Gift giving is tricky. You want to give the recipient something they will like, but on the off chance they don't like it, you don't want to have spent so much that you both feel like the money was wasted or so little that they feel like you got them the cheapest, crappiest thing instead of something they actually want.
I know it's wrong to complain about a gift, and I am truly thankful that I've ever been given gifts at all. But... I've been on the receiving end of some of those crappy gifts and let me tell you, it doesn't feel good. I'm not talking about gifts that maybe weren't what you had in mind, but the other person still spent time and effort picking it out or even making it by hand with you in mind. No, I'm talking about the ones that clearly say, "I resent being obligated to buy a gift for you, so I'm just going to give you some random junk."
I could share a few stories about countless extended family Christmas gatherings, where every year I'd get a pair of driving gloves, despite the fact that I was like, seven years old, couldn't drive and the gloves weren't even my size. When I was a little older, I guess some of my extended family decided they didn't like me as the weird goth kid so they got me floral-print overalls and a pink shirt with flowers on it. I've gotten golf tees, used batteries... One year I had a birthday party and a few of my classmates gave me an empty container of candy, a broken comb and a The Lion King soundtrack jewel case that had no CD inside.
Actually, I don't remember where I was going with this... I suppose the moral of the story would be "Don't buy people thoughtless gifts or something you found in a dumpster, unless it's really, really cool." And no kid wants golf tees or driving gloves. Unless they golf or drive, in which case, by all means, go right ahead.
That said, here are the top ten things I put on my letter to Santa this year...
Megan Miller Collection nail polish. Cork handles! The colors don't look unique but you know what a sucker I am for packaging.
Temptu Everyday Luxury Set. I've always wanted to try airbrush foundation and I like the way this looks.
Lolita Lempicka Couture Black. I WANT THIS SO BAD. I already love Lolita Lempicka and now they have one in this awesome bottle? I may have to buy this for myself this year.
Make Up For Ever Wild & Chic Aqua Cream Collection. A lot of the shades I've been wanting to try plus a bunch more, all in a sweet looking case that comes with a brush.
Bare Minerals Insider Introducing Color Shift Eyecolor Set. I played with the color shifting shadow in the store and even though it's a color I'd have a hard time wearing, I can't stop thinking about it. It's so cool. And here it comes with a few other items for creating a look with it.
Kat Von D Tattoo Chronicles Candelabra Edition palette. Love the design, the colors look great and I'm a fan of the Kat von D/Sephora shadow formula.
Dr. Martens LANGSTON Petrol boot. One of these days I'm going to have these. We're meant to be together.
Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille. I've wanted this for so long and now I think I've missed my chance to buy it. D:
I've seen the last one in person, couldn't stop laughing when i did... or now.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, I've been on the receiving end of some bad gifts as well. My family didn't like my piercings and pink hair as a teen so they would buy me really frilly girly outfits!
ReplyDeleteVery nice wishlist there!
Ha ha! That last one--you've made my day!
ReplyDeleteROFL @ the Rammstein box.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I've gotten some weird gifts as well. My parents are terrible at it. One year my dad gave me four candy bars. Another year, lint rollers (?). Often times, I get gifts from people who don't really know me and get me lotion/bath sets, which makes me somewhat paranoid. Do I smell or something? Is it a hint?
I bought myself some Megan miller polishes because the bottle is so stunningly beautiful! I even posted a review of them on my blog. You should totally get one (or more) they don't disappoint!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Why would someone think it's cool to give batteries and a broken comb as presents? Very nice list. I'm totally obsessing over the Lolita bottle as well. So. Cool.
ReplyDeleteMy roommate keeps joking about the Rammstein "set." Best present ever? Maybe. :D
Merry Christmas!
Love this post! Why would someone think it's cool to give batteries and a broken comb as presents? Very nice list. I'm totally obsessing over the Lolita bottle as well. So. Cool.
ReplyDeleteMy roommate keeps joking about the Rammstein "set." Best present ever? Maybe. :D
Merry Christmas!
OMG! I can't believe some of the gifts that you were given. Terrible! I know that I have given crappy gifts, though not intentionally, and it's made me just not want to give gifts anymore. A couple years ago, I gave a co-worker salt and pepper shakers that were little cowboy/girl chihuahuas. I knew that she liked cooking, liked the whole cowgirl culture, and just moved into a new apartment. I thought it would be kind of fun, but when she asked "what the heck are these?" and gave a weird face, I knew that it was a terrible gift. Same thing happened when I gave another co-worker a black and white photography book of dogs (she's a dog lover), and she just kind of rolled her eyes. I really don't mean to be a bad gift giver!
ReplyDeleteHoly crud, is that a Rammstein train case? I want it too!
ReplyDeletePeople are such idiots! I once went to a party where we had a pollyanna. I bought an expensive set of perfumed soaps. This was my gift. I got a set of plastic picnic crap. It was a pitcher, salt & pepper shakers & a napkin holder. It was bought probably in a dollar store. Real crap. The person who got my gift was some older woman who said "What do I stink?" Then laughed & said "What crap." Bitch! I wanted to keep the soap myself. I'm sorry you received so many thoughtless gifts. I'm sure I got more but that picnic crap I'll never forget. I was 15 years old. What the hell was I going to do with it. I'd love to know what the last gift you wanted is. I love your taste. I'd love any of the gifts you want. I know I'm not getting any of them.
ReplyDeleteLol yeah, I've been there, one year in elementary school my friends gave me an empty box. Boners! Hope you (and everyone) receives everything on your wishlist :)
ReplyDeletethose nailpolishes are so cute
ReplyDeleteI love the megan miller bottles!! They were the first thing that caught my eye! :) I've tried one (roja) and I think the formula is quite good too.
ReplyDeleteThat LL bottle is GORGEOUS!! I'd skip the Temptu though...I got it one year for Christmas and returned it =\ I don't like that you cant custom blend the foundation, and that it's one big pod
ReplyDeleteThat LL bottle is GORGEOUS!! I'd skip the Temptu though...I got it one year for Christmas and returned it =\ I don't like that you cant custom blend the foundation, and that it's one big pod
ReplyDeleteScrangie, my goodness! You've received some SHOCKING presents. I can't believe that anyone would have the nerve to give you used batteries and a broken comb. That's comically ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteAnd when you were a kid and got driving gloves that didn't even fit, you should've asked, "Where's my car to go with it?" :P
One year when I was in high school, my out-of-touch relatives bought me finger puppets that were for kindergartens and a my-first-calculator calculator. :S I guess they thought I was slow even though I was at the top of my class.
The worst was when they gave me a piggy bank in the shape of a clown head. It had a creepy expression, and I never used it. Gave it to my brother, I think.
Scrangie, in case I don't catch you on Twitter before Christmas...MERRRRYYYY CHRISTMAS! :D Thanks for being so awesome. Hope you have a wonderful, happy holiday!
The Temptu will give you the most perfect skin you've had in your life. Until the machine breaks after you use it twice. I've had 3 defective ones in a row, and the Sephora people told me they're returned constantly for that reason, and all the reviews online say the same :/ My skin never looked better though. I've been in contact with the company about redoing their piece of garbage compressors.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried cocoapink.net for a Spiritueuse Double Vanille type? It is amazing and you can get it in a 5 ml size. There are other etailers out there as well who have this scent, minus the price tag. I am not affiliated either. I just want you to know you aren't too late.
ReplyDeleteEveryone deserves their own Rammstein gift set! ;)
ReplyDeleteI want that super special edition so. Bad.
ReplyDeleteI think my sister is getting me the ramones style shirt from the german shop, haha! I was going to get it myself (sucker for quirky/clever tees) but I didn't want to pay the $25 shipping. If it's a gift, it's not so bad!
(Still mad at myself for not getting the lifad box... even though I'm sure those weren't accurate representations. ....or were they?!)
LOL at your post. So true about gift giving.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note I got such a thoughtful and lovely Xmas gift this week (yeah I couldn't wait to open it) anyway I know it wasn't the most fancy or expensive gift but it was soooooo incredibly obvious the person was really thinking about me that it made me cry like a baby for a couple of hours and I'm getting tear-eyed right now...
Anyway merry Xmas to you and I hope you get lovely, thoughtful gifts as well :)
gahhhh.... those docs. Dreamy! Merry Christmas ;)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! Amazing choices! I would love to try airbrushing on foundation. I'm sure the learning curve for me would be months though. :)
ReplyDeleteI know I was an ungrateful little brat, but the worst gift I ever got was snow skiing lessons from my parents. My sisters loved it but my idea of winter exercise (then and now), is walking to the nearest library or bookstore and getting a tall stack. Warm water sports, hell yeah. Frozen? Only if it involves ice skates and spiked hot chocolate.
ReplyDeleteOnce my oldest sister gave me footed pjs... this after asking me what I wanted, me giving her a long list in her price range... I asked her why and she said her mother-in-law told her all the college girls wore them. I was 21 and pissed I had spent so much time on the phone telling her what I wanted if she was just going to ignore me and buy what her mil-- who she always said she couldn't stand-- recommended.
ReplyDeleteOnly gift I ever hated so much I returned. Oh, and I bought her what she said she wanted... I actually listened to her.
Quit exchanging gifts with her years ago...