Giving Gifts to People You Don't Like  

 

            Okay, we all do it.  We look at our gift lists and frown, seeing those names that we just can't stand.  Co-workers that truly are annoying enough to make you want to move to another city and bosses that you'd rather give a good kick in the rear than a gift.  There are the goody two shoes of the PTA members, you know, the ones who never miss a meeting and seem to have their lips permanently in behind kissing mode.  Here is the list of the people that usually end up on our gift lists because we simply have to get them something, and certainly not because we want to.

 

Mother in Law: 

 

Okay, while some of us are blessed to have a Mother in Law that we truly do love and cherish, the rest of us would not mind seeing a karate demonstration with her as the dummy!  I mean, she does so much for you.  She constantly nags you about how clean your house is and how you cook certain meals.  She criticizes the way you spend your money, or your parenting techniques.  She shows up without calling and gives you that dreaded feeling in the pit of your stomach.  Now, how do you honor her for the holidays, or her birthday?  Well, if you don't care much about your marriage, you could get her a one way ticket to another country!  However, since most of us would like to stay married, you can get her something meaningful.  A nice trinket box is a great idea.

 

Annoying Co-workers:

 

They have been getting on your last nerve for months or years!  They're the kind of people that make you wish you could just pursue that childhood dream of running away and joining the circus.  Hey, even bearded ladies and seventeen foot tall men couldn't drive you this crazy!  Supposing you don't mind getting fired from your job, you could get those co-workers a pack of applications to other jobs and some very nice stationary to print their resumes on.  However, if you want to keep the waters calm, choose something like a clock for their desk.  Or, you could go with a small frame so they can keep their family's pictures in it.  Whatever you decide, don't give in and get them that nicely wrapped box that emits a ticking sound!

 

Uninvited Neighbors:

 

I know.  What you really want to get them is a gift certificate to the grocery store so they will stop coming over to your house and raiding the fridge.  How about a membership to the local video store so you might get all of your borrowed DVD's back?  While you might want to get these neighbors a book on manners or a guide to living among humans, you should do the right thing and get them something they might enjoy.  You don't have to go above and beyond with these neighbors.  Just choose something small, such as a decorative figurine or a photo frame.  After all, you do have to live next to them!

 

Buying gifts for people you don't really like can be a serious pain in the rear, but most of the time you want to give them something to cover up your secret annoyance and dislike of them!  You can do this without going overboard and spending a lot of money.