Working with presents aimed towards the wrong gender

[Lee]

I know it's the thought that counts and all that.  However, getting really feminine presents is one of those things that makes me almost sick.  My birthday is coming up this weekend, and I'm kind of dreading it.  I don't want to seem rude or ungrateful for people's gifts, but as my apartment is finally free of feminine clothing, jewelry, etc the thought of owning them again is really not pleasant.  Even if I just turn around and give them away, it still bothers me that I'm given these sorts of things.  Any ideas on how to feel better about the situation? 

[Sarah Louise]

I finally got my wife and kids to just give me gift certificates.  Even though they see me in what I buy, we never really talk about it.

[Darrin Scott]

Ask for something specific like a gift certificates or money. That way people know what to get you specifically and probably won't buy you something you don't want.

[BMXJake]

Ugh!!! This has been my life pet peeve. Because it would be irritating to get earrings and things I'd never use but I'd feel so bad about it because they were gifts. Last Christmas was the FIRST time my family started taking me seriously about what kind of clothes and things I wanted. (I would usually tell my parents/family not to buy clothes but this broke college student really needed it this year). I think it took the years of my family never seeing me wear the clothes they would give me (even though I felt guilty, which was what I hated) plus being a bit firm with them this year to cause the change. I'm hoping it's permanent, haha. But I agree, I'd ask for gift certificates to your favorite stores, and if it's from people who want something more "thoughtful" than a gift card, you should ask for an item, like gadgets, movies, music (for me it's always bike parts now).
Good luck with that, I def feel your pain, haha

[Lee]

I tried asking for running shoes for Christmas.  I was joking with my dad that I hoped my mother would go for that instead of the frilly underwear and hair removal products that she has seemed to like giving me the past few years.  (I honestly have no idea why she thinks they're good ideas.) He called me about a week before Christmas to apologize in advance for my presents, as he had been away while my mother shopped.  I ended up with my running shoes, but they came with frilly underwear, a hair removal thing-a-ma-jig, and a shirt so over the top (purple with rhinestones, ruffles, and dangley things) that my brother started cracking up and put it on to do a funny dance around the room.     There was another time when I asked for a microscope and my mother got me a gift certificate for a makeup store because I "wouldn't use a microscope enough."  I just wish there were a way to feel less awkward about receiving these sorts of things. (Though, I have to say my brother's dance in the frilly shirt made my day.)

[Cindy]

Maybe just send them back? It might seem a bit rude but you may only have to do it once?

The other one that gets me is my wife's relatives give her all sorts of stupid present she can never use as she is paralysed, so why give her gardening presents and such

Cindy  Oh Happy upcoming birthday 

[Annah]

I would ask for gift receipts "just in case they dont fit."

Then take them back to the store they bought them at and get some guy clothing

I work at Jc Penneys and I see many people do this.