The naffest of Christmas gifts!

Nanagem

When I was first married and had young children my mum and dad would give me lovely presents nice bubble bath a beautiful jumper things I couldn’t afford or justify.

The first year without her my dad bought me a set of sauce pans. Yes they were very stylish, very good quality and obviously cost a lot of money. I know I needed them I was still using a cheap set I got when first married. But I was gutted, I wanted my bubble bath something for me not the house. I was suitably grateful and smiled but sad and missed my mum

Move on 20 odd years and these pans used practically every day, are still in excellent condition, just a slight dent on the bottom of one where I dropped it. I use them all the time and now dads gone they make me smile. Poor dad he bought me something really good and I didn’t appreciate it. I would be lost without them now

I did something similar for DD. She had moved into new house with SIL, bought things they needed but she still had her tatty cutlery from uni days so I bought them some nice cutlery as well as some personal bits. They clearly weren't thrilled. A little while later she apologised and said she now realised how much nicer it was to have decent cutlery and loved the present.

When I was first married and had young children my mum and dad would give me lovely presents nice bubble bath a beautiful jumper things I couldn’t afford or justify.

The first year without her my dad bought me a set of sauce pans. Yes they were very stylish, very good quality and obviously cost a lot of money. I know I needed them I was still using a cheap set I got when first married. But I was gutted, I wanted my bubble bath something for me not the house. I was suitably grateful and smiled but sad and missed my mum

Move on 20 odd years and these pans used practically every day, are still in excellent condition, just a slight dent on the bottom of one where I dropped it. I use them all the time and now dads gone they make me smile. Poor dad he bought me something really good and I didn’t appreciate it. I would be lost without them now

We have just ordered a new toilet seat. I've wanted a wooden one for ages and it did cost an arm and a leg, but when the other half said - in all seriousness - "Would you like that for Christmas?" Well, he could be wearing it when it arrives.

Ha ha but for a good cause

DH used to buy household items as gifts for me. Deep fat fryer, electric carving knife, non stick pans. He did give me clothes and perfume too.
Many years ago my sister gave me a salad spinner, when I unwrapped it and saw the picture on the box I didn't open the box, just put it in a kitchen cupboard ready for summer and salads. Many months later my sister asked me why I had never worn the bracelet she gave me, what bracelet? Apparently BIL thought it would be fun to hide the expensive gift inside the salad spinner 🤔

JamesandJon33

My parents once gave us an ironing board. My dad walk round to our house on Christmas morning with it under his arm. It was beautifully wrapped, but you could tell what it was. We were in need of one though.

I love a practical present when it's something you need.

My parents once gave us an ironing board. My dad walk round to our house on Christmas morning with it under his arm. It was beautifully wrapped, but you could tell what it was. We were in need of one though.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 💐

RosieandherMaw

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

Squiffy that made me smile, what a lady RIP💐

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?

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

A frying pan🤬

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!