Did you ever get a Christmas gift that you didn’t really want? We have all been there, right?

In my case, I am honest to a fault when I react to my husband’s gifts. I don’t know why…maybe I just can’t fake enthisiasm with him. I feel badly, and I already did it TWICE this holiday.

Let me begin by saying I am not overly into receiving gifts. I enjoy giving presents much more. Above everything else, I value the time and experience with loved ones over the holidays. For example, after exchanging some family presents tonight, my 3 year old spontaneously hugged me and said, “Thank you!” It was so heartfelt and beautiful – just magical! One other gift is seeing my 15 month old walk on his own with much more confidence and purpose. Adorable. And I am one proud mama.

Okay, so I gave my husband two ideas – a list of Aveda makeup lipgloss and eye shadow, and biking gear that would be cuter than the workout gear I have been wearing for several years! I opened the lipgloss- perfect. Thank you Daddy O. I opened the eye shadow, and it wasn’t the shade I remembered, so I told Daddy O that I may go back to look at other colors. Maybe it was mis-labeled? My internal dialogue is saying, “Stop talking and deal with this later when he may not know.”

The second gift I opened tonight – padded biking shorts covered by looser fitting black shorts. I said, “thank you,” and should have stopped there, but I couldn’t. “Are these women’s? Oh yeah the tag says women’s. Maybe I need to try them on.” I tried them on later after the kiddos were in bed, and they still look rather mannish and not the cute, flattering option I had envisioned. Functional, yes. Sigh.. so sorry Daddy O for being horrible at receiving gifts from you. I love you no matter what I find under the tree, as long as I am admiring the tree with you.

How do you react when you have concerns about the gifts you receive? What is your favorite gift / memory?

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joyful Christmas.