Experience has taught me that it is always best to be specific, in our family at least, when it comes to Christmas list writing. Vague mentions of any old navy jumper will result, literally, in any old navy jumper.
Ditto if you ask for anything patterned. This may be easier on the eye now but several decades ago the height of fashion it was not:
Requests for ‘a decent music CD’ are ill-advised as New Kids on the Block is not for everyone. Nor is James Blunt.
A request for cook book would result in exactly that, you would think. Or you would hope because there is no place in any kitchen for something like this:
In the days before ebay and Amazon selling accounts, Christmas presents that were not appreciated had to hidden in the back of a cupboard (but not next to the Hoover or they would be discovered) or mysteriously lost on school trips (preferably abroad so they did not turn up in lost property).
We were an ungrateful lot at times, but experience has taught that specifics are needed when it comes to Chritsmas lists to limit the potential for confusion.
This, for example, is a very fabulous, shiny new always-welcome-in-my-home Apple Mac computer.
Point made.
Still laughing at the Macs - it reminds me of the time my Mum asked for a jigsaw. I sent OH shopping for it and he came back with a 1000 piece jigsaw of a pretty village scene. Wrong! She wanted the actual electrical saw. I am so specific with my lists that my MIL has stopped asking (with disastrous results). I can't wait for Christmas!
Posted by: Maggie Christie | November 22, 2010 at 08:31 AM
Haha! This was cute, and actually very good tips! Now what clever bod is going to design a web app for photo wishlists that friends and family can subscribe to...? Something like Wishbook instead of facebook...
Posted by: Michelle | November 22, 2010 at 10:26 AM
I once had a long conversation with a friend about an impressive new Apple Mac another friend had bought. It wasn't until the end of the conversation that she asked why someone would want to spend so much money on a coat!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | November 22, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Ooh, Michelle. Do you know anyone who could design that web app? You could make a fortune!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | November 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Lol! Great post! I have always been one for wanting 'nice' surprises, but it seems that I can only really rely on very close friends / family for this. Although I was VERY specific one year with MIL - had seen a HUGE selection of suede-like gloves in Primark in every colour of the rainbow - had a brown pair (practical) and fancied a bright green or purple pair (fun!). Gave the exact details but I think MIL felt sorry for me asking for something from that AWFUL(!) shop and I ended up with a brown pair (which part of 'I've already got a brown pair' did you not understand?!) of leather gloves from M&S. I took them back and treated myself! ;)
Posted by: Lizzy_o | November 22, 2010 at 09:44 PM
MMMM. I say the safest thing to but people is gift vouchers of some sort.
Posted by: naomi | November 23, 2010 at 07:04 AM
Brilliant! I am changing my 'jumper' request as I write!
Posted by: jfb57 | November 23, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Very wise!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | November 23, 2010 at 07:37 PM