For some reason females seem to think they know what everybody else wants. I've argued the same thing...just send them a gift card or a check. OH NO!!!...can't do that.
How callous of me to suggest that a young person might want a gift card or cash. We must send them a gift of some sort. Of course, my wife is always consorting with her daughters, so she'll usually get something the grandkids like.
But I remember talking with my sisters who used to send me items of clothing I detested for Christmas or my birthday. Most women love clothes and clothes shopping, so they think everybody else i.e. men must love clothes and shopping as much as they do.
One time I told them that sending me food (candy, nuts, etc.) was better than sending me some article of clothing I'd never wear. OH NO!!!... that would be tacky. "You don't really want that" they'd say. They couldn't give me something I'd actually use/eat.
So there was a case of me telling them what I would like, and them telling me that I actually didn't want what I asked for. Female "logic" is very difficult for a male to decipher.
I know what you mean - there is no gift that I despise receiving more than clothing of any kind. First of all, I like to choose my own. I have very simple tastes, and I don’t need someone picking stuff out for me that I won’t like. Second, I will feel pressure to wear those clothes when they come for a visit. Screw that! if I need clothes, I buy them. I would much rather receive something gun related or just plain cash to buy what I want. I always hear the argument that it isn’t thoughtful to give cash. Well excuse me, but what is more thoughtful than letting somebody pick out something that they really like? I can’t think of anything better than that.