What I DON'T want for Christmas
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (338682)
Rockingham, Australia
December 7, 2015 5:02am CST
I presume this latest fad is alive and well in all countries. I know they have in England at least. I'm talking about colouring-in books for adults. I don't want to knock anyone's idea of what they enjoy but frankly I can't think of anything worse. (Apologies in advance if you love colouring-in.)
In Australia they seem to be all the rage. There are all sorts available; some complete with a multitude of very fancy pencils and a very fancy price tag. I really, really, really hope I don't get one for Christmas. What say you?
PS: I don't even have a coloured pencil I can take a photo of so I'll put one up of a little kangaroo.
39 people like this
43 responses
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
7 Dec 15
I wouldn't have any issues with a grown up colouring book - I know a few people I am tempted to buy them for
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
7 Dec 15
@JudyEv hopefully you won't get presents you can't fully appreciate
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 15
@arthurchappell I can't imagine anyone buying me one - but you never know! I'll keep you posted after Christmas.
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 15
Not sure what you mean. I like doing jigsaws. Is that the same thing?
@lotty71 (92)
• Epsom, England
7 Dec 15
I think that I have to agree with you! As a child I enjoyed 'colouring in' but the very idea of starting the day with my husband asking me what I would like for Christmas and the reply being a colouring book for adults...... please, would certainly leave him flabbergasted!!!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 15
Haha. I can imagine this. I wonder if there are any men out there colouring in? But actually I know of one who has a book but I don't think he has used it. He has mesothelioma and finds the day very hard to fill in.
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
7 Dec 15
Not sure I could be bothered with a book like this but I can see how they might appeal to many people. Coloring in is art and expressing yourself through color is a good distraction from daily headaches, I'd imagine.
2 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
11 Dec 15
My husband paints properly for relaxation but if he cannot get the
colours exactly right the relaxing goes out of the window...
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad I can believe this. Same with many hobbies I guess, My sister-in-law used to sew for relaxation but as soon as something went a bit wrong, everyone else would leave the house!
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
8 Dec 15
I will arrange to send some coloured pencils to you.
.
I simply have no idea if people in England gift colouring-in books for adults. I would love to receive one.
I am sure we are not going to get any gift (except Christmas cake from dear friends) as we don't celebrate Christmas.
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I simply have no idea if people in England gift colouring-in books for adults. I would love to receive one.
I am sure we are not going to get any gift (except Christmas cake from dear friends) as we don't celebrate Christmas.1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
9 Dec 15
@JudyEv - I do not mind even if I am not going to receive thanks for the coloured pencils. I believe that if I happen to send you coloured pencils, I am done with my part, it is for you to decide whether I deserve 'thanks' or not ....... ha ha ha ha ha
I was just kidding, when I said I would love to receive an adult colouring book.
It is good idea to colour and if I feel like implementing it, I could buy a colouring book from the market, instead of asking someone to buy it for me. 
It is good to hear that you loved the coloured pencil (picture).
It is good idea to colour and if I feel like implementing it, I could buy a colouring book from the market, instead of asking someone to buy it for me.
It is good to hear that you loved the coloured pencil (picture).1 person likes this
@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 15
Haha! You probably wouldn't get thanked for the pencils - at least not very sincerely. You don't need to wait for Christmas to receive a colouring book. You should let your nearest and dearest know that you'd like one. I love the photo! I must admit the pencils always look really nice.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 15
@dpk262006 Apparently there are free colouring pages available on the web. You would just need to print them out. When I was reading about decluttering, it said you shouldn't worry about giving away gifts you no longer need - that the 'giver' has no more rights over the gift once it has been 'given' - which is a bit like you saying I don't need to say thank you - but I would of course. :)
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@much2say (55330)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Dec 15
Oh thank goodness you said this - these are my thoughts exactly! I understand the concept of them, but it wouldn't be my cup of tea. I am an artist myself and prefer to create my own drawings rather than "color in" some graphics which I could very well create myself. Also I'm not the sort to "color within the lines". But shhhh, if anyone wants to do them without having to pay the price, I've seen free ones online that you can print out!
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sorry @JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 15
@rebelann It's a long time since I heard the term I think. My husband is a shutterbug too. Rather than get impatient waiting for him to take photos while we were away, I took a point and shoot camera. I now have nearly as many photos as he has - and some are nearly as good!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 Dec 15
I already know I am getting one of the adult coloring books for Christmas. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but for me it will be a way to relax.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
8 Dec 15
@JudyEv One of the former mylotters of the old site has one that she uses to help her relax. I don't think she is on here now but she's been very sick and it helps her.
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 15
@ScribbledAdNauseum Everyone has different likes and dislikes. I'm pleased if colouring helps people cope with their daily lives. It's just not for me.
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@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
7 Dec 15
@JudyEv It is not juvenile at all - more people should try it - its relaxing.
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@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
11 Dec 15
@JudyEv when I was young and got stressed out I used to get on my bike and peddle as fast and as far as I could. This is a great reliever of stress, maybe an exercise bike might also do the trick but in a rather boring way.
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@Fleura (30172)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 15
Oh yes they're all the rage here. I wouldn't mind in theory but I simply don't have time for that sort of thing! I did consider some years ago buying the anatomy colouring book, which is very popular with medical students and apparently really helps them remember anatomy. But again, no time!
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 15
@Fleura I would get completely stressed doing something so - not sure what word I want - maybe useless! Just an absolute waste of time in my book (no pun intended). Here I am saying this and I spend ages playing spider solitaire! I am such a hypocrite.
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@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
11 Dec 15
The men here in Greece use worry beads to relieve anxiety. They have them on a string and toss them around or just fiddle with them. They are quite attractive but if I had them I would turn them into earrings. I get a lot of stress relief making earrings!
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@cherigucchi (14876)
• Philippines
8 Dec 15
I remembering coloring my kids'coloring books before. 
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@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
11 Dec 15
I remember colouring paint books with brushes dipped in water and the colours appeared as if by magic. It was really frustrating. Perhaps someone will make that a new fad too. @JudyEv
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad I remember these too. Why was it frustrating? I remember being given some carbon paper and transferring pictures using that. I thought that was pretty magic at the time.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
7 Dec 15
They are all the rage here but I am with you, it is not something I care about.
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@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
8 Dec 15
Oh sure now you tell me, I am going to have to return your kangaroo coloring book!! lol @JudyEv
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Dec 15
@BelleStarr I just might make an exception for kangaroos - and I'd only need one pencil - a brown one. And perhaps black for noses and paws. :)
2 people like this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
9 Dec 15
Much to my husband's surprise I've just bought one for my stepdaughter for Christmas, I have a memory of her stealing a page of her kids one to colour in 
, but I'm not sure I'd want one myself.
, but I'm not sure I'd want one myself.1 person likes this
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
9 Dec 15
I've just thought, candles you can add that to my list of gifts I don't want
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@JudyEv (338682)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 15
@Dragonairy1 I'm not fussed about candles either. I thought I wasn't fussy but there are now about four things I don't want :)
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