tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post3125029667864670066..comments2023-11-05T06:23:41.645-05:00Comments on Pure Style Home: How To Handle Gifts You Don't LikeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-5089630324948387032009-12-12T09:18:51.336-05:002009-12-12T09:18:51.336-05:00This is such a great post! I am that person who f...This is such a great post! I am that person who feels terribly guilty about NOT liking something and hurting the giver's feelings. I will now envision the poor faux fruit girl. Reading this has almost given me permission to purge (donate) my pile of unwanted gifts! I will try!<br /><br />Also, hysterical about poor Dave and the heelies. I love it.Southern Aspirationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00042045652329926178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-4710577333394591762009-12-11T13:19:53.735-05:002009-12-11T13:19:53.735-05:00I am the same way. My family is scared to buy for...I am the same way. My family is scared to buy for me as well. But then sometimes they find something so off the wall it is perfect!Haven and Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12747895184154272085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-6803115297859422732009-12-10T20:27:06.404-05:002009-12-10T20:27:06.404-05:00Great post. I loved reading all the comments.
T...Great post. I loved reading all the comments. <br />Thanks Lauren!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14407402369754121296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-61708132296842771012009-12-10T10:23:24.702-05:002009-12-10T10:23:24.702-05:00Great post Lauren, I am the same. My family defin...Great post Lauren, I am the same. My family definitely does not try to buy me home decor items because they know I won't put it out if I don't like it!! Honesty is the best policy!!Maria Killamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728225086725817125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-66475922121113193202009-12-08T21:09:10.768-05:002009-12-08T21:09:10.768-05:00PLEASE do not buy me any fake fruit ...especially ...PLEASE do not buy me any fake fruit ...especially ceramic! brilliant post... soooo cute...x pamred tickinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09400289072356876224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-61587291924840945982009-12-08T20:35:30.886-05:002009-12-08T20:35:30.886-05:00Hi Lauren, Thank you so much for stopping by my bl...Hi Lauren, Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for the wonderful comment you left. I too am so glad to find out you have a blog and what a great blog it is. Oh, by the way, I do remember you and so does my grandaughter. We never forget the nice ones . It is meeting people like you that make having a shop such a joy and we THANK YOU so much for that. We look forward to seeing you soon. If we do not get to see you durning the holidays, we wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas and a Happy New Year.DONNA OWNER OF "ON A WHIM"https://www.blogger.com/profile/12912877974087262926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-78559437697427538552009-12-08T18:49:15.159-05:002009-12-08T18:49:15.159-05:00Lauren, how hilarious and how true. I find it VER...Lauren, how hilarious and how true. I find it VERY frustrating when people give me decor gifts that don't relate to my style. I have an aunt who always gives me a cat calendar every year. I love cats. I hate cat calendars. I always re-gift it to my Mom, who doesn't care. She, on the other hand, has a sister who gives her "cat in basket" sweatshirts. She has never worn such a thing or other old lady attire, but my aunt always gives her something very hillbilly and ugly that she resembles nothing in her wardrobe. It infuriates my Mom to no end who is upset that her sister doesn't pay any attention to "who she is". I could not agree more.<br /><br />On that note, David's beloved Grandmother (he loves her WAY more than me and she can do NO wrong) has started giving him house plants as she down sizes. I hate house plants. Love flowers, maybe a fern, otherwise no thanks. Now we have four, all in ugly pots. The last one came in a bright blue pot. Our only good plant windows happen to be in the living room, where I am trying to achieve a tasteful and refined look and now have four ugly plants ruining my decor.<br /><br />I just don't water them. If she shows up with another one, she will die.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Great post. I beg people to give me gift cards to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and my favorite local decor shops and bookstores.Windlosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17014227226507484798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-41159160113350787682009-12-08T17:52:53.687-05:002009-12-08T17:52:53.687-05:00Such a good post!
You know, this is why I LOVE gif...Such a good post!<br />You know, this is why I LOVE gift certificates! I'm so picky about things that if someone isn't sure what to get me, a gift card is always nice. Who doesn't like shopping with "free" money??<br /><br />It's been hard after getting married, though. My MIL and SIL don't do gift cards, and even though I'll tell them some things I could use or want, I don't always get what's on the list. Seriously, this year I think I may get a pair of flip-flops. Ugh! They are also the type that go out of their way to tell you what thought they put into getting your gift. Like you, I usually am very appreciative of their thoughts and the gift, but I have never felt the need to wear it or display it if I don't like it.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209533406055486161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-14008945253126739622009-12-08T14:16:49.045-05:002009-12-08T14:16:49.045-05:00I barely dare comment here for fear somehow, somed...I barely dare comment here for fear somehow, someday, someone I love very much will discover what I've written and be terribly hurt. Yes, it happens, yes, some gifts are awful, but they were given with the best intentions and I try to remember that even though they take up closet space ;)Pauline Wileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15387098614220322595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-5539155420112963192009-12-08T13:56:15.468-05:002009-12-08T13:56:15.468-05:00So true- all of it! My best friend has a MIL that ...So true- all of it! My best friend has a MIL that gives her awful things because she never said anything AND displays all of it when she visits! I cringe....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18138526066881178481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-29680636374816085142009-12-08T13:35:08.819-05:002009-12-08T13:35:08.819-05:00you are too funny. I think everyone has someone t...you are too funny. I think everyone has someone that just DOESN"T get it gift wise. For me it's my aunt and uncle who live in CO and are incredibly out of touch with...everything. They give us really terrible innapropriate gifts every single year and guess what, that Thank You Note is left till last EVERY YEAR. Its so hard to say nice things about something that you've just given to the Good Will! Yikes. Anyway, cute post!<br /><br />xoxoAlicia B. Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654176110027352170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-4305343568625476082009-12-08T12:54:19.933-05:002009-12-08T12:54:19.933-05:00That poor girl with all the fake fruit in her hous...That poor girl with all the fake fruit in her house- that is so sad for her.<br /><br />great post and the perfect time too, you never know around the holiday season if you have to bring out those old gifts that someone gave you just to make them feel better :)LindsBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00548424318705008557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-56140312859258700422009-12-08T12:49:30.530-05:002009-12-08T12:49:30.530-05:00You are dead on about receiving gifts you don'...You are dead on about receiving gifts you don't like! That is too funny. I have a question for you. Are the person who has the laundry sign? I am trying to find the letters with no such luck.<br />love you,<br />nancy www.rivieraboardwalk.blogspot.comRiviera Boardwalkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08846584964190578779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-62167259661168608992009-12-08T12:15:20.861-05:002009-12-08T12:15:20.861-05:00I am going to forward your post to my mom, husband...I am going to forward your post to my mom, husband and sister. They give me such a hard time because they say I make a "face" when I don't like something.... a fake nice face. I have never seen the "face" but I am always nervous opening gifts in front of people.... I don't want to hurt their feelings, especially when they something along the lines of "wait til you see me gift... it is so you... and it is potpourri and some scented oil with sticks.... not me at all. So I have this bad reputation of being a snob and picky. And, I feel it is ill- deserved. My mom will only buy off my "list" and my sister and husband know me well enough to get me the perfect thing every time... case in point... I got rolls of ribbon, a silhouette necklace of my little guy and a photo book full of photos of him for my birthday and I couldn't be happier!<br /><br />Smiles!<br />MichelleMichelle Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10989026211921329428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-41248681112361004032009-12-08T11:51:07.159-05:002009-12-08T11:51:07.159-05:00That's exactly why cash always matches everyth...That's exactly why cash always matches everything ! ;)Tammy@InStitcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765482687115757907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-6169552019239033102009-12-08T11:40:44.828-05:002009-12-08T11:40:44.828-05:00oh you are so in my head about this! it was especi...oh you are so in my head about this! it was especially rough for me (how selfish does that sound?!) when we were first married. there were lots of wonderful and thoughtful gifts that just weren't "us." this is nothing new though -- my mom still has this weird glass fish-shaped bowl/vase (the fish's mouth is the opening!) that she got as a wedding gift. it has been a joke in our family for years because no one quite knows what to do with it. bless her heart she's tried to make it work because the woman who gave it to her was a good family friend and she never had the heart to toss the fish bowl. ironically, almost 30 years later, I am seeing these bowls all over the place (Z Gallerie, HomeGoods) and always take a camera-phone pic to send to my Mom. so maybe the bad gifts aren't so bad, especially if you like a good little inside joke ;)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746777760318892646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-76643668725349532682009-12-08T10:40:56.661-05:002009-12-08T10:40:56.661-05:00also --- it'll be a waste of money for the giv...also --- it'll be a waste of money for the giver to give something that the receiver doesn't like...i'd much rather get nothing than a whole bunch of stuff that i have absolutely no interest in!bagfashionistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-35608264327933269422009-12-08T10:34:00.650-05:002009-12-08T10:34:00.650-05:00Lauren,
I love this post so much. I like you are s...Lauren,<br />I love this post so much. I like you are super picky and particular. I sometimes get gifts and think how did they think that was me. However, many of my friends know my personal style and/or decor and either say forget it on home stuff or know how to get it right. LOL! I agree - I want my friends to like what I give them - I spend a lot of time learning about them and their interests or listen to little things they say. If you listen well you can generallly learn what people like. One year after graduating from high school my best friend said how she always wanted a gumball machine. I bought it in March and gave it to her a Christmas filled with gumballs and a box to refill it. She LOVED it and said it was one of her favorite gifts. <br /><br />My mom for years gave us stuff we didn't want. We finally told her if you bought what's on our list it would be a surprise and that's what we really want. She finally got it and now we're all happy. Also, now she says if you don't like it just ask for the receipt. She said the same thing to my brother in law. We knew he was family when he opened a box with a crazy hat in it and he looked at my mom and said, "RECEIPT PLEASE!" We all laughed but in the end it wasn't money wasted. I love reading your blog and have passed it on to friends.<br /><br />Thanks so much for always posting such great stuff.Peggy and Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315382121107845029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-65862556234758121772009-12-08T10:33:59.712-05:002009-12-08T10:33:59.712-05:00Lauren,
I love this post so much. I like you are s...Lauren,<br />I love this post so much. I like you are super picky and particular. I sometimes get gifts and think how did they think that was me. However, many of my friends know my personal style and/or decor and either say forget it on home stuff or know how to get it right. LOL! I agree - I want my friends to like what I give them - I spend a lot of time learning about them and their interests or listen to little things they say. If you listen well you can generallly learn what people like. One year after graduating from high school my best friend said how she always wanted a gumball machine. I bought it in March and gave it to her a Christmas filled with gumballs and a box to refill it. She LOVED it and said it was one of her favorite gifts. <br /><br />My mom for years gave us stuff we didn't want. We finally told her if you bought what's on our list it would be a surprise and that's what we really want. She finally got it and now we're all happy. Also, now she says if you don't like it just ask for the receipt. She said the same thing to my brother in law. We knew he was family when he opened a box with a crazy hat in it and he looked at my mom and said, "RECEIPT PLEASE!" We all laughed but in the end it wasn't money wasted. I love reading your blog and have passed it on to friends.<br /><br />Thanks so much for always posting such great stuff.Peggy and Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315382121107845029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-23753969152160421122009-12-08T09:39:00.252-05:002009-12-08T09:39:00.252-05:00I received a couple of hand made pillows from a fa...I received a couple of hand made pillows from a family member a few years back that are out of this world ugly. Fortunately they got lost in a move. Then, just this last summer, she gave me a quilt she made to match it. Yikes! (It's black, red and white with holly hobby like figures appliqued all over it.) The dog loves it and it's too big to fit in my washer so I think it's fixing to also "get lost in a move" in a couple of weeks! The only thing is, she says she wants to take pictures of them all together sometime.Cottage Dreamershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01171308744495129422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-31540558182486001212009-12-08T09:12:13.159-05:002009-12-08T09:12:13.159-05:00I can really relate to this post! My in-laws have...I can really relate to this post! My in-laws have wonderful taste, but they are in their late 60s & 70s. Needless to say, their taste is different than mine, yet they seem to buy gifts THEY like, because they feel their taste is ubiquitously shared.<br />It makes it tough, because my husband doesn't believe in returning something, for fear of upsetting his parents, the giver, etc. It's very different than what I grew up with (the giver wanting the receiver to be happy)<br /><br />It's a tough situation. Like you say, you can be grateful without necessarily loving the gift, or feeling obligated to use it. I'm glad you reminded me of this!alison giese Interiorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12505444655040656140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-26287648999729799262009-12-08T09:04:00.084-05:002009-12-08T09:04:00.084-05:00I SOOO wanted my own pair of heelies when my then ...I SOOO wanted my own pair of heelies when my then 10-year had them. Now I'm glad I never got them. Ouch!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12207864902665945997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-12113348507627952842009-12-08T08:37:24.441-05:002009-12-08T08:37:24.441-05:00Oh, you're so right. I have made the mistake o...Oh, you're so right. I have made the mistake of displaying ghastly tchochkes in the house only to receive more. The thing is, my in-laws DO expect gift receivers to display/wear unsuitable gifts and I have heard them complain about this daughter in law and that one who don't. Now I realize that while the gift giver is complaining, the receiver has shed herself of unwanted items and will perhaps not receive any in the future. I wish our local newspaper would pick up this post and publish it on the front page...EAChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01247499007518605032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-31266861993137496952009-12-08T08:22:19.769-05:002009-12-08T08:22:19.769-05:00Lol, very funny read and oh so true! The collecti...Lol, very funny read and oh so true! The collection of fake fruit is too funny and a lesson to learn;)<br /><br />Best,<br />JaimeJaime Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11341086144416587083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8030308239398272700.post-83051437401206674322009-12-08T06:31:12.100-05:002009-12-08T06:31:12.100-05:00Great visuals. Especially the Mad Men-esque falli...Great visuals. Especially the Mad Men-esque falling guy! You are so right. My grandmother will ask my mom if she likes something because she's thinking about giving it to my mom's sister and if my mom says 'yes', she gets it for Christmas! What a bad trick.Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10637579999008887341noreply@blogger.com