Christmas presents

[moonshadow]

I feel as though I have to perform when I open them in front of people. It doesn't matter how pleased I am, it just isn't in my nature to be outwardly emotional. So I have to compensate by acting, which is extremely awkward and uncomfortable.

Am I the only one? ::

 

[1BlackSheep]

I don't like being watched, so it's kind of uncomfortable for me too!

 

[moonshadow]

It's even worse when the gift is expensive, because then I feel ungrateful for not expressing my gratitude adequately.

 

[1BlackSheep]

I suppose that's when Thank You cards come in handy!

 

[Silatuyok]

This is going to sound bad, but I don't really like being given gifts unless it is something I picked out myself. Not because I'm particularly picky, but because it takes time for me to develop a connection with something to the point where I actually want to have it as my own. Yes, it is awkward to have to open gifts in front of the receiver and feign excitement. Even if I do end up enjoying the thing, it takes a little while for it to sink in.
But, I think everyone acts it out to a certain extent, just to be polite. It's just one of those rules of society that you can either play along with or choose to ignore and seem rude.

 

[vj288]

Oh no you're not alone, by default I'm sort of an emotional-less gift opener so I so I have to make a point to exaggerate my physical appreciation for my gifts. Fortunately since I talk so little when I say thank you "worth" (sorry wrong word couldn't think of the correct one) more and helps.

 

[MikeyC]

I'm the same, whether it be Christmas or my birthday. I know I'll like it but I have to pretend that OMG IT'S THE BEST THING EVER just so I can portray that I like it.

This is going to sound bad, but I don't really like being given gifts unless it is something I picked out myself.

+1. At least then you know you'll enjoy it.

 

[Invisibleman]

Yeah it happens to me all the time. Even if I love it I just cant act all excited im just too reserved. But unfortunetely il have to do it a ton this year because well....I didnt ask for anything in particular so my parents basically have to surprise me and they dont know me at all::

 

[superfluouslyme]

I've always been uncomfortable when getting gifts. When I was a kid, I dreaded it. As I've gotten older, I've found that I'm 1) not all that emotional or expressive in life, so no one expects me to go crazy when I get a gift and 2) I'm pretty easily amused. So it hasn't been that bad in recent years.

Giving gifts has become the thing that scares me. And it's really only with my dad. He and I have similar anxieties and he's always felt awkward about getting gifts. But he is so awkward that he says or does things to protect himself and ends up hurting me and my sister's feelings in the process. And he's so damned hard to buy for! My inner monologue: "Just tell me what you want and I'll get it. Don't tell me you don't want anything! Then I have to go by the little hints you've dropped over the past year and whatever I get will not suffice." It's brutal. I'm not looking forward to this Christmas at all.

 

[Phoenixx]

I feel very uncomfortable when I have to open presents in front of people too. Even when I like/love the gift, I just can't bring myself to be all overjoyed about it. I'm not sure which I dislike more, the fact that I can't express myself, or the fact that I have to act it all out so I don't come across as being rude.

 

[DeadmanWalking]

Nah, I don't really show a lot of emotion when I open presents. My family is used to seeing the "hard as a rock, emotionless" me and understand that my emotions are not overt. If I ever did openly express my emotions, they'd most likely pick up on it and know that something's up. The other reason I don't show a lot of emotions is because my family tends to get me clothes as presents, which I repeatedly state I don't need. It's not that I hate, but I don't necessarily like it either, so I shut up and don't say anything. This Christmas, however, I'm going to be getting a lot of clothes, so my silence may be put to the test. This is just between us, okay::? Don't tell anyone!

I believe in expressing emotions naturally, showing them the way you want to. If you are a silent type, then silently show your emotions. There's no rule saying that emotions have to loud and out there. It's about how genuine those emotions you show are, after all.

 

[Srijita52]

I feel very uncomfortable when I have to open presents in front of people too. Even when I like/love the gift, I just can't bring myself to be all overjoyed about it. I'm not sure which I dislike more, the fact that I can't express myself, or the fact that I have to act it all out so I don't come across as being rude.

^Same for me. Even if I'm extreamly happy to receive present its hard to express myself or show my feelings. So often it seems like I'm indifferent or unhappy when that's not the case at all.

 

[moonshadow]

It's almost comforting to know that others worry about this too. I'll be thinking of you all this Christmas.

I believe in expressing emotions naturally, showing them the way you want to. If you are a silent type, then silently show your emotions. There's no rule saying that emotions have to loud and out there. It's about how genuine those emotions you show are, after all.

Thanks, I needed to hear this.

 

[Lea]

We don´t do presents.

 

[Moa]

We don´t do presents.

That is awesome. I hate the mass consumerism. Doing something for someone is so much more meaningful than buying them something anyways.

 

[Silatuyok]

This year my family is breaking from tradition (gasp!) and doing a Yankee Swap. So, if I open something and don't like it, it's no big deal, I just steal something I like from someone else. :: It's a good medium between excessive consumerism and not giving gifts at all; I'm interested to see how it will play out.

 

[IcedEarth25]

I like it when me and my sisters open our presents together but when asked to open one at a time for each person i get tensed up and feel that if i get dissapointed they sense it in my tone of voice or facial expressions so opening up when no one is looking makes it more easier and comfortable.

 

[Lea]

That is awesome. I hate the mass consumerism. Doing something for someone is so much more meaningful than buying them something anyways.

I think it´s not bad when people give it with the right intention (from heart), or in families with children etc.. I don´t like when it turns to competitiveness, or when people estimate each other´s worth on the amount and cost of presents they get, or give. Or when people feel it´s compulsory and just give it because it´s done and if they don´t, they will appear bad. Me and my parents, I don´t think anyone of us really cares for presents (I certainly don´t), besides we´re short of money so it´s better to be sure what we´re buying is the right thing that we really want and need..

 

[sullyS25]

I do feel weird about how I am supposed to react when I get gifts actually, I am glad you brought that up....luckily this year I am living out of the country and my gift was a trip to the UK so i didn't have to react in front of anyone haha

 

[Azael]

I feel as though I have to perform when I open them in front of people. It doesn't matter how pleased I am, it just isn't in my nature to be outwardly emotional. So I have to compensate by acting, which is extremely awkward and uncomfortable.

Am I the only one? ::

Sometimes, it depends on what mood I'm in prior to Christmas day. If there is arguing etc in the build up to said day, then I find it very difficult to be genuinely enthusiastic. I get by going through the motions usually, I don't think anyone suspects a thing to be honest.