I received this for Christmas, is it okay for me to return it and keep the money for myself?

That's not the issue and you are the definition of being "passive aggressive". Look it up.

Go have a talk with your dad. Explain to him how you feel. Don't be passive aggressive. It will become a personality trait.

You're thinking is flawed anyways because sooner or later, your dad will want to see your watch on your wrist (or ask about it) and it will be a different watch. He will definitely ask you about it and know something is up.

I suggest you put the watch away until you're more mature and earn the money yourself for what you want since the stores will accept the merchandise back but ONLY with the receipt and then you can either buy another watch or can get a debit card from them but must buy at the same place, and there's no telling that the software you wanted is in the same store or not. But you said the item you wanted is expensive, maybe more expensive than the watch, or if you go to return it right away (which is what you have to do) the item you get might be broked and have been returned to the store and may or may not work right so you're taking your chances. Maybe your dad is right, that he wants you to have something to remember him by so it's a putdown to buy something else on his gift money. He wanted you to have a watch. Like maybe to wear it on an interview so you can earn your own way. He didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Maybe he's telling you that Christmas is the heart of giving. Or maybe he's telling you that you need to invest in things you "need" rather than what you "want" and to learn the difference between the two. Keep smilin' and Merry Christmas.

No I wouldn't my dad works with software and his famous saying is "software has the shelf life of a banana" that watch you will have forever, when I graduated high-school i got a gold wrist band and I wear it every day best gift I ever got. Your parents wanted to buy you a gift you would have forever and can pass on, even if you did exchange it for money why spend it on something that is going to become outdated in a year and a half or so?

This makes me a little sad this eve of Christmas. You should be really grateful for the watch that your father picked out. It sounds like it came from the heart. Maybe you can start saving up, maybe get a job if you don't have one already, and buy the software that you need to complete your tasks! Merry Christmas to you! Stay positive!

If you have to ask, Martin, I think you know what the answer is. You should be asking the person that gave you the watch, not us.

No. You have clearly learned nothing, you are supposed to be thankful for any gift received.

don't do like a lost son in the bible and laiter come back crying