# The gifts of the season. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 26, 2018, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716 "2018-12-26T05:44:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/22 "2018-12-26T19:45:21Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Ah, the soft glow of electric sex. šŸ˜ƒ oh, wait. I took this completely wrong. Iā€™m sorry. I get it now.šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/23 "2018-12-26T20:47:30Z")
A new microwave, lap desk, a cute book, socks, a calendar, fabulous baked treats, bags of chow for the outdoor creatures (corn, suet cakes, peanuts) and the best - my daughter commissioned an artist to draw Picket, from Fantastic Beasts. Itā€™s so freaking adorable. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/24 "2018-12-26T20:50:16Z")
Lemme see, I got a homemade scarf made by my sister. Soft and just the right length to tuck inside my jacket. A snowflake brooch with ā€œgemsā€ that catch the light in a really cool way. Some English Breakfast tea, a box of Oh, F-f-f-fudge! (which **burpo** may have appreciated after struggling with his new lights,) and an Uber gift card. I also got a Baggallini purse that is small but not too small, just the way I like my purses. Yay! > [@kambuckta](#): > > I got new towelsā€¦My old towels are still perfectly good thankyew. Iā€™m of the opinion that one can never have too many towels. That said, I havenā€™t bought any in many years since the old ones have plenty of use in them. But Iā€™d never look a towel-giving gift horse in the mouth. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > We just do a goofy gift exchange/steal/swap game. I ended up with a bin of 72 nail clippers when my cousin stole the chocolates Iā€™d stolen from my niece. > > Anybody need some nail clippers? Finger or toe? I needs me some honking big toe nail clippers for a couple of funky nails. Seriously, though, you could probably donate them to a homeless shelter. Theyā€™d probably go like hotcakes. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Iā€™m crazy, you know. I love, love paper. Itā€™s my little artist heart. I got a ream of Japanese rice paper. And a cool ( I mean super cool) roll of real birch bark paper. > I also snagged some neat remnants of wrapping paper at different places. ā€œNo, wait, donā€™t crumple that, donā€™t throw that away.ā€ I cannot be helped. Itā€™s my cross to bear. > ( donā€™t call me a hoarder, itā€™s not nice) > ETA Fairly Chat Mom, I would love a box of nail clippers, thatā€™s a cool gift. Iā€™m with you all the way on this. But one cannot live by paper alone. On needs scissors. Many, many scissors. Long ones, short ones, tiny ones and heavy zig-zaggy ones. Iā€™m not much for the cheap, plastic ones that create fancy edges, though. I just donā€™t like the way they feel and having to go through the trouble of lining them up right every couple of inches. ---
**Author:** ![EscAlaMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/escalamike/32/4177_2.png) [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/25 "2018-12-26T21:03:34Z")
I got _Batman: The Animated Series_ on DVD (all four volumes), a couple of books, and some other little things from the wife and kids. My in-laws got me a really nice FSU shirt. I was blown away by my work peeps who surprised me with [this shirt](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/nike-mens-florida-state-seminoles-garnet-dri-fit-elevated-basketball-long-sleeve-shirt-18nikmncfsmrnlvtlflo/18nikmncfsmrnlvtlflo), a restaurant gift card, and cash. Iā€™m very happy with my haul. Iā€™m looking forward to many hours of watching the best on-screen adaptation of Batman with my kids. ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/26 "2018-12-26T22:50:55Z")
Shirts, socks, wallet and belt, shaving kit, and Star Trek bedsheets. It sounds a lot lamer than it actually was. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/27 "2018-12-26T23:15:19Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > But 72 of them?? Seems a tad much. šŸ˜ƒ You knit, right? Knit a bunch of little pouches to put them in. Youā€™ll have gifts for years. One my favorite things in the world is a box of a gazillion tiny wooden spoons. I add them to a salt jar and give them as shower gifts. My only prob, now, is finding new people to give them too. I love multiples of things. Itā€™s my hoarding tendencies. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/28 "2018-12-26T23:19:50Z")
> [@Hopeful\_Crow](#): > > Lemme see, I got a homemade scarf made by my sister. Soft and just the right length to tuck inside my jacket. A snowflake brooch with ā€œgemsā€ that catch the light in a really cool way. Some English Breakfast tea, a box of Oh, F-f-f-fudge! (which **burpo** may have appreciated after struggling with his new lights,) and an Uber gift card. I also got a Baggallini purse that is small but not too small, just the way I like my purses. Yay! > > Iā€™m of the opinion that one can never have too many towels. That said, I havenā€™t bought any in many years since the old ones have plenty of use in them. But Iā€™d never look a towel-giving gift horse in the mouth. > > Finger or toe? I needs me some honking big toe nail clippers for a couple of funky nails. > > Seriously, though, you could probably donate them to a homeless shelter. Theyā€™d probably go like hotcakes. > > Iā€™m with you all the way on this. But one cannot live by paper alone. On needs scissors. Many, many scissors. Long ones, short ones, tiny ones and heavy zig-zaggy ones. Iā€™m not much for the cheap, plastic ones that create fancy edges, though. I just donā€™t like the way they feel and having to go through the trouble of lining them up right every couple of inches. Yes! Totally on the same page (heh!) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/29 "2018-12-27T00:56:45Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > That is oddly appropriate, I think. Respectfully disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/30 "2018-12-27T01:59:55Z")
Several gift cards, socks with dachshunds on them, two dachshund ornaments, a dachshund refrigerator magnet, two boxes of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, some other stuff. Can you tell my family knows I love dachshund stuff? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/31 "2018-12-27T02:10:34Z")
My wife and I decided not to exchange presents this year, and instead do something obscenely extravagant later this year. So, in April, when we go to visit my sister, we will stop by Broadway and see _Hamilton_. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/32 "2018-12-27T13:30:20Z")
A black utilikilt, matching corset, socks and boots, Powellā€™s Books gift card(already wiped it out to get some books I want), new shoes, new slippers, bottles of Glenmorangie, and some useless lottery tickets. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/33 "2018-12-27T16:34:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > A black utilikilt, matching corset, socks and boots, Powellā€™s Books gift card(already wiped it out to get some books I want), new shoes, new slippers, bottles of Glenmorangie, and some useless lottery tickets. Small update: Right boot, size 12: perfect fit, very comfortable, makes my right foot feel very comfortable. Left boot, size _10_: Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/34 "2018-12-28T00:50:49Z")
Two pairs of socks from a fellow teacher. Thatā€™s it. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/35 "2018-12-28T00:55:57Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Two pairs of socks from a fellow teacher. > > Thatā€™s it. This got posted before I was finished. My mom said that I could buy something. My kids made a promise of a massage, although how good that will be is questionable, but itā€™s the thought that counts. My wife and I got into a fight about gifts and expectations some time back and just decided it would work out better to not exchange gifts. We give each other little things at random times inter year. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/36 "2018-12-28T01:13:39Z")
We did no adults presents this year for the first time. I like it. I never really liked getting presents and the associated obligations. So from now on itā€™s just a lunchtime-dinnertime party with presents for the kids (our one girl and friends, nephews, and nieces). My wife bought the champaigne and I cooked a beef stew. Relatives brought all the rest of the food. It was a good time with low stress. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/37 "2018-12-28T04:01:36Z")
New kitchen spatulas! (and not a minute too soon). Dried Angelino plum num num num nums. Clock, calendars, mostly other stuff for the house, all great! One of these days Iā€™m going to become one of those people whoā€™s too mature for gift exchanges between grownups for the holidays. Hasnā€™t happened yet tho. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/38 "2018-12-28T04:18:36Z")
Weed, beer, hookers and blowā€¦ But seriouslyā€¦A GREAT leather messenger bag, LL Bean slippers (yes the good shearling lined ones), St Louis Blues Tickets (can we PLEASE try to win), amazon gift cards, and socksā€¦Homemade socksā€¦wool !! ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/39 "2018-12-28T06:12:34Z")
I got a small chunk of provolone and a big rind of parmesan, some woolen socks, the knowledge of how to repair knitted clothes, woolen long johns and shirts, a pair of boots Iā€™ll buy myself on sale after new years, a bottle of pretty good aquavit, a neat thermos coffee mug, two soldering stations (one is getting returned), soldering flux, tin and a new tin sucker, and an updated contract at work essentially giving me double salary for December (which is also half-tax month) and so I finally bought myself a new Zoom H6 recorder. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/40 "2018-12-28T06:45:30Z")
Poison ivy. In late December in TN. WTH?? StG ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716/41 "2018-12-28T07:09:53Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Anybody need some nail clippers? ::waves hand wildly:: My wife gave me the 7th and final season of \*The Mentalist \* on DVD. Itā€™s about the only modern vintage American television show Iā€™ve ever watched with any real interest and that was only season I havenā€™t seen. My two boys, both teenagers, forgot to get me anything soā€¦ whatever. My wifeā€™s family does a family name drawing each year, my 20yo niece pulled my name and so I got from her a ā€œLarry the Cable Guyā€ BBQ tool set. Itā€™sā€¦ uhā€¦ well, itā€™s probably going to end up in the garbage to be honest. I have no use for a $5 spatula, a beer cozy (or whatever theyā€™re called) and a bottle of cheap hot sauce. I did buy myself a bottle of Baileys. Itā€™s the first time Iā€™ve bought anything alcoholic inā€¦ 3 years, I think. A splash of it my morning coffee wasnā€™t as good as I remembered. Back in September we reserved a beachfront cottage on the Oregon coast near Newport for this coming weekend. Itā€™s about 50 feet from the sand with private parking and beach access. We leave tomorrow morning, coming back New Yearā€™s Day. Iā€™m bringing along a stack of books and have made a promise to myself to stay off the screens while Iā€™m there (although if the cottage has HGTV available all bets are off). That vacation is going to be my real Christmas present. I have to defend my MA thesis in March and this is the last chance Iā€™ll have to breathe before the final push. (And **FCM** Iā€™m dead serious, Iā€™ll take a box of nail clippers if you really want to get rid of them. Iā€™ll gladly, happily, joyfully PayPal you.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gifts-of-the-season/826716.md?page=3)