The naffest of Christmas gifts!

My worst present was three pairs of grey school socks - helpful for my hard up mother but so disappointing for a nine year old. Never forgotten though.

The same year, when I was 14, one aunt gave me a dolly's plastic tea set and another aunt gave me an ashtray with a picture of a footballer on it.

When I was still a child, I gave my father a roll of insulating tape one year.

My DHs wealthy cousin who lived round the corner, used to turn up every year before Christmas with a box of cheap crackers ‘for the children’. She had a housekeeper and man of all trades/chauffeur on site and had inherited lots of money.
Not much thought put into it, but it’s the thought that counts isn’t it?

Actually although I’m quite an imaginative person myself, my mind goes blank when it comes to giving presents, so I shouldn’t complain…

Many years ago my godmother sent my family a miniature plastic toilet set which comprised of a toilet, potty, toilet roll etc as large as a thimble. We couldn’t stop laughing on opening the package. 🤪

My late MIL gifted my son in law a box containing a squirrel thing that emitted a shriek every time a squirrel went near it. We thought it odd as they lived in an upstairs flat with no outside space, so it was left in our daughters bedroom upstairs along with all of her other stuff that she didn’t need but didn’t really want to part with.
Anyway, one day I was having a clear out, saw the box and thought I would check the batteries and if it was ok I would take it to the Charity shop.
Inside the box ? Mens toiletries, a shaving set and flannel!

When all’s said and done I think that consumables are the best if you are not sure what to buy or give.
Chocs, sweeties, nice drinks inc teas, in pretty tins and socks will always get worn eventually.
More personal stuff like perfume if you know the intended recipients, and of course books, cinema tokens etc.
Everything else is a bit of a gamble and you risk wasting your money. Imo

With so many children having and getting so very much already now I just give cash and a nice card.
I love flowers and plants
I love all the Christmas foodie stuff, and all the decorations and am happy with that.
I don’t like to think of anyone agonising over what to give me and unless I’ve promised a specific gift to my children ie something “kitchen” it is usually one of the above token gifts.

For those who remember phoenix

Quote phoenix Sat 16-Dec-17 17:55:35

“Evening all, hope you are well, and sending every good wish to all.

Well, Mr P has finally opened his own Amazon account, I think my irate response to being told that an air purifier that I had (not) ordered, was on it's way (In fairness to him, I had told him that I had been diagnosed with COPD, and he has a bit of a knee jerk reaction.) has finally made him stop using mine! )

But now the worry starts. He has proudly declared that he has bought "all" of my Christmas presents shock

On previous Christmas mornings, I have opened a parcel that by the shape I was pretty certain/hoping that it was some kind of tablet, perhaps a Hudl?

No, it was a digital air compressor, because I had had an unfortunate incident a few months earlier with a flat tyre. confused

On another Christmas morning, I was presented with a beautifully wrapped toilet seat.hmm In all fairness to him, I had been complaining about the seat in the downstairs loo, which had the tendency to try to throw you off sideways like a bucking bronco, or let the lid slam down on your back, so I suppose it did at least show he had been listening! grin

In his defence, some years ago when I was at the height of menopausal hot flushes, he bought me 2 gorgeous chrome sort of retro fans, one for the kitchen, one for the bedroom.

But I'm still a tad apprehensive..................................!“

😂😘

Many moons ago one of my friends got a lair in the cemetery from her mother in law at Christmas, as did the lady’s other children!
Mind you, at today’s prices lairs in our cemetery are £1,500, so presumably either my friend or her husband will be grateful, depending on who snuffs it first!

A frying pan🤬

Haha, sounds like something out of a Barbara Pym novel 😊

RosieandherMaw

Flippinheck

RosieandherMaw

Flippinheck

Sense of humour failure, RosiandherMaw?

I don't think so.
Mocking others whom you don't know has nothing to do with "humour" unless you also subscribe to locker room banter.

Isn’t that exactly what you are doing? Aren’t you mocking others in your post? That’s how I read it anyway.

Only taking my lead from others, it seems I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t….

You were one of the first to reply. How is that taking your lead from others? Were you just having a grumpy day?

Squiffy that made me smile, what a lady RIP💐

Sadly, I missed out on phoenix who had departed before I joined GN. She must be sorely missed.

Crinoline lady loo roll cosies - remember them?

At a christmas dinner we had to take one present and a game was played. Can't remember the details but you got given a present and others could 'steal' it from you. We got the Crinoline lady and someone 'stole' it from us - they thought it was lovely.

MyDH not known for his gift giving once gave me a small box at Christmas. I got quite excited as it was my only gift from him. It turned out to be a freebie watch that was being given by the company he worked for to its favoured customers!

A bright orange nylon polka dotted baby doll nightlife (very short) from my somewhat difficult MiL....!!!! By this point I had 2 children aged 6 and 4!

You were one of the first to reply. How is that taking your lead from others? Were you just having a grumpy day

Oh give it (and me) a rest.
Terriers and rabbit holes spring to mind.
I don’t need to justify myself to you or anybody - but here goes- I was panned for NOT “joining in, in the spirit” then equally so when I tried.
I suppose the anniversary of DH’s death might have reminded me there are worse things than “naff” Christmas presents.
(Some people don’t get any and might be grateful)
So as I said - damned if I did and damned if I didn’t.

RosieandherMaw

RosieandMaw I can see why this thread might have irritated you especially at such a time as that Anniversary. You are right that there are worse things than "naff" Xmas presents too.

I dont think this thread was meant to be unkind; just a gentle laugh at some puzzling present mismatches really. I have certainly had a giggle- including at the bottle for peeing in on long car journeys that one poster who hardly ever does car journeys received!

Anyway hope you are feeling ok as life has to go on despite hard anniversaries, as I know only too well 💐

I am very sorry for your loss RosieandherMaw and I know from personal experience how triggering the anniversary of the death of a loved one can be (I had one on the 2 Nov) but I think in future you should avoid threads that are going to enrage and upset you.

I hope you fell less angry and miserable soon.

This has really unnerved me to be honest to think what all my friends think about presents I buy them I try to think of things they’d like or are connected with, but maybe they think gosh that’s naff and whip it off to the nearest charity shop
I think this is a bit of a sad thread

Honestly, it started as just a bit of fun, I wasn’t even talking about something I had been given, just something I had seen online that I didn’t want - it wasn't personalised at all. I really did not expect anybody to take offence, but whatever is posted, there are different perspectives, and attempts to have some fun are thwarted. I don’t know what the answer is.

I know I have given people awful presents in the past and I just hope that they received them in the same way that I have received awful presents.

I don't get offended as, at worst, any present is an act of generosity (some more than others). At best an awful present can make you laugh which is a gift in itself.

Perhaps I don't take life seriously enough.

Well, Casdon, I've enjoyed reading all of the above comments.

GrannySomerset

My worst present was three pairs of grey school socks - helpful for my hard up mother but so disappointing for a nine year old. Never forgotten though.

My granny always bought us knickers and vests. Not very exciting for a child but my mother always said it was thoughtful and we should appreciate it as we all need knickers and vests.

For some strange reason my mother never felt the need to buy my children such thoughtful presents, they got toys and then money when they got older.