Gifts...

[Ultralight]

I admit to being a product of this cultural wasteland. After my parents' DNA ancestry tests come back I will know where my ancestors came from. But that doesn't have any real effect on who I am.

I am still just a Merkan, I suppose.

[bae]

Haha! Perfect!

Apparently 46 chromosomes is obsolete. Prepare to be assimilated.

[gmpg54]

Maybe somewhere in time she enjoyed the company of some Irish folks and traditions and she just liked it...they tend to be a jovial bunch.

[Ultralight]

Maybe somewhere in time she enjoyed the company of some Irish folks and traditions and she just liked it...they tend to be a jovial bunch.

She has never had an Irish friend that my sis or I have ever met. She lives in a town with 238 people in it -- all rednecks and pillbillies.

[Packratona!]

Does he come visit you? Would he see it in your house or notice it is not there?
You may be worrying about something that will never happen; has he ever asked you about any of the things in those boxes he gave you?
He may forget all about what he gave you.
Think about trying the gadget out ONCE; that way you can honestly tell him you tried it out, along with a minimal comment such as "It's amazing the gadgets people are inventing nowadays, isn't it?" then kind of lead into related questions such as what he thinks about how things have changed over his lifetime. Get him talking. He will love the attention.
Above all, remember that the respect and attention you show him while you have the opportunity to do so is of utmost importance.
You can ditch it asap after you use it once and have this conversation. Or you can just read the directions so you can tell him how it works (even though you never actually try it out). Not necessary to go into that you actually don't use it. I recommend Salvation Army as they don't have a high overhead and it is a true non-profit unlike Goodwill. Or you can just give it to anyone who will take it.
I always tell my family that whatever they can't use or don't like, of what I get them as gifts, to regift, sell at a garage sale, or drop off at Salvation Army. And I tell them upfront that is what I do. They are used to it.
Gift giving really is a pain; I have managed to minimize it greatly amongst my family at least. But still working on it. "I don't need anything so don't get anything for me unless it was free or a regift, and don't expect anything from me because I may not find anything by the side of road you will like, and also I am saving up for an international trip. Maybe I will bring you some nick nack back in the local market there".
If you have to go through this a few more years, just say thanks, Dad, and use it as an opportunity to interact with him, which is really all he wants. Or keep it around for a year then ditch it.

[Ultralight]

Does he come visit you? Would he see it in your house or notice it is not there?
You may be worrying about something that will never happen; has he ever asked you about any of the things in those boxes he gave you?
He may forget all about what he gave you.
Think about trying the gadget out ONCE; that way you can honestly tell him you tried it out, along with a minimal comment such as "It's amazing the gadgets people are inventing nowadays, isn't it?" then kind of lead into related questions such as what he thinks about how things have changed over his lifetime. Get him talking. He will love the attention.
Above all, remember that the respect and attention you show him while you have the opportunity to do so is of utmost importance.
You can ditch it asap after you use it once and have this conversation. Or you can just read the directions so you can tell him how it works (even though you never actually try it out). Not necessary to go into that you actually don't use it. I recommend Salvation Army as they don't have a high overhead and it is a true non-profit unlike Goodwill. Or you can just give it to anyone who will take it.
I always tell my family that whatever they can't use or don't like, of what I get them as gifts, to regift, sell at a garage sale, or drop off at Salvation Army. And I tell them upfront that is what I do. They are used to it.
Gift giving really is a pain; I have managed to minimize it greatly amongst my family at least. But still working on it. "I don't need anything so don't get anything for me unless it was free or a regift, and don't expect anything from me because I may not find anything by the side of road you will like, and also I am saving up for an international trip. Maybe I will bring you some nick nack back in the local market there".
If you have to go through this a few more years, just say thanks, Dad, and use it as an opportunity to interact with him, which is really all he wants. Or keep it around for a year then ditch it.

He visited a handful of times last year and the year before. So I expect the same this year.

Just last night he asked be about it on the phone. He is very excited about the gift he gave me that I don't want. haha

I am fairly certain he'll ask about it all the time. And if I give him attention about the gift then it will prompt him to give me more gifts.

I mean, last night on the phone he said: "Did you get the chance to try out your Xmas gift?!"

[freshstart]

By him asking if you used it yet, now part of this I can see from your dad's side, me being a mom to finicky teens. I don't like handing out gift cards or cash every year or for their total present. I like them to have something to open even if the odds are 50/50 of whether I nailed their taste. So I can sort of understand your parents feeling like you can't just come over and be given nothing. and this is a reflection on them, not you. They are holding themselves to a standard that is not appropriate for you but in their minds they are doing the 'right thing'.

just a guess of how they see it

[Ultralight]

Welp... Dad plopped another gift on me. Yesterday he gave me a small, high-powered flashlight. I did not ask for it. I never mentioned such a thing. And I already have a flashlight (I use it for night fishing).

So I think he is going to have to learn the hard way: No more gifts.

I am just going to immediately give them away. And when he asks, I will tell him so. I think at first it'll feel like a punch in the gut to him. But he'll learn.

[herbgeek]

I don' t understand why you seem to be so mean spirited towards both your parents. I understand you grew up in a hoarding household, but for your own sake you need to let it go.

Your mom takes great joy in thinking she's Irish (and now you've proved she is). You couldn't wait to prove her wrong, even though it affects you none. Your dad obviously wants a closer relationship with you and gives you small things he thinks will fit into your lifestyle, and you can't wait to do the equivalent of "punching him in the gut". He's being kind, and you just want to be mean in return.

Why?

[Ultralight]

I don' t understand why you seem to be so mean spirited towards both your parents. I understand you grew up in a hoarding household, but for your own sake you need to let it go.

Uh... seriously? Growing up in a hoard is a form of abuse. It is the kind of thing that follows you for life, to one degree or another. And while I am not perfect, I have done a lot to overcome. And I largely have. To call me mean-spirited is a gross exaggeration. Sometimes spiteful, yes. Mean-spirited? Puh-lease!

Oh, wise one... tell me how to "let it go." haha

Your mom takes great joy in thinking she's Irish (and now you've proved she is).

She is 20% Irish. But I'd actually say she is American.

You couldn't wait to prove her wrong, even though it affects you none.

Oh but it does affect me! She annoys me with it often.

Your dad obviously wants a closer relationship with you and gives you small things he thinks will fit into your lifestyle, and you can't wait to do the equivalent of "punching him in the gut". He's being kind, and you just want to be mean in return.

Let's be real for a minute. How does someone establish a closer relationship with someone? By showing up! Putting the time in! That is how it is done.