Ladies, let’s set our standards higher, Say no to these cheap gifts from men

Christmas is here! Although Christmas is not nearly as commercial here in Kenya as it is in Europe or North America, a vast majority of us have embraced the Christmas tradition of giving and receiving gifts, especially between couples.

I know for a fact that most women in relationships are bracing themselves for another crappy gift today because the menfolk are awful gift givers. Kenyan women have it the worst because on top of this, Kenyan men are awfully stingy with their money. So, naturally, we have come to expect something cheap and thoughtless. I don’t know why our men don’t take their brains with them when they decide to go gift shopping for the women in their lives. Women generally put a lot of thought in the types of gifts they give their significant others. I myself have gone above and beyond when getting gifts for my past boyfriends. I bought one of my exes a watch worth three months rent.

For another ex, I bought designer cologne. I bought another one of my exes a bottle of very expensive single malt whiskey because I knew he was a whiskey enthusiast. For all this effort, what have I got to show for it?

A plastic flower, a cheap gold-plated necklace that tarnished and faced within days and a tacky teddy bear and the worst of all, nothing. This one guy I dated sometime back got me absolutely nothing for my birthday after I spent an obscene amount of money on a romantic weekend getaway for his birthday. I just got a happy birthday text that looked like it was copy pasted form the Internet. The cheek of it!

I know what you are going to say.  When it comes to gifts, It is the thought that counts, right? Wrong! Ladies, you should stop overlooking crappy gifts from your significant others. I cannot be spending thousands of shillings on a gift I know my man will love and appreciate then get a plastic flower in return.

It is not about the amount of money spent on the gift but rather the thought and consideration that went into getting me the gift. I would treasure a card with a cute and sentimental message or a book from my favourite author, just as much as I would treasure the gift of a designer perfume from my favourite brand.

Getting me a cheap, tacky teddy bear tells me that you don’t care enough to make an effort. Getting me a gift that means something to me sends the message that you pay attention and you care.

A lot of people will tell you that getting crappy gifts year after year is just a petty issue that you don’t need to get worked up about but I beg to differ. It is not just a gift. It is a physical representation of what the relationship means to him so you should not let him get away with gifting you the easiest, cheapest and most convenient gift he came across like costume jewellery. (Seriously, what were you thinking?)

Ladies, you need to start speaking out about these bad, cheap presents. Do not shrug it off and tell yourself that it is the thought that counts, especially if you are in a new relationship. You need to nip that behaviour in the bud! If you are fed up and you want better presents for the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries to come, this is the time to speak up.

It is not a matter that should be taken lightly. Remember, it is not about the price of the gift, it is about feeling like some thought and consideration was put into getting it. Merry Christmas good people.