Burning Question: Home Decor For The Holidays?
Sometimes ripping that snowflake wrapping paper is more like an audition than an authentic emotional reaction (ex: “Oh Aunt Irma, I LOVVVEEE this bedazzled sweater!”). And when it comes to receiving home stuff we just had to ask how you guys feel.
Do you genuinely rejoice when someone you know and love personally selects something to grace your mantel, hang on your wall, gussy up your coffee table or swank up the kitchen counter? Or do you prefer a gift card to select your own vase/frame/planter/lamp/pillow/etc?
Sometimes someone else can get it oh so right, but on the other hand you just might end up with one of those guilt gifts that you hide in a drawer until that person comes for a visit at which point you pop it on the mantel for the day. Whaddya think? Are home decor related presents a good idea or are gift cards the ultimate decorating accoutrement? Dish the holiday dirt!
Image courtesy of Country Living
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It really depends. Sometimes I ask for specific stuff (like, Hey, I’d really like this platter that they have at Bed Bath and Beyond that goes with my dish set!). Then there is the inevitable slew of Christmas decorations my mom buys me every year that totally don’t match my taste or style. She’s very country kitsch, whereas I’m more modern and whimsical. I have a box of snowman with gingham checked scarves sitting in my basement that I don’t know what to do with, but have no idea how to tell my mom to stop buying them for me!
Hmmm. It totally depends on who buys it. My boyfriend always buys awesome gifts for the house (2 years ago he bought the most amazing clock ever). But. Not everyone is so brilliant. I would never EVER buy anyone anything for their house. Except my sister-in-law & brother-in-law, who are getting your monogram thingys for a wedding gift!
I prefer gift cards…I really don’t like when people get me anything for the house because I am very picky!
This is just my own pet peeve but I think gift cards are the worlds worst gifts. They show a complete lack of thought or time invested. Gifts are an expression of your affection for the gift recipent – its not about the money – so why hand me something that says “I can’t be bothered to think of a gift for you so just buy it yourself”.
The only time I think cash or gift cards is acceptable is when the gift recipent is a teenager. Because really – that is what they REALLY want.
So in other words, I prefer it when I receive something that was carefully selected. It really is the thought that counts.
I’m a big one for “It’s the thought that counts” – which also means that the gift should show that thought was put into it. My mom and SIL put a lot of thought into home decor gifts based on my style, and I usually love everything they pick. My MIL is a big one for giving home decor gifts that she likes for herself, but that are clearly not my style – which she knows. I am gracious when I receive one of these, but I also choose not to display things that I don’t like.
sure–at long as it comes with a gift reciept (it makes returning it alot easier!) :)
Gift cards = true love in my book.
I would MUCH rather have gift cards than a gift the giver picked out for me. Home decor is very personal and most people just aren’t able to “get” another’s style. My in-laws have taken to buying items (and coordinating items) from our wedding gift registry, which is fine since they are buying items we specifically chose ourselves.
I think it depends on who it comes from. My sister can get me anything for my house, because she has the most amazing sense of style. My mother-in-law, not so much (though I do love her dearly). I do love gift cards, but DH and I are so indecisive that I never end up doing anything with them. I still have two Pottery Barn cards from our wedding 4 years ago that I haven’t used. For shame!
When it comes to home decor, it better be my mom or sister that’s buying (or hubbie), because otherwise it seems too tricky for someone to get that right. Unless they know my favorite decor stores or have seen/heard me talk about a specific piece, then obviously that would work. I’m just a lil’ on the picky side and don’t like putting things up “just because”, although I do have a few friends who don’t worry themselves with that so much and put just “whatever” up. So I guess you could gift them with decor and not worry…but someone like me, go with the giftcard!! It would make me happiest!! Or just go with a non-decor thing altogether…
I don’t like to get house decor things unless it’s a gift card, and then usually to a big store like Target. The only person who usually can do well in this department is my mother-in-law who knows that I like vintage/antique stuff. She’s the treasure keeper for the family and has a ton of that kind of stuff in storage. This year, she gave me a hundred year old chalk board. It didn’t cost her a thing and I LOVED it.
I love a well thought out gift, but so often they go oh-so wrong. One year I got a size XXL mismatched mens sweat suit (I’m a normal sized woman) from a well meaning sister! Yo, sis, whats up with that? I always ask people to contribute to a charity in my name instead of giving me a gift I don’t want and don’t need. I’ll never understand why they won’t do that. sigh…Merry Christmas everyone!
Thankfully, in our family, we rely on very detailed Christmas lists. It’s easier for everyone: it’s easier to buy for people, the person gets what they want, and there is less time spent returning gifts :) it’s also perfect for me, since I am not one to fake enjoying a gift….
Normally I would say no… my great aunt loves to get me these lovely things that are not my style and that I feel really guilty about giving to Goodwill… But this Christmas I got the most amazing gift from my husband… a built-in china cabinet. Of course, it was something we had thought about doing before, so he knew I would like it :o) In general I would prefer people either steer clear of the home decor, or get a Target giftcard.
I totally see both perspectives on this one… I like something to open for xmas, so if I receive the perfect gift, I’m very excited. However, a lot of ppl have no idea what to give for xmas, and this is where you end up receiving “stuff” or gimmicky things you have no use for. In that situation, I would prefer the gift card route.
Anyways, merry christmas!
I just got my house, so at this point anything is welcome :) My parents, as well as my finance’s parents, are really working hard to figure out our style (I call it natural-transitional). They take us (more often me) to stores and say do you like this, do you like that? So I’m sure they’ll figure it out.
Besides, if it’s something we don’t like, we can put it in the guest room, since the giver would likely spend time in there at some point and would definatly see it :)
I just find gift cards so incredibly impersonal. Even though sometimes you might strike out with gifts, I like the fact that someone was wandering the aisles (or the internet) and thinking of me. I don’t think you have to use or display anything you don’t like, but sometimes I get something I would never think to buy for myself and I end up loving it…we could all expand our horizons now and again.
Of course, that means gifts should be intended for the recipient’s pleasure and style, and not the buyer’s, but that doesn’t mean I don’t find great joy in giving someone just the perfect gift..for them, even if it’s something I am so not into.
I know that a lot of people find gift cards impersonal but I am all for gifts with an air of practicality. I’m told I’m hard to shop for. There are a few people who get it right (my interior designer friend gave me the coolest chrome art deco vase – I’m amazed she didn’t keep it for herself) but for the most part, I would prefer a gift card or something I’ve specifically asked for. If someone wants to give me a gift, I want it to be something I will enjoy and put to use.
Gift card all the way.
I’m picky.
And I live in 500 square feet and have no place to hide anything.
I guess the good thing about our family is that we do Christmas lists. What I love about that is that if we do want decor items (which I love to get) then the family knows exactly what we are wanting. I have gotten stuff in the past (& even this year from my SIL and GMA-inlaw) that I just would never display and ends up getting donated. I don’t keep stuff to display when they visit, that just clutters my life. I like gift cards as well so getting them doesn’t bother me and I don’t see them as thoughtless gifts.
I had to laugh at the comment from Sam there who says he lives in small house and is pretty picky. I also live in a small home and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why my mom bought me a full length couch this past Christmas. Maybe that was a hint of some sort that she didn’t like the other one…? No, I think unless you really know for sure what a person wants and needs then you’re better off getting a giftcard.