[TL]

Every Christmas, hubby and I usually compete with each other to see who can "outdo" the other with great presents...not this year . (And before anyone makes any comments about this vent, Yes, I'm extremely grateful for what I do have and I do realize there are many in the world who go without. I simply needed to get this off my chest before it eats away at me.)

My hubby and I have been together for just over 16 years...no small feat given how many times I've been married (lol). You would think after all that time, hubby would know me better. You see, when I first saw the commercials for the new Keurig Coffee Maker (the one that makes coffee in less than 60 seconds), I knew that was the perfect gift for hubby. So, over Thanksgiving weekend, we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and scoped out these new fangled inventions, and to possibly use our 20% off coupons. Bought a few things there and then went to a second BB&B. There, as luck would have it, they were demonstrating the Keurig and giving out sample cups of coffee. And, of course, hubby fell instantly in love with it...so I bought it for him for Christmas. Mind you, he's been using his present since the day after I bought it for him, so he's been enjoying it thoroughly.

On the flip side, I've been having major problems with my feet. I saw a commercial for The Good Feet and there just happened to be a store near the second BB&B we went to. So we stopped in and learned about their products, tried some, and hubby bought me the "system". I told him that could be my Christmas present. He should have left well enough alone, but he didn't.

I kept telling him I didn't want anything, no cards, no presents, etc. because we don't have a lot of money. He got his Keurig and that was it from me. (Albiet, I do have to admit it was the perfect present for him, given his love for flavored coffees. )

Along comes Christmas Day. We gave the kids (2 cats and 1 dog) their gifts which they thoroughly enjoyed. Then hubby hands me a gift addressed to the family, a copy of Toy Story 3. Okay, no big deal...it's for all of us. Next, he hands me a package and when I open it, it's 3 containers of band aids. (Here's his explanation for that one...I always complain that we don't have band aids in the house, so now I can have one in the house, my car and our RV trailer.) Ho hum.

Next, he hands me another package. It's a rechargeable battery kit. What? Apparently I didn't realize I go through soooo many batteries (because this was my present) that I needed this kit.

Hubby knows I have difficulty reading small print (even with my prescription glasses) and usually have to have a magnifying glass nearby to read what I can't really see. So I was extremely perplexed as to why he would give me a book that has small print! Excuse me hubby, do you know who you're married to?

I reacted very badly at all this and let him know. I told him I was hurt because those gifts to me were, for lack of a better term at that particular moment, stupid. Band aids, battery charger kit and a book. None of those things say enjoyment, or endearment, or I've really been thinking long and hard about this gift. I mean, come on, after 16 years...this is what I get. And, to add insult to injury, the kids' gifts were better than what I got, now that's really sad. And, I told him he should've stuck with my request not to get me anything else, because it woul've been better than what he gave me.

Of course, hubby got upset at me because I was upset at him. So, what a great way to spend the day...not talking and ignoring each other and me crying uncontrollably throughout the day every time I thought about it. (That's one of my many problems with my depression, crying a lot without knowing why.)

Ah well, I guess this is the one time I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. After all, he tried (altho what he was thinking I'll never know). Yes, I guess I am totally ungrateful.

[Soul Quake]

You don't sound ungrateful to me. You had expectations, and unfortunately they weren't met. It is very disappointing when thought is put into a gift for someone, yet they don't extend the same courtesy. Your husband doesn't sound as thoughtful as you, and even though these presents aren't what you'd like, he probably did what he thought was best.

[TL]

You're right. Although it's really sad when you're jealous of what the kids got, fun stuff, not practical. Sort of takes some of the merry out of Merry Christmas, don't you think?

[Soul Quake]

Yes, I agree. I would have felt the same way.

[shacoria]

I don't see why you're upset. He got you what you wanted for Christmas. Be happy about it. So what if he got you some extra stuff. I'm sorry I have to disagree with you completely about the gifts that he got you. You complain about not having bandages so he got you bandages. That shows that he listens to you, which is a lot more than a lot of wives get. A thank you to him is how an appreciative wife would have reacted. The Christmas spirit is to be glad and show love. Show your husband some love and a little gratitude for what he did.

[TL]

Shacoria: While it's your right to disagree, how would you feel if your mate, for example, knew the vacuum cleaner was broken and bought a new one for you for Christmas? That's the parallel I draw from. Yes, I'm fortunate to have a hubby that listens (altho, in this case, he really didn't listen because he gave me extra stuff when I asked him not to).

[Jewels]

I am sorry that you weren't listened to during this Christmas time...often our expectations of things don't go as planned, and we get hurt in the process...I'm sorry you spent a good portion of the day crying, and it does seem to be that while he listens to you about regular stuff, he chose not to listen to you about leaving your present as it was. I hope that today you are better able to get things under control, and be once again that cohesive family unit you seem to be.

Jewels

[pegasus]

(((((((( toothlesslady ))))))))))))

Aww.. he did try! I hope you'll both be able to laugh about this in years to come!

[shacoria]

Well I would just be happy he tried. I mean I come from a family where there have been Christmases where I didn't get anything at all. So.....

But yeah, like Pegasus said, you'll probably look back on this in 10 years and laugh.

[TL]

True, very true. I can probably get even with him next year and buy him one of those packages of 100 toilet paper rolls!