Sometimes it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness

..anything would be better than another layer of "I am not known or seen by my family at all" messages that presents send me every year.

I have so much solidarity and empathy with you on this!

My mother = knows I am violently allergic to wool, buys me an expensive mohair blanket anyway

Me = I can't use that

My mother = buys me a YAK'S WOOL scarf, acts surprised that I can't wear that either

See also: buying me jewellery that is in no way my taste AND has little-to-no resale-value;

buying me books and DVDs that in no way reflect my interests.