Real People Share Their Experiences With Passive-Aggressive Christmas Presents
Giving and receiving presents around Christmas adds an extra layer of stress to an already hectic time of year. Finding the right gifts for friends and family is challenging enough, but for many of us, we also need to think of our employees, postal workers, dentists, and so on.
Nothing says “I love you” (or “I don’t care about you”) quite like a present. So, what do you buy for that aunt you really, really, secretly despise? We polled the globe for the most creative examples of passive-aggressive gift-giving.
Taking them with you to your next Christmas family gathering will perhaps give you the edge you need.
56. I’ll Read That Later
My mother once gave me a self-help book called “Procrastination: Why You Do It, and What to Do About It Now.”
Well, obviously, I’m not going to do anything about it now, MUM. I’ll do something about it later.
55. Christmas Overseas
My sister was overseas for Christmas, but thoughtfully left me the gift of Trinny and Susannah’s “How to Dress for your Body Type” book (for fat people). I regifted it to her the next year. And back and forth we go.
54. Get the Hint?
My uncle can’t stop talking about his work and shows no interest in other people. He can basically start a conversation with “How are you doing? What have you been up to?” And you can just reply with “Good. I’m-” before he starts talking again about his boring job.
So I gave him two books, one about subjects for a conversation and one about how to handle yourself in a conversation.
53. Self-Absorbed People Are Bad Gift Givers
Clothes that are clearly the wrong size. Not like hideous clothes, normal clothes.
My cousin is exhausting and is constantly bragging about how men comment on her beach instagram photos, and how flat-tummy tea has done wonders for her, etc. Last year another cousin got her a dress that was 2 sizes too big and played totally oblivious while the self-absorbed cousin tried to not have a meltdown about someone thinking she’s a size 8.
It was passive-aggressive gold.