Submitted by Nathan on December 23rd, 2008

As a child I never paid attention to the gifts my parents gave to each other. Their gifts were always boring, utilitarian or unremarkable. My Father was also not known for his gift giving prowess, and so my Mother usually ended up with little home-made trinkets, candy, and toys that ended up back in the hands of the gift-giver.

One Christmas, while we sat around the tree laughing and enjoying each others company, my Mother received a large heavy box from my Father, the only present from him that year. As we sat there watching my poor Mother open that box, none of us realized the extent to which my Father had failed that year. Inside the poorly wrapped package was a box of staples. More staples than a person could use in their lifetime (my Mother still has these staples.)My Mother stood and left the room, the silence was too uncomfortable for a group of young children and we soon were back to our own gifts, purchased, thankfully, by our Mother.

It’s been years, and my family laughs about this now. But it’s still a bittersweet laughter, because even after 15 more years, my Father really hasn’t improved much.

Submitted by DOTW on December 19th, 2008

The Wine and Liquor Accelerator claims to age a drink three years in 10 seconds and 20 years in three minutes. So if you’re too impatient to let your wine or spirits breathe before drinking.

http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/blog/a-gift-for-the-impatient-drinker/

Submitted by Lea on December 18th, 2008

The worst gift I received was one from a former boyfriend that bought and presented a gift to me that was actually something he wanted for himself. It was a gift so obviously meant for himself that I had to ask him 3 times if he really thought this was a good gift for me.

At the end of it, he did keep the item (at his place, not mine) but he also bought me a make-up gift – a nice piece of jewelry.

Submitted by jen on December 17th, 2008

my grandmother is famous in the gift giving world. a few year’s ago she bought all of the college-aged boys large, stuffed christmas rats. i’m not even kidding here- think 4-feet tall christmas rat- FAR from a college kid’s dream. upon opening, the guys just looked… confused. i got a kick out of it, since a few years earlier i had received earrings for my unpierced ears. how thoughtful, grandma…

photo by balutpalooza

Submitted by Sacha Lien on December 15th, 2008

After I graduated from College my father announced that he was planning a Graduation party for me. I was excited and appreciative until it became clear that this was really an excuse for him to show me off to his friends rather than a party for me and my buddies from high school. I wanted to invite more of my friends. He said there would be too many people. After some heated discussions we compromised and I got to invite some of my friends but nowhere near the number I would have liked.

Cut to the night of the party and a friend of my father’s, who I had never met before, shows up with a gift for me. I see this look of horror on her face as she’s introduced to me. We talk briefly but she seemed more uncomfortable as the conversation wore on, so I quickly ended the interaction and left.

Later, when I unwrap presents I discover that this friend, whom I had never met, thought I was a daughter and not a son graduating from College (the name Sacha doesn’t help) and her present was a gift of MAKEUP.

My father was mortified (as I’m sure she was) and was apologetic for days.

When in doubt, get a gift card!!!!

Submitted by Michael on December 14th, 2008

I have an aunt who has no concept of what’s appropriate, gift-wise. One year, when I was in college, she sent me underwear with my college’s mascot on it.

Now, setting aside the weirdness of getting underwear from your aunt… She lived in another state. I was *in college* at the time. Which means that she went to the trouble of ordering underwear from the college I was attending, having it delivered to her hundreds of miles away, and then sending it back to me, where I was living three blocks from the store she ordered it from. And this was pre-internet. She probably had to research it, call long distance, etc. Amazing.

photo by chadmagiera

Submitted by Robert G. on December 14th, 2008

Already overweight as child ,my 3rd grade class drew names for Christmas,and what did I get?… candy

Submitted by Kate on December 12th, 2008

I was once “surprised” with a gift that I had been asking for over a year, a pair of earrings. Here’s how the story goes…. Every holiday, birthday, valentine’s day, anniversary for a year I hinted and hinted that I wanted this pair of earrings. I even told my friends to flat out tell my boy friend that I wanted this pair of earnings. Still he never got the hint. Come Christmas I still didn’t get them. So being the independent and impatient Manhattanite female that I am, I finally got sick of waiting and went out and bought them for myself after having not received these earrings for every darn holiday for a year.

Fast forward to New Year’s Day and I find a present on the kitchen table. A.) who gives new year’s presents? and b.) what did you wait to get said gift on sale? Anyway, I open the gift and it’s the earrings… mind you the one’s I was wearing!!!

If that’s not a Gee, Thanks moment I don’t know what is! That ever happen to anyone else?? Please don’t let me be the only one!!