Gifts that keep on taking

[frugalnacho]

Fancy shmancy bees wax.  I'll get my heat from hand chopped wood like a real man.

[Fireman]

I once got a Tickle-Me-Elmo in college because they were the HOT gift, ha.)  It was fun until the sample cups ran out.

Not gonna lie, took me a minute to realize the second sentence wasn't referring to the first!

[Dr.Vibrissae]

I once got a Tickle-Me-Elmo in college because they were the HOT gift, ha.)  It was fun until the sample cups ran out.

Not gonna lie, took me a minute to realize the second sentence wasn't referring to the first!

Ha!  That's what I get for editing content while I type.

[Rural]

My sister has one, and a machine for making lattes (I do see the point of that machine if one really loves lattes).  I don't see it - I make my coffee one cup at a time by boiling a cup of water and pouring it over coffee (of my choice) in a cone filter holder with a paper filter.  Coffee is fresh every time, the filter and grounds go into the compost (could go into a green bin for city dwellers) and it takes very little space in the cupboard when not in use. I actually have 2 cones (wow, spendthrift here) so if I have a guest I can make two different coffee choices at the same time.  Better than the machine!  I also have a Melitta carafe and cone and larger filters for when I need to make a larger quantity.  It is just as fast as a machine (any machine, any type), makes great coffee, and doesn't take up masses of counter space.  I get my filters at Costco so the cost per cup is very little beyond the actual coffee.

this is the BEST way to make coffee while camping!

I don't know about that. You can put an enamelware percolator in the campfire, then rinse off the ashes and put it back on the stove when you get home. Makes great coffee both places.

This one's overpriced, but it has a picture. Hardware store should have a better price:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-9-Cup-Coffee-Enamelware-Percolator/dp/B0009PUQIM

[RetiredAt63]

I'm sorry, only heathens microwave their water.  You must heat the water gently over a an artisan candle made with locally-sourced organic beeswax.

Is that hot enough that it can also do a specialty roast for the carefully selected coffee beans?

[dragoncar]

I'm sorry, only heathens microwave their water.  You must heat the water gently over a an artisan candle made with locally-sourced organic beeswax.

Is that hot enough that it can also do a specialty roast for the carefully selected coffee beans?

Monkey-picked beans only

[The Money Monk]

LOL I can't imagine being married to somebody who would get mad if I turned in a gift I was never going to use.

Get out now, this is only the beginning! lol 

[MissPeach]

BF and I agreed early no gifts for this same reason. Only the kids get gifts. Trying to stop this with my parents too because they always send me really random stuff I have little use for mots years. I told my mom last year just to send me something she bakes every year at the holidays and I would be very happy - it's one of the things if ate every year during the holidays.

[Gin1984]

My mother was coming to visit when our daughter was born and bought us a  Keurig so she would not transport her's (we don't drink coffee).   It lives here because she will come back and will get upset if I "waste" her money but except for the extra cups that were still around, no one uses it.

[johnintaiwan]

Trying to stop this with my parents too because they always send me really random stuff I have little use for mots years.

This so much. My mom always sends me weird stuff that I have no desire for, or can even use. I figure it is because I live so far away, so she sends something to me just to send something. Luckily they are usually small cheap things so I dont feel bad about getting rid of it somehow. I find it funny (wasteful?) that most of the this are made here, shipped to the US, bought by my mom, and then shipped back.

[NewStachian]

That's pretty awesome that they're coming out with a filter for it soon.

I think the underlying issue here isn't what to do in this situation, but how to show your wife you think she is incredibly thoughtful, even when you don't like what she gets you.

I am an incredible coffee snob. I was gifted a used Rancilio espresso machine and grinder and it makes a killer latte. Now, I probably wouldn't have paid the $700+ for this myself, but keeping your eyes peeled for good deals on craigslist or something of that nature might be a good way to go.

If you don't want to go that route, maybe get a french press. They make damn good coffee and you're only paying for ground coffee.

[Cheddar Stacker]

Sooo, how many of us here are terrible gift receivers because I've literally (and of course accidentally) made a gift giver visibly upset by how I reacted to their gift? I had a very hard time accepting a $200+ coat once from MIL, and it cearly made her uncomfortable which obviously wasn't my intent. I just couldn't comprehend why someone would spend that amount of money on a coat.

So, anyone else have stories of displaying a serious lack of "tact" when receiving a gift? I've been working on this for the last few years since I made an ass out of myself once or twice.

[greaper007]

My wife and I just don't buy each other gifts, ever.   If we want to do something for each other we go on a vacation, or I giver her a back rub, or we try to carve out a few minutes for sexy time while the kids watch Scooby Doo.

This saves us lots of money at Christmas and birthdays and it's way less aggravating than trying to figure out what the other person wants.   If we want to buy something we discuss if it's worth it, and when the best time to buy is.    That way there aren't any wasted purchases.    For instance, I'm finally going to get a keg setup after 7 years of home brewing.     But I'm doing more research and waiting for a good deal on equipment.      When my wife needs clothes for work she does the same thing.

Also, I like good coffee but 75 cents a cup is way too high.    I make an 8 cup pot for 67 cents every morning that we both drink.  It's not the best coffee I've ever had, but it's not bad.    3.98 a pound for whole bean arabica at Costco, it's flavored with pinon nuts, but I've come to enjoy it.