Is money for a GPU such a bad birthday/Christmas list?

MatteRB26

MatteRB26

MatteRB26

Associate
Joined
3 Jan 2018
Posts
743
Location
Brighton
People keep asking what I'd like for birthday/Christmas this year and every time I say "money for a graphics card" so I can finally replace my 970. People say I'm difficult to buy gifts for when they know exactly what to send my way!

My parents keep asking what I want despite telling them :cry: they say "you can't have nothing to open" when I don't want anything to open... I want a new GPU to enjoy gaming again :cry:

Is a gift of money really so bad...?
 
Not at all if that's what you want. I guess it's seen as the 'lazy' option, like "I cba to get you anything, here's some money"

But like you say, if it's to put towards an expensive item then 100% I'd rather the money than something else I didn't actually want, just because it's a 'present'
 
It is a very expensive item though and would you be happy with just a £50 contribution or would you expect more because a 4090 is £1700?
:)
 
Last edited:
Freakbro said:
But like you say, if it's to put towards an expensive item then 100% I'd rather the money than something else I didn't actually want, just because it's a 'present'
Click to expand...

This.

My wife's family are big into buying Christmas presents even for the adults, which I'm a bit..... Anyway.

For years, I used to get given stuff I didn't really need, and you'd be grateful etc.

I've gotten to the point now where I have to quite adamantly say I'd rather them not get me anything at all. I know they mean well, bit I'd rather they keep their money, plus depending what it is, it takes resources to make etc, which I'm conscious about. I actually dread to think how much plastic, energy and other materials go into Xmas presents that people don't really want...

What happens now, is they will all club together and get something I actually want, a BBQ was one example.

But this tradition on Christmas, well, it's not a traditional really retailers have drilled it into our heads for decades, I'd much rather have a nice meal, good wine or whatever, and spend quality time, this present thing imo is not good.

Exception being the children, I don't mind if they get spoilt rotten on Christmas.

Anyway, slight tangent, but in the point of the OP, surelyit would be better for your parents in this instance, to spend their money on something you really want?
 
You will get a much better response asking for a voucher for somewhere - mention if they get it to you by (x) date, you’ll have something awesome to open on your bday.

People offer gifts to be emotionally rewarded with your happiness - just handing over cash the gesture can be lost.
 
I totally get the "lazy option" people see but it's not like they haven't asked what to get, I'd rather funds to put towards something than to think of something material, there's really nothing I want for tbh.

4090 is way out of the question :cry: I'm thinking more a GPU fund for birthday & Christmas from everyone, see what I scramble together and hopefully get a used 6700/6800XT or something.

My 970 can't hack the modern stuff anymore and suffering thermally (already repasted it) and if I was to buy something solely myself... In fact with the way prices are I'd probably end up just going with something like a 1660 - so I'd rather not :cry:

I wonder if it's an age thing, but I genuinely don't really care if I have no "presents"! The present opening thing is old now, I'd rather watch my kids faces as they open theirs
 
stuman said:
You will get a much better response asking for a voucher for somewhere - mention if they get it to you by (x) date, you’ll have something awesome to open on your bday.

People offer gifts to be emotionally rewarded with your happiness - just handing over cash the gesture can be lost.
Click to expand...
I suppose this is one way to look at it. My wife is the only one to see my joy of new hardware :cry:

I did the same in 2019 to replace my 3570k. Got enough to buy a 3600 build (by selling my 3570k parts), and she was the only one to witness the tear down, cleaning and initial boot of the first big upgrade since 2012
 
Wait, you’re married and still writing a Christmas list?? I figured you were sixteen!

This is weird, right? I’m 33 and I’m asking for a set of electric kitchen scales. That’s only because it’s nice to open something but the main part of Christmas is the food and spending time with family.
 
Last edited:
MatteRB26 said:
People keep asking what I'd like for birthday/Christmas this year and every time I say "money for a graphics card" so I can finally replace my 970. People say I'm difficult to buy gifts for when they know exactly what to send my way!

My parents keep asking what I want despite telling them :cry: they say "you can't have nothing to open" when I don't want anything to open... I want a new GPU to enjoy gaming again :cry:

Is a gift of money really so bad...?
Click to expand...
Maybe you get one of these for christmas :cry:

UN7N1gm.jpg
 
Ahleckz said:
Wait, you’re married and still writing a Christmas list?? I figured you were sixteen!

This is weird, right? I’m 33 and I’m asking for a set of electric kitchen scales. That’s only because it’s nice to open something but the main part of Christmas is the food and spending time with family.
Click to expand...
Not exactly, people keep asking what I want for birthday & Christmas, so I say "money for a graphics card" and they look at me like I'm being weird :cry:

I don't care for presents anymore (hence why I tend to just say money as it can also go towards other things if my plans go awry). I'd rather people not waste money on wrapped up gifts for me. If I say "nothing" then people will keep pestering me or my wife on what to buy me.

I can't even say something like a new game because dying 970.

Useful house stuff I will buy myself - I hate spending money on myself personally, I'd rather it went on family. I use birthday/Christmas as a chance to go for things I wouldn't buy myself or is unfeasible - unless maybe, everyone who would spend money on a gift instead put it in a pot so I can spend it on something useful instead ;)
 
Last edited:
MatteRB26 said:
Not exactly, people keep asking what I want for birthday & Christmas, so I say "money for a graphics card" and they look at me like I'm being weird :cry:

I don't care for presents anymore (hence why I tend to just say money as it can also go towards other things if my plans go awry). I'd rather people not waste money on wrapped up gifts for me. If I say "nothing" then people will keep pestering me or my wife on what to buy me.

I can't even say something like a new game because dying 970
Click to expand...
Who’s everyone? I’m not being an arse, but literally the only people who ask me is my mum (I’ve suggested a trip to an antiques centre where we will have a budget to buy each other something) and a nice lunch. My MIL (scales) and my girlfriend (a sauce sieve).
I kinda thought Christmas presents stopped once you were in your mid 20s beyond a few smaller things.
Certainly don’t buy my friends/they don’t buy me anything. I’d find it super cringey writing a list or asking for money!

My brother and I just buy each other a bottle of something.
 
Ahleckz said:
Who’s everyone? I’m not being an arse, but literally the only people who ask me is my mum (I’ve suggested a trip to an antiques centre where we will have a budget to buy each other something) and a nice lunch. My MIL (scales) and my girlfriend (a sauce sieve).
I kinda thought Christmas presents stopped once you were in your mid 20s beyond a few smaller things.
Certainly don’t buy my friends/they don’t buy me anything. I’d find it super cringey writing a list or asking for money!

My brother and I just buy each other a bottle of something.
Click to expand...
Parents, in laws, brother in law, wife...

If I say small token things I get "you can't just ask for ____" even though I only said it so there's a "thing" they insist on buying. At least if I say "money I can put towards ____" because I can make use of it everyone's a winner.

I'd rather have a shot at buying something worthwhile than opening a present I'll never touch
 
MatteRB26 said:
Parents, in laws, brother in law, wife...

If I say small token things I get "you can't just ask for ____" even though I only said it so there's a "thing" they insist on buying. At least if I say "money I can put towards ____" because I can make use of it everyone's a winner.

I'd rather have a shot at buying something worthwhile than opening a present I'll never touch
Click to expand...
Fair enough! Must be a family thing. Fair play to you!
I’ll think of you and your mountain of presents as I get excited over my electric scales :cry: :D
 
Nothing wrong with it and better than having money wasted on something you don't want.

I'm a **** to buy presents for too. I just ask people to get "consumables". Wine, whiskey, nice biscuits, coffee beans, marmalade etc.
 
Ahleckz said:
Fair enough! Must be a family thing. Fair play to you!
I’ll think of you and your mountain of presents as I get excited over my electric scales :cry: :D
Click to expand...
Sounds like there's certainly a tradition difference :cry:

Electric scales do sound pretty exciting to be fair... I was so happy with the kitchen knives my parents bought me one year!

I just figured family insist on spending on each other for birthdays (which I couldn't give a damn about tbh, just another day to me) and Christmas, I'll use them as a way to get something I'd never be buying myself - like a half decent GPU :cry:
 
Just LOL if you're not out and about at your local shopping mall dressed head to toe in conflicting red and green colours, a cape, a dress, certainly a strumptret's hat, ewoking-ing your way through Debenhams as you alight the stairwell. Glorious.

And scene.

fake e: noobs.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom