Yesterday we asked you to tell about the crappiest present you ever received. And after all that outpouring of bad memories and disappointment we’re ending the week in a better mood.
So please share your tales of that gift that just blew you away. Maybe it wasn’t the most expensive thing you ever received, but it was the most thoughtful or heartfelt. It need not be anything material at all (But please, let’s try to keep it PG-13. This is a family site).
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One year I was talking with one friend that I hadn’t seen in years and his friend (who hardly knew me) gasped when she learned it was my birthday. She asked me what I’d gotten and I’d said “oh I never get anything” and shrugged. She disappeared into her bedroom, and came out a few minutes later, finishing polishing this fold-up knife. She presented it to me with a flourish, saying that “everyone needs a gift on their birthday.”
If I got a car for Xmas this year (not bloody likely), it still wouldn’t mean as much as that gesture did.
Yeah, it’s a family site here. What, you don’t gather the wife and all the kids around the computer and read The Consumerist together?
Years ago my children were 5 and 7 and we were living in a damp condo in rainy Seattle, far from any of our relatives. Christmas Eve came and my husband told the children he had to pick up a present for them. A surprise…
“Is it a puppy?” (no) “Does it use batteries?” (sometimes) “Does it come in a box?” ( oh God it better not) “Can we play with it?” (yes!)
They peppered me with questions for the hours their dad was gone. And then, they heard the car pull in out front and it was so hard to keep them standing inside, waiting for The Present…
It was Grandma! Grandma! The kids were over the moon at seeing my husband’s mother, swarming her with hugs and shouts. They had no expectations of seeing any family for the holidays.
That they were so happy because of seeing somebody they loved and not toys was a real gift to all of us.
A 20 GB 2nd gen iPod.
My grandfather would give me bonds “for my education” every holiday as a kid. I never needed them during my undergrad, but last year, after my first year of grad school, I couldn’t put together steady work for the summer (damned economy). As a result of the bonds maturing, I was able to pay rent and buy food for myself until classes (and my assistantship) kicked in again. As a plus, since I go to music school, I actually had a very productive summer of practicing and was told my playing was markedly improved after the summer. Thanks, Gramps!
Hmmm… my dog, Dottie was a wonderful gift.
I also got a Pokémon camera when I was 5, and now I’ve upgraded many times, but it fed my love of photography.
I almost Miscarried our Last Child.I had pre eclmasia, a prolapsed uterus and not enough Amniotic fluid. I had Intra Uterine Growth restriction and was having injections weekly to help develop her lungs before Birth. She was Due Around the new year. On 12/21/2005 I had a Sonogram that showed her Lung function was below the ability to sustain life. I went in for a Emergency C-Section and we were terrified about what could happen. Baby girl was born 5lbs 3 oz. She was healthy with no problems what so ever. She stayed in the hospital till 12/24 and after 3 days was able to come home. Our family always has opened one Present on Christmas Eve to help the kids be able to make it till Christmas Morning. I think this was one hell of a Christmas eve present to our whole family.
My best gift ever was a photo of my great grandmother at her 90th bday party…. That was the most recent time when most of my family on her side was together in one place and once time.
A PlayStation 2. I had been asking, wait, begging my parents for a PlayStation 1 since they were the really big bulky kind. I received the slim PlayStation 2 the year after they replaced the original bulky ones. I had kinda grown jaded by that point, and though I asked for a PlayStation that year, I didn’t really expect to get one. Lo and behold, a PlayStation 2 AND a 9″ TV so I could use it in the car on our annual post-Christmas cross-country family-visiting road trip. I guess my parents finally decided my brain was so rotten from TV and the computer that an extra video game console wouldn’t hurt. I even got a copy of my then-favorite game, Crash Bandicoot Warped, which was a PS1 game, but that totally didn’t matter to me. I was very, very happy that year.
A Sony Discman from my parents when I was 12. It gave me years of happiness, and even today I have it stuffed in a drawer, broken but still there…can’t bear to throw it out.
Since 2001, my husband has been deployed too many times. Of the ten years we’ve been married, we’ve spent at least half of the winter holidays separated.
The year he went to Afghanistan, his orders kept getting extended 30 days at a time. He was supposed to be home in October, only to find that the unit’s orders were extended another month at the last minute (literally, they were loading the bus with their bags to head to the airport). Same thing happened in November and December. In January, he called to let me know that he was going on another mission and he would call me when he got home. Of course, he couldn’t tell me any of the details of this mission. And the idea of not hearing from him for 30 days when he is in a combat zone scared me, because we never knew what was happening and it drove me crazy to watch the news.
Thankfully, his mission brought him home. It wasn’t for Christmas, but it was still the best gift. He’s not active duty anymore, but he joined the National Guard when he got out. He’s scheduled for deployment again next year, but it doesn’t matter because he’s home now and we are spending Christmas together as a family.
clarification: In January, he called to let me know that he was going on another mission and he would call me when he got back to the home base.
Best gift as a child: Mrs. Beasley doll . Best adult gift I ever got: My 4 daughters, Janine, Alex, Olivia & Sarah.
My dad welded a horse cart out of scrap metal and old bicycles parts when I was about 12. It was awesome.
My 9 year old dog lost all his energy when he turned 5as a result of a mountain of medical problems. About 6 months ago, we were sitting in the sunshine enjoying each others company and I told him that I loved him and wouldn’t trade him for anything, but I wished I had my puppy back. His illnesses got the best of him in September and our whole family swore off getting another dog, but a month later, we welcomed another puppy in the family… I know it was his gift to me
A bottle of Glenmorangie 18 year old scotch.
When i was a kid i wanted the petster robotic cat. I cried when i opened it. I still remember the clapping sequence to get it to purr.
My father was dying, and he was really suffering. It was in 1973, the hottest labor day weekend ever. I went with my sisters to say goodbye. shortly thereafter he passed. as i was driving home, crying in this terrible heat and I asked God to give me a sign that my father was up in heaven. at that instant, the wind whipped up and i could smell the ocean and the heat wave was over. I knew God had answered my prayer. it was the best gift I ever received. Just wanted to share. thanks
Super Nintendo when I was like 5 or 6, back when video games were a new world to me. Mind was literally blown and I still thank my parents for it.
As part of my Valentine’s Day gift this year, my boyfriend folded up some paper into a rhyming storybook and tucked in pennies representing our birth years and the year we met each other. On the back, it says “future pennies here.” I just about melted onto the floor. It was very sweet, and I treasure it.
A suitcase full of Barbie clothes when I was in the third grade. My mother had paid a lady to make the clothes for me and I had evening gowns, dresses and a velvet coat to die for. I still remember how happy I was when I saw all those Barbie clothes. Those were the days….
Well, there’s the original gift that my parents gave me – the gift of Life. But since then, lots of stuff – all interesting. But the one which ended up having the biggest impact? A calculator kit when I was 5 – had to solder it together myself. Still have it in a box somewhere…
That one gift led to a career in ‘puters…
It wasn’t for a holiday, but the best gift I ever got was my car. I was a single mom, recently left my abusive alcoholic father’s house and staying with my best friend’s parents. I had just started a new job, had only some savings left- and the lease was up on my car. I was stuck.
A woman I had never met from my best friend’s mom’s church offered to sell me her daughter’s 2001 civic for $800. It was everything I had, but I needed a car so I said yes. When I got there, she said nevermind. She didn’t need any money. I still cry when I think of how this stranger handed me the keys to this perfect, freshly detailed and full of gas car- for nothing. The only rule is that when I am done with the car I can’t sell it. I have to either give it to someone else who needs it or junk it and give the cash to someone who needs it. I’m okay with that
I think I have something in my eye… thanks for sharing everyone.
As a kid it was a frog print comforter set and a huge stuffed frog. It was so unexpected and so me.
As an adult my husband got me a kitten for our first Christmas together. A house is not a home without a cat.
This Christmas my son is coming home for the first time in 3 years. Pass the tissues please.
New car. My parent told me that they would help me out with college, but they never came through. So I guess because they felt bad for helping out my sister with her financial problems and leaving me to pay for college, they got me a car when I graduated.
I tried to read through these, looking for a few laughs but it’s all corny
Mom spent her last Christmas with me.
Oh goodness…it’s a tie. My laptop, which is five years old and on its last legs, was an excellent gift from my parents. A few years later, my mother sent me a subscription to National Geographic magazine for my birthday and she renews it every year. I love the articles and the pictures, and it’s saved me from buying them at the thrift store. The magazines take up a ton of space, but it’s worth it.
Adult Best: Amazon Kindle. Surprise gift from my very thoughtful wife, since my eyesight has gone to pot I’d pretty much stopped reading. Kindle gives me the ability to set type extra large so reading books is a pleasure again.
Kid Gift: Mego Planet of the Apes Treehouse playset+ A bunch of ape figures. Man I had a great time with those!
A pack of chewing gum. My wife of 1 year and 4 month old daughter gave me a pack of gum because it was all they could afford. The best, and most memorable, gift I ever received. We’ve been married 36 years.
A Garmin GPS device from my older brother! I am SEVERELY directionally challenged. Seriously.
You have no idea.
I know i have already posted one, but I just thought of another one. My nieces gave me gift cards with like $3.46 and $7.28 on them. I guess my brother made them use thier allowances to get me gift cards. Thier scratchy handwriting on the front of the card…i
When my husband bought me a pair of expensive running shoes, in the right size, and without me asking for them
I woke up one morning in my palatial suburban estate, and my wife had bought me a new Lexus and it was sitting in my wide open living room with a big bow on it.
My Grandmother’s smile…
Spyder Ski Jacket. sooooo warm and it’s always being used.
Late 1970′s. I was not quite 10 and the Star Wars movies had blown my mind.
‘Santa’ had procured for me every Star Wars figure available at the time, along with a few playsets/ vehicles.
From Thanksgiving Day until Christmas Eve, each day I woke up there was a new figure that Santa had hid somewhere in the house for me to find. On Christmas Day, the playsets and vehicles showed up under the tree.
Dad didn’t have much $$, but he made sure we had awesome Christmases!
My first guitar. Still have it, still plays great, and provided me with a lifetime hobby.
Shop Vac
BBQ
Hammock
My dog. A gift from my wife (girlfriend at the time). They’re both great and I love them.
This one year, mom mom got me and my dad a ton of TV Dinners.
My best one had raisins in it… I like raisins.
Our dog. We were driving home from a brunch at the beginning of December 2 years ago when I suggested that we go look to see what was involved with adopting a dog from the local humane society. We were able to afford her adoption fees and all the “set up” costs that come with bringing home a new puppy by calling her our Christmas present to each other. She has given us so much happiness since we brought her home, far and away the best present I have ever recieved. This year, we are hoping and praying for a postive home pregnancy test on Christmas morning. I think that one would beat our pup after the 18 months of infertility!!
Nintendo!
Probably my bike, but it wasn’t a birthday/Christmas gift, so maybe that doesn’t count? The Nintendo 64 is definitely a contender; best game console ever dangit. I still play it. (well that one burned out and I had to replace it but yeah.)
My man bought me a Kindle. It’s extra-awesome because I read books like most people eat food and for some reason Kindles never appeared on my Cool Stuff radar until one was given to me. It’s a killer little gadget.
The Millennium falcon I got when I was 7 or 8. It was by far my favorite toy as a child. Finding out as an adult that my dad and uncle put it together the night before Christmas makes it all the more touching a story. Finding out that they were possibly a little stoned, thanks to my uncle’s primo weed makes it a funny story.
An incredibly loud Japanese alarm clock that doesn’t have a volume knob.