[claradooblue]

That is the problem with Christmas. You feel you have to get presents for extended family and the like, but it's always impossible to know what the most appropriate gift can be, so inevitably you take the soft option and buy something bland. Then you feel guilty for buying something bland, but you try and justify it to yourself saying that you couldn't afford something more interesting. It's all a pain in the posterior.

[Yudster]

It's not so difficult not to buy into it though. I'm not sure quite why people feel they have to buy stuff for everyone. We get pressies for our kids, parents and nieces (and each other). Thats about it really, everyone else is a grown up and lets be honest, the presents part of Christmas is for the children isn't it?

[claradooblue]

Easier said than done. In our situation, the entire family present opening time is just after midnight. It sounds nice and it is, but everyone is well oiled and it isn't the time to play a scrooge type role. If the occasion was smaller, it would be much more possible to say, "oh sod it for this year."

[Yudster]

With the best (worst?!) will in the world,no one could describe me as a scrooge type. I absolutely love Christmas, really love it. Its just that presents is only a small part. A good part, but only a part,and not the most important bit, except for the kids.

[Zoot]

i'd rate the food over the presents
But then I'm a Bat Bastich

[MK Chris]

I like the present bit, but I definitely prefer the giving bit to the receiving bit. I don't buy for that many, but it's fantastic to see someone's face when you get it right (which doesn't necessarily have to mean the best or most expensive present, I'd like to add, but I do tend to overspend normally). That's the best part of Christmas for me.

[Yudster]

I can relate to that. I love knowing that I have the right thing for the right person, for all the right reasons.

[foot-loose]

I was once given a plastic set of tennis raquets. They were pink.

I definitely prefer the giving bit to the receiving bit.

it's fantastic to see someone's face when you get it right

[MK Chris]

Taken in that context, receiving is better.

[Sunny So Cal]

Too much food. Too much liquor. Too high an electricity bill from all the strands of lights in front of the house. Too many blown fuses from said strands of lights. Too much money spent on gifts.

versus

Christmas music, lights, food, drink and happy faces on Christmas morning.

Overwhelmingly a brilliant holiday -- even with the added exercise that January brings.

[kendra k]

weirdist gift? a couple of years ago my grandma seriously bought me a kid's cook book about hamburgers. none of the recipes were vegan friendly.

i don't like christmas, but i'm a scroogey atheist who likes thanksgiving.

this year will be weird again because i'm going to chicago to be with mr kendra k's family, who are all practicing catholics.

[S4B]

BAH HUMBUG!!! I never get anything I want or need and I'd much rather give presents than get them as (as I've already said) I never get anything I want!

[MK Chris]

I tend to get quite a lot of things I really like (but often not things I'd have thought of for myself), but I still prefer the giving.

January is an awful month... six months between paydays this year.

[MK Chris]

I meant six weeks.

[Sunny So Cal]

Six months would have sucked!

Most bizarre gift is easy. My mother-in-law's favorite saying when she thinks I'm acting like an irrational hag is, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." For Christmas 2 or 3 years ago when I decided we were no longer going to their house for the holiday, she gave me a very expensive (50 quid) tiny bottle of Balsamic vinegar. Her way of saying that I'm a sour bitch. It wasn't part of a cruet set with olive oil. It was just the tiny bottle of vinegar. I never said a word other than a polite thank you in a note. The following Christmas I gave her a luxury collection of honey. My way of saying, "right back at you.' Since then the gifts have been back to normal.

[kendra k]

ha! that's a nice one.

though mr kendra k has said he wants to buy posh balsamic vinegar. i guess it's all he can do since he's a straight edge vegan.

[ladbroke]

Most bizarre present was a lock de icer for the car, the bloody doors open with a button on the key fob. Even more bizarre was the fact I then kept it in my glove box.....

[claradooblue]

de-icers seem to be a popular one. My Mum got my other half an electric de-icer a couple of Christmas' ago, even though, at that time, we were living in a place that didn't have mains electricity. Useful.

[MK Chris]

The first year my mum and her other half were (publicly) together, Steve got an air compressor from my Grandad.

[Sunny So Cal]

Kind of brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Blow it out your ----!"

[pjordan2000]

I got a Backstreet Boys Annual once. needless to say, it was never read!

[foot-loose]

Oh that reminds me. Many many many years ago - before certain paths in my life became apparent - my dad got me a Boyzone album.

He was probably trying to be cool, bless.

[Zoot]

Before Their passing, my Grandparents used to give me and my sister a huge sack of presents (mainly chocolate and colouring books) every year, and without fail every year in the sacks we each got a chocolate advent calendar.
I remember one year Dad asked my Nan why they gave Advent Calendars as Christmas presents. She genuinely believed you started them on Christmas day. Bless her.

[MK Chris]

It wasn't Christmas, but this year, my dad got me a Trotters Independent Traders Reliant Regal money box.

I think he forgot I'm actually 24 now, not 10.

[nade]

haha, boyzone, heard they're trying to make a comeback(?).

I guess one of the odd presents i've been given is a Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers album, long time ago now