If you have your choice do you prefer:
By jillhill
@jillhill (37353)
United States
December 22, 2009 2:56pm CST
Practical or frivolous gifts for CHristmas? I like to get some I need but there isn't much that I really can ask for.....but do enjoy occasionally getting something that is way out of the norm for me....so which do you prefer? Something you need or something that is fun or frivolous?
7 people like this
21 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Having 5 kids, I can rarely afford all the items I need or want, so I appreciate both, as long as it's something I'll use and enjoy. My in laws however, are absolutely terrible at giving gifts and I wish they just wouldn't bother!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
24 Dec 09
LOL, this is my in-laws I'm talking about. If I were to ever say I wanted something, they'd tell me how pointless it is to spend my money on such a thing. Everytime they come over they point out everything new and ask how much we spent on it, and give us that look like we shouldn't be spending our money on anything. They even did that one year when we bought the kids new bikes. My MIL got all huffy one year because we were paying a dentist money to get my teeth fixed. I'd lost a few of my front teeth, and had to have more pulled, and went 2 months without these front teeth, and she could not understand why I'd want to spend $300 on a dental plate.
Uh, no, I don't bother to hint. When they get me stupid junk I just smile, say thank you, and throw it away the moment they leave. Honestly it's not even stuff I can regift or return or give away to the needy. I think most of it comes from the dollar store. I think we'd all just rather they give us each a dollar and let us pick something out ourselves!
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I have always loved practical gifts. Never have I truly enjoyed getting gifts that are frivolous. Truly, how many rings do you really need? I have way too many now. And earrings too!
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Dec 09
As long as I like it, either one. A nice mixture is good. :-)
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I can buy whatever I need so when its something fun I'll probably like it even more. My mom buys me a box of cereal every year, has since I was little. Its not a major thing but its something I can use.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I guess i'm more of the pratical person. Don't get to be frivilous , darn it. Last year i ask for a chair to go in front of my computer & got it. This year i haven't asked for anything. I really don't know of anything i need or want. If i could have both sons, dil's & both my grandchildren here that would be the best gift i could receive.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Dec 09
Hiya jillhill,
All gifts in general are nice. I think it´s really the thought that counts even if you might not like the present they have bought you. I don´t like being given Steam Irons or Pressure Cookers as a Christmas present for example but I suppose if I did have one bought me I would not reject it and pull a face at it either.
But I have made it very clear in the House no Kitchen things as presents for me please (grin).
Hope you have lot´s of lovely presents.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
24 Dec 09
Hiya jill,
Reckon I might regret that bit about those kind of Kitchen Presents as my Washing by hand has just ruined my best Jersey with a bleach stain that of course will not come out. Of course I´m grinning to myself as I know a Washing Machine is too expensive and the thought of it wrapped in gift paper would make me cringe. By the way I love Chocolate Cherries just thought I´d slip that one in as I´ve read it somewhere up the top of the page or further down.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I would rather have something I need. I need very little so it's hard to buy gifts for me. Do you need my sizes? lol I actually can't think of anything fun I want right now. Am happy because I have clean jeans and a good pair of tennis shoes. My life is now complete.
@danishcanadian (28954)
• Canada
23 Dec 09
I prefer practical gifts, and so does my husband. We are not interested in boringly practical gifts, but practical things, meaning things with a use to us.
It would be frivolous to buy sporting gear for us, because we don't play sports. Books by our favourite authors are practical, because we read the books, and enjoy them. Gift cards to Second Cup cafe is also practical, because we buy our coffee beans there, and spend a lot of time in there.
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
22 Dec 09
i like to get both. this year i have asked for slippers and pj pants but i also like to get jewellry which i know my hubby has bought me. it just happened that i needed a few things this year and since hubby is out of work, we dont have a lot of spare cash.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
23 Dec 09
I think I'm at a stage of life where i prefer practical gifts.
and the frivolous ones sometimes don't surprise me pleasantly!
so i would say practicality rules the day for boring ol me hee hee.
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Well, right now I'd prefer to have more practical gifts as I'm out of work. It's so weird how the smallest items can make such a difference, like Shampoo, Toothpaste, hand soap, etc. Isn't that such a sad statement, geesh, but it's the truth. I'd even be happy right now with a new sponge for my kitchen, haha. But, if someone would want to be frivolous and get me a new car, I'd love it!! LOL!!
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Hey jill! I would say that I like to get things that I need
and a bit of frivolous gifts too! Nothing expensive, just
fun stuff! Sometimes I can just get things from the dollar store
and they turn out to be my best presents ever! It's all in the
giving or the giver! I just love to be surprised and love
surprising!
@mands61123 (2098)
•
22 Dec 09
I like any gift thats got thought behind it whether it be inespensive or expensive i always try to buy people gifts that relates to something dureing the time we've known each other and usually it's humourous but sometimes it can just be something that i thinks special. I don't have alot of things i ever want and strangely enough i love socks so i'm really easy to buy for sock and pj's are the things everyone is always sick of getting but those are my favourite lol
@nautilus33 (1827)
•
22 Dec 09
Hi! I will be equally happy for both gifts- something that need and something that is fun, because I love funny things, and I will be happy if I get some one like that
@AmbiePam (120585)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Last year I asked for practical gifts, and my family looked at my like I'd put a lemon in their drinks. I understand that. It's much more fun to shop for people when they want fun, cool presents. I would feel the same way. But this year I only asked for one thing anyway - fruit. I cannot get good fruit at the supermarkets around here. So I asked for a fruit basket ordered from a place that has fresh fruit.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
24 Dec 09
Ever since my allowance was large enough for me to buy what I needed,I always wanted frivolous gifts for Christmas/Hanukkah and my birthday.In my family Everyone makes lists and I always put the things I Want on the list.All the other days I can get what I need ,Gift giving season is for what is Wanted.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
30 Dec 09
Hi jill. I prefer practical gifts. They're just so much more....practical. LOL
I didn't always like practical gifts. When I was little I liked more frivolous gifts like toys. Now that I'm all grown up I'd much rather have something practical like a vacuum, washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc. Things of that nature. Heck, they don't even have to be in perfect shape. So long as they do the job I'm happy! LOL
Happy mylotting!
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
22 Dec 09
I have two older sisters. The eldest one would and will always buy me practical gifts that I so appreciated but I remember th gifts that my other sister has given me all of my life. she gave me expensive perfume - even though I may have needed shoes or things so wonderfully frivolous but which made me feel so special and part of the world again. so while practical gifts are good it is the madly frivolous ones that are remembered
