Anonymous wrote:OP Here: I am lucky that it really is one of the worst things I have to "complain" about. He doesn't want a list of specific items because he enjoys shopping for things that he thinks I'll like. It doesn't make me mad, sad, or anything along those lines. It makes me feel like when my preschooler had drawn a picture of me with blue hair because blue was his favorite color & I'm his favorite mom.

So excited to see what I'm getting from Duluth Trading Company & the tie-dye guy and the story that will go with it.

Do you like outdoor gear?

OP Here: I am lucky that it really is one of the worst things I have to "complain" about. He doesn't want a list of specific items because he enjoys shopping for things that he thinks I'll like. It doesn't make me mad, sad, or anything along those lines. It makes me feel like when my preschooler had drawn a picture of me with blue hair because blue was his favorite color & I'm his favorite mom.

So excited to see what I'm getting from Duluth Trading Company & the tie-dye guy and the story that will go with it.

My mom once got my dad a book that was titled (in translation): Life with a Fool. She says she thought my dad liked the author

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 tan coats.

Oh my, this is hilarious!

I have 4 tan coats.

The beauty of gifts isn't receiving something you can buy yourself (at least for me) or something functional per se, but seeing what someone else thinks is a good gift of you. So why not tell him to get you something that is not household related. Maybe something sexy for the bedroom, or tell him to pick out a movie/book/etc he's excited to share with you, or plan a day outing to a place he'd love to show you or explore with you. Make it romantic, so maybe it's not a grand gesture but it's a fun dating like experience.

Why don't you both decide on an experience gift that you can share or something for the house? Seems like you're setting him up to fail and setting yourself up for disappointment every year.

You need to get hip to the Amazon wishlist. You can add items from any store to it. Add like 20 things and then you won't know exactly which ones you're getting.

I just buy what I want and give him to wrap

Aww...At least he is making a sincere effort OP.

I think your hubby is sincerely trying his best + I truly believe he is putting quite a bit of thought into his gifts.

So cliche, but so true that it really is the thought of the gift that truly matters. I would just suck it up and try to find some kind of joy in whatever he gets you this year. There has to be SOMETHING favorable in his gift, right??!

If this is the worst trait that you can come on this forum and complain to us about, then you have won the lottery in the marriage and relationships dept.

Trust me on this.

Come in here on a regular or semi-regular basis & you will see what I mean!!

Merry Christmas OP and please do not choke on your fruitcake! LOL.

Give links to things you'd really enjoy. Sometimes it's about getting a nice gift and having a nice Christmas rather than hoping your DH gets your telepathic signals.

For some reason, sending links is SOOOO much better than getting nothing or even than getting shitty presents. I know I could just buy them myself, so I can't really explain it.

Hi honey. I'm right in front of the Yankee Candle store. Am I about to screw up again. Love you, honey!

LOL, yes, I have one like yours.

Ha, you need to be really specific about what you want. If I don't give my DH specific links, I will get LL Bean slippers and too-small flannel pajamas. Like, every year. He's so sweet, but needs help.

He really does try, but he buys the worst gifts ever. One year he knew I needed a storage piece in the small 1/2 bath so he got one of those plastic over/around the toilet shelf units, another year a new laundry basket, then a one-piece footed zippered cat print pjs. He really does try and I know I can be difficult to purchase for because I hate spending money & I don't really want anything. This year I suggested we keep it simple, one or two gifts. So far I've seen UPS packages from Duluth Trading Company and some tie-dye seller on ebay. Anyone else in the same boat with someone sweet & hopeless?