I'd rather have greeting cards...

Philippines
June 2, 2011 6:58am CST
Well, I'm not ranting but it just came up on my mind because I'm rummaging through my clothes and I saw a blouse which was a gift from my cousin, I seldom wear it, and usually I wear it only when I'm inside the room, and I really have nothing else to wear... I got to think that some people are really so stingy, I just think that when you give a gift you have to make sure that your gift is really good and worthy of the person your giving it to, I do it, I spend a really big time on picking out my gifts for people I love, and if I can't find something then I pick out a greeting card and a cake for the person...now, my cousin isn't unfashionable, she has beautiful clothes and has a really big salary and when I give her gifts she sometimes tell me that it's "ugly", and she expects me to be happy with what she gives me...I don't say anything but sometimes, I'd rather receive a greeting card than a gift that seems to be from a bargain store, or from the last decade Am I being overly sensitive or would you feel the same if you were me?
1 person likes this
11 responses
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
I seldom give gifts, more often during holidays and birthdays only but usually greetings are enough. The thing is I'm not good at picking gifts for others even if I already know what they like. I don't usually think if they'll like it or not. There was even a time when someone told me my gift sucks. It's all good, I would understand if they said something like that.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
Good to know I'm not the only one.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
my fiancée is like that, and I don't care because even if the gifts he gives sometimes suck, I know he's simply clueless!
1 person likes this
@ariana01 (182)
• United States
3 Jun 11
I think that getting things that are meaningful such as someone making a picture or card for you is a lot better than absolutely any gift. I love knowing people took the time and thought instead of thinking they gave to spend a lot of money on me.
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• Philippines
3 Jun 11
same here...
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
no, you are normal..lol when i give someone a gift i also make it a point she likes it.. like a pair of earrings or bangles / bracelets, ones that i know she will wear. As for your cousin, she should not be picky, she should learn to appreciate and also she should also learn how to give..not give just for the sake of giving but give because you want to whole heartedly.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
My point exactly!!! I don't expect people I give gifts to would give me something in return...it's just as you stated...
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@megamatt (14292)
• United States
2 Jun 11
Honestly when people ask me what I want, I just tell them to give me money. And that's what I tend to give people. That way they can get something that they want or need or put the money back for something. Its really not fun to get a gift that I don't really want. It might seem like a cool gift to a lot of people, but I think that people sometimes when they buy gifts, they really do tend to think of terms of something that they would like, as opposed to something that the people that they are buying would like. So yeah, buying gifts can be a tricky process for sure. Therefore, just I'm going to settle for cash most of the time and that seems to be the safest gift for me. I've gotten so many clothes that I'm not really fond of over the years, but I have to do the polite thing, smile and say thank you, even if it is the most strained smile in the world. Its the thought that counts sure, but I really think that a lot of these gifts don't account for too much that I would like. Therefore for me, cash is king.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
your so like my little sister, but she does love the things I give her...though you both do really have a point!!
@tammy27 (1241)
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
im not bragging or anything, but i dont have problems with gift giving thing, hehe i do make my own shirts and clothes, so often i do give t shirts for my loved ones. all i have to do if find out their size and what they love about life, i once give this shirt to my chubby friend saying "im in shape" then at the lower part, a smaller font saying "round is a shape" she totally loved it, but while i was making it i was a little nervous that she'll take it as a negative way, good thing she didnt. hehehe :)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
, I don't have a problem with that either because I make sure the person who receives any of my gift feels special...
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• Philippines
3 Jun 11
Family members and close relatives tend to not mind saying their pieces of mind without regard to the other person's feelings. Personally I experienced this most of the times. But almost everytime that happens.. I always retort back! I am not big on sensitivity as far as my close relatives is concerned. Perhaps I can attribute it to our "closeness". We are always open to criticisms and we have no hidden angst or issues against each other. Have a good day!
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
That's the same with my mom, dad, bro, and sis...but for the rest of my family I can't be really open to that point because it'll be war!!!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
2 Jun 11
It is really not easy to choose gifts for people but it is not the quality or the price of the gift that matters but it is the thoughts that counts. I am excited when I receive gifts from others and would appreciate anything received.
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
Yes, it's the thought that counts, but for me, if you really thought of the person when you bought the gift wouldn't you at least buy something that would suit their interest and preferences?
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
2 Jun 11
If the gift is meant for someone special, then it is a different story altogether. I take special attention to select the best gift.
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
well, we are kind of close and she does expect me to give her a good gift so I think she has to consider that too...and were both single..so we both have no financial responsibilities...
1 person likes this
@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
Yeah, I agree. I'm also the kind of person who picks gifts as if my reputation depended on it. I take a lot of time, and sometimes go over my budget just to make sure I get something that will make the person happy. But I have noticed that others don't take as much effort, and I'm the receiver of junk that people pass off as gifts. The last of this was 2 Christmases ago, our group of friends held a party at my house and decided to exchange gifts. I picked out for my "Secret Santa" a shirt with a good brand and in his style and all I received from the person who picked me was a snow globe with a cow/ox inside. It would be the year of the ox that following year, and it turns out I was born on the year of the ox. But that snow globe was totally useless to me. It sat on my shelf since and now could be called a dust globe. It's as if she just brought it from the sidewalk on the way over to my house. The next Christmas, I'm so not holding a party.
• Philippines
2 Jun 11
yeah, I know right!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
3 Jun 11
marapplestiffy I think that its the thought that you shou ld appreciate and not the bad choice she made. of course if you two are really close really maybe you could sort of suggest just what you really would like as myhubby used to do to me and that way both the gifter and the giftee'are happy with the gifts and each other. I think a little suggestion from you would solve the problem and help you both to be closer and understand each other better.So ask her what she really wants and also tell her what you really want then you and her will not hurt each others feelings. sound fesible?
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
hmmn, I tried that, but we're kinda close in a messy way...hurt me and she'll protect me to her dying breath...I think she just finds happiness in seeing me sad with her actions, but she wouldn't let anyone make me sad...so, it's really not a very healthy relationship, and it's not like I can avoid her for we are family... But I'm usually happy so I think that infuriates her...(*_*)
@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jun 11
First and foremost- a gift is a gift. It is given with love of heart and in the pure mood for giving. I think whatever the gift is it should be received graciously and with a warm thank you. If you are too particular and fussy then whatever you recieve will rarely be good enough for you.
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
I'm not really a fussy person, I feel happy with just a simple card especially hand-made ones, my fiancée gave me a dressed chicken one time and that made me deliriously happy because it was out of the comment I made that he surprised me with a gift-wrapped dressed chicken... but only with this particular person, because everytime she gives me something she makes it to a point to show how I'm lower than her, and we like the same things!!! to quote you "given with love of heart and in the pure mood for giving" I think with her it's not...
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@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jun 11
That's sad. Some people are just shallow.
3 Jun 11
I agree with you. You appreciate a gift much more when it's obvious that the person giving you it has put thought, time and energy into it - whether they've been creative and made something, or spent a while tracking down something they know you'd really like. I find this with birthday and Christmas cards as well - it's always better to receive a hand-made card than a store-bought one! :)
• Philippines
3 Jun 11
yes, exactly!!!
3 Jun 11
Plus, the cards you buy in stores are generally pretty rubbish, wouldn't you agree? The 'funny' ones especially - they just aren't funny! And making cards can be quite therapeutic too, don't you agree? Gets the creative juices flowing!