Ever buy a thoughtful gift to have it treated dismissively?

StarSong said:
This is quite a thread. While I've never had anyone hand me back a gift or be rude to my face, it's occasionally been obvious that a gift I thought would be perfect instead fell flat. Uncomfortable, for sure.

Based on the excitement, effusive thanks and comments about which they liked best, I'm pretty sure the homemade cookies I give every Christmas aren't thrown away. Indeed, I'd be deeply wounded to learn that they had been.

In our family we mostly only give to the little kids for Christmas. Our three themed grab bags are great fun. Everyone tends to go home happy with the $10-$15 gifts they wound up with.

How fortunate most of us are that we don't need anything.
Click to expand...
except me...don't forget mee... let everyone know it;s meee... dip into your pockets and purses and send meeee.something... grassy ass...(y)
 

dilettante said:
Was putting tea into the cookie dough successful at adding some "body?"
Click to expand...
It adds a hint of flavor, but you should also add a little extra butter or shortening because tea is kind of astringent. You don't need much. I usually just put a glob of butter on my hands and knead it into the dough before I roll it out....or chill it, if that's what the recipe calls for.

The teas I like best in shortbread and sugar cookies are ginger, earl grey, and floral ones, like lavender, rose, chamomile, etc.
 

Murrmurr said:
It adds a hint of flavor, but you should also add a little extra butter or shortening because tea is kind of astringent. You don't need much. I usually just put a glob of butter on my hands and knead it into the dough before I roll it out....or chill it, if that's what the recipe calls for.

The teas I like best in shortbread and sugar cookies are ginger, earl grey, and floral ones, like lavender, rose, chamomile, etc.
Click to expand...
Earl Grey :)
 
What surprises me is that people often overlook an obvious gift to give to a relative or close friend. A nice individual or family photo, printed on some long-lived medium like an actual photograph in a standard frame size. Maybe with two wallet-sized prints as well. Ideally named and dated on the back in legible non-bleed ink.

Could be a formal photographer sitting, "action" photo engaged in some favorite activity, or whatever.
 
dilettante said:
What surprises me is that people often overlook an obvious gift to give to a relative or close friend. A nice individual or family photo, printed on some long-lived medium like an actual photograph in a standard frame size. Maybe with two wallet-sized prints as well. Ideally named and dated on the back in legible non-bleed ink.

Could be a formal photographer sitting, "action" photo engaged in some favorite activity, or whatever.
Click to expand...
But then they might feel obligated to hang it somewhere in their house.

BTW, I missed something. What's funny about the tea?
 
My late wife had an 8 x 10 photo of her mom when she was younger, but it was damaged. I paid to have the photo restored, and presented to my MIL. Rather than appreciating the trouble and expense I went through, she said she did not like photos of herself. Furthermore, the dress she wore in the photo was borrowed by her sister and she sweated through it, ruining it.
 
bowmore said:
My late wife had an 8 x 10 photo of her mom when she was younger, but it was damaged. I paid to have the photo restored, and presented to my MIL. Rather than appreciating the trouble and expense I went through, she said she did not like photos of herself. Furthermore, the dress she wore in the photo was borrowed by her sister and she sweated through it, ruining it.
Click to expand...
She sounds like a sour old pickle:
pickle.jpg
 
Jules said:
I’d tell the kids when they were young that if they didn’t like it, they could exchange it for something else. Months later when it was found tossed in the drawer unused, now that displeased me.
Click to expand...


Same here. I always told them there would be no hard feelings if they wanted to exchange. I'd rather they have something they want then let it sit unused.
Now I'm telling the grands the same thing.
As for others, I give a gift and let the chips fall where they may.
Most of the time I'm happy with any gift but if it was something just not for me I would give it to someone who would want it.[/QUOTE]
 
Last edited:
AnneTeak said:
ex-sister-in-law, there was no pleasing this b*tch. I was a quilter and thought who could refuse a handmade blanket of warmth. I repeatedly told her I was making her something really special “you are going to love it”. I had her open it last; the family braced themselves. She opened it, didn’t even unfold it and said “is this what u were so excited about? It isn’t my taste”. I stood up, grabbed it and said not so kind words, even yelled at the family for enabling her to treat people like that; they were scared of her. I put my coat on and walked home, about a mile, on Christmas. Sniff. She would have complained if you hung her with a new rope.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you got it from her. Worse if she accepted it then went home and gave it to Goodwill..
I hope you gave it to someone more deserving.
 
Murrmurr said:
It adds a hint of flavor, but you should also add a little extra butter or shortening because tea is kind of astringent. You don't need much. I usually just put a glob of butter on my hands and knead it into the dough before I roll it out....or chill it, if that's what the recipe calls for.

The teas I like best in shortbread and sugar cookies are ginger, earl grey, and floral ones, like lavender, rose, chamomile, etc.
Click to expand...
Sounds delish!
 
This is a good thread but I'm shocked at how rude and uncaring people can be!
The dog bed quilt was the last straw! 😵
Anyone have a touching story? A good gift story?
 
We give dinner gift cards for adults and gift cards for kids.
if we're out and about and find something, say a used drum set
or Guitar / Sax used like new we call 1st and then buy.
I'm putting new valves on a Sax right now in my ManCave Wokeshop.
 
Last edited:
hollydolly said:
it's funny because when I was at school.. it was looked on as shameful to be accused of wearing anything home-made , it would cause acute embarrassment to be found wearing something made by hand at home...

Fortunately all that has changed now.. and bespoke goods are seriously sought , and admired
Click to expand...
Same where I grew up. And I agree, I'm glad it's changed.
 
Funny that you should mention this topic, I received a crocheted trivet from a friend which was in a colour I hated, but I oohed and aahed over it. I gave her a painted Christmas ornament which my hubby said, you should keep it for our tree(he loved it and he is very critical). But I didn't have time to paint another. Anyways, I had given the ornament to her before Christmas and never heard back, until I met her in the street and asked her if she hung the ornament on her tree, and she looked at me and said, " Oh yeah, thanks " not even with a smile on her face.
 
dilettante said:
What surprises me is that people often overlook an obvious gift to give to a relative or close friend. A nice individual or family photo, printed on some long-lived medium like an actual photograph in a standard frame size. Maybe with two wallet-sized prints as well. Ideally named and dated on the back in legible non-bleed ink.

Could be a formal photographer sitting, "action" photo engaged in some favorite activity, or whatever.
Click to expand...
As @Murrmurr said, people might feel obligated to hang it on the wall. I only want a digital photo and it may become my screen saver.

Unlike you, I’d appreciate a gift basket. Those things are expensive.

We‘re all different. I’d fake my appreciation for the photo though and then I’d scan it.
 
Oh my gosh, yes. My dad is the worst. He'll open a gift and say "Why did you get me this? But when you hit the right one with him, he's like a little kid about it. Instead of hurt feelings after the first few rejections, it's become an interesting challenge buying for him.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top