Emphasis mine…
Man, they’ll sell anything at tourist traps, won’t they?
Damn autocorrect didn’t believe that “dishware” is a word.
I knew that’s what happened. But the joke was right there…
You nailed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for stating what has always been the biggest banes of my gift receiving existence. Most people have come around to proper thinking, but my mother still persists in wanting to give me the most inanely generic “stuff” as to my hobbies/avocations.
It was once pointed out to her ( by my father ) that a gift certificate to an automotive restoration parts supplier ( that caters to my specific make/model ) would be a great gift idea for me, but that she nixed giving money or gift certificates as “too impersonal”, and then proceeds to buy silly generic automotive accessories from ‘Pep Boys’ and the like.
Same with movies or music. She’ll get me some schlocky blockbuster-ey DVD even though I’m much more “deep” than the mouth breathers that eat up Hollywood schlock.
Anything. Really, can we just skip the whole thing this year?
I expect I will get gifts from: Sister, Niece, Kid 1, Kid 2, family friend, and spouse. Mostly they will be token inexpensive gifts (a book, clever socks, etc.) That’s okay.
But my spouse is the problem. They suffer from being very spendy. It is torture for me to open a pile of expensive gifts from them knowing I will have to figure out how to pay the credit card bill at the end of the month. I have expressed this to them to no avail. Yes, we put the “fun” in dis-fun-ctional!
OHGAWD.
This happened to me about 35 years ago. My heart is pounding, just remembering the occasion!
Mr VOW comes in Christmas morning with a big ass box, and an even bigger shit-eating grin to go with it. I was HORRIFIED!
I opened the box to find a TV. I started to cry. “How are we going to PAY for this?” I sobbed.
His grin got even bigger. I was circling the drain of despair.
“I called the credit card company and got an increase in our credit line!”
Worse Christmas of my life. And the thing is, he fully EXPECTED me to cry and to get upset!
And yes, we’re still married. 45 years last June.
~VOW
Oh, I lounge. But I also get dressed. I sleep naked, so my only ‘bedroom/lounge’ wear is a robe I put on to make coffee in the morning. Otherwise I’m up and dressed - jeans and casual tops, sure. But proper, ‘could go outside/answer the front door’ clothing.
I don’t feel comfortable in slouchy stuff. I realise that’s a bit freaky.
Non-consumables. I have too much stuff. If I can’t eat it, drink it, burn it, or otherwise use it up I do not want it!!