Christmas presents

[wellinghall]

What are the worst Christmas presents you have seen advertised? I think a pack of three electronic timers, and Tesco gift vouchers, vie for the honour.

Comments

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy with both these actually (although I agree that they are not all that exciting) so you'll have to find some more ;)

Someone once bought me a mop for my birthday (unasked for that is) so you'll have to try really hard to beat that for a bad present.

Although I did buy someone some clothespegs (special ones) which went down okay, but you'd have to know the person well to do that I think!!

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

Indeed they would...but not if a. they could get 3 things they need/would like in Tesco for the price of one in John Lewis, and b. not if they don't live near a John Lewis :)

I'd be happy with a bigger pen drive (although again it's pretty boring). Or indeed socks*, so long as they are the sort I like, I need some more. It seems that people's opinions do vary widely - the thing about a good present is that it fits the person - eg. I get annoyed with the "fancy" things from my MiL that some people think are nice presents but I just find annoying, hard to clean and have nowhere to put them. A lot of people get what THEY like not what the recipient would really like. Clearly people are voting for basic household cleaning equipment (except in exceptional cases), as a definite no-no, though :D

(*I'd also like, in a mad moment of fantasy, for someone who knows me really well to buy me something amazing, creative, and just right to delight me, whether it costs a lot of not).

[asklepia.livejournal.com]

I think the worst I've seen advertised are "scratchies" - lottery tickets where you scratch off the concealing coat to reveal if you've won a prize or not (usually not, of course).

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

I dunno, if you've only got a £1 to spend and/or can't think of anything else, seems all right? I'd be happy with this too (as long as I didn't get 10s of them and nothing else...well except that I appreciate most things really anyway. Except mops and random unuseful house paraphernalia that my MiL often resorts too (quite clearly in a mad dash round one specific shop)!

Nope, not convinved yet, keep trying people ;)

[asklepia.livejournal.com]

Well if you're going to include things that you've actually received ... my mother once gave me a toilet brush as a Christmas present. Luckily it wasn't the only thing she gave me that year, but still, it was somewhat disconcerting.

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

Dear me, that is poor form.

[muuranker.livejournal.com]

My ex-jobshare partner used to buy all her (then our, now my) staff one of those and put it, and a chocolate coin in thier Christmas cards. I think this is charming .... but I haven't continued the tradition (I make a donation to the South Georgia Heritage Trust).

[muuranker.livejournal.com]

I _have_ continued the tradition of buying the wine for the Christmas party. And while I was there last year, this year I continued the tradition of not actually being there.

Thus I missed the outing of two members of staff who admit that they are due in May. I already sort-of knew about a third member of staff.

What _is it_ about our line of work? People keep enjoying themselves. I have instructed my management team to duct-tape together the knees of any female left in the building who is not gravid.


Sorry, this has gone way off topic ....

[segh.livejournal.com]

I think that's one of the horridest things I've ever seen, in or out of the Christmas season!

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

You've not met my daughter... ;)

Seriously, it is a bit horrid isn't it?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Good grief!

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

For the record, if anyone gives you a Tesco gift voucher, and you don't want it, feel free to give it to me :-).

[segh.livejournal.com]

I adore Hawkin usually. But this is beyond the pale:
http://www.hawkin.com/find/category-is-Games/category-is-Games+for+Children/product-is-10119

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Er - quite!

[lalwendeboggart.livejournal.com]

I always find those sets of de-icer for the car very depressing. Imagine your delight to open one of those!

My mum was given a Tesco value pedal bin about 2 years ago, by my brother's girlfriend after my mum had asked him to tell her not to dump 'sanitary products' in her toilet. My mum is usually hyper-polite and nice about any gift, but she was actually visibly angry and insulted about it! :O

I saw some wrinkle cream for men advertised as suitable for a gift - and I think I'd find that a wee bit insulting if I was a man!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I always find those sets of de-icer for the car very depressing

Oh no!

[ladyofastolat.livejournal.com]

From my point of view, pretty much anything in the "For Her" section of Christmas catalogues?

However, years of receiving "presenty" things from various relatives that end up sitting untouched in a drawer, I think I'm being converted to the "boring but useful" gift, at least over the "interesting gift-like thing bought for someone whose tastes I don't actually know". At least a Tesco voucher is something you can use (assuming you have a shop somewhere nearby.)

However, I will never forget the look of bemused outrage on my Dad's face when he and my Mum received a joint present of a non-stick frying pan from someone.

[el-staplador.livejournal.com]

I don't know about 'advertised' - but my mother was less than impressed when she received a hot water bottle from my father. How much this had to do with the subsequent breakup of their marriage I couldn't say. ;-)

[philmophlegm.livejournal.com]

A tub of Philadelphia Light and a copy of Heat magazine (JOLF Plymouth Secret Santa, 2006) takes some beating.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

That's ... pretty bad.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I suppose it depends on the recipient really. I always thought those ads for festive vacuum cleaners and washing machines were the worst, but I know someone who has just had a washing machine as an early present and she is delighted, having spent the last 6 months washing everything by hand.

I think my money is still on the USB humping dog.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Hah, see the video I've just put up!

(Although I confess that adaese and I once gave each other half a washing machine for our birthdays).

[didiusjulianus.livejournal.com]

Indeed, it possibly depends partly one one's socio-economic situation at the time. It probably also depends whether your family view gift giving as a mainly practical exercise, or a more fantasy-based one. I'd LOVE a new washing machine/fridge freezer/mini vacuum that actually sucks/printer. (All these are on their last legs at our house if not actually dead in one case, we'll have to buy our own). We're actuallly getting a dishwasher this year and I am really excited. Humping dog sounds bad, but haven't seen it.

[lalwendeboggart.livejournal.com]

The worst gift idea ever was one for Mother's Day that some chaps were selling on Chesterfield Market (which is a fab market BTW). They were shouting "Get your special ironing board covers! Perfect for Mother's Day!"

Flowers, chocolates, fripperies, yes. Things to help your mother iron your clothes more efficiently, no.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

?!?!?!