How can I get my kids to get me the presents I want? Every year ?My kids ask me what I want for xmas (or birthday) so I give them a list of suitable items that I would like or find useful in their price range.  And also tell them some things I definitely don't want. Like Chocolates as I am not a big fan. I don't like half the fillings, Don't like chocolate much and I am permanently trying to watch what I eat. And every year you can guarentee that I don't get what I have asked for but get some totally useless things instead.

I must sound so ungrateful but I hate to see the kids wasting their money on stuff I don't want. Last year I asked for knickers, socks, gloves, jump leads for the car, etc and I got 2 boxes of chocolates and a couple of books about  dogs that looked like they were childrens books. The attitude seems to be if it has "Dog" in the title then it will do for mum, never mind what the content of the book is like. I don't wan to hurt their feelings but just wish they would get what I actually ask for. Am I the only one who has this problem?

> Am I the only one who has this problem

No :) All my family make lists of what we would like - and we all stick to it :) I'm like you, I hate useless presents and have trained the children to be the same :) :) :)  You'll just have to be a bit plainer and write on the list 'Don't buy me anything else !!!! ' :) :) :) :)

>I must sound so ungrateful but I hate to see the kids wasting their money on stuff I don't want.

I know exactly what you mean. Last year I said I'd like one particular book and one particular CD. That was all - I genuinely didn't want anything else, because I've got a houseful of 'stuff'. I didn't get either, but instead got seveal things that I didn't want and can't even remember what they were. It's such a shame, because now I dread present-time because I'm so afraid I'm going to have to pretend yet again so as not to hurt their feelings. I honestly really would rather have nothing than something I don't want, and I've even told people that to their faces, but do they listen?

Could you ask for vouchers? Luckily most of my family do ask for ideas and generally stick close to them - but my sister nearly always gets me total rubbish that is either appropriate for a 6 year old or just completely irrelevant. One year she bought a picture of a beagle (I have Cavaliers and a Yankee) and even put on the label 'yes, I know it's not a spaniel'. Well why did you buy it!! Now I have to hang it in my guest room where at least I don't usually look at it! I'm sure it's a lovely beagle, I just would have rather had a spaniel of some type! :-)

Yes, you miserable git!!lol  Only joking.  If you get stuff you don't want, recycle.  I do.  I keep all the bath stuff I get and give them to people throughout the year.  I hate bath stuff! and I get loads!  I'm a shower person.

I'm completely different , I think if they've gone out and bought something then I show them I'm happy. And it honestly doesn't bother me , all I ever want is for my kids to be happy , I have said again this year , I don't want them spending their money on me so just something small will do.
My hubby on the other hand can't hide his disappointment very well , he's like a spoilt kid , he says he hates Christmas but I know he is secretly wishing for the presents he has been dropping hints for months earlier !! :)

> but I know he is secretly wishing for the presents he has been dropping hints for months earlier !!

Oh to have a husband that actually wants something ! :) :) He has just had a birthday, so it is double trouble this time of year trying to think of things to buy :) His Xmas List this year consists of a book, a jigsaw and a jar of lemon curd :) Last year the (grown up) children made up a basket with several different chilli sauces and a piece of cheese :)

I think men are so far to buy for when they don't give you ideas... This year my Dad hasn't given me any ideas so I've purchased a photography session, she will come up when he calls, take various photos of his land, dog etc and then he will choose a print of his choice, it's valid for a year so it's up to him the scenery he'd like.
Also trying to get old photos to Vistaprint for a cheeky 99p calendar!!

It s a good question, but I think you,ve done all you can to stop them buying ***p you don t want.
Now you just have to smile and say 'thanks, that's lovely , and then recycle it.

I am willing to bet that there are a lot of people who would love be thought of at Christmas time enough to be given anything.
You could just say thankyou and pass it on....................
There is a proverb 'It's better to give than to recieve' probably just easier.

Karen

Or go with Thank you so much what an interesting choice, whatever was it that made you go for that?

My mother is exactly the same.  When I was in my early twenties I was a Goth, always wore black, black leather jacket and long purple hair.  Imagine my horror at receiving a taupe leather handbag in a style the Queen would use, she would have known I would never use it. 

Now I'm in my early fourties and nothing has changed, she asks what I want, I say Amazon vouchers and she says she doesn't like them.  She has drawers full of Amazon vouchers that others have given to her that she won't use so I tell her to save herself some money (she's on a pension) and give them to me for birthdays and Christmas as I use Amazon all the time.  But no, she would rather get me something that she likes instead and that she knows I would never use.

I know they say it's the thought that counts but I do sometimes wonder what that thought actually is ;)

You could be truthful when they ask what you want and tell them theres no point in them asking you as they never get what you want anyway.

> But no, she would rather get me something that she likes instead and that she knows I would never use

Why not just keep the present and give it back to her on her next birthday :)

I have for quite some time(around 30 years) asked to be given money or vouchers, as I then spend them on what & where I want. It does seem as if no thought has gone into it but that way one doesnt get given something unwanted or useless.

I also usually cant wait for events to get some things I want & buy straight away so run out of theings to say I want.

Seems strange that you give them a list of things & they get something on the 'not to get' list...Yes I can see how you think it might sound but they are just wasting their hard earnt cash otherwise, arent they?