I will give him this, at least he asked first.
My father is trying my patience, but I've resigned. He asked for suggestions for what DC might like for Xmas. DC hasn't asked for a thing, doesn't want for anything and even refused to write a letter to Santa cause he doesn't have anythign to put on a list.
So I threw out a Zoo Membership. Generous (which I know he wants to be so he can brag about it later), useful, and will fit in our small lunchbox of a house. I added on that DC really likes those plastic animal figures. Every time we go to the zoo he asks for a different one - what better than to give him a whole set? Right?
I guess I'm wrong. Father sent along a link to a Playmobile Zoo set, claims it will all fit back in the box when he's done playing. Like I enjoy seeing stacks and stacks of boxes in my Living Room (our only play area) - not!
It's generous, and I'm extremely grateful for the sentiment, but it's not necessary. I expressed this to him, but left it open. He can do what he wants, I surrender.
When do you think I can change my identity so he won't be able to find me come next Christmas?
Re: Same Drama, Different Christmas
So is he declining to get the zoo membership at all? Or is he hoping to replace the plastic animals with a Playmobile set?
Like you I'd be annoyed and frustrated. I'm thankful to you though because it reminds me that while my own parent frustrates me in the gift giving department, at least this year when he asked if something was okay and I said no, he said he'd return it. Amen.
Remind me, isn't your father the one who got your DC the giant train table after you said no?
As for your current year, I love that you told him a zoo membership. E got that for her bday and we love it. Sorry he is not listening.
He's getting the Zoo Membership, but wants DC to open something fun on the day of... which I get, but wants the playmobile set in addition to the membership.
The membership would be plenty. But he insisted. I suggested a set that's $17.00.
So the zoo membership is awesome, and he's just upgrading the animal set - maybe reiterate that the set you suggested is the one he actually likes and you have room for? Good luck!
We have done this in the past and it felt really good to do some good out of a personally bad situation for my family, which is why I've just given up. He'll get what he gets and we'll decide as a family how to manage it. The Train Table thing was just so expensive it was really difficult to justify not at least giving him an opportunity to exchange it. But, as evidenced this year, the price tag doesn't seem to matter to him, so why should it matter to me.