For what we gratefully recieve........

[binley100]

So, what is the strangest/oddest / worst pressie you've ever had ?.......

Mines a stainless steel gravy boat ......I smiled and said thankyou whilst watching enviously my OH unwrapping choccies

[Glutton4...]

As a child, having checked out the hiding place (bottom of Mum's Wardrobe) for this year's presents, I was mortified to watch my Sister unwrap the Potter's Wheel, that I'd coveted for weeks. She didn't actually want it, but, being awkward, wouldn't swap.

[veggiechicken]

A china mug with my sister-in law's photo on it

We worked on the principle that, since we would buy for ourselves things that we really wanted, we should give each other things that we would never ever buy for ourselves
They were the most challenging but fun pressies to buy

The really worst ones were the handmade "pottery" objects that my MIL made in her pottery class and gave me every year - ashtrays, mugs with a rim so thick that you couldn't get it between your lips, a lopsided plate with my name on - and I'd have to have them on show whenever she visited or she'd ask where they were

[julesapple]

I think my worst was a sweater from the BH. Mustard yellow turtle neck. In a size 24.

I was a size ten at the time. The sweater was truly awful. The worst bit was asking for the receipt to return it - he then had to confess he'd found it in a bag at work. He has, by the way, NEVER lived that down.

Quite a few years ago, I made wicker hampers for everyone, thinking it would save money. They turned out to be very expensive, filled with Potted Stilton in stone jars, home made jams, pickles and marmalade, chocolates, biscuits sweet & savoury, and a gingerbread house in each hamper, lined with red gingham. When presented with this largesse, my darling MinL said 'Oh. Well, never mind. Perhaps next year you can buy us all proper presents' They were the very last gifts they ever received from us!

One of my very best presents was last Christmas; the DD bought me 2kg of vintage buttons in a tin. Button tins contain all sorts, not just buttons. They're a little box of history. I had a lovely time sorting through it. Although I have little idea of the original owner, or provenance of the buttons, it's nice to be able to give them new life when I use them on my projects and commissions. It's nice to imagine the garments these buttons came from too.

[mothhawk]

Scented soaps - I don't have a personal hygiene problem, thank you, and the perfume makes my skin dry and peel. I only use unscented soaps or brands of mildly scented soap that suit my skin.

[binley100]

Thats just reminded me of another.........a vase containing royal jelly beauty products. The smell made me gag

[Bigmallly]

I'm an ungrateful git.........I got an iPhone when really I wanted seeds.......needless to say, the divorce quickly followed..........

[WendyC]

A tightly knitted rib waistcoat in mushy pea green.

[veggiechicken]

You've just reminded Wendy - a suede patchwork waistcoat, hand made by an Aunt in Law. It was so stiff I couldn't move in it - like a surgical corset - but I had to wear it when she was around

[binley100]

p'haps sh forgot to put the sleeves in.....you know the ones that you can hug yourself with

[veggiechicken]

........with strings attached

[Bill HH]

The worst present we ever had was the loan of a pony to my daughter for the winter, We fed it, housed it, cleaned it out and just when the grass started growing they came and took it back.

[Bren In Pots]

I must be easy to buy prezzies for because I can't ever remember getting one I didn't like, or maybe I'm easily pleased.

[Sheneval]

Bren - Likewise

[binley100]

........with strings attached

and some nice shiny buckles for good measure