Thank God...

[Deleted User]

Christmas is over...   Congratulations to our Newly-Engaged ladies!!

I'm currently buried under almost a foot of snow and I'm praying that it keeps snowing because I'm SO not going to work tomorrow! lol

So, now's the perfect time for some Post-Christmas questions...

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?

4.  Any really good stories to tell??

heyimbren

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
Lots of stuff from Bath & Body Works
And diamond... earrings

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
This was probably a two in one: my uncle and sister played a trick on me by saying for WEEKS that the coat I really wanted was sold out and they couldn't get it.
So for  my birthday, they wrapped up the coat in a box for a LaserStar thing that was supposed to shine lasers to form stars in a dark room. I was like "what?" until I opened the box... and saw the coat!

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
Nope, none of it.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
Hmm... I perfected my recipe for delicious cheesy scalloped potatoes. Delicious! It isn't a story, but more of a fun fact.

jacquiroxx

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H? From my FI (!!) I got ENGAGED and a Kindle.  He pretty much outdid himself

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?  Best gift was my e-ring and the worst was a shirt my FMIL got for me, but it's really not that bad and is from AE, so I can return it for store credit.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave? Just the above shirt.

4.  Any really good stories to tell?? Well, I got engaged, but I don't want to be a total AW haha.  We're currently snowed in (in PA for the holiday, not in GA), so that's fun.  Other than that, it was just a really nice, favorite Christmas.

bsidebella

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
Nothing. We agreed no gifts to each other this year.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best, probably the entire first season of Glee on blu-ray (4 DISCS!). The worst wasn't even really "the worst", it was more like, "Eh? Okay, thanks, I guess?" FI's parents gave us a set of 4 pasta bowls with a matching serving bowl. We have like, 3 sets of dishware already, but I feel bad returning it.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
I'm not entirely sure. FI's mom gave me a shirt that I kind of like and it fits and it looks pretty good on me, but it's got sequins and beads around the neck that I don't really care for and I feel like it's a little old-ladyish. FI loves it, but he has terrible fashion sense. I need a third opinion, I think.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
FI's sister couldn't come home from Oregon this year because of the wedding in February, so we opened presents with each other via Skype. It was really fun and cute! She and her FI sent her parents t-shirts that say "Father/Mother of the Bride" in the front, and their names and date of the wedding on the back, and the shirts are in their wedding colors (blue and yellow). His parents got ones that said "Mother/Father of the Groom."

orangecrush32

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
My BF got me a gift card for BK (inside joke), a visa gift card for a mini shopping spree (it was fabulous! got the boots i had been eyeing for months...and now i've worn them almost every day since hahaha), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull which I have been wanting but hadn't gotten around to buying yet.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Honestly, the best "gift" I received was my neice. My sister had her 3 weeks early two days before Christmas. I count her as my Christmas gift because that was the only thing I got from my family since we normally go shopping on the 24th (I know, I know), but we couldn't since we travelled the whole way across the state to meet the little one.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
Nope.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
Today when we went to my grandparents house my cousin and his wife brought their son who is not quite 3 months old. He'd been passed around like a hot potato and finally when I got to hold him...he pooped. Like..loudly. Everyone laughed. Then a couple hours later it happened again.

bethsmiles

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
We haven't exchanged gifts yet we are waiting until I get back on the 13th of Jan.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
I got snow boots and rain boots and a new camera all of which I'm super excited about. I didn't get any bad presents this year.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
Nope

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
My adorable cousin who is 8 years old got a wii dance game and got my 17 year old brother to play with her. It was hilarious. Its impossible to say no to that little girl

loopy82

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
A very nice purple samsonite carry on suitcase with the 360 degree spinner wheels, a brown and black pair of bearpaw (i think) fuzzy boots, and a straightener.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best was probably the suitcase. Worse.... I don't think I got anything that was bad.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
I will be returning the suitcase that we got from my dad and step-mom. the one DH got me is a lot nicer, and he already has a carry on size with the spinner wheels. I will be exchanging two sweaters from  my mom that I picked out online but don't like on me.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
Hmm... not really. Well I am glad we didn't go to DH Grandpa's because everyone there had to gather in a circle, hold hands and sing Christmas songs. That is SOOO NOT DH and I.

My step-mom's sister and husband were at the family Christmas and they kept bragging how much money they spend to go on vacation and their new cars and the addition on their house and how AI resorts just aren't good enough for them and they rent out private million dollar condos. This lady thinks she is cultured becuase when they go to the tourist towns in Mexico they eat at the restaurants in the town. I wanted to say that is not cultured, go to the middle of the country away from your beachy tourist town and you will see culture. Then she was talking about the ridiculous amounts of luggage she travels with because she just has to have a suitcase full of shoes and another suitcase for her cosmetics. They travel with a total of 8 luggage items for a 10 day trip to Mexico for 2 people. Then she was saying that her minimum of 3 yearly vacations need to be10 days  because she just needs the break away from life. She doesn't work. She has 4 kids, but 2 of whom are in their mid 20's and live elsewhere, the 3rd is I think around 16 - 18 but has significant disabilities, but they have a full time live in caretaker for him and the youngest is 13. I see her and her husband at most gatherings at my dad's house but neither of the 2 sons are ever with her. What in the heck do you need a break from lady?!?

So yeah listening to the constant bragging was nothing short of irritating. You want to know what I kept thinking of when they were going on and on about this. Their wedding gift to DH and I was $30. Now don't get me wrong. I am not greedy and this is the only gift I have judged. I am sorry but if you tell me that your 3 yearly vacations cost you $6,000 each and you just did an insane addition to your house, just bought fancy new cars and all you give as a gift is $30? I guess I have found out why they couldn't afford more.

orangecrush32

loopy, I think I'd judge them for that too. They can spend thousands on vacations, yet they can't even spend 50 on a wedding gift? They sound real nice.

bethsmiles

Loopy - I feel your pain! I have some relatives that love to brag about how much money they spend. I guess it makes them think that people will like them more?

loopy82

From them $50 would have been an appropriate amount. I have not dwelled on it, it was just when this bragging was getting rubbed in my face. My cousin and her husband gave us $10. I think that was perfectly nice of them. Do I think they could have afforded more? Yes. However, I am grateful for the $10 they decided to give us and because they aren't rubbing their "wealth" in my face.

loopy82

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thank-god?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:65054a94-db14-42a8-88c3-f2c271f1620aPost:122dce14-2e9f-4a8d-b0a7-32a84238bc54">Re: Thank God...</a>:
[QUOTE]Loopy - I feel your pain! I have some relatives that love to brag about how much money they spend. I guess it makes them think that people will like them more? :/
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

That. Or it's to cover up their insecuirities perhaps. Ohh people.....

bethsmiles

My mom's younger brother chose to have his wedding at a time when my mom couldn't go because she was pregnant with me and wasn't able to fly across the country in her third trimester (she was pregnant before they got engaged so they knew this when they picked the date).

Well when my mom went out there for her little sister's wedding about 6 months later his wife actually went up to her and asked her where their wedding present was. My mom was so shocked at their rudeness!

Some people just don't get it.

JMM4208

Bside- we had similar Christmases

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
We decided no presents, but we did say if it was under $15 and funny it wasn't violating the no-present rule. Haven't seen him yet for the holidays.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Season One of Glee on Blu-Ray... I am already on disc 3 and so addicted I want to continue to watch it all night. Worst present wasn't terrible just a little ill planned. My uncle gave me a picture frame with wedding rings on it, because he "figured I would be engaged or married in vegas by now".

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
No, Im going to just keep the picture frame in my hope chest I'll need it eventually, and its kind of cute. Plus Im 90% sure it was regifted from my cousins first wedding.

loopy82

Wow Beth, that takes some balls. So is this lady still your aunt, or did this marriage not last? There were some people who came to our wedding that didn't bring a gift. I would never dream of saying anything to them.

bethsmiles

She is still my aunt but no one is my family really associates with them any more. I think my grandparents wrote them out of the will for all the crap they've pulled over the years

loopy82

Well if the question to your mom is any indication I can't say that I am suprised.

CFar13

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
A best of bon jovi cd, How to train your dragon, Easy A, the ace ventura pet detective movies, and a best of the super mario bros super show dvd. Oh...and an e-ring!!

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best-my e ring. Didn't really have any bad ones this year.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
nope

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
I got engaged!!!

zipis1

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
I got "Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit" for the Xbox.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best was the above mentioned game, and the new WoW expansion our friend got us (insert NERD! sign here :P). Worst was probably the purse/tote BF's mom gave me. I do appreciate it, and it's very nice. Buuut...I don't use purses/totes.But fear not! I found a use for it. Occasionally I'll shove a cat in it and walk around the house with him in there

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
Nope.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
BF and I made Christmas tacos and had probably too much rose champagne.

[Deleted User]

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H? One of my gifts is that he's going to have my windows tinted on my new car... and he gave me a Lane Bryant gift card...

2.  What was the best & worst present you received? The best was the NOOKcolor my dad bought me... the worst - my father's daughter gave me one of those cheap necklaces and earring set's that would have been fine if it wasn't broken! I didn't notice it until the next day but yup, it's broken...

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave? I have to bring back one of the toys that I bought for BF's nephew because it didnt work   of course, its the gift he was most excited about...

4.  Any really good stories to tell?? BF & I went to dinner on Christmas Eve with my Dad, his girlfriend, Dad's older daughter (yes, I know she's technically my sister but I refuse to acknowlege that) and her husband... We had a 7pm reservation... BF, Dad & GF and I get to the restaurant at 7:05 and as we are walking in, Dad gets a call from his daughter that they are going to be an hour late, they haven't even left yet (they live an hour away)... We try to stall dinner to wait for them... after 45 mins, we call to see how far they are and they STILL haven't left... She says "Just start without us, we'll be there to open gifts".... OH really?? Is that the only reason you're coming!?  They finally get there 2 hours late...

We had agreed that we would keep the gifts to a minimum but I bought her a really thoughtful gift... She gave me the necklace mention above... Let me reiterate that IT'S BROKEN!! and I could be wrong but it looks like something that someone would have bought for her, so, I'm pretty sure she just regifted it to me... but worse than what she gave me... She gave my dad this crappy karaoke machine which was supposed to be his gift last year but they forgot about it and since she hasn't seen my father since last christmas eve, this was the first time they were able to give it to him...

It wouldn't have been so bad if she didn't pull crap like this EVERY year or if my dad would just let it roll off... But, he gets pissed and we all have to be miserable... So, this will be the last year that I do anything that involves her... I already stopped doing Thanksgiving dinner at my house for her benefit (ie. so she can see my father)...

MLekathLEEN

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
KitchenAid Mixer, some pans, a silpat, and other goodies to make him stuff with, haha

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best- my mixer or my Kreuig coffe maker.
Worst- A pair of headphones from our family gift exchage (it's like white elephant except with decent gifts)

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
My mom bought me a PINK thinking it was big and terry but it's just thin so we're going to return it and buy the other one that I actually saw in the store.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
FI, a buddy from his work, and I went to a Chinese place for Christmas dinner while they were off between shifts.

nottheonlydreamer44

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
A Nikon S6000, a Steelers Christmas tree and snowman that he had specially made , and he basically bought me a new phone because my other one broke randomly. He got me a mytouch 4G HD and paid full price which made me throw up a little.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received? - My camera, my phone, DJ Hero II that we got from my mother and the Blu-Ray player + 6 movies we received from my brother were the best. And I love the tree.

Worst - everything from my FMIL. It was like she threw random sh!t from her house into a big giant bag with tissue paper and handed it to me. I got 6 giant candles from Better Homes that are all horrendous scents that don't match, another candle/oil burner with a snowman and pine oil. A body wash/spray set from B&BW which she knows I can't use because I'm allergic to any kind of fragrant soap. Ah and a candle warmer tray. Yeah. FAIL.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
If only I could give FMIL all her crap back I'd be thrilled. But I'm keeping it. I did return a fleece jacket my mom got me because she bought the wrong size. But that's it.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
Our wedding plans are changing AGAIN due to the ridiculous weekend we had. Can't say I'm thrilled.

GreenPepperBurger

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
We agreed to take each other out to a really nice dinner for the holidays, but we haven't gone yet.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
The best was my Droid from my parents (I got it in November). I didn't really get a "worst" present. BF and I got a $100 giftcard to a hibachi steakhouse from his grandparents, which is nice, but they give us the same gift every year. I was hoping for a giftcard to a different place. I know this sounds extremely bratty. But I AM grateful for the gift, and we will save it for our Valentine's Day dinner (which we do every year).

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
BF's sister gave me a sweater I'm unsure about. I haven't tried it on yet. Sometimes things look eh on the hanger and look good on me, so we'll see.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
Not really. It was a pretty lowkey Christmas.

[Deleted User]

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
a purse from Express, my favorite perfume, shoe clip ornaments, and leopard print hair flowers!  and he bought us tickets to see a Very Merry Pops earlier this month.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best - new pots and pans (from my parents) and our bedroom comforter set and curtains; the purse from FI (i love it!); my mom got the PS3 Move from my dad, and we have played with it all weekend.  it's a ton of fun. 
Worst - avon scented body wash/lotion/oil/etc... can't use it because of my eczema.  it was from my grandma (dad's mom), but she has no idea that i can't use it so it was very sweet of her to send it.  i can use the body spray but i'll have to do something with the lotions/washes/oils. 

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
i'll have to regift the avon stuff, don't judge. 

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
well, my grandma (mom's mom) was a peach this year.  first off, she doesn't approve of my inter-racial relationship.  my mom is her only child, and my bro and i are her only grandchildren.  she has money, lots of it.  normally she spoils us and buys us something nice for Christmas or birthdays.  she has already told me not to expect her to help out at ALL for the wedding, mainly because she doesn't approve of the race thing.  so she told my brother that she would buy him the new iPad when it came out this spring for part of his Christmas gift, in addition to the video games and clothes and gift cards he got during Christmas.  i received REGIFTED (she TOLD me it was regifted!!!) Christmas decorative handtowels, a williams-sonoma apron that she had already used several times, and a DVD.  also she gave me the curtains to my bedroom comforter set, but i'm pretty sure my mom bought it and gave it to her to give to me.  and she got FI a pair of socks and a $20 g/c to target.

the rest of the weekend she made comments about how we can't afford to go anywhere on our honeymoon because we don't want to put it on credit.  i really wanted to go to boston or chicago (FI wants to go to denver), and she kept saying (and it felt like she was rubbing it into my face) that we can't afford it, so what are we going to do, just stay home?  my dad finally got upset that she was talking about buying my brother a new iPad and then saying that she won't help with our wedding and he told me that if we wanted to go to denver or chicago, he would help us pay for some of the expenses.

so basically, she really hurt my feelings for:
1.  incessantly talking about how she won't help us and basically doesn't support us.
2.  promising my brother the new iPad and NOT wanting to help us because FI is a different race.
3.  giving me regifted items and TELLING me they were regifted, and again talking about the iPad in addition to un-regifted things my brother got.

my little bro felt bad when we went home for what happened, but not bad enough to refuse the new iPad.  not that i blame him. 

Ember01

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
An Easy Bake Oven... It's a standing joke in my family that I never got one as a child.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best: A sunflower table and chair for my kitchen
Worst: Some of the clothes my mom picked out

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
The clothes my mom picked out

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
K surprised me on Christmas eve and showed up about 10 hours earlier then I expected him!

marleylikeair

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
A remote starter/remote lock for my car!! Yay! It'll (hopefully) be installed in the next few days. Also, he made me a beautiful wooden "memory box" to keep all our special little keepsakes in! Also, a lamp I liked at TJ Maxx, some Smart Wool socks, candy, etc.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best: the memory box. No "worst," really, just a couple random things from people in BF's fam who don't know me very well yet.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
Nope!

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
BF and I had a very personal, one-on-one Christmas together. We drank mimosas all day, starting at 9:30am, and went to the xmas light festival downtown after dark. It was great.

bettyshaw

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
BF got me a Vera Bradley tote bag. We're long distance, and I always pack my weekend bags in regular purses (and end up lugging them around all weekend).

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
My parents got me a podcast mixer set, which is probably both the best and worst. It's really awesome, but I've never really used one before and I'm not sure where to start. I'm getting more excited about it as time goes though.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
Nope!

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
There are always stories, but nothing has topped some relatives handing off a frozen otter in a garbage bag last year, so I don't know that they're worth sharing.

heyimbren

Coco, that really sucks and that's a very immature way for your grandmother to act. Ridiculous. Sometimes I really do find it shocking how negatively people still react to different races. My bff was dating a guy who was Asian a few years ago, and her parents flipped out going on about "what would happen if you two had children?!?!" well *gasp* they'd be interracial. Can you imagine? I wanted to remind them that I'm interracial and that doesn't bother me at all.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thank-god?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:65054a94-db14-42a8-88c3-f2c271f1620aPost:a32c6ea1-ae6d-469d-8a26-b4b0ad6a2a88">Re: Thank God...</a>:
[QUOTE]Coco, that really sucks and that's a very immature way for your grandmother to act. Ridiculous. Sometimes I really do find it shocking how negatively people still react to different races. My bff was dating a guy who was Asian a few years ago, and her parents flipped out going on about "what would happen if you two had children?!?!" well *gasp* they'd be interracial. Can you imagine? I wanted to remind them that I'm interracial and that doesn't bother me at all.
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

depending on what part of town we're in, we get anything from strange looks to rude comments.  it's really sad.  she also treats my dad like crap because he didn't come from any kind of old money, even though he has done a wonderful job at supporting a family.  i never expected her to behave like that towards me though.  my parents told me to tag along whenever my bro goes with her to get an iPad and tell her i want one too.  ha!  :)

P.S. bren - what are your ethnicities?

heyimbren

I'm half Native American (Mohawk). You can't tell that I am to look at me, because my skin is so fair.

LizzyTish88

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
BF got me a pair of jeans from AE, a flannel and a sweater. Oh and an iPod touch!
There is also something else coming that hasn't been delivered yet.

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
My iPod touch! From my parents- an external hard-drive, a necklace from Tiffany's, and tickets for them, BF, and me for Cirque Du Soleil. Worst- Mom got me some work clothes, including a suit for when I get an interview, but they don't fit. She also got me a wicked cute Pea-coat that doesn't fit. I have to exchange for the right sizes.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
See above. I might also have to exchange the flannel that I got BF because of the color, he said he'd tell me about it later.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
BF came in and handed me a bag of presents (all wrapped in Iron Man wrapping paper!) He then went into the kitchen to take off his coat. He then reached into the medicine cabinet but I thought he was just grabbing aspirin. We then opened gifts and he told me that he ordered something but it hasn't come in yet, so there will be more.

Then when we were getting ready to leave he asked if I could grab him some aspirin because he had a headache. I reached in not even looking really, and I heard him yell "Bottom shelf." My step-dad reached in and grabbed a small present in Iron Man paper and began trying to open it. My mom was yelling "That's not yours!" So then I grabbed it. It was my iPod touch! I was so excited I ran over and tackled BF. And it turns out that I do still have something on the way!

skyler1108

1.  What did you get from BF/FI/H?
FI got me a Tiffany's necklace and a book on the art and making if Beauty and the Beast (my favorite Disney movie).

2.  What was the best & worst present you received?
Best- necklace from FI and a Kitchen Aid mixer from my parents.
Worst- none I got really great gifts this year and I love them all.

3.  Will you be returning/exchanging a gift you received/gave?
No I will not.

4.  Any really good stories to tell??
Does not really have to do with Christmas but it was so funny and took place the day after Christmas. My nephew is two weeks old and my dad was holding him. I was talking to my dad and rubbing my nephew's belly when he let out the loudest, wettest fart I have ever heard. It was so loud that my sister could hear it upstairs (we were downstairs). I just could not believe such a loud noise came from such a littler person. It was so funny.