When you don’t have to buy it for yourself…
By Amber
@AmbiePam (112139)
United States
December 23, 2025 1:07pm CST
Funeral home calendars were the norm growing up. I didn’t really make the connection of my dad being a pastor and having so many funeral home calendars until I was older. Anyway, so the free ones were the ones we used at home. When I moved out, I would buy a new yearly calendar for myself. This year I forgot to buy one, and I was chastising myself for not being able to do it on Black Friday when they were cheaper and I had a survey gift card.
Today, a friend sent me a flamingo calendar for Christmas! And you know how I love flamingoes.
Do you enjoy getting presents you actually “need” too?
16 people like this
17 responses
@MarieCoyle (54399)
•
23 Dec
I was given several wonderful wildlife calendars both this year and last year. They are really beautiful. I think if I remember correctly I shared one of them with @Fourwalls.
I love getting things I need, always. Glad for you about the flamingo calendar!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (54399)
•
23 Dec
@FourWalls
Oh, good! I thought for sure I had given you one but wasn’t positive. I love those calendars. 
2 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (86721)
• Rupert, Idaho
24 Dec
As an adult those kind of gifts are nice, for sure. Sounds like a fun calendar with Flamingoes. I have a friend that sends us a calendar (or two) each year it seems.
I did buy one this year though that has different horror movie characters holding cats. It's very interesting!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (112139)
• United States
24 Dec
@MommyOfEli2013 This is great, Courtney. Thank you so much!
@MommyOfEli2013 (86721)
• Rupert, Idaho
24 Dec
@AmbiePam If it works I got a photo from where I bought it from, mostly just shows the cover lol, but that is one of the months.
Edit: trying but it won't let me add it. So trying a different photo lol
1 person likes this
@xstitcher (37903)
• Petaluma, California
24 Dec
I like to get presents I need, but it doesn't happen too often.
1 person likes this
@xstitcher (37903)
• Petaluma, California
24 Dec
I got a 2026 calendar in the mail this year. I appreciate all of the address labels I get from different places, too.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39430)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 Dec
It's always nice to get a gift I really need. What do you do when you get a gift you don't need? Do you re gift it?
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (112139)
• United States
23 Dec
I have only regifted one present I ever got, and it was from a guy. It was a snow globe, and while I didn’t like it, I knew my little cousin would. Normally, I just appreciate a present because it’s a kind, thoughtful gesture. This particular guy though, was not getting the message to leave me alone, even when I told him I didn’t want any presents from him (sounds harsh, but it needed to be said).
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (129142)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Dec
You used to get them many places. Hubbies bank still gives them out.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (129142)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Dec
@AmbiePam I still keep one on the wall that has the moon signs on it
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (12408)
• United States
24 Dec
We had calendars growing up, many coming from the local hardware company for free. During the 70's, the material ones with fancy frames or other, were popular. I haven't hung one in years now. I told my son we need a huge one for in the laundry/freezer room once the house is done. With the girls, it's a constant figuring out appointments and events. A large calendar or white board calendar would be good to write on.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (167574)
• United States
23 Dec
We still get lots of free calendars. More than we really need, sometimes. Bob gets them from insurance, and banks, and automotive places. Sometimes his sister send one. My favorite personal calendar is my Choctaw Tribal Calendar, which is free, because I am a member. I love learning some of the history of the tribe and other things.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51317)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 Dec
I much prefer presents I actually "need" (chocolate) rather than another pair of socks. (And yes, there was a pair in my gift bag from the Centre.)
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (88531)
• United States
29 Dec
Back in the "good old days" we always got some sort of free calendar either from our local church or pizza place. But, then they stopped for whatever reason and I relied on the good old dollar tree for my yearly wall calendar, I don't currently use a wall calendar anymore and only have a small purse size one that I use.
I'm sure your new flamingo calendar is perfect and how thoughtful that your friend made it extra special with the flamingoes
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17994)
• Raurkela, India
24 Dec
I do love gifts that I need. I don't buy calendar anymore as I have it in my smartphone.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37316)
•
24 Dec
Yes, getting something I can use (regardless of cost) is so much better than getting something more expensive I'll never use.
A calendar is a perfect gift. Something one can always utilize!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202517)
• United States
23 Dec
Yes, those are the best. I like them if they are cute too.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (93946)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Dec
I used to but at time I enjoyed getting surprise gifts more.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (212945)
• United States
24 Dec
I get a free calendar from Thrivent every year; and it's something I need. I put all my appointments and birthdays on it.
1 person likes this
