Bad, Bizarre, or Baffling Gifts share your stories

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last summer my parents went on a cruise to Mexico. For some reason, they went on an elaborate hunt for the perfect hat for DH, who has a very large head. But they were hell-bent on finding him the perfect hat in Puerto Vallarta or where ever, that actually fit. They made a really big deal about it and then sent it in a box of gifts they had bought for us on the cruise.

The box comes and the hat not only is hideous and not anything DH would ever wear, it's also totally smushed. My dad was asking daily if we had gotten the gifts so finally I said yes we had, thank you so much. "What about the hat? Did he like the hat? Does the hat fit? I spent an hour packing it just right so it wouldn't get smashed. How does he like it? Isn't it a great hat?" I knew he'd be so hurt if I told him the truth so I said it got a little bent in shipping but yes he likes the hat and thank you so much. He was disappointed and the next three or four times I talked to my dad he still asked about the hat and I swore DH liked it and thank you again.

Fast forward about 6 months, my dad is visiting. My 3-year-old has two toy chests overflowing with toys, one of which I had stashed the hat at the very bottom of months before. While my dad is in the living room she disappears for a few minutes and then comes back with...the completely mangled hat. Of ALL THINGS to bring from her toy box. My dad was borderline aghast and I had to try to fumble through some explanation. It was horrible but also hilarious. He still will mention the hat and just shake his head.

By the way, also in that box of cruise gifts: a Cabo t-shirt for me in size XXL (I'm definitely not an XXL), and two dark-chocolate salmons (as in, solid blocks of chocolate shaped like fish), each weighing like a pound, that clearly had been sitting at my parents' house for an untold length of time.

My MIL gives my infant all kinds of stuff from cruises that aren't really appropriate for a baby--things like stuffed monkeys wearing tshirts that say "I need more Margaritas!" and shot glasses.

[Anonymous]

MIL bought my baby a bunch of dog toys at Petco and said "oh , they're chew toys, I figured he could use them for teething."

[Anonymous]

A very large set of reference books on a topic that we aren't that interested in. Doesn't seem so bad, except that they fill about 20 boxes. I cannot find a library willing to accept them as a donation, and I was unsuccessful in selling them on Craigslist. I actually hurt my hand trying to even open the first box when we received them, because the box was so heavy. They would occupy an entire bookshelf if I put them out, so they have been siting in stacks in our basement for a decade. I would throw them out at this point, but my kids like them to help hold down fort blankets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A very large set of reference books on a topic that we aren't that interested in. Doesn't seem so bad, except that they fill about 20 boxes. I cannot find a library willing to accept them as a donation, and I was unsuccessful in selling them on Craigslist. I actually hurt my hand trying to even open the first box when we received them, because the box was so heavy. They would occupy an entire bookshelf if I put them out, so they have been siting in stacks in our basement for a decade. I would throw them out at this point, but my kids like them to help hold down fort blankets.

Put it on Ebay for free $0.50, with the caveat that buyer pays for shipping. You will find a buyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A very large set of reference books on a topic that we aren't that interested in. Doesn't seem so bad, except that they fill about 20 boxes. I cannot find a library willing to accept them as a donation, and I was unsuccessful in selling them on Craigslist. I actually hurt my hand trying to even open the first box when we received them, because the box was so heavy. They would occupy an entire bookshelf if I put them out, so they have been siting in stacks in our basement for a decade. I would throw them out at this point, but my kids like them to help hold down fort blankets.

Put it on Ebay for free $0.50, with the caveat that buyer pays for shipping. You will find a buyer.

Or find an meetup group, internet group, or facebook group for that topic and basically post this ad (free with shipping). There's a facebook group for fans of everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One year, either when I was in high school or early college years, my mom got me a Da Vinci Code jigsaw puzzle. I mean, I had read the book -- I read a lot of books, it wasn't a particular favorite or anything. It was so weird and I was so mad because it felt like she put zero thought into it.


Another year my little brother requested "funny shirts." He was probably like, 15 or 16, so I was in my early 20s. I bought him a bunch of t-shirts with super-bawdy, totally inappropriate stuff on them (probably from Abercombie or maybe even Spencer's)...I mean, I thought they were funny, but I didn't really think it through. So not only did he have to open those in front of everyone on Christmas morning, he also came out a couple years later. I'm embarrassed about those shirts to this day!

In your mom's defense, it was likely inadvertent. I did the same thing last year, by buying my freshman son a spanish verb book and spanish-english dictionary. He needed them for school and I thought it might be nice to have a couple of more things to unwrap. Nope. He was pissed! He said school shouldn't come anywhere near the Christmas tree. I learned my lesson!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10 year old dd was opening a gift from her grandparents. She slowly took out a piece of pink princess fabric. (she is the original tomboy) As she slowly turns it over she says thank you. Grandma speaks up and says "its extra fabric! I made your cousin a dress and this is what was left!" DD was great she said " Wow grandma that was so nice of you. Do you have a picture of the dress you made?" I was incredibly proud of dd for acting nicely. We laugh about it every year. She is sixteen now and will always shake a gift and if it is quiet she will make some comment about hoping that it is extra fabric! She is getting a used car for Christmas this year and we plan to wrap the keys in a box of fabric. (Grandma will not be there when it is opened)

Oh my gosh, how sweet. I'm amazed at your daughter's manners! I'm certain I would have been very very hurt by that.

[Anonymous]

My petite daughter in kindergarten tended to eat much more if her food was presented on swizzle sticks. The mini swords ones, hearts on top etc.

Grandparents got her a pack for her stocking. Imagine how red my face got about a week into lunches, when I realized the ones they gave were different sex positions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My petite daughter in kindergarten tended to eat much more if her food was presented on swizzle sticks. The mini swords ones, hearts on top etc.

Grandparents got her a pack for her stocking. Imagine how red my face got about a week into lunches, when I realized the ones they gave were different sex positions!

OMG what?! This is amazing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIL bought my baby a bunch of dog toys at Petco and said "oh , they're chew toys, I figured he could use them for teething."

OMG. Just ... omg. Throw the whole MIL out and start over.

[Anonymous]

My mom is famous for latching onto a theme. Say you mention briefly in passing that you like something that happens to have a flamingo on it. The next Christmas, you'd get an entire array of things with flamingos on it.

Now that I'm older, I find I have a definite tendency to do this too. As fall was starting, my middle school daughter announced that she had to have a chenille sweater - they were so soft and a few of her friends had them. I go to the store, there are tons, obviously a very trendy item this fall, so she gets one for her birthday.

She was wearing it last week and I stroked it and said how nice it was and she looked me dead in the eye and said, I have a feeling I'm going to get too many of these for Christmas. So I have to restrain myself - they are super cheap most places (like ~$15) but I am committing to not buying more than two. But maybe she will also get chenille socks and a Chenille robe.......argh I can't help myself. I am my mother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 10 year old dd was opening a gift from her grandparents. She slowly took out a piece of pink princess fabric. (she is the original tomboy) As she slowly turns it over she says thank you. Grandma speaks up and says "its extra fabric! I made your cousin a dress and this is what was left!" DD was great she said " Wow grandma that was so nice of you. Do you have a picture of the dress you made?" I was incredibly proud of dd for acting nicely. We laugh about it every year. She is sixteen now and will always shake a gift and if it is quiet she will make some comment about hoping that it is extra fabric! She is getting a used car for Christmas this year and we plan to wrap the keys in a box of fabric. (Grandma will not be there when it is opened)

Oh my gosh, how sweet. I'm amazed at your daughter's manners! I'm certain I would have been very very hurt by that.

This is the OP of this post...my dd is great. Unfortunately our family has had a lot of practice dealing with situations where it is very obvious that grandma favors the cousins. DH and I have been very honest with our kids and have bonded over it all. Now my kids know that if they act very polite mom and dad will do two things: create an inside joke that will make future visits funnier and reward them with a real gift once we leave. It took a long time for me to come to terms with either having no relationship with my parents or dealing with things like this using humor. Humor has helped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My petite daughter in kindergarten tended to eat much more if her food was presented on swizzle sticks. The mini swords ones, hearts on top etc.

Grandparents got her a pack for her stocking. Imagine how red my face got about a week into lunches, when I realized the ones they gave were different sex positions!

OMG. I take it they didn’t realize it, either?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My petite daughter in kindergarten tended to eat much more if her food was presented on swizzle sticks. The mini swords ones, hearts on top etc.

Grandparents got her a pack for her stocking. Imagine how red my face got about a week into lunches, when I realized the ones they gave were different sex positions!

OMG. I take it they didn’t realize it, either?

I assume they didn't notice. Part of me wanted to question where they bought them, but didn't want to embarrass them.

[Anonymous]

My grandfather lived in Asheville, NC, and every year he’s send us some Appalachian craft item that totally baffled us until we visited and saw one in action in his house. Napkin holders, ring holders, etc. I miss him.