Ah, a place to rant!
My parents obviously do not understand nerds. I think they might try, but because they REFUSE to buy any electronics for me or games I ask for, there isn't much they will allow themselves to get me. So when I ask for nothing, because I know they are going to disappoint me, they respond by telling me to give them a list. So I write up a shopping list of the things I've been waiting for a good opportunity to buy, and without fail, year after year, they buy the thing I want on the list the least. I can't fully fault them for failing, because I buy pretty much anything I want over the year with my own money, but if I'm asking for something, don't try to throw me a curve-ball and not get what I'm asking for. As far as I'm concerned, they are throwing their money away because I can't appreciate the gift, and therefore the money spent on it. The money belongs in their pocket where it can be used on something that I will like, such as... oh I don't know... like buying food to support the family instead of things that no one wants.
This year, I had 3 things that were on my list that were a reasonable price. A blanket, and the special edition DVDs of Star Trek and Inglorious Basterds. I also asked SPECIFICALLY to not get any sort of clothes, because I have too many that I don't wear. Knowing that wasn't good enough for my parents, I told them exactly which shirt to buy if they really felt I needed clothes.
So what I got was a USED copy of normal edition Star Trek (Between the two, I really wanted IB) and a random shirt that wasn't the one I asked for. The real kicker about the DVD was that I already made a DVD+R copy of Star Trek, and the only reason I wanted it was to get the things that would be stupid or impossible to copy (like the fancy box) and to support the makers of the movie because I always try to buy the things that I like. With a used copy, the film makers don't get my money, I don't get a special box, and I can't justify buying it again because I already own it legitimately now.
I bet I'm coming off as a spoiled brat to some of you. Like I tried to say though, I buy all my stuff because I try to be as self-sufficient as possible when buying my entertainment. I have a job and living at home probably cuts my living costs in third, so my dollar is worth far less to me than my parent's dollars. Any money spent on me is money that probably would have been better spent on supporting the family than to buy me something that I don't want or won't use.