Ouch. Did you have a sudden onset of "present face"? That's a rough one. We've all been there.
Okay, here's the thing...you have to wear it at least once. Sorry. Suck it up and wear it a couple times between now and Christmas. And then, take it out of the rotation. If he asks, let him know that you love the thought, but it isn't really your style. Honesty is the best policy here. You might think you can hide your disappointment, but studies show that you probably can't. Body language, and your initial reaction to the gift ("Wow! Just what I wanted. It's so...sweater-y!"), will likely give you away. Being honest will help him the next time he shops for you. Hopefully he'll either steer clear of clothes (a good rule of thumb for guys when shopping for their significant other, unless it's lingerie) or at least pay better attention to the sort of things you wear in the future.
While some women love to clothes shop for their guy, the reverse is tricky. Unless you specifically mention something you want, we're liable to end up with a hideous sweater. We might think we know your style, but we usually don't. That's something you (and your gay bestie) know best. In general, it's probably wise for boyfriends and husbands to steer clear of the ladies clothing department. When we get there, our reaction is a lot like that of a zoo animal being released back into the wild. We're confused, disoriented, and probably hungry, thus making us easy prey for the pushy sales clerk. In our weak and enfeebled minds, an item that looks great on a mannequin will of course look great on you. We leave in a blur, our arms filled with ill-fitting shirts, ugly sweaters, and a pair of jeggings that you would never be caught dead in outside of the house. The women's clothing section is not a safe place for your average guy.
How do you handle present disappointment? Do you like to be get clothes from your guy? Or would you prefer that he not add anything to your closet?
Okay, here's the thing...you have to wear it at least once. Sorry. Suck it up and wear it a couple times between now and Christmas. And then, take it out of the rotation. If he asks, let him know that you love the thought, but it isn't really your style. Honesty is the best policy here. You might think you can hide your disappointment, but studies show that you probably can't. Body language, and your initial reaction to the gift ("Wow! Just what I wanted. It's so...sweater-y!"), will likely give you away. Being honest will help him the next time he shops for you. Hopefully he'll either steer clear of clothes (a good rule of thumb for guys when shopping for their significant other, unless it's lingerie) or at least pay better attention to the sort of things you wear in the future.
While some women love to clothes shop for their guy, the reverse is tricky. Unless you specifically mention something you want, we're liable to end up with a hideous sweater. We might think we know your style, but we usually don't. That's something you (and your gay bestie) know best. In general, it's probably wise for boyfriends and husbands to steer clear of the ladies clothing department. When we get there, our reaction is a lot like that of a zoo animal being released back into the wild. We're confused, disoriented, and probably hungry, thus making us easy prey for the pushy sales clerk. In our weak and enfeebled minds, an item that looks great on a mannequin will of course look great on you. We leave in a blur, our arms filled with ill-fitting shirts, ugly sweaters, and a pair of jeggings that you would never be caught dead in outside of the house. The women's clothing section is not a safe place for your average guy.
How do you handle present disappointment? Do you like to be get clothes from your guy? Or would you prefer that he not add anything to your closet?
Next year make a list of all the things you want. Make a list with pictures, names, shop names, adressess, MAPS. Tell him not to deviate from the list, ever, under any circumstances - even if he is standing in the department store and Angelie Jolie walks in and buys a pink glittery pencil sharpener that sings songs about rainbows and he thinks you might like a pink glittery pencil sharpener that sings songs about rainbows - he is NOT to buy it - he is to stick to the LIST.
It may mean you will rarely get the spontaneous hand picked from the heart present but it does mean you can avoid 'present face' next year.
Great advice Nick. This actually happened to me, except my boyfriend at the time bought me one of those funny quote t-shirts (which I hate) and it was too small. I felt bad and wore it a few times. But then it was sent straight to the back of my closet.
The best thing to do is to give him a list of items that he can then choose from, there is still some surprise because you don't know which gift he is going to choose.
Nick, you like Garfunkel and Oates, please stop being so amazing.
I always make that OH IT'S...SO GREAT... face... I try not to but I can't help it so my family knows when I'm not happy haha ;)
My mom for one SUCKS at buying my clothes for christmas.. She always buys me things she'd WANT me to wear, not things that I would wear..
my boyfriend bought me a cute sweater that i really like