for mothers day instead.😆

One daughter asks me and i usually ask for a particular new book i want, but she usually adds me one ive not asked for so i get a surprise too.One son always gets me a giftcard to buy myself treats at m&s, one daughter got me a giftcard for a value store as i had asked for it (then could'nt find it so bought another)😁The rest buy me a mismatch of something ive 'mentioned' in passing or something the GC picked.Its very rare i recieve something unwanted.And i'd still appreciate the gift anyway.

I got posh coffee (asked for as a preemptive strike for something I might not want), M n S vouchers (unasked for but very welcome), but the star pressie was my DGS last years school sketch book in art classes. Just wowed with it and the giving away 🥰 I'd given her her first Acrylics - not known what I'd get.

I consult parents as to their other gifts so get it OK and stick to a tenner or so.

After Christmas we are inundated with holidays and sales. I enjoy a browse and feel weirdly virtuous as to what I don't buy.

My son and family bought us National Trust membership, it lasts a year and there are beautiful places to visit. A good present last year was hand warmers. I start in the summer when the sales are on then Im all finished by October/November.

I buy things I don’t need but I want it makes me happy to treat myself

Last spring I was potting on all my plants, then ran out of room to harden them off. I can remember saying oh I need a proper walk in greenhouse. Christmas Day came and my family had bought me one! I’d forgotten I’d said it but they hadn’t. How thoughtful of them, I am about to start sowing seeds now.

My son bought me kitchen knives last year. He was horrified by the state of my blunt ones.
His wife was a little concerned " You can't buy your mother knives .."
They were a brilliant present .

Gran22boys

eddiecat78

Sorry to sound judgemental but people buying loads of things they don't need is one reason why the planet is now drowning under discarded stuff.

So true.

I find that I put more thought into buying things online than I used to do when I used to go shopping a lot and would impulse buy.

I always tell me children that I don't need anything for Christmas which is pointless as they then get me things I don't even remotely want or need. My daughter buys me things to eat, which we can all share over Christmas so that's fine. But this year my son bought me a furry hot water bottle in a cover. I live in a centrally heated flat and use a summer weight duvet all year round as I get very hot at night. I waited a couple of days and then asked him for the receipt, he arranged a return and then lost money as the bottle is now selling for less. Such a waste of money.
I've suggested that he just slips a £20 note in next year's Christmas card!