# Really lousy Christmas presents. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 30, 2008, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040 "2008-11-30T10:30:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/61 "2008-12-02T20:46:26Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > That’s just plain mean-spirited. Ow. Can’t beat that. Even the Christmas where my sister, who was 20 years older than, took my presents out of the boxes and filled them charcoal. You know, so I’d think Santa thought i was bad and everything. Yeah, she gave me my stuff, but everyone laughed at my shock and eventual tears when I opened the presents on Xmas morning. I’m amazed I didn’t grow up to be a serial killer. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/62 "2008-12-02T20:58:30Z")
Silverware. Even though my mother knew I had a perfectly functional set she felt compelled to buy me a new set. And the bad part is that my old set is better quality than the new set. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/63 "2008-12-02T21:03:31Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > We looked at each other. We looked at Great Grandma. She looked proud and said, “Now maybe you’ll pick your clothes up off the floor!” I used to work for a Sikh. The guy was pretty much an entitled jerk. Company funds often went to donations to his ashram. At one point, he decided that the ashram was too far to go home to every night, so he stayed with the VP and his wife. Apparently, he took over their house. He’d lay on the couch every night watching waht he wanted to watch on the TV, disregarding his hosts’ wishes. And of course he ate their food. When Winter Solstice came around (he didn’t believe in Christmas, and thought no one should celebrate it), he got a gift for the VP’s wife. It was a vegetarian cookbook. “Now maybe she’ll get the hint”, he said. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/64 "2008-12-02T21:35:04Z")
And the VP didn’t tell him to take a hike? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/65 "2008-12-02T21:40:58Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > And the VP didn’t tell him to take a hike? I wasn’t there. Eventually he stopped staying there, though. I did have this fantasy of all of his stuff out on the street, and the VP’s wife saying “Now maybe **he’ll** get the hint!” But she was pretty meek, so I doubt that happened. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/66 "2008-12-02T21:45:22Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > That’s just plain mean-spirited. Well, if it makes you feel any better, we didn’t pick our clothes up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/67 "2008-12-02T22:35:37Z")
Unlike me, my parents like to travel. One year my sister and I each got a box of those mini soaps and shampoos and conditioners and lotions and stuff they give you at hotels. Although in fairness I’ve given some pretty lame presents myself, like the Spaghetti-On-A-Fork Suspended In Air sculpture I gave to my dad one year. He kept it in is office for years, then we sold it at a flea market. Pretty crappy; I give much better presents now. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/68 "2008-12-02T22:40:52Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > Can we have a Ron thread? He sounds like he’s got a lot of potential for entertainment value. Your wish is [my command](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10521744#post10521744). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/69 "2008-12-02T23:17:23Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > Your wish is [my command](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10521744#post10521744). Careful, there, missy. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/70 "2008-12-02T23:27:15Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > But not as funny as my older brother who asked for argyle socks one year. And that was all he got. From every single one of us. Socks, socks, and more socks. When I was becoming better friends with another friend’s sis, I said something like, “Man, you sure like Kermit, don’t you” in reaction to the seemingly thousands of Kermit- and other frog-like… _things_ adorning her room. She said, “I said _once_ that I liked frogs. And everyone, since that day, has given me some kind of frog for every holiday.” And then she fed the pet frog on the kitchen table. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/71 "2008-12-03T00:06:24Z")
Seriously, beware of becoming a collector! Or, at least beware of telling people. Don’t get me wrong, I still sort of dig Hello Kitty. But, for me, the fun was about 10 years ago, before she had made her big comeback, when I would scout “junk” stores and get totally excited to find a Hello Kitty item. One that was actually from the time period that I first fell in love with her. Fast forward…I’m 41, now. If you find an HK item that is SO AMAZINGLY unique or you found it in a “junk” store or whatever, bring it on! A calendar is also useful or even ordinary kitchen items that I will actually use! Don’t just storm the dollar aisle at Target and buy me everything that they have. Yes, I’ll think it’s cute, but it will get put in the storage box under my bed. The one that contains all of the cute, but non-functional HK items. Hey, I wear the socks and jammies. I use the bowl, plate and silverware when my niece comes over. Pens are fine. Things I can USE. Just don’t use it as an “easy out” gift. Whew…didn’t know I had all of that in there. Anyway, the most fun part of being a collector is…COLLECTING! Don’t take it all away from us! As you were… ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/72 "2008-12-03T00:13:11Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > When I was becoming better friends with another friend’s sis, I said something like, “Man, you sure like Kermit, don’t you” in reaction to the seemingly thousands of Kermit- and other frog-like… _things_ adorning her room. She said, “I said _once_ that I liked frogs. And everyone, since that day, has given me some kind of frog for every holiday.” > > And then she fed the pet frog on the kitchen table. You know, we all come from frogs. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/73 "2008-12-03T00:46:50Z")
> [@gravitycrash](#): > > Silverware. Even though my mother knew I had a perfectly functional set she felt compelled to buy me a new set. And the bad part is that my old set is better quality than the new set. My mom put a set of steak knives in my Christmas stocking last year. I’m still mocking her about it. “You stuck me in a room with Grandma and gave me _weapons_?!” :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/74 "2008-12-03T00:54:11Z")
I’ve shared my [peanut brittle](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5632554&postcount=127) story here a few times… ---
**Author:** ![freekalette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@freekalette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freekalette)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/75 "2008-12-03T01:00:18Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Ow. Can’t beat that. Even the Christmas where my sister, who was 20 years older than, took my presents out of the boxes and filled them charcoal. You know, so I’d think Santa thought i was bad and everything. Yeah, she gave me my stuff, but everyone laughed at my shock and eventual tears when I opened the presents on Xmas morning. > > I’m amazed I didn’t grow up to be a serial killer. Holy shit, that’s harsh! This almost made me cry. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/76 "2008-12-03T01:10:19Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > I’ve shared my [peanut brittle](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5632554&postcount=127) story here a few times… That sucks. Not a Christmas story - but I used to tour in high school and college with a singing group. Each night we toured, we would stay in local people’s homes. One tour, my name was left off the list. So every. single. town. as they would gather the local families around and everyone would get paired off - they would have to announce that they had one extra girl and could anyone please help? Talk about feeling like the lone pound puppy. you think someone would have thought to start phoning this information ahead. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/77 "2008-12-03T01:17:49Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Ow. Can’t beat that. Even the Christmas where my sister, who was 20 years older than, took my presents out of the boxes and filled them charcoal. You know, so I’d think Santa thought i was bad and everything. Yeah, she gave me my stuff, but everyone laughed at my shock and eventual tears when I opened the presents on Xmas morning. > > I’m amazed I didn’t grow up to be a serial killer. That’s kinda funny. I should do this to my younger brother. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/78 "2008-12-03T01:26:41Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > That’s kinda funny. I should do this to my younger brother. I hope you’re close. Because it made me resent my own sister well into my teens. I thought it was mean and only done to make me feel bad, keeping in mind she was freaking married with children and I was still a minor that believed in Santa Claus. Sure, I oculd laugh about it when I got older…but it was a mean (albeit kind of funny in a twisted way) thing to do. Too many threads here lately have made me divulge things about myself and my way of thinking. This is one of them because I can say that that incident was one of the first where I figured “My own sister hates me. She wishes I was never born.”. My sister died a DECADE AGO. and I try to think kindly of her, but I really believe she would have thrown me off a cliff if she could get away with it. I don’t want to think that, and its probably not true, but honestly even after all of this time it hurts. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/79 "2008-12-03T02:37:10Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > At least if the person who gave it to you bought it from [here (Warning: Sound, Crazy)](http://www.break.com/index/crazy-gideons-insane-deals.html), it probably only cost $19. > > [sub]Yeah, it’s my personal mission to link that commercial everywhere[/sub] That website gave my anti-virus fits in case anyone else is thinking of opening it without an anti-virus. My anti-virus said, Danger, danger! and flailed its arms about. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040/80 "2008-12-03T02:54:47Z")
Underwear from my ex’s mother. Why? I am capable of buying my own at wallyworld. She also bought me some cheap ass cologne every year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-lousy-christmas-presents/475040.md?page=5)