I need some advice here. I've gotten several unsolicited Christmas Wish Lists sent to me as of late and I'm not really sure how I feel about it.
Overall, I'm done shopping. I've purchased things for people, things that made me happy to be getting them gifts - which is really my bottom line for this whole guilt driven holiday. But now, I have these weird lists from people.
Ox's sister just sent one to me for his little niece and well...we've already gotten her gift - it's a Giant Gummy Bear on a Stick and I'm pretty darn excited to be giving it to her.
Now in my inbox pops up this whole long email about where they're registered for Christmas - SERIOUSLY registered for Christmas?!?!?! I didn't even know it was possible. Then a list of things to get should we not like anything on the list...awesomely cool Giant Gummy Bear on a Stick is no where on that list.
So, now am I a total jerk for not getting something from the list? Am I a jerk for getting my shopping done early?! I know the sender of the list was trying to be helpful, but I can't help but feel it's rude to assume I'm getting them anything in the first place. Since when is it assumed you'll get anything?!? I feel terrible for having this gut reaction to this situation at the same time, I don't really want to go out and get new gifts or show up with something someone will be irritated with...bah humbug.
Honestly, I'm pretty irritated at the whole darn thing. This darn holiday shouldn't make me feel bad EVER and yet, even in my most prepared, most finanically stable year - I'm left feeling a knot in my stomach.
You are TOTALLY right. It is rude and presumptuous. ps My kids would think you were the MOST AWESOME PERSON ON THE PLANET if you got them a giant gummy bear on a stick.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sal! That makes me feel much better! :o) I think your kids have great taste!
ReplyDeleteThat is THE MOST ridiculous thing I've ever heard. My sister-in-law often asks what they can get my teenage step-daughter for birthdays/Christmas (teenagers are a little more difficult than small kids, of course) and usually we don't have an answer. For her birthday this year she sent an email listing a few (inexpensive) items she'd like because we/grandparents are always asking about that (she's not a 'gimme' kind of girl - doesn't usually have an answer). So, I thought I'd email it on to the grandparents/sister-in-law and it was so hard to figure out the wording of how to send that because I didn't want to seem presumptuous that, of course, they were going to buy her something (she was very grateful for the info) but thinking of how awkward I felt sending that list solidifies my feelings that an unsolicited big list is just wrong.
ReplyDelete(I found your blog through barefoot foodie's post comment about this topic)
Laura
Welcome Ms. Laura, glad you stopped by! Thanks for the support - you're not wrong to send a small list - especially to a sister-in-law! I just felt weird getting this as I'm a girlfriend of a relative! Teenagers are TOUGH, but 5 year olds are less so (as is the case in my situation). You did the right thing in your case for sure!
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