What would you do with presents?

[lorihart]

This may be a funny question and I already think I know what I am going to do but I thought I would post my mind boggling question here.
I have a couple of friends (I posted about them before).One is a clone of the other and its a shame b/c both are very friendly.We will call one Thelma and Louise Louise is a clone of Thelma.The hair is the same, the weddings were the same,one haves a baby,the other one does to.They probably call each other to schedule their craps!I did enjoy hanging out with these girls over the last couple of years but their lives revolve around diets.When they first meet they were overweight and both got down to a healthy weight.Now they are consumed with how much they weigh and how much everyone else weighs.Basically they are not true friends.If they size everyone else up,chances are,they are sizing me up as well.Meaning picking my faults to make themselves feel better.(they have also gotten very thin...I am not sure what diet they are doing.Forsure its the same)
Since then I have started a new job and made lots of new friends.They have had babies and are in all sorts of baby things and their lives are consumed with that.Which I understand b/c babies are alot of work.
I go monthes without talking to them but they will call me to do the "special occasion things" like New Years,Halloween,B-days...you name it.But I don't get a call just to go for dinner or even to chat anymore.Im thinking, if you don't talk to me for 3 monthes why do you want to spend New Years with me? Isn't that a time to spend with people you are close to? Strange! Prehaps b/c they have no one else to spend it with.
My question got really long,didn't it? When I started hanging out with them it was in the summer monthes.That christmas we decided to exchange gifts.Last year we also exchanged gifts but we were drifting apart.This year I bought their gifts.Even though we didn't talk much anymore,I figured they would be calling and wanting to get together to exchange(samething last year)I bought the gifts b/c I wanted to be prepared.If we don't exchange fine.I ran into Thelma at the mall and she didn't mention anything about exchanging presents and its the 17th of Dec.Its getting late.
My two questions are: Should I just keep the presents here and if we don't exchange then I have somethings to keep for myself?
OR when chrsitmas eve rolls around, and I still haven't heard from them,should I drop the presents off at their house and she what their reactions are? Or is that to devilish.I know it seems a bit childish but I would like to see them speechless.
I just know that if they haven't bought me anything, it was a joint decision that they made.They talked about it.Shouldn't they have called me and told me.ANYWAY...what would you do?
Lori

 

[NurseLRT]

Hi Lori, if it were me I would keep the presents and not mention it. I have had similair situations where a friend of mine would drop off a gift on my doorstep and I hadn't spoken to her in months, and hardly all that year. It puts me in a spot, then I am out looking for a gift for her, when I really didn't want to exchange in the first place.

Friendships fade, people are busy, or have different lives. I wouldn't take it personally. I am sure you have friends that you see on a more consistent basis. Why waste your time exchanging gifts with people you don't talk to much. I am so glad my friends and I don't exchange. It get's really out of hand and that would be too much gift giving.

Good luck,
Lori

 

[dss62467]

If you like the presents, I think you should keep them for yourself. If you don't want them, take them back to the store and exchange/refund.

I really think it's important to only have friends that are positive energy in your life. It sounds like these ladies are kind of not. Who wants a friend that picks you apart behind your back?

 

[CathydsRNA]

Don't plan on giving them the presents. You are feeling removed from the friendship and perhaps they are too. If they show up with presents for you, you can give them the presents. If not, keep them for yourself. Don't bog yourself down with these guys if you feel they aren't true friends. Life is too short for that. Spend your time doing things and being with people that are more meaningful to you.

 

[lorihart]

This is what I was leaning towards.I don't think I would have nerve enough to surprise them with their gifts.I wouldn't be able to return the things I got them but I can save them for a B-day gift or keep them for myself.We will see if I hear from them.One of them ran into another friend of mine yesterday and she was telling her that she as called me a million times.Im not stupid,her number was on my phone once and she didn't leave a message.I don't think I will ever be able to break ties completely b/c our DH's are friends.
Anyway,thanks for the advice.Its what I was thinking.
Lori