# The utterly dumbest idea for a present? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 6, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816 "2024-07-06T19:06:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/61 "2024-07-07T16:34:10Z")
I would go for 500 lizards, but some might not. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/62 "2024-07-07T16:38:44Z")
Depends. What kind of lizards? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/63 "2024-07-07T18:26:15Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Seriously, guys, how hard is it to look at the labels inside her clothes to find out what size she wears? It’s not as easy as you think. When my wife goes shopping for clothes, she will take an armload of stuff into the dressing room and come out with maybe one thing that she was okay with. Ain’t no way I’m even going to try to buy her clothes unless it’s something she’s already picked out. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/64 "2024-07-07T18:42:34Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Bought her expensive earrings with her birth stone in them. In hindsight I guess they weren’t that attractive. Never seen her wear them. And like the boots, they seem to be gone with the wind. I ask friends/significant others/etc _not_ to buy me jewelry or perfume. I’m very particular about those things. Especially perfumes, because some scents have an ingredient that’s a migraine trigger for me. However, eating a beagle every day is quite an expensive habit! ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/65 "2024-07-07T19:45:31Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Seriously, guys, how hard is it to look at the labels inside her clothes to find out what size she wears? But she won’t stop moving. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/66 "2024-07-07T21:32:58Z")
Try when she’s not eating the beagle. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/67 "2024-07-07T21:46:48Z")
Yeah, well we don’t usually exchange presents. She has just started doing it and I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/68 "2024-07-07T22:23:57Z")
Trust me, being a woman myself, I understand that all too well. But for something with some elbow room in the fit, like say a sweatshirt or nightgown – nothing form-fitting! – it would at least give you a fighting chance of being right. You also up your chances if you buy the same kind of item in the same brand. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/69 "2024-07-07T23:10:30Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Seriously, guys, how hard is it to look at the labels inside her clothes to find out what size she wears? I have my wife’s clothing, ring, and shoe sizes in my phone and they are updated regularly. Now, I am not stupid enough to buy her shoes without her being present to try on said shoes. And clothes are always run past ZakDaughter for approval, but I have bought jewelry unsupervised and it has been successful (i.e. worn as part of her work outfits/going out with the girls nights. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/70 "2024-07-07T23:12:00Z")
I daresay you pay enough attention to her jewelry to have a sense of her preferences. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/71 "2024-07-07T23:14:47Z")
Painfully and slowly acquired, but yes. 🙂 I am the epitome of “an old dog can learn new tricks”. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/72 "2024-07-07T23:18:35Z")
Good boy! Here, have a doggy cookie. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/73 "2024-07-07T23:30:05Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Here, have a doggy cookie. As long as the doggy cookie is made from bourbon, you’re on! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/74 "2024-07-07T23:31:20Z")
I think the newpaper comic artist/author Charles Schulz had a perfect entry (and the perfect response) way back in 1973: [Peanuts by Charles Schulz for August 06, 1973 - GoComics](https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1973/08/06) ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/75 "2024-07-08T11:10:42Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Put it next to the oven so she can cook a roast beef while she’s running! There, that’s the current dumbest. isn’t she already busy, vacuuming? * * * true story: When MsAl and I were getting married, the topic of wedding-rings kept creeping in … she kind of got quotes for those, but was appalled by the prices. I mentioned that I have a friend working the night-shift at the morgue and he can get me a good deal for wedding-rings - if given some time… **hillarity ensued** (in 50% of ourselves, and it wasn’t her) now, 20 years later we still have that as somewhat of a running joke in the family (while we flash our stainless steel wedding rings 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/76 "2024-07-08T11:32:54Z")
Having known several Saint Bernards, I can say that that’s definitely an apropos name for one. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816/77 "2024-07-10T18:31:22Z")
hence the chocolate to soothe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-utterly-dumbest-idea-for-a-present/1003816.md?page=3)