Anonymous wrote:Please tell me OP is a troll. I cannot believe this is a real problem.

OMG hard to believe these are adults that post this crap. You know what my boys got their dad? A pen that is inserted into a butt that farts-for his desk (home not work) and a "weenie warmer" (yes for his penis) I got several of those crazy loom bracelets. These holidays are for kids.

I'm a nanny and my charges got me a somewhat hideous bag from claire's. But... when they said "you're a girl.. so you like claire's right?" I couldn't help but love it.

It's a gift. In a few weeks they will forget about it.

I was little girl who used to give her mom the most awesome gifts and looking back they are so embarrassing but she cherished (or pretended to) each one of them.

OP, stop acting like a selfish ass and do not talk to you DH about this. It is a fight not worth having.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP don't you hate those pasta necklaces they make too? They come from love and all but so hideous. The look of excitement on their faces when they give them? Makes you cringe right? Plus they just expect you to wear them! The nerve!!

Signed,
Mom who proudly wears hideous jewelry made/purchased by my children including beaded, painted macaroni, pipe cleaners, TJ Maxx lead lined crap which turns my skin green. Currently sporting 6 rainbow loom bracelets (thanks Santa!).

I get the sarcasm, but you're missing my point. The pasta necklaces and such are adorable and I love them. This was different - Dh should have steered them a little better.

No, YOU are missing the point. Your kids picked it out. If your DH "steered" them, it would not be from them. This is what THEY wanted to get you. So next year, instead of coming here and venting, tell your kids what you really want so they don't buy you anymore "ugly" stuff.

+1

This seems to go completely over OP's head. Her children are 3 and 5 and she doesn't get it that they are still in the period where they are asserting their independence and sense of self. Let them learn to do things themselves. There will be many years when they are older and will understand better, how to pick out gifts that the receiver will enjoy. Now is not the time to be steering them to "better". Be careful, this could be the slippery slope to helicopter parenting where you end up doing everything for them, because what is age-appropriate for them is just "not good enough."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are kids. Appreciate them and your DH and be glad you got something. Quit whining.

This is OP. I do appreciate them and like I said - I wasn't mad at them and did all the oohs and aahs.

I think people are missing the point. I'm not unappreciative - I am just pissed DH didn't steer them to something I'd like more - LIKE I DID WITH HIS GIFT FROM THE GIRLS.

Part of the joy of giving is to find something the recipient would like - that's a teachable moment too!

I think you are missing the point, OP. So you killed their joy and sense of pride by choosing your DH's gift yourself. He made a different choice. What did you expect by posting this? Validation? You are barking up the wrong tree, sister.

Ugh, I'm so over this. This is the last time I'm responding. I didn't ask for validation and I DID start my thread by recognizing this is a bit petty. I was looking for ways that would NOT (got that??? that would NOT) hurt my kids' feelings. I got a few great suggestions and obviously there are others that understand.

Just to repeat - my kids think I absolutely LOVE their gift. I've been wearing it out every single damn time we've gone out since xmas. I was looking for ways to not have to wear it for the rest of my life as it's not my taste.

So, everyone, thanks for those that understood and gave me some good ideas. everyone else - whatever! I'm not going to read this anymore.

We get it OP, you are one of those entitled people who probably had an expensive registry and gossiped about the "losers" who didn't get you something expensive on your registry behind their backs. Your children are young, they are only 3 and 5 for crying out loud. They only understand the excitement of Christmas, picking out something they think is special for you. There will be plenty of time in future years when they are older for your husband to teach them to buy gifts that you like, but for now, leave the magic of Christmas to them to enjoy.

You need to revisit the spirit of Christmas. Here's some reading material for you. Hopefully this will thaw your heart.
Why I Wear a Plastic Dinosaur: http://www2.lhric.org/course/elaweb/TASK1/Nrdino.htm

Anonymous wrote:OP, I hear you. Have a talk with DH, and let him know that you guided them to pick out something nice for him, and you'd like him to extend that courtesy back to you. Tell him to take them to a store you like, or tell him you need a purple sweater and have them pick out which one to give you from stores you shop at, etc.

P.S. I have one stuffed animal my girls gave me when they were 2 & 4. All the other presents they gave me that didn't get adult intervention go to that stuffed bear. The bear wears a scarf, sunglasses, a gaudy as shit necklace, and a ridiculous hat. All from my girls. Don't let the other people make you feel guilty. I get it.

Great idea about the stuffed animal. Thanks (OP here)

Anonymous wrote:My kids picked out a One Direction t-shirt for my DH. He wore it proudly yesterday.

Similarly, I received a Justin Bieber notebook from my 8 year old. It to be used during my work meetings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are kids. Appreciate them and your DH and be glad you got something. Quit whining.

This is OP. I do appreciate them and like I said - I wasn't mad at them and did all the oohs and aahs.

I think people are missing the point. I'm not unappreciative - I am just pissed DH didn't steer them to something I'd like more - LIKE I DID WITH HIS GIFT FROM THE GIRLS.

Part of the joy of giving is to find something the recipient would like - that's a teachable moment too!

I think you are missing the point, OP. So you killed their joy and sense of pride by choosing your DH's gift yourself. He made a different choice. What did you expect by posting this? Validation? You are barking up the wrong tree, sister.

OP, I hear you. Have a talk with DH, and let him know that you guided them to pick out something nice for him, and you'd like him to extend that courtesy back to you. Tell him to take them to a store you like, or tell him you need a purple sweater and have them pick out which one to give you from stores you shop at, etc.

P.S. I have one stuffed animal my girls gave me when they were 2 & 4. All the other presents they gave me that didn't get adult intervention go to that stuffed bear. The bear wears a scarf, sunglasses, a gaudy as shit necklace, and a ridiculous hat. All from my girls. Don't let the other people make you feel guilty. I get it.

You definitely can't be real and if you are, well, you should be ashamed of yourself.

There is a difference between a macaroni necklace -- obviously made by kids-- and a hideous pin that looks like you have terrible taste. "Its just too special to wear everyday, girls!" OP you are not a bitch. But it looks like there are parenting moments ahead.

Anonymous wrote:My son made me a gold spray painted. Macaroni necklace and I wore it proudly to church and told everyone that it was "one of a kind" . Children learn thoughtfulness with gift giving. I still have that necklace and when my son gets married, I plan to wear it to his wedding. If his wife is really nice, I might, someday, give it to her.

Please don't. I doubt she'll want it. Then she'll be obligated to wear it everywhere or be called a bitch like op.

Anonymous wrote:Christopher Buckley wrote a book about his parents, and one of the things that stuck with me was how his mother (Pat Buckley, a perennial member of international "best dressed" lists) wore the cheap dime store jewelry that he had bought her all over Manhattan. He realizes now that the jewelry was cheap and gaudy, and also what it said about her and her priorities. Wear the pin. Tell people that it was your Christmas gift from your daughters. People will understand and think more of you for it.

That's awesome.

Anonymous wrote:Any woman on the TTC forum would gladly have your problem

Definitely! If you're blessed with children, how dare you complain about anything!?

Seriously, OP, I'm totally with you. It's so annoying. Talk to DH calmly about how you feel and I'm sure he'll understand. You are very sweet for showing DDs that you like the pin. They will forget all about it soon enough I am sure.

Christopher Buckley wrote a book about his parents, and one of the things that stuck with me was how his mother (Pat Buckley, a perennial member of international "best dressed" lists) wore the cheap dime store jewelry that he had bought her all over Manhattan. He realizes now that the jewelry was cheap and gaudy, and also what it said about her and her priorities. Wear the pin. Tell people that it was your Christmas gift from your daughters. People will understand and think more of you for it.