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Iowa_Flames_Fan · 11-06-2007, 09:38 PM

OK--I need some advice from the diplomatic and opportunistic types around here alike.

My Mother-in-Law is in town, helping us with the baby while I work on the final stages of my dissertation. Big help. But here's the thing. She wants to buy our Christmas presents here, to take advantage of the strong Canadian dollar, and also so we don't have to haul them back home with us after we're in Calgary for Christmas. So basically, she wants us to tell her what we want, and she'll buy it for us now.

So far, so good, right? Except that she told me I was to spend 200 dollars on a gift for myself. I think that's a ridiculous amount of money--I never spend more than 50 on a Christmas present. But just in case you think that's a good problem to have, I literally can't think of anything I want that costs that much. Seriously. And it's not like I can just go with less--last year I asked for Elbow pads and the in-laws had a huge (and weird) panic attack because they were only 60 dollars, and wouldn't let it go until I added a Flames practice jersey to the purchase--which I didn't really even want, though I do use it from time to time.

So what do I do? I have all the hockey equipment I need. I suppose I could upgrade something, but I don't need anything. I like books, but I have most of the ones I need, and it would have to be like 20 of them. My wife chose "clothes"--which I guess I could do, but that seems like a waste, since I don't need much, and I know I'll get clothes from my family.

Any suggestions?

11-06-2007, 09:38 PM	#1
Iowa_Flames_Fan Referee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Over the hill Exp:	Christmas Present Dilemma OK--I need some advice from the diplomatic and opportunistic types around here alike. My Mother-in-Law is in town, helping us with the baby while I work on the final stages of my dissertation. Big help. But here's the thing. She wants to buy our Christmas presents here, to take advantage of the strong Canadian dollar, and also so we don't have to haul them back home with us after we're in Calgary for Christmas. So basically, she wants us to tell her what we want, and she'll buy it for us now. So far, so good, right? Except that she told me I was to spend 200 dollars on a gift for myself. I think that's a ridiculous amount of money--I never spend more than 50 on a Christmas present. But just in case you think that's a good problem to have, I literally can't think of anything I want that costs that much. Seriously. And it's not like I can just go with less--last year I asked for Elbow pads and the in-laws had a huge (and weird) panic attack because they were only 60 dollars, and wouldn't let it go until I added a Flames practice jersey to the purchase--which I didn't really even want, though I do use it from time to time. So what do I do? I have all the hockey equipment I need. I suppose I could upgrade something, but I don't need anything. I like books, but I have most of the ones I need, and it would have to be like 20 of them. My wife chose "clothes"--which I guess I could do, but that seems like a waste, since I don't need much, and I know I'll get clothes from my family. Any suggestions?