Comments on: Thoughtless Gifts: Disappointed by Cheap Gifts

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 03:38:17 +0000

In reply to Helen. Actually, @Brenda, you should be blunt and honest. You should collect pictures of these "gifts" and show them as reasons why you won't be coming. Then politely (but firmly) suggest they take them to the dump instead of using them to make people feel worthless.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 02:29:16 +0000

In reply to Jenny. My sister routinely gives me ramen noodles. Yes, unlike my parents, I'm not rich at all (I probably make less than $500 a year, and most of that is Christmas or birthday money, as my job selling books is basically a hobby). But yeah, not thrilled about it. It costs what $10 for the fancy stuff? And I don't like to eat that much! Get me clothes or books or video games, or anything besides that. The worst part is, I try to figure out something to get them with a very limited budget, sometimes making stuff or regifting things from my own room. Ramen, really?!?

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:08:53 +0000

In reply to Coco. I once received a dirty gift that I believe was a hand-me-down or purchased from a thrift store. I'm not sure which one. At the time I was very upset, but over time I've come to see that this particular gift giver was giving all she could. I think that's the thing about gifts. Only you know if your friend could've done better. I'm sorry you feel disappointed by the gift you were given. I hope that your friendship survives the bad gift.

By: Coco

Coco — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:55:50 +0000

I got the worst gift ever a used dirty coffee mug with hair on it not even in a box, snack size trail mix, and a calendar. In a nice huge gift bag. This was from my friend. She is very frugal. But this was horrible and really hurt my feelings. Also old candy that was worn and when I opened it was crusty chocolate tearing package. It was like imitation rolos. I couldn’t believe my friend would give me this. My mom says it’s the thought that counts. I don’t mind giving me a gift from the dollar tree but pick something out for me not something used and dirty laying in your house!!

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 11:30:51 +0000

In reply to Brenda.

@Brenda,

It sounds like you need to have Christmas with just your children. Let your toxic family members have Christmas by themselves. Say you’re sick one year and try it.
Wish you the best. And I hope you have a peaceful holiday season.

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 15:59:04 +0000

In reply to Rachel. I stopped exchanging gifts with the person who provided me with cheap ones. Can you suggest forgoing exchanges? The holidays are so much better now without them!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 04:16:51 +0000

I know no one has commented here in awhile, but reading these stories made me want to share. I also have a thoughtless gift giver family member. She makes me so irritated! It has nothing to do with the monetary value. It’s the fact that there’s absolutely no planning and zero thought involved.
She could give me nothing and I’d be happier with that. For years, I’ve given her sentimental presents I knew she’d love. And she has. One year I got her a necklace with a heart shaped pendant that had a pic of her and her recently deceased mother on it. I also got her a custom bangle with her name on it. Another year I bought her snow boots and a matching jacket with her initials on both. Another year, some beautiful leather boots she mentioned she wanted. Her usual routine is, on the way to my house Christmas Day, she will stop at CVS and get me chapstick, a coffee mug, some socks. Another time, socks, lotion, body wash. One year it was a box of chocolate and some tea. I don’t drink tea and she knows that. Then she says, “sorry, I’m broke,” or “I didn’t have time.” Which isn’t the truth, she just places zero effort into it and uses that as an excuse. She works for a giant, national retailer, and has all year to prepare, and use her employee discount! *end of rant*

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 06:14:25 +0000

In reply to Brenda. Hi Brenda, Thank you for leaving a comment. I am sorry to hear about your situation. I do hope you learn to enjoy Christmas again one day. It sounds like you were in a very abusive relationship and I do hope you find the peace you need to clear these thoughts from your mind. Everyone deserves to feel love in the gifts they receive. It would be better to get a hand written card of appreciation than a pile of stuff that feels thoughtless. I wish you the very best this Christmas!

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:27:12 +0000

I’m a single parent with very limited income, but I have always bought or handmade meaningful, personal gifts unique to each person. Meanwhile, my parents and sibling – both quite wealthy – give my children and I literal garbage – used and broken dishes, used and stained clothing like men’s sweatpants three sizes too large with an open fly (I’m a business woman not a lumberjack who pees in the woods), defective items the local charity store would not accept, musty junk from their basements, an expired box of cake mix, etc. Rather than throw their trash out – they simply stick it in an overused, mangled gift bag with someone else’s name written on the tag…and give it to me. Since childhood, for birthdays, dad likes to play a sadistic game – telling me he will “help” with something he knows I need … but has no intention of following through. As a child at Christmas, he’d bring me to look at the gifts my mother had wrapped beneath the tree, tell me to find a package with my name on it. He would then tell me he was returning the item because I didn’t deserve to receive any gifts. He would explain that they didn’t love me, and how my existence was a financial burden.
There was physical abuse to accompany the emotional and verbal.
No wonder I throw up every Christmas. Most dreaded time of year.
I often think of the sentiment “It’s the thought that counts.” Precisely.

By: Little Miss Moneybags

Little Miss Moneybags — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:06:35 +0000

In reply to One Frugal Girl.

They just felt we were being grinches and “ruining the spirit of Christmas”. I was surprised, too, because I find buying gifts to be so stressful, but I guess they don’t feel the same way – but I really think it’s that they have this idea of what Christmas is supposed to be, and opting out doesn’t match that idea.

Funnily enough, my MIL sent out an email last night that some people are complaining that it’s really hard to shop for the people whose names they drew and so would everyone please put together a short Amazon wishlist so that they could pick from that.

So, I don’t know what’s up with my in-laws. It’s no fun to not shop for everyone, but it’s too hard to shop for any one person without a specific list to choose from. I can’t win! (And as much as I’m complaining, all of this has been good-natured ribbing, and Christmas will be fun no matter what happens. I’m already done with my shopping/making because I wanted to get it done before the baby arrives, and I didn’t even need an Amazon list!)