Those "just to be nice" gifts...
By raychill
@raychill (6525)
United States
December 12, 2007 6:58pm CST
Since it's holiday time and next week a lot of people start taking their vacations from work, some of the "gift giving" started this week. I dislike cards in general so I'm none too happy when I receive cards. But then two co-workers gave gifts to everyone who works in their specific department today.
I got a little box of Russell Stover chocolate
and I got Harry and David Strawberry and Blueberry Preserves.
Now I fully understand that it's the "season of giving" and these are just generic gifts to give and to be nice... but they don't always have much thought behind them. For instance, I don't like chocolate...and I hate preserves.
I normally give the food to my parents. I don't know if they even like preserves though... so maybe I'll donate them or something. Give the gift given to give to others!
Of course, I appreciate the gifts and it's not like I would tell the gift givers this, but I'm never too fond of the "just to be nice" type gifts that I'll call them for this purpose.
Do you ever get those "just to be nice" gifts, whether for the holidays or for some other reason, and just really wish you wouldn't have gotten it? What do you do with those gifts?
4 people like this
9 responses
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
13 Dec 07
I don't give them at all. I know that a lot of the kids at school give a gift to their teachers at Christmas but I don't bother. Generally I give only to my kids and if there is anything left it will be to my sister and father. I do give out a few gifts to people who have shown great kindness to my family throughout the year as a way of saying thanks for being so nice to us. Like my daughter's past teacher who lent us her camper so we could have our first family vacation this past summer. I think she is such a wonderful person I would like to get her something as a way of showing how much we like her. But I don't bother with the neighbors or anything like that. Just things that to me are personal. But yes if I do get something like that it makes me feel like I should give back to them which adds stress on my tight budget and furgule mind.
2 people like this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
13 Dec 07
I don't give those gifts either. The only time I have was under my mother's influence. I understand it's the spirit of giving but I don't like gifts. I don't even like getting gifts. I'm weird!
I don't like that obligatory feeling. WHere you feel obligated to give. That definitely isn't good. I don't feel that fortunately for my co-workers, but I really hate getting gifts I don't like. ha ha.a
1 person likes this
@jamaicanwizard70 (148)
• Pakistan
13 Dec 07
vicki i totally agree with u y not give gifts to those who have been there with us when we need them or those who have been our well wishers,giving out gifts to each and everyone u know well i dun go with this,even i give gifts to those who deserve it,but then juzz like vicki if someone gives me a gift i do even fell i have to return it to da peson some way or the other.
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
13 Dec 07
I always get at least one or two things from people who for some reason have felt obliged to get me gifts, but don't know me well enough to get me something I'll really like. I always appreciate the gesture on their part and thank them, but I tend to feel guilty that they've wasted their money on something I really don't want.
I sometimes "re-gift", ie. pass it on to someone who I think will actually like it. At least it's going to a good home and will get used, rather than sit in my house for an eternity gathering dust.
As a last resort you can always give the gift to a charity shop. At least then someone who wants it may find it and give a donation to charity at the same time.
I'm awaiting the usual nasty soap and bath salt set this year! ;)
2 people like this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
13 Dec 07
ha ha yeah. I have two aunts who fill obligated to give me gifts which I hate. I hate that they give me gifts that is. They figure, I'm a 25 year old girl so I probably like smelly lotions right? WRONG. I'm really particular about smells because a lot of smells make me sick but that is inevitably always what they give me. Some sort of weird smelly lotions and/or soaps. Ugh.
But it's like, you can't tell them "thanks but no thanks" but you really kind of want to! I think I'll give the stuff to my parents and if they don't want it find some food drive to donate it to.
1 person likes this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
13 Dec 07
Honestly, I haven't received a gift that I didn't like, for that matter received a gift period. My parents and my inlaws gives me cash. I mean who doesn't love cash. Now that I remember, one time I got something from my inlaws that I honestly didn't like, so it sat in my closet for the longest.
I agree with you, I don't like the "just be nice gifts" because it's wasting that person's money honestly. I hate the I give you a gift now, you must give me one in return gifts. This year, I didn't even want to give out cards all because I didn't want to waste money on cards and use my stamps. I already got everyone's gifts that I was going to get, why then turn around and have to send cards as well.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
13 Dec 07
Yeah. I haven't been a fan of gifts for a really long time. Since I was old enough to know better I guses. Cause what kid is gonna turn down a toy?
I appreciate the sentiment, but it's like...they didn't have to get me anything and if it's something I won't even use it is a huge waste.
I always ask my family for cash and they never give it to me :(
Cards are really a waste.... especially with postage these days. If you want to send a card? send an E-Card! They're free!
1 person likes this
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
15 Dec 07
Ha ha. I don't care for cards either and I rarely even give them out myself. I'm none to fond of the 'just to be nice' gifts. I get a lot of those. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that I was thought of enough to even get a gift, but I'm not a big chocolate fan either and I don't go for preserves. I also hate getting lotions and crap because I can only wear certain things because I have ezcema. If it's a 'just to be nice' gift, you can almost guess what it will be. I get gifts from the kdis in my class, but to be perfectly honest, I don't need another #1 Teacher mug or another teacher notepad. Or anything with apples.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
15 Dec 07
Ha ha.
OH man being a teacher yeah you get crazy stuff! When I was a kid I got my 5th grade teacher a t-shirt with the class photo on it. It said "Clarks first class" cause we were her first class ever.
But yeah it's like... I totally appreciate the sentiment but it's really bothersome to have to pretend to like stuff. That sucks about the lotion for you! I just hate lotions cause I hate weird smells.
I'm glad you're a card hater too! Cards suck!
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
13 Dec 07
I can usually use these little gifts and I love preserves...so send them to me at .....! lol...I seldom get anything I wish I hadn't and can make use of everything I get.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
13 Dec 07
Ha ha. Fortunately a friend of mine Loves preserves especially blueberry (I responded to gross you can have them!)
You're fortunate that people give you good things and/or you like everything! I wish I could be like that. But I'm so picky about so many things. So when it comes to generic gifts, get me a pig. That I will like. I love pigs so I have all sorts of pig things. They're generic. where can't you buy a cheapy piggy bank. I like candy! that's generic. but it's like you gotta know what they like. ugh.
Today I got cookies. I ate them, but they weren't very good.
@shooting_star (384)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
Oh, I also get a lot of "just to be nice" gifts. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't. So for the stuff I don't really like, I usually ask someone else if they want the gifts, or I'll pass it on. I guess people (me included sometimes) just feel like they have to give something to everyone, even if the gift is pretty generic.
@shooting_star (384)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
I'm starting to learn that... I mean how to not feel like you have to give gifts to everyone. I've cut down significantly on my list this year. Lol. :)
@raychill (6525)
• United States
15 Dec 07
See I was telling someone else I don't feel right re-gifting a gift Not as a gift. Like I'll give someone a gift but I won't give it to them for a gift...if that makes any sense.
I only live with a cat so my kitty doesn't really get down with things like preserves! ha ha but that's fortunate for you guys.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
give me he chocolate and the strawberry preserves! give 'em to me! give 'em to me! LOL
I think there's some thoughts there too no matter how ordinary and cliché the gifts are. they maybe didn't think much about what to give you but at least they remembered you and didn't forget you. ^__^
there are times when I also buy "jutst-to-be-nice-gifts" but those are times that I don't have much time to think and to shop and visit as much stores as I can. during those times I just pick "practical gifts" that they can use.
that's why as much as possible, I start my shopping early so I can have lots of time to think, consider the likes (favorite color, style, fashion, cartoons, etc), visit a lot of stores and find gifts that will surely be appreciated by each person. ^__^
I have also received "just-to-be-nice" gifts which I didn't really like either because the color combination is bad or the style is bad. ^__^;; I still appreciate it because they took the effort to give me something and everybody doesn't really know all my favorites and preferences. ^__^ and I don't give them away, I still use them but in a way that nobody can see. LOL
Merry Christmas!
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
13 Dec 07
Well I'm not talking bad about the fact that people think about others and give gifts. I'm just talking about what you do when you get those gifts and they're things you don't like.
It's tough to use food that you don't like though. I think it's perfectly acceptable to re-gift and give it to someone who would appreciate it. but by re-gift I don't mean actually give it as a gift...just give it.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
6 Jan 08
yea,people around here give out those scented soaps,bubble baths,things like that.
i usually give them to my mom-i haven't got the heart
to tell these people i can't use them due to allergies.
sometimes you'll get the "cheese and sausage" type
just to be nice gifts,but i don't mind those.most of them are at least edible.
