I cannot believe I am buying these gifts...

slwprincess · December 2013

I'm all for practical gifts but I think my ILs may be taking this too far. MIL asked for an electric can opener. FIL wants... Fluorescent light bulbs. WTH.

kracosta · December 2013

Lol! Don't feel bad. My 13 yo asked for gasoline and a filter for his ATV.... Really kid??!!! As if this isn't something he would get as needed anyway

ahare2009 · December 2013

It honestly sounds like me. I asked for a new crock-pot, a new bullet blender, Pampered Chef pizza stone, etc. If people are going to buy me things, I at least want things I know I will use. I guess I'm just boring.

magentawarped · December 2013

Wow...light bulbs? That's a whole new level of boring.

slwprincess · December 2013

LaurLaurLaur said:

Yea, I would get them a gift card to Target and tell them to go nuts!

Actually, they find gift cards offensive! LOL. SIL said that not only does he want lightbulbs but he gave explicit instructions that each kid was only allowed to buy ONE. They have 6 kids. So he wants 6 light bulbs. Hey man, whatever.

notreal2 · December 2013

Eh, wrap the lightbulb like a candy cane, get the can opener and order them some sort of "can of the month club." and focus shopping on people you find fun. In the end, everyone ends up enjoying Christmas the way they want, and a good time is had by all.

slwprincess · December 2013

notreal2 said:

Eh, wrap the lightbulb like a candy cane, get the can opener and order them some sort of "can of the month club." and focus shopping on people you find fun. In the end, everyone ends up enjoying Christmas the way they want, and a good time is had by all.

I'm not complaining... by all means, I really appreciate it when people tell me what to get them! And brownie points if it comes from Amazon ;-) I hate it when folks (like my mom) say, "oh I really don't need anything." Well duh... I know you don't NEED anything. But can you please tell me something that you WANT? I'm just shaking my head at the fact that they actually WROTE THESE DOWN and gave them to their daughter as gift ideas for the family. If I need a light bulb, I add it to my shopping list and go get the damn thing. Then again, they are those "secret millionaire" types who have tons of money but you'd never know it. Guess I can see how they achieved that...

ras26 · December 2013

OK, I admit I had a toaster and an electric can opener on my wishlist.
$:\$ "> It's kind of lame, but I am the type to say "well, I don't really *need* that" and not buy it myself, but dammit, I really want an electric can opener! I got criticized for asking for baby items, so you get what you get.

notreal2 · December 2013

slwprincess said:

I'm not complaining... by all means, I really appreciate it when people tell me what to get them! And brownie points if it comes from Amazon ;-) I hate it when folks (like my mom) say, "oh I really don't need anything." Well duh... I know you don't NEED anything. But can you please tell me something that you WANT? I'm just shaking my head at the fact that they actually WROTE THESE DOWN and gave them to their daughter as gift ideas for the family. If I need a light bulb, I add it to my shopping list and go get the damn thing. Then again, they are those "secret millionaire" types who have tons of money but you'd never know it. Guess I can see how they achieved that...

Oh no, I didn't think you were complaining, just trying to suggest to make what you find boring a bit fun, and focus on someone for whom you actually will enjoy shopping. Some people just aren't wishers like,if you watched it, the guy in the plane ad who asked for socks and underwear.

This is one of those things that become family Christmas lore. "Hey remember when we had to buy LIGHTBULBS for Christmas, " and become a cherished memory.

Also, I should note I am REALLY BORED so I just like the sound of my own keys at the moment, ignore me.

cksmith29 · December 2013

When I was a single mom and dating my now DH, he knew money was pretty tight and asked me if I wanted fun or practical. I chose practical, so he got me new tires. I was thrilled!

Light bulbs... that is a little too practical.

Chereen · December 2013

I asked for the wax vac ear cleaner. Because I really want I try it! I also asked for the pedegg. I'm lame ...

slwprincess · December 2013

Ha! You ladies are actually giving me some good gift ideas for myself! The tires is particularly appealing as I just officially bought my moms minivan last weekend and found out yesterday that it needs new tires- ugh! She offered to buy them but considering that she sold me the car for $10K under KBB, I think I can handle buying new tires myself ;-) The carpet is another good idea... hmmm.

SavannaM+ · December 2013

slwprincess said:
I'm all for practical gifts but I think my ILs may be taking this too far. MIL asked for an electric can opener. FIL wants... Fluorescent light bulbs. WTH.

Hey, whatever works. If they asked for it at least you know it's something they actually want.

PinkLillyLover · December 2013

One year FIL wanted a box of rags for Christmas! He was beyond thrilled when he received them!

MissDemeanor · December 2013

Maybe they're trying to be considerate of finances? Especially the light bulb thing

cbear47 · December 2013

You can "dress up" the lightbulbs. Wrap them in plastic wrap (for easy "clean-up"), glue googly eyes, use a marker to make a cute nose and mouth, and glue pipe cleaners on the top as antlers = Raindeer lightbulbs!