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I'm shaking my head at the people in this thread laughing at the OP, treating him like he's ungrateful, or giving him a guilt-trip simply because Grandpa's older and is going to die someday. We're ALL going to die. And if in fact Grandpa's doing this on purpose, and the OP dies, Grandpa will probably feel guilty for using Christmas to bring him down.
You're right. It sounds odd. Especially since it sounds as if it happens to no one else but you. It's totally not appropriate, it's completely offending you, he's done it a few years running, and other relatives are noticing.
I think you should have one of your relatives who agrees with you pull Grandpa aside and have this conversation. Have the person say, "You know what Grandpa? I know gift-giving isn't your thing, but maybe you could give BluBlu some more age-appropriate gifts. You do realize he's over 30? I know of some things he'd really be into."
The relative should work it around, find the right words, so that it comes across polite and helpful as opposed to confrontational... but really strive to get the point across too, so Grandpa gets the memo.
If he continues doing it after that, then he's honestly just being a jerk and a weirdo.
If it's unfortunate enough to come to that, then you shouldn't even worry about it from now on.
And if you were truly that upset to the point of wanting to shed a tear last year, I'd find it hard to believe he wouldn't have noticed that look on your face. Some people use gift-giving occasions to be passive-aggressive, unfortunately. A psychological thing, I guess. Well, I say two can play that game. Start buying some some stuffed animals or cheap party gifts from the dollar store that obviously required no thought.
Hopefully getting a relative to bring it up to him will work though.
How about you or another family member suggest a store where he can get you a gift certificate. Tell him you'd like a gift certificate for store (X) because there's something that you'd REALLY like to buy.
Grandpa would probably be relieved that he doesn't have to wander around any more stores trying to figure out what to buy you.
Tell Grandpa that you appreciate the thought. But also let him know that he should save the money and use it for his retirement, that you would prefer a card and a current photo of him.
old people are brutally honest, maybe it's the rest of your family that you should be having a heart-to-heart with on why they are avoiding dealing with your condition.
How about you or another family member suggest a store where he can get you a gift certificate. Tell him you'd like a gift certificate for store (X) because there's something that you'd REALLY like to buy.
Grandpa would probably be relieved that he doesn't have to wander around any more stores trying to figure out what to buy you.
That sounds like a good idea.
He probably bought the dog because it was a gift that would make you laugh. Lots of people have cute "toys" and stuffed animals in their cubicals or offices.
My 25 year old daughter was just on the phone talking about their secret Santa gift exchange at work. She bought a Nerf gun that shoots soft foam discs for the 20 something year old man. She said that all the guys (mostly early to mid 20s) kept playing with the toy during the party and everyone loved it. It probably is labeled and sold as "ages 6 and up".
Men, in general, are terrible at buying presents.
For my 24th birthday my fiance bought me a box of 64 crayons.
Sometimes, it really is "the thought that counts".
Tell Grandpa that you appreciate the thought. But also let him know that he should save the money and use it for his retirement, that you would prefer a card and a current photo of him.
Ooh yeah!
This is good.
Perfect phony way to pretend like he cares and eliminate the whole gift-receiving situation altogether. I like that a lot.
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Start buying some some stuffed animals or cheap party gifts from the dollar store that obviously required no thought. 
