Do you like getting arthritis Xmas presents?

tkachev · 2. Dec 2010, 05:24

Do you like getting Christmas presents associated with arthritis? Do you find these gifts helpful or like rubbing salt into the wounds?

People are very focused on my feet as I often get very woolly bedtime socks, items you can warm up in the microwave to put on your joints and pumice stones/foot cream. Obviously they can see I don't walk very well.
I would much rather get 'normal 'gifts I can enjoy, the only exception would be an electric blanket as I am fed up dragging loads of hot water bottles upstairs at bedtime. But I could buy that myself anytime.
My OH once bought me a pot to wee in, a grabby stick that broke immediately and a blood pressure monitor- not for Christmas thankfully.Imagine unwrapping that lot on Christmas day?

Elizabeth

valval · 2. Dec 2010, 05:37

do you think that people are just trying to be nice and they do not meen to be thoughtless but strugle to find the right present i like fengel for my bath a good book but what do they buy after that ?????? it not easy

tkachev · 2. Dec 2010, 05:56

Yes Val I think people are trying to be nice so I wouldn't be rude to them. But I want a break from arthritis at least on Christmas day and have nice gifts rather than useful gifts.

Elizabeth

valval · 2. Dec 2010, 06:01

do what we do start xmas lists people can look at for ideas then they know the type of gift you would like val

tkachev · 2. Dec 2010, 06:08

Oh Val I wish it were that easy. Nobody asks what I want and however much I hint they don't listen. Luckily the adults have agreed to stick to £10 per present so now Idon't think what a waste. I no longer trust my OH to buy me anything. He is great on jewellery and knows everything about it but he buys me masculine jewellery, things he would like. He bought me a gold lighter charm last year.

Elizabeth

valval · 2. Dec 2010, 06:25

my other half got me a great magic scarf i would never have paid what he did for it but it great scarf hat ect in one we got tv between us this year so only getting little bits but it the tought that counts if he got me something for the house would hit him with it lol

tjt6768 · 2. Dec 2010, 07:10

So you wouldn't advise me getting the OH a new pan set and some washing up liquid?
lol

Tony

valval wrote:

my other half got me a great magic scarf i would never have paid what he did for it but it great scarf hat ect in one we got tv between us this year so only getting little bits but it the tought that counts if he got me something for the house would hit him with it lol

lupin15 · 2. Dec 2010, 07:46

tkachev wrote:

Do you like getting Christmas presents associated with arthritis? Do you find these gifts helpful or like rubbing salt into the wounds?

People are very focused on my feet as I often get very woolly bedtime socks, items you can warm up in the microwave to put on your joints and pumice stones/foot cream. Obviously they can see I don't walk very well.
I would much rather get 'normal 'gifts I can enjoy, the only exception would be an electric blanket as I am fed up dragging loads of hot water bottles upstairs at bedtime. But I could buy that myself anytime.
My OH once bought me a pot to wee in, a grabby stick that broke immediately and a blood pressure monitor- not for Christmas thankfully.Imagine unwrapping that lot on Christmas day?

Elizabeth

If my hubby did that he would not see boxing day and there would be a large mound in the garden...not snow. I must admit no one has done that yet.....hopfully not stupid enough to...

barbara12 · 2. Dec 2010, 11:25

Sorry Elizebeth but you did make me laugh..I think he would have ended up with the pot on his head.
Last Christmas I got 5 wheat bags :roll: now I was grateful that they had gone to the trouble to get me something useful...but 5...tell you what we could start a swap shop...i would love one of those feet warmers

You keep warm
Love
Barbara xx

tjt6768 · 2. Dec 2010, 11:34

Swap Shop, what a programme, Noel at his best.. Great idea though....

I've a tens machine that's useless for me, any swopsies??

Tony

trisher · 3. Dec 2010, 02:04

Elizabeth

Sorry about your Christmas presents. I suppose they are thinking about you more in one way. They are thinking of you and think they are being kind also trying to understand about Arthur.

If it were me I would make a list put in it that they could all help to buy you one nice present.

The other way is to make a list with lower priced also more expensive so they have a voice. Put on it that could they tick off what they have chosen so you don't get six presents the same.

I know it is not nice to do that but once they see you enjoying different non Arthur related presents you won't need to do it anymore.

Love Trish xxx

wooly-monkey · 3. Dec 2010, 08:18

tjt6768 wrote:

Swap Shop, what a programme, Noel at his best.. Great idea though....

I've a tens machine that's useless for me, any swopsies??

Tony

Sorry to show my ignorance but what is a tens machine?
Wooly-m

wooly-monkey · 3. Dec 2010, 08:27

I would just LOVE a cappucine monkey. Preferably one I could train myself.
Wouldn't I have some fun!
Wooly-m

NinaKKang · 4. Dec 2010, 14:37

Correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't presents be about what you LIKE rather than what you NEED? Surely we're able to buy what we need any time we like?

I can see why people would buy arthritis related gifts for us to try and be helpful and show thought, but I grew up with a sister who has cerebral palsy and she took great umbridge to people buying her those grabby things or trays with the bean bag bottom for her lap. Apart from these things not really being "fun", they're usually selected by the person who uses them because they're tailored to that person - most of the stuff she got went straight to charity!

My husband does this - he's bought me stuff like irons and vaccuum cleaners in the past as presents (I know, and we stayed married - I have the patience of a saint) and I've already warned him off getting me anything that would make me more comfortable or that can be heated in the microwave. I'd much rather have a gift that's something I would like but never get for myself because it's extravagant.

Why don't some people understand this???

NNxx

annie_mial · 4. Dec 2010, 16:35

One year when we were first married, every Christmas present I was given was something 'for the house'. My MIL started it off, first by telling my husband that I wanted the kitchen ceiling painted (no, I didn't, she thought it needed painting!) Then she gave me an ironing board..............everyone else must have thought, 'what a good idea' - I got a set of trays, a set of saucepans and the rest has escaped my memory (I've spent 40+ years trying to forget).

I was sooooo disappointed, a few days after Christmas I bawled all over hubby.....bless his cotton socks, he could quite see the problem and it never happened again.

I don't in the least mind getting something I am in need of, this year a new kneeler thingy for using in the garden, but not to get anything personal at all I found really upsetting.

Annie

Wonkylegs · 4. Dec 2010, 18:20

Hey, I'd rather have something that will help me out, and make life easier, than yet another set of bathroom smellies that I can't use and end up as a raffle prize or at the charity shop!

My hubby's family often make lists of things that they would like from a high street shop which has a catalogue, and then leave it up to individuals whether to buy something from this list or not. It saves wasting money, pleases everyone, and seems to work for them.

last year I received a rotary clothes line (yes, I asked for one

) and a travel kettle ...... both have made life so much easier, and to be honest I've had more fun and enjoyment out of using either of them than I have had from some of the other 'surprise' stuff I've received over the years.

But then, I know I'm odd .... people keep telling me

WOnky

skezier · 4. Dec 2010, 18:27

Hi Elizabeth,

I just am happy with what ever I get to be honest....

My second partner got me a hammer once.... wasn't so sure about that one at the time but with in a year i figured it might be handy to hit hm with

I think like Wonky said people think they are helping and well at east it show some thought..... Mind like Annie things 'for the house' are a bit disappointing but I often get silly things and those I do like

Hope you get what you will like... but me... I think I ma heading for coal again

Tis useful

hope your doing ok flower? ((( ))) Cris xx

minky67 · 4. Dec 2010, 19:09

My second partner got me a hammer once.... wasn't so sure about that one at the time but with in a year i figured it might be handy to hit hm with .
cris, you crack me up.
I lived with a guy who for xmas brought me a chopping board, rolling pin, egg timer & scales :shock: mums boy who only ate his mums cooking. I smacked him over head with rolling pin & sent him on his way.TRUE.. Never had a complaint about me cooking since & never a cooking aid for a xmas pressy

I need footies pressys for crimbo as they hurt

debs

tjt6768 · 4. Dec 2010, 19:26

wooly-monkey wrote:

tjt6768 wrote:

Swap Shop, what a programme, Noel at his best.. Great idea though....

I've a tens machine that's useless for me, any swopsies??

Tony

Sorry to show my ignorance but what is a tens machine?
Wooly-m

Sorry Wooly, only just seen this.
It's a small piece of kit with leads and pads that you attach to yourelf, it gives a mild electric shock, in theory it blocks the nerves or 'disrupts' the pain signals being sent.. They do work well for some apparently..

Tony

tkachev · 5. Dec 2010, 05:29

Very interesting answers. We are a mixed bunch.

Some things for the house are useful, especially as they can cost a lot and otherwise you could get something you don't want, I can see that point, but can be over done- poor Annie.

Cris how thoughtful of partner no.2 but I am sure it comes in handy with the fence fixing. And Minky, blimey I am keeping out of your way.

5 wheat bags for Barbara! Obviously they care!

Nina, Del put up a thread for husbands who give their wives vaccuums for Christmas. You willneed to show Hubby this, show him close he came to being banished!

I like cooking equipment as it is useful. Have recieved a toaster and sandwich maker previously and a knife set(unused so far!!!)

Keep them coming......

Elizabeth

tkachev · 5. Dec 2010, 05:36

Tink size 8 jeans, I would like some of those too but they wouldn't fit ! Maybe 1 leg. And what sort of boots?

Trisher, I always smile and thank people for my gifts so they probably think she likes that so will get the same next year. I seem to get a lot of potted plants but really don't like them as they get in the way and my son tends to pull at the leaves but would love a plant for the garden. I tell the OH but he never passes this information on.

Elizabeth

tkachev · 5. Dec 2010, 05:38

Nina,
Dels thread is called be careful at Christmas chaps.

Elizabeth

Do you like getting arthritis Xmas presents?

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