I am like a fart in a room.
In my family, I am the introverted thing that has use until I don't and then back into corner, frustrated that I have been taken out for so long . For Christmas I asked for one thing: to have one of my pictures blown up so I can hang it for my room. I felt it would be reasonable and may be my photos would be fussed over for a minute. I would have something tangible object that showed me that I exist and they're proud of me.
I don't think my family has gotten me anything for Christmas.
That pretty much sums it up, may be they'll get to know me in the new year of my forty second year on this cunt of a planet. May be next year I'll be human.
Aw, this made me so sad.

You're human.
May I ask your advice, though? If, say, you were my closest cousin or my brother (and didn't have photos you wanted blown up/ let's pretend you don't have that hobby...or any known hobby, really, but otherwise were you/ feel as you do), what should I get you for Christmas?
That's a weird way of saying I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet, and I have a mid-life NEET on my list that I love dearly but we don't really talk because he really is socially awkward, which makes me not know what's OK to talk about, etc., so I don't know what to get him*. Might end up being Chik-fil-a gift cards (he's a huge fan and broke) and some candy...or some kind of weird cool random thing but I don't know what.
*I re-read your comment and had previously missed what you said about maybe next year your family will get to know you.
One my deep pains is the distance between me and the person I'm talking about. We should be close. I want to be close. But we've both been so absorbed in our own lives, which are wildly different, that at 50 we barely have a direct conversation. He is really smart, but extremely stilted in conversation - you can see it takes effort - and he kind of just shows up (or doesn't) to and disappears from family things after shoveling in food (everything on separate plates). And I feel like he does that both from discomfort or better things to do but it's so hard to talk to him I end up not. And I feel terrible and guilty and sad about it. But when he does talk, it's heavy on conspiracy or random stuff, and it's not like you can do more than ask about it, but if I were to question it, he'd get mad, and I don't want that, so the conversation just kind of dies. He doesn't make eye contact or ever seem relaxed, so it's kind of tense to be around. And he will sometimes try to start conversations, but his questions tend to be yes/ no. And he, like me of his, has no concept of my life or what running it entails...and doesn't seem that interested in the details tbh.
And also tbh I think carry some resentment toward him bc it's never seemed to occur to him to reach out or to offer to lend a hand when I've had massive things to manage at times and an extra pair of (strong) hands would have been really, really nice (no, I have not asked bc I don't really want to face the rejection) - or even just stop by or check on me once in a long period that my life absolutely fell apart. And that might be why I struggle now to do all the conversational work.
Tl; dr: I think my loved one is a NEET (undiagnosed and paranoid about any diagnosing or medical care) depressed autist, and despite spending all my spare time on this site talking to - and in some cases becoming friends with - autists and/ or NEETs or just people who are unhappy or lonely to a medium or very high degree and who struggle with social things a little or a lot, I have utterly failed to do the same IRL.
And I just put it all together while writing this long-ass tmi comment (but too bad, I'm leaving it bc this is important...and I would really like to have a relationship with this person).
So I am asking someone in (near-) midlife who feels forgotten or ignored by family: what would make you feel welcomed and loved?
And to any autistic or awkward or whatever people out there (not saying that's you, OP), I would really appreciate suggestions for how to relate better, bring him out of his shell or at least make him not want to bolt randomly and rudely or just disappear like Homer into the bushes (ok, he usually just stands up after a bit of being there but not saying much and announces, "well, I gotta go, good to see everybody, bye, y'all," and then goes for a 15-mile walk or something, no one knows). I feel like being direct with him about my frustrations or resentments would be...a bad idea and way OTT for anyone, but especially someone with a low threshold for frustration - plus just not really a way to start trying to CREATE a relationship. So I guess I need to stop being in my feelings and reach out with an open heart and mind - but I have no idea how to start a conversation with him, much less a relationship. He doesn't do anything (that I know of), doesn't talk much about things he likes to do (walking and...?), doesn't help around his parents' house at all, nothing. Help.
Also: your mention of the photo inspired me to add to my person above's gift plan maybe a framed photo of a place he's traveled to but I know took no photos of (he is a flipphone guy at most and carries no camera either despite have traveled to some amazing places...). And we are getting a picture together tomorrow, damnit! (Or tonight, bc we're having a family dinner and I just confirmed he will be there).
Eta: my mother just called me an idiot for not doing my Christmas shopping until today. Love you, Mom!