strange gifts 2007

[strmrdr]

Who received the strangest gift?

I will start: thrown cover aka replacement toilet seat from my sister.
I wonder if she was sending me a message! lol (the old one is in bad shape lol)

 

[Steel]

I''ll bite [CHOMP]...

DH and I buy each other presents from our cats and a long serving teddy bear (Ted).

Last year Henry (cat) bought me 2 packs of nail files.

This year Henry and Mitten have bought DH a pouch of cat food.

And yes we wrap them up. I can''t for the life of me remember previous years what we bought... Must be old age setting in

.

 

[perry]

How strange is strange...

Can I mention one I gave this year.... that might qualify.

A gal friend who lives a long way aways, and who just happened to vist for a few hours a few weeks ago, started to ask me about guns and personal self defense...

We talked for a few hours, and then she later asked more questions via phone...

So, I surprised her about a week ago with a call verifying that she had a certain day off... and informed her that as a Xmas gift I had prepaid for a basic handgun training class at a local shooting range; and would also pay for the intermediate level class as well.

After the basic class the instructor indicated that she could use some one on one time to get a few things down before moving on to the intermediate class - and I will pay for that as well.

I figure that if anyone I know is seriously considering use of a firearm that the least I can do is ensure they get some proper training; be it for hunting, target practice (skill of shooting accurately, or personal defense). That is a far better use of my $$$ than any item I could purchase for them.

Note that she has told me that the basic class both emphasized some of the same things I told her about the use of deadly force (when you can and cannot, why and where, and your goal - to stop, not kill), and gun safety that she had the wrong beliefs on (and did not quite believe me when I told her them).

Not cheap; but, what are friends for?


Perry

ps: for those who wonder... Gals often turn out to be better shooters (more accuate) than guys - and often instantly pick up the challange of shooting well (accuracy).

pps: I hope you all got some trinket that you liked this year.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/25/2007 8:50:10 AM
Author: perry
How strange is strange...

Can I mention one I gave this year.... that might qualify.

A gal friend who lives a long way aways, and who just happened to vist for a few hours a few weeks ago, started to ask me about guns and personal self defense...

We talked for a few hours, and then she later asked more questions via phone...

So, I surprised her about a week ago with a call verifying that she had a certain day off... and informed her that as a Xmas gift I had prepaid for a basic handgun training class at a local shooting range; and would also pay for the intermediate level class as well.

After the basic class the instructor indicated that she could use some one on one time to get a few things down before moving on to the intermediate class - and I will pay for that as well.

I figure that if anyone I know is seriously considering use of a firearm that the least I can do is ensure they get some proper training; be it for hunting, target practice (skill of shooting accurately, or personal defense). That is a far better use of my $$$ than any item I could purchase for them.

Note that she has told me that the basic class both emphasized some of the same things I told her about the use of deadly force (when you can and cannot, why and where, and your goal - to stop, not kill), and gun safety that she had the wrong beliefs on (and did not quite believe me when I told her them).

Not cheap; but, what are friends for?


Perry

ps: for those who wonder... Gals often turn out to be better shooters (more accuate) than guys - and often instantly pick up the challange of shooting well (accuracy).

pps: I hope you all got some trinket that you liked this year.

kewl gift but not strange too me anyway.
Your right about them picking it up quicker more than a few times when I trained couples the guys would end up pouting after getting beat by the Lady.

wifey2b was 6 for 6 on a paper plate at 15 yards the first time she ever shot a gun.
s&w 686 with mid range 38 special ammo. (158gr 850fps)

 

[DiamanteBlu]

Date: 12/25/2007 8:50:10 AM
Author: perry
How strange is strange...

Can I mention one I gave this year.... that might qualify.

A gal friend who lives a long way aways, and who just happened to vist for a few hours a few weeks ago, started to ask me about guns and personal self defense...

We talked for a few hours, and then she later asked more questions via phone...

So, I surprised her about a week ago with a call verifying that she had a certain day off... and informed her that as a Xmas gift I had prepaid for a basic handgun training class at a local shooting range; and would also pay for the intermediate level class as well.

After the basic class the instructor indicated that she could use some one on one time to get a few things down before moving on to the intermediate class - and I will pay for that as well.

I figure that if anyone I know is seriously considering use of a firearm that the least I can do is ensure they get some proper training; be it for hunting, target practice (skill of shooting accurately, or personal defense). That is a far better use of my $$$ than any item I could purchase for them.

Note that she has told me that the basic class both emphasized some of the same things I told her about the use of deadly force (when you can and cannot, why and where, and your goal - to stop, not kill), and gun safety that she had the wrong beliefs on (and did not quite believe me when I told her them).

Not cheap; but, what are friends for?

Perry

ps: for those who wonder... Gals often turn out to be better shooters (more accuate) than guys - and often instantly pick up the challange of shooting well (accuracy).

pps: I hope you all got some trinket that you liked this year.

That is an excellent gift.

BTW, women are generally more accuate shooters because they have better fine motor skills.

 

[Mara]

we havent opened ours yet, but greg likes to get me funny kitchen and household items in my stocking. one year i got an egg timer. a handi-vac. i reciprocate by giving him funny stocking things too, like kids colorful bandaids (spiderman this year), and this year i got him an handheld hair plucker....a SPECIAL type that has scissor handles because i lost my other one a few months ago, and he has been grousing since then that the ''regular'' hair plucker doesn''t work as well. don''t ask me what he plucks, i don''t ask either. HAH!

 

[Dee*Jay]

I got a mega flashlight that I can use when I go to properties that don''t have any power (in foreclosure, that sort of thing). I actually *asked* for this gift so I don''t know if it qualifies under this thread!

And the mutts bought me dog biscuits in the shape of stockings, one says "Naughty" (that obviously came from The Demon) and the other says "Nice" (from Oscar). We have already "enjoyed" those as a family this morning.

 

[Skippy123]

heheee When I saw this thread I was thinking I doubt I will get a strange gift, WRONG!

I received a shoulder cozy which is made out of fleece; it is a wrap for the shoulders w/pockets. I love it but wasn''t quite sure what it was a first.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/25/2007 12:45:39 PM
Author: Skippy123
heheee When I saw this thread I was thinking I doubt I will get a strange gift, WRONG!

I received a shoulder cozy which is made out of fleece; it is a wrap for the shoulders w/pockets. I love it but wasn''t quite sure what it was a first.

that sounds kewl :}
enjoy!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/25/2007 11:31:41 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
I got a mega flashlight that I can use when I go to properties that don''t have any power (in foreclosure, that sort of thing). I actually *asked* for this gift so I don''t know if it qualifies under this thread!

And the mutts bought me dog biscuits in the shape of stockings, one says ''Naughty'' (that obviously came from The Demon) and the other says ''Nice'' (from Oscar). We have already ''enjoyed'' those as a family this morning.

rofl about the n&n dog biscuits lol
flashlight sounds kewl :}

 

[Dee*Jay]

Storm, this pic''s for you!

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 12/25/2007 7:02:12 AM
Author: Steel
I''ll bite [CHOMP]...


DH and I buy each other presents from our cats and a long serving teddy bear (Ted).


Last year Henry (cat) bought me 2 packs of nail files.


This year Henry and Mitten have bought DH a pouch of cat food.


And yes we wrap them up. I can''t for the life of me remember previous years what we bought... Must be old age setting in

.

That''s hilarious!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

This year I gave my husband an oscilloscope! lol It took talking to EIGHT sales associates in Fry''s electronics before someone even knew what I was talking about.

I''m not sure if that qualifies as the weirdest gift, but it''s for sure a bit uncommon.

 

[nebe]

I got a garlic press!

But secretly I really wanted it because I hate mincing garlic by hand but refuse to use garlic powder. I also got a turtle (my nickname from FH) decal for the new car I''m buying... TOMORROW!! WAHAHHAHA. I''m excited.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 12/25/2007 7:54:43 PM
Author: MC
This year I gave my husband an oscilloscope! lol It took talking to EIGHT sales associates in Fry's electronics before someone even knew what I was talking about.

I'm not sure if that qualifies as the weirdest gift, but it's for sure a bit uncommon.

Michelle, I asked my hubby what an oscilloscope was and he said he would love one from Tektronix or HP. I asked how much they cost since I was thinking ahead for next year. I guess if he gets one then I get some diamond item. hehehee

I am still not understanding exactly what it does?!?!


ETA: Nebe, I love my garlic press!!!

 

[tberube]

FI''s mom is infamous for her weird gifts, though always thoughtful. Here''s what I got:

- a steel picture frame shaped like a cat. With a steel fish dangling from its mouth. Oh yes.
- over-the-knee socks with purple hearts on them
- a measuring glass - looks like a shot glass and measures tsp, liquid ounces, etc.
- pack of disposable shavers
- a note pad shaped like a purse
- a magnet with a tablet for writing emergency numbers

 

[bebe]

Well, my husband received a wooden moose that you load up with
round candy treats and pump the tail.
Guess how the moose dispenses of the treats!!!

his sister gives him the oddest things!

 

[FrekeChild]

I got D a Lemon squeezer:
Lemon squeezer!!
A fish grill basket:
fish "grill basket"

And he got me a Santoku:
Santoku

I should also probably mention that I''m an ex (ish) culinarian/pastry chef and he likes to make me cook. So if kind of makes sense. Still pretty weird though.

Nebe- I have to say that the garlic press makes me kind of sad after years of mincing my own. I know what you mean about not wanting to mince it- the garlic smell sticks around FOREVER.

 

[777_LDY]

Here is my strange gift of 2007! It really is kind of cool, but still, very strange... It''s an egyptian shoe horn (made out of some real horn!) with amethysts, emeralds, and a ruby that go through the head with silver (I think) inlay. Very beautiful yes, I guess I just don''t quite understand why I was chosen to be the recipient of the unusual treasure seeing as I don''t collect antiques.

It was given to me by my Aunt, who loves unusual things, and I think she just thought "Hey, you know what would be perfect to give to Lisa (me)...that shoe horn... She loves shoes (like you wouldn''t believe!) and gemstones... It''s perfect!!"

Hehehe!!!

 

[777_LDY]

Here is the full view! I haven''t yet decided where to put it yet. Any ideas anyone!?! Right now I have her sticking out of a pair of Jimmy Choo boots! I think she was sent to me to protect my closet, hehe!!! What should I name her!?!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 12/25/2007 9:45:21 PM
Author: Skippy123

Michelle, I asked my hubby what an oscilloscope was and he said he would love one from Tektronix or HP. I asked how much they cost since I was thinking ahead for next year. I guess if he gets one then I get some diamond item. hehehee

I am still not understanding exactly what it does?!?!

Skippy,

Like you, I''m not exactly sure what an oscilloscope does! It tests voltage and electrical current, but who knows WHY you''d want to do that! lol My husband says he''ll show me how to use the machine, so it''ll be interesting to see what happens when I stick the test probes into wall outlet switches!

lol

Oh, and regarding price. . .the fancy digital ones can be REALLY expensive. The ones my husband was using before when he worked in the university lab were state-of-the-art and probably were tens of thousands. I got him an analoge one, which wouldn''t even get me another RC pendant in trade!

 

[Elmorton]

This year, from my aunt (my mom''s SIL), my diabetic father received:

Chocolate (he specifically told her no to the peanut brittle this year due to his diagnosis - we think she''s sending him a very clear message).

AND - together, my parents received (from the same aunt):

A cheese spreading set - where the cheese knife has an LED and lights up

AND, icing on the cake - a plastic Hallmark thing with singing penguins.


My father gave me:

A small saw.

(This was actually a very wanted gift and I was very excited to receive it with my name actually on the label! It ticks me off that DH always gets tools and I''m the one who actually uses them. When I explained how I had to use a Cut-co spreading knife to saw off a Christmas tree branch, my dad realized that a saw might be a good gift for me).

 

[DiamanteBlu]

Date: 12/26/2007 12:43:41 PM
Author: 777_LDY
Here is the full view! I haven''t yet decided where to put it yet. Any ideas anyone!?! Right now I have her sticking out of a pair of Jimmy Choo boots! I think she was sent to me to protect my closet, hehe!!! What should I name her!?!

LOL! I thought it was a hatchet when I first saw it! My bad!

I think you should name her Nefertiti and keep her leaning against the fireplace mantle on display [that''s where I keep my gold plated putter

- no, it wasn''t a gift - I won it in a raffle and they even engraved my name on it - LOL!]

 

[DiamanteBlu]

DH got me 11 cases of wine [I''ve finally started restocking my cellar!].

 

[monarch64]

I got a phone call from a lady I worked with 10 years ago and haven''t seen or heard from since this Christmas...does that count for a strange gift? I thought it did. When I was 20, I had dropped out of college to "find myself" and figure out what I REALLY wanted to do with my life...I moved to KY for a few months and worked for a major department store in their fine jewelry department. While there, I worked with this really amazing little old lady who used to get lavender rinses in her hair, owned two Arabian horses, several exotic birds, and took me out to expensive dinners and bought me ridiculously expensive clothing (no she was not a lesbian, she was more fairy godmother.) Anyway, I left KY and that job, went back to school, and only conversed with her a handful of times via phone or snail mail the following year. The next 9 years we haven''t talked at all...f/fwd to two days ago...I saw a strange number and name on my caller ID but there was no message on our answering machine/voicemail. I called my parents and asked my mom if she''d had a phone call from anyone looking for me and she told me this lady had called and said she unearthed a letter I''d sent her that many years ago and she wanted to get back in touch with me! I almost broke down crying while my mother was telling me this...when I worked with this lady I was 20 and she was probably at least 70 if not older, so she must be 80+ now. She told my mom she''d be at her relatives for the next few days but I could call her at home next weekend, so I will do just that.

This is by far the strangest phone call/strangest gift/best gift I''ve received in a long time all rolled into one. It was so unexpected I guess that''s why I think it''s strange...but very welcome indeed.

When I knew this lady, and lived for a brief time in her area by Paducah, KY, it was very shortly after the Columbine shootings and the Paducah shootings took place while I was there. It was also a very lost time in my life, and she was someone who was a guiding light for me and steered me through sort of a rough time.

Storm, I''m very glad you got a new throne seat. If your sister gave you that, you were definitely in need. Somewhere tonight, Wifey2Be is still giggling over it. LOL!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Monnie, I really enjoyed reading about your lost/renewed friendship. You really must have left quite an impression in her life having gone the length she did to reach you. Sounds as if she is a treasure worth your time once again? I do hope you will have some time to give her. She sounds like a dear kind thoughtful person.

I also like that you thought to add it in this thread of gifts. Awwwwh. §

 

[sera]

This is strange, and tacky... and strange.

My cousin's relative (read: no relation to me!) gives gift cards every year... the thing is... they have been used and she gives the remaining balance!

 

[monarch64]

Date: 12/27/2007 12:55:41 AM
Author: sera
This is strange, and tacky... and strange.

My cousin''s relative (read: no relation to me!) gives gift cards every year... the thing is... they have been used and she gives the remaining balance!

Awww, that is pretty tacky and strange. Wonder why she does that?

 

[monarch64]

Date: 12/27/2007 12:54:37 AM
Author: door knob solitaire
Monnie, I really enjoyed reading about your lost/renewed friendship. You really must have left quite an impression in her life having gone the length she did to reach you. Sounds as if she is a treasure worth your time once again? I do hope you will have some time to give her. She sounds like a dear kind thoughtful person.

I also like that you thought to add it in this thread of gifts. Awwwwh. §

DkS, glad you enjoyed my little story of my strange gift! I think sometimes in life we happen upon "kindred spirits" and she and I were each other''s for a time. I''m so glad she called, and I will get in touch with her very soon. It''s funny...earlier in the week I was just relating a story about her to one of my co-workers and I hadn''t even mentioned her to anyone in years. So especially after that conversation it was strange that she just called out of the blue. I think more and more the older I get that our spirits/souls/whatever you want to call it are very connected and whatever bonds we make with one another cannot ever be broken. I really love that about life!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Sera,

Is it possible that she is actually giving the balance on returned items...you know store credits she gets when she doesn't have a receipt?

So what you are saying is the GC amount is some balance like $13.76? How did you learn she does this on a regular basis? Is it known by all? Wonder what the strangest amount has been? Do tell us more!! Strange! I have heard people give cards that haven't been activated!!! So all in all, your cousins relative who is absolutely no relation to you...is actually not as cheap as you think? You know half full thing?

§

ETA: I agree Monnie