How to hint at this without sounding ungrateful?

DIYer

My DH is a total cheapskate when it comes to gift giving. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I also don't want to fake happiness when I get more bad gifts. How can I hint to him that his gifts aren't thoughtful OR useful? I would take one or the other!

SuMmErKuTiE

Maybe you don't have to let him know his past gifts weren't thoughtful or useful, and instead you could really hint at what you do want for Christmas.. your birthday.. anniversary etc..

For example if you've had your eye on a new hand bag or piece of jewelery I would just really talk it up around him and be like, "Well I do have a birthday coming up in a few weeks, so maybe I should just wait until then in case soooomeone wants to buy it for me" and then give him a playful wink or kiss. You could even drop an even stronger hint and say, "I'm really hoping you decide to do _______ for my birthday". HTH! 

eviegrl42

I agree with the pp! I think that you should talk up the things you really want or you could just send him the link or a wishlist if you created one... Sometimes I think boys really don't know what to buy... and all they need is a push in the right direction

Redsky

Ah, I can relate... Sometimes my DH gives a nice thoughtful gift, but more often than not it's been something that shouldn't qualify as a gift for any occasion! For example, my last birthday he bought me... a neck pillow. That's it. A cheap one at that. LAME! I thanked him for it of course, no need to hurt his feelings- he obviously thought it made a good gift. But now I hint at a few things I'd like as the date grows closer to help him out. It works! And if you don't think he'll catch the hint, maybe say something like "Oh that [insert desired gift and description] seems so [rave about it here]- good thing I have a birthday coming up!"