What is the worst gift (birthday or otherwise) that you have ever gotten?
19 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Ok--this is easy so I will start really early this Monday morning. Back in the day--say early 90's Drew, John and dad went off birthday shopping. The new thing that year was a watch ring. The thing was as big as a quarter. Drew and Dad thought that it was the greatest find in the history of birthday gifts. BTW they know all this so its no big deal publishing this information. I have to give credit to a young teen John who denied having any involvement in the selection and actually telling me it was the worst gift he had ever seen. Oh by the way--I still have it if anyone is looking for a "lovely gift".
The worst was also the most thoughtful. Major props to my mom for trying and all her efforts. Were I a person who relished being the center of attention, a ape-costumed person delivering balloons to me in high school for my 16th birthday would have been terrific. Unfortunately, I shrink from the spotlight and prefer a quiet, low-key celebration. At least my twin sibling had to endure the “gift” with me.
For my 17th birthday, my grandmother gave me a porcelain doll. Not a nice collectable, a flea market version. This came hot on the heels of her telling me I was the rudest girl she had ever met and that she was never speaking to me again, so naturally we assumed it had a bomb in it. We hung it from the 2nd floor balcony with a pair of stockings for a week. In retrospect, I guess it is a good thing my birthday is around Halloween. Otherwise the neighbors might've wondered.
Two gifts come to mind, and it’s a toss up as to which is the “winner.”
Close relatives, known far and wide for their legendary stinginess, gave us “part” of a desk for a wedding present. I’m talking about the old fashioned, L-shaped desk designed for an office back in the dark ages. One section had drawers and a typewriter compartment (now you see what I mean by old fashioned!). The other – for reading and writing tasks - looked like a table with two legs on the one end. When attached, the result was the L-shaped desk. A person could easily swivel to whichever part he needed.
The relatives gave us with the drawer/typewriter section - complete on 18-inch high metal legs. The idea behind this design was ease for vacuuming and sweeping. They told me it was too “awkward” to transport the desk to the reception. I thought “thank goodness”; it would have been such an embarrassment all the way around. Later I heard through the family grapevine they expected us to put this monstrosity in our living room. It never made it to the living room.
Here’s candidate #2. Once again the occasion was the same wedding (actually my one and only!). Co-workers had me open their group gift in front of them. It turned out to be a used electric frying pan. Talk about an Academy Award performance on my part when thanking them. It was awkward, but I managed to blurt out a few words. Their faces registered shock and annoyance except for the guy who collected the money and purchased the gift. His face was quite red; he was well known for his money problems and financial mismanagement.
The reader can pick the winner of these two.
(True story: A "sensitive" soul gave his terminally ill wife in the nursing home a “surprise gift” - a headstone for her grave. He brought along his girl friend for the occasion; they held hands while he relayed this joyful surprise. Somewhere in hell I’m almost certain they're holding hands …)
This is hard, because I love presents, no matter what they are. It is a little awkward when someone gives me clothes. You'd think they would have learned by now. I weigh 400 pounds, and inevitably somebody gives me a shirt that's size 2XL. I know they mean well, but it always reminds me of that joke by Louie Anderson. He and his mother are driving past a yard sale, and she says "Oh, let's stop, we might find you a shirt!!" And he says "Why, does Raymond Burr live here??" For some reason they think a 2XL is going to fit me. I love them anyway. Keep hope alive. : 0 )
My friend drew me a card on a piece of construction paper with magic markers once. He didn't even draw pictures. I could tell my birthday was totally an after thought.
Many moons ago, I received a half eaten tin of cookies from my grandmother. I just hope she was the one who ate them, and not that she pulled them from someone elses trash (which she would do...).
My boyfriend in college got me a UCLA hat for Christmas. This sucked for several reasons. Primarily, I know he went to visit UCLA and all, but I have zero interest in the school nor did I or would I ever care to wear any apparel advertising it. Also important to highlight, this was the only gift he got me, and I probably spent 3 times as much on his gift. I know it's the thought that counts and all, but we had been together for a year and a half at the time and there was pretty much zero thought put into this purchase. He goes down in history as the worst gift giver I've ever dated.
The worst gift I ever received was, one birthday I got 4 pairs of jeans, one being a white pair, and none of them fit. But I did get to take them back and get other things, but yeah that was funny and bad!
Stick horse that plays music. I received this from a boyfriend for my 25th birthday. It was supposed to be a joke, but it really just annoyed me. Where's the real gift? Plus, this stupid thing was loud and obnoxious and took up space in my closet until I took it to goodwill. I hate joke gifts like that!
Also, recently my dad bought me a handmade purse from a kiosk vendor at work. The handle is made of a string of wooden beads and the actual purse is a patchwork of old jeans (acid wash, faded blue, dark, etc). The best part is that there are about seven Boston Red Sox pins/patches on the front. It was a little unclear whether it was a joke or he honestly thought I would wear it. He said he thought it could be a conversation piece when I'm talking to guys at a bar.
I don't know if it’s really a "gift" but I woke up on my 21st birthday covered from head to toe- My face... EVERYWHERE with Poison Ivy. It was awful. Happy Birthday to me from the evil spawn of Satan- AKA - Poison Ivy. If you can’t tell how much I love the stuff…. I’m one of those people who can get it from a mile away- then need antibiotics and steroids to get rid of it.
tough question. most bad gifts i just throw away and forget about, hence, i can't think of any. the key chain the patent office gave everyone for their "record breaking year" was pretty bad, and retarded.
I would have to say a Playstation 3. It STINKS! Somehow I got hornswaggled into taking a deal where that would be my only present for like 10 years. Well,7 years later, I am regretting that decision.
2) my sister sent in the grandmother/doll story, so clearly we are a family with issues
3) i'm amazed that she didn't share about our latest christmas present from our mom. it's called "away from home". it's a little card you keep in your wallet behind your license, and if you ever die more than 75 miles from home, whoever happens to be your lucky companion, goes through your wallet, calls the 1-800 number, and people come and bring you to your cemetery of choice, free! Did I mention that neither my sister or I have reached our 30th birthdays yet? So for the rest of our long lives (god willing), every time we head on over to the local watering hole for a night out with friends, and pull out our license for the bouncer, we get a little reminder of our own mortality, courtesy of mom. cheers!
I was about 4 or 5 when I figured out that Santa was not real, beacuse all I wanted was a full sized stuffed Ewok for Xmas. My mom always told me to "tell Santa want you want and he will get if for you." So we went to the Mall and I waiting in line, like in "A Christmas Story" (one of the best movies ever made) I finally get to the front of the line and I tell Ol' St. Nick what I wanted. My mother never asked what I asked for and I never told her because this is my mother and he is SANTA the powerful and all knowing - especially now that I told him my wish list! So fast forward to Xmas morning...I got all kinds of goodies but no freakin' Ewok! I later got a "baby" Ewok but never the Full Sized one I was after so many years ago. So in one Xmas, I figured out Santa was fake and I my first bitter taste of true reality! Thanks Mom!!!!
Welcome to Survey of the Week, phase II. Help me make this fun for everyone and give us your best answers. Now you have the chance to defend your thoughts!
19 comments:
Ok--this is easy so I will start really early this Monday morning. Back in the day--say early 90's Drew, John and dad went off birthday shopping. The new thing that year was a watch ring. The thing was as big as a quarter. Drew and Dad thought that it was the greatest find in the history of birthday gifts. BTW they know all this so its no big deal publishing this information. I have to give credit to a young teen John who denied having any involvement in the selection and actually telling me it was the worst gift he had ever seen. Oh by the way--I still have it if anyone is looking for a "lovely gift".
The worst was also the most thoughtful. Major props to my mom for trying and all her efforts. Were I a person who relished being the center of attention, a ape-costumed person delivering balloons to me in high school for my 16th birthday would have been terrific. Unfortunately, I shrink from the spotlight and prefer a quiet, low-key celebration. At least my twin sibling had to endure the “gift” with me.
For my 17th birthday, my grandmother gave me a porcelain doll. Not a nice collectable, a flea market version. This came hot on the heels of her telling me I was the rudest girl she had ever met and that she was never speaking to me again, so naturally we assumed it had a bomb in it. We hung it from the 2nd floor balcony with a pair of stockings for a week. In retrospect, I guess it is a good thing my birthday is around Halloween. Otherwise the neighbors might've wondered.
Two gifts come to mind, and it’s a toss up as to which is the “winner.”
Close relatives, known far and wide for their legendary stinginess, gave us “part” of a desk for a wedding present. I’m talking about the old fashioned, L-shaped desk designed for an office back in the dark ages. One section had drawers and a typewriter compartment (now you see what I mean by old fashioned!). The other – for reading and writing tasks - looked like a table with two legs on the one end. When attached, the result was the L-shaped desk. A person could easily swivel to whichever part he needed.
The relatives gave us with the drawer/typewriter section - complete on 18-inch high metal legs. The idea behind this design was ease for vacuuming and sweeping. They told me it was too “awkward” to transport the desk to the reception. I thought “thank goodness”; it would have been such an embarrassment all the way around. Later I heard through the family grapevine they expected us to put this monstrosity in our living room. It never made it to the living room.
Here’s candidate #2. Once again the occasion was the same wedding (actually my one and only!). Co-workers had me open their group gift in front of them. It turned out to be a used electric frying pan. Talk about an Academy Award performance on my part when thanking them. It was awkward, but I managed to blurt out a few words. Their faces registered shock and annoyance except for the guy who collected the money and purchased the gift. His face was quite red; he was well known for his money problems and financial mismanagement.
The reader can pick the winner of these two.
(True story: A "sensitive" soul gave his terminally ill wife in the nursing home a “surprise gift” - a headstone for her grave. He brought along his girl friend for the occasion; they held hands while he relayed this joyful surprise. Somewhere in hell I’m almost certain they're holding hands …)
This is hard, because I love presents, no matter what they are. It is a little awkward when someone gives me clothes. You'd think they would have learned by now. I weigh 400 pounds, and inevitably somebody gives me a shirt that's size 2XL. I know they mean well, but it always reminds me of that joke by Louie Anderson. He and his mother are driving past a yard sale, and she says "Oh, let's stop, we might find you a shirt!!" And he says "Why, does Raymond Burr live here??" For some reason they think a 2XL is going to fit me. I love them anyway. Keep hope alive. : 0 )
My friend drew me a card on a piece of construction paper with magic markers once. He didn't even draw pictures. I could tell my birthday was totally an after thought.
I receive a turkey or ham from my Uncle every Christmas. I could not want this gift any less. I would much rather he just give me nothing.
Getting nothing is the worst.
Getting some nooky is the best.
Many moons ago, I received a half eaten tin of cookies from my grandmother. I just hope she was the one who ate them, and not that she pulled them from someone elses trash (which she would do...).
My boyfriend in college got me a UCLA hat for Christmas. This sucked for several reasons. Primarily, I know he went to visit UCLA and all, but I have zero interest in the school nor did I or would I ever care to wear any apparel advertising it. Also important to highlight, this was the only gift he got me, and I probably spent 3 times as much on his gift. I know it's the thought that counts and all, but we had been together for a year and a half at the time and there was pretty much zero thought put into this purchase. He goes down in history as the worst gift giver I've ever dated.
The worst gift I ever received was, one birthday I got 4 pairs of jeans, one being a white pair, and none of them fit. But I did get to take them back and get other things, but yeah that was funny and bad!
Stick horse that plays music. I received this from a boyfriend for my 25th birthday. It was supposed to be a joke, but it really just annoyed me. Where's the real gift? Plus, this stupid thing was loud and obnoxious and took up space in my closet until I took it to goodwill. I hate joke gifts like that!
a card without money or a gift.
Also, recently my dad bought me a handmade purse from a kiosk vendor at work. The handle is made of a string of wooden beads and the actual purse is a patchwork of old jeans (acid wash, faded blue, dark, etc). The best part is that there are about seven Boston Red Sox pins/patches on the front. It was a little unclear whether it was a joke or he honestly thought I would wear it. He said he thought it could be a conversation piece when I'm talking to guys at a bar.
I don't know if it’s really a "gift" but I woke up on my 21st birthday covered from head to toe- My face... EVERYWHERE with Poison Ivy. It was awful. Happy Birthday to me from the evil spawn of Satan- AKA - Poison Ivy.
If you can’t tell how much I love the stuff….
I’m one of those people who can get it from a mile away- then need antibiotics and steroids to get rid of it.
tough question. most bad gifts i just throw away and forget about, hence, i can't think of any. the key chain the patent office gave everyone for their "record breaking year" was pretty bad, and retarded.
3rd grade Girl Scout gift exchange. Sylvia Torres brought a used bottle of roll-on men's cologne and my 7 year-old self got stuck with.
Worst part: I still have it.
I would have to say a Playstation 3. It STINKS! Somehow I got hornswaggled into taking a deal where that would be my only present for like 10 years. Well,7 years later, I am regretting that decision.
1) I'm so sorry that I'm late with my response
2) my sister sent in the grandmother/doll story, so clearly we are a family with issues
3) i'm amazed that she didn't share about our latest christmas present from our mom. it's called "away from home". it's a little card you keep in your wallet behind your license, and if you ever die more than 75 miles from home, whoever happens to be your lucky companion, goes through your wallet, calls the 1-800 number, and people come and bring you to your cemetery of choice, free! Did I mention that neither my sister or I have reached our 30th birthdays yet? So for the rest of our long lives (god willing), every time we head on over to the local watering hole for a night out with friends, and pull out our license for the bouncer, we get a little reminder of our own mortality, courtesy of mom. cheers!
I was about 4 or 5 when I figured out that Santa was not real, beacuse all I wanted was a full sized stuffed Ewok for Xmas. My mom always told me to "tell Santa want you want and he will get if for you." So we went to the Mall and I waiting in line, like in "A Christmas Story" (one of the best movies ever made) I finally get to the front of the line and I tell Ol' St. Nick what I wanted. My mother never asked what I asked for and I never told her because this is my mother and he is SANTA the powerful and all knowing - especially now that I told him my wish list! So fast forward to Xmas morning...I got all kinds of goodies but no freakin' Ewok! I later got a "baby" Ewok but never the Full Sized one I was after so many years ago. So in one Xmas, I figured out Santa was fake and I my first bitter taste of true reality! Thanks Mom!!!!
Post a Comment