Great Hunt: What's the worst Christmas present you've ever received?

broomey

My sister once had a toilet brush off our Nan for Christmas. Yes, a toilet brush.

janiebquick

My brother in law once gave me a framed photo of my recently deceased father in law. He probably thought he was being really thoughtful.

I wasn't very happy.

tangowithcash

An electric keyboard. I had zero interest in music. Plus, I had asked for a Barbie house.

If you've never seen an electric piano wrapped in Christmas paper, it looks EXACTLY like a Barbie house.

Stangi

In the 1960s my brother-in-law kept telling me he had got me a Beatle for Christmas, pointing out a stiff 6ft cardboard tube near the tree. I was convinced it would be a lifesize poster of one of the Beatles, or all! However, when Christmas morning arrived, all the family watched as I tore open the paper over the end of the tube. A string with 'pull me' was there, I pulled and out came a Gonk with a Beatle haircut, only made of sponge, like you would use in the bath. He had a paper 'speech balloon' coming out of his mouth. It said 'my luggage is in there somewhere', attached was another string. At the end of it was a (now rather 'high' and smelly) lump of liver sausage in greaseproof paper. My previously favourite delicacy, but that put me off for life. It was actually quite funny, but at 15 I was quite disappointed not to have a poster for my bedroom wall!

GlasweJen

A subscription for a running magazine when I'd just had a heart transplant and been told I'll never walk again due to complications, apparently it would "keep her optimistic".

A big bar of Cadbury wholenut - I have a deadly allergy to hazelnuts so spent that Christmas in A&E.

oystercatcher

We were vegetarian but my husbands employer sent us a HUGE tin of Pate de foi gras ( ? spelling) one year and the following year a set of steak knives.

My personal worst was when I was 11 I was given a new school bag for when I started secondary school the following September , that seemed like forever away and the bag was an old ladies shopping bag type which I hated. I wanted toys but my parents didn't believe in wasting money and only bought 'useful' presents

Letsgetem

When I was 7 I received a toilet brush from my Aunt! She kep telling me it was nothing special but at that age I didn't believe her, really wish I had listened as I was so disappointed and still don't understand why. To make things worse it was an avocado green colour! :mad:

JIL

I once received one of the over bath holders, the type that goes across the bath made of plastic and it had soap scum on it.

I haven't seen them about for years, I wish I had kept it it would surely be an antique by now?

Sazzie23

euronorris wrote: »

I'm sure BIL is going to think our gift is rubbish, and given with malicious intent. Since he's cut almost all contact with us, it's very difficult for us to figure out what he would like, or needs. I'm sure cash would go down well, but we're unwilling to do that as we know it'll just be spent on drugs.


So, we opted for a Christmas hamper from M&S instead. But he'll no doubt whinge to anyone who listens that it's lame and thoughtless etc etc. He usually does.

Think that's his problem rather than yours, if I only got one present an M&S hamper would be a great gift.

Serendipitious wrote: »

My mum often used to ask me for jumble sale donations as she knew I liked to declutter regularly. One lot of donations I made included an unopened cellophane bag filled with pot pourri.

It came back to me a few weeks later on Christmas morning, beautifully wrapped, as my gift from her. :rotfl:

That's the problem with re-gifting. Now unless I'm absolutely sure I know who it came from, and I try to write down and photograph, then I won't re gift it, has to go to charity or use it myself.

Baalmaiden wrote: »

Why do employers insist on giving you alcohol? I only drink the odd glass of wine and my OH only drinks beer. I have about 4 bottles of wine which is not to my taste in the cupboard - one from last summer. I'd rather have the money. If it was food I didn't like I could give it to the food bank
Perhaps I should drink the lot and turn up drunk for work!

A higher up boss bought me a bottle of wine this year, I don't drink much but I'm really touched as I know she has been having a tough time and she didn't buy for everyone but said she wanted to recognise all the hard work I've put in. Since some days I've hardly made it to work in one,piece I thought this was lovely and so I'll regift it as a charity bottle for a raffle somewhere where she wouldn't see.


My worst ever present - which I thought was bad until I read this thread and realised it doesn't come close - was a toothpaste dispenser that you stick on the wall in the bathroom. My friend was very upset when I mentioned it was probably not my sort of thing, future note, always be grateful for gifts, it is the thought that counts. Oh it went to the charity shop too.

mateyboy

My Mother received 4 doily's from my sister worth about a couple of quid from the charity shop.

She was so incensed she threatened to give them back to her as present the following Christmas.