Dad’s birthday is just around the corner. Yay! Time to cavort and frolic! Time to shower him with gifts!
Well, not exactly.
I love him. He’s a good dad. However, he is the worst gift-receiver ever. Once my SIL got him a book (I’m drawing a blank on which book, this was a long time ago) and he gave it to my husband. Not a week later, or a month later. He gave the book to him immediately upon receiving it and said “Here you go, Mr. Haze. You might be more interested in this than I am”.
Nice.
When he gets what he asks for, it’s not a surprise. When you try to surprise him, it’s not what he wants.
Two years ago I finally just gave up. I’m sure he wonders why I don’t give him birthday or father’s day gifts anymore. Or, maybe not - I did mention to mom how I feel and she agrees. Even she has a hard time shopping for him. I’m not sure if the subject has come up between them or not.
Other than that asinine behavior toward my SIL, he is polite when receiving gifts, but obviously is just that - being polite. It’s not that I give him dumb items; I’ve tried everything from electronics to clothing to gift cards, books, and so on.
I have four siblings and they deal with the same thing.
Do you know anyone that is just terrible to shop for? How do you handle it?