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Post by karenlou on Dec 27, 2023 12:52:07 GMT
My absolute best gift in years was from my kids (they went in on it together).... A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY! I have wanted one forever! Dd drove up a couple of days ago and hauled in a HUGE box. I could not imagine what the heck it was. lol. I had NO CLUE. This is the model that comes put together (well, it still has to be installed onto the base, then put into the ground, but the box itself is put together) but not painted. Dd painted it sky blue and yellow, with a sun and clouds on it. She got the plate that says "Little Free Library" in English and French, and she's ordering the plate that goes on the post that says "This Little Free Library shares banned books." And what's even funnier about what a good secret this was is that my ds gave one to his partner! Only he's very handy so he ordered the blueprints and made the pieces himself. And, he gave her one per day as an Advent calendar! So I knew what hers was going to be, but had no idea I was getting one myself. lol. I can't wait to get it installed and start putting books in it! I absolutely LOVE this!!!!! What a Fabulous idea!!!!!
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,615
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Dec 27, 2023 15:07:23 GMT
I’m pretty pissed about what my husband got me for Christmas - a very generic type of lavender scented bath products. Just some crap he ordered from Amazon. Some men just don’t get it do they? I’m not sure why. I’m sorry this has happened to you. my Christmas or birthday present has been bought by me as he doesn’t know what I would like lousy excuse I know. I have plenty of hobbies - scrapping, quilting, needle work but it is all too hard and I would rather go without rather than some crappy thing I could not even use.
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,615
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Dec 27, 2023 15:11:32 GMT
Both my kids are pretty thoughtful in their gift giving. DS especially touches my heartstrings with the gifts he gave me. Especially the "silly" one he got me. Backstory he likes McDonald's chicken nuggets. Me? I like to steal just one from him each time, that's enough for me. since years ago, I always ask if he's willing to give up one and I always get the same shape. I guess mcds calls it the "boot" shape one but I always ask "can I have a Louisiana?" which is what the shape reminds me of. At first he thought I was weird (still does but for different reasons 😂) but it's now, after years, become part of our regular language. Anyway he got me... A Tetris handheld game that came in a fast food looking box, shaped like a mcnuggets and even better and more specifically a "LOUISIANA" mcnugget. I love it! He was so worried I'd not like it (on the spectrum worried). How could I not?! (Photo coming... Love, love, love it - absolutely fabulous
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Dec 27, 2023 15:12:08 GMT
I had been seeing ads for Backbone, which allows you to play PlayStation games on your phone. I saw that Costco had it 50% off with a $25 PS gift card (which we haven’t been able to access yet). I decided to get it for my younger two and they love it so far. Everything else they got was useful and things they asked for, but I think this was a hit because it was a surprise and they like it.
I ordered two ornaments from Wearfelicity.com and am wondering if it’s a scam or if they just underestimated their orders. They still haven’t shipped and many people are leaving reviews saying they ordered weeks ago and haven’t gotten them. I also order from quietbounce.com (silent basketball for indoor use) and that hasn’t shipped, either.
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Post by Merge on Dec 27, 2023 15:12:41 GMT
My oldest daughter, who has some mental health issues and has had a really rough year, surprised us all by giving each of us really thoughtful gifts and spending her time with us being cheerful and pleasant and seeming to enjoy our company. We played games and watched some videos as a family. We had a delicious dinner that everyone enjoyed. It was the best Christmas we’ve had in years and I am so grateful.
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Post by Merge on Dec 27, 2023 15:15:33 GMT
One of the biggest hits was a last-minute gift for the 3-1/2 year old grandson. A (former?) pea recommended the magnetic building tiles in a Facebook post. I ordered a set she endorsed from Amazon, and they were a wow for the child and for many of us adults, too! We took turns sitting on the floor with him building for long periods of time. Side note, her IRL name is April. Four kids. Texas. And I can't for the dang life of me remember what her peaname was/is. She's not active here anymore to the best of my knowledge. I think that was aprilfay21.
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Post by alsomsknit on Dec 27, 2023 15:21:38 GMT
The best was the gift for my coworker. It was just a silly thing, but she was thrilled with it. I knew at the very least it would be a good laugh.
At home, my son and DH duplicated the gift meant for Dad. A heavy denim shirt that Dad wears all the time. I knew first and couldn’t wait for those gifts to be opened. The Boy found out when DH was wrapping his gifts. Dad was thrilled.
I think the Boy’s favorite was the Jack Skellington pjs. His favorite pjs are Jack Skellington from years ago. The shirt is basically see through, both layers when folding, it is so threadbare.
The funniest gift opening was what I thought was the puppy’s dog tag, but ended up being a bar of soap. Oops!
We still haven’t opened the stockings. I should have bought the stocking I found at Kohl’s. We need to add a stocking for Dad. Why I haven’t thought of it before this Christmas is beyond me.
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uksue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,500
Location: London
Jun 25, 2014 22:33:20 GMT
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Post by uksue on Dec 27, 2023 15:53:31 GMT
My grandson was spoilt to the enth degree as usual for Christmas - he's 7 and received a BMX bike, iPad, phone and apple watch from his mum and other grandma 🙄.we never know what to buy him as he literally has everything. He came to us Boxing day for a week. I bought him one of those tiny thermal printers which he absolutely loves- I had no idea it would be such a hit with him! My daughter bought him a cheap 'marble run' game and he's fascinated by that, as well. I received some fortnum and Mason tea bags as part of my daughter's present to me and I don't think I can ever drink any other tea now, it's so nice!
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Post by aprilfay21 on Dec 27, 2023 16:19:04 GMT
One of the biggest hits was a last-minute gift for the 3-1/2 year old grandson. A (former?) pea recommended the magnetic building tiles in a Facebook post. I ordered a set she endorsed from Amazon, and they were a wow for the child and for many of us adults, too! We took turns sitting on the floor with him building for long periods of time. Side note, her IRL name is April. Four kids. Texas. And I can't for the dang life of me remember what her peaname was/is. She's not active here anymore to the best of my knowledge. I think that was aprilfay21. Yep, me! And no, I'm not very active here, though I do read pretty often.
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 27, 2023 16:23:22 GMT
I got a present from my husband. When I took the wrapping paper off it was a small chicken pot pie box. I started laughing so hard and kept asking him if he really got me a chicken pot pie for Christmas. He said no, I just needed a box the right size for your present. It was a pair of hoop earrings! I still start giggling every time I think about it. Good lord that man makes me laugh. My son would use a tampon box if it meant the gift would fit. He'd also use Kleenex or paper towels in place of pretty paper (to wrap or hide the contents). On the other hand, he is such a good husband to his wife and kind of dotes on her. Can't judge a man on his wrapping skills!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 27, 2023 16:40:46 GMT
Yep, me! And no, I'm not very active here, though I do read pretty often. Yes! And welcome back if you were beetlejuiced here for just a quick visit!
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 27, 2023 16:42:08 GMT
I got a present from my husband. When I took the wrapping paper off it was a small chicken pot pie box. I started laughing so hard and kept asking him if he really got me a chicken pot pie for Christmas. He said no, I just needed a box the right size for your present. It was a pair of hoop earrings! I still start giggling every time I think about it. Good lord that man makes me laugh. My son would use a tampon box if it meant the gift would fit. He'd also use Kleenex or paper towels in place of pretty paper (to wrap or hide the contents). On the other hand, he is such a good husband to his wife and kind of dotes on her. Can't judge a man on his wrapping skills! Let me just say, over the years my family never knew what theu were opening. That extended to friends. I would use any box that fit. I made a frame, potpourri heart and an ornament, all ceramic. They fit perfectly in a microwave popcorn box with padding. I used the ornament as the tag. I gave them to several friends and those in the dentist office. Never heard from one person, which was unusual. Around March I got a phone call with her laughing. She had put the popcorn box on the shelf in her kitchen and had just opened it to make popcorn. SURPRISE!! We laughed about that for years.
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Post by femalebusiness on Dec 27, 2023 16:42:14 GMT
I got a present from my husband. When I took the wrapping paper off it was a small chicken pot pie box. I started laughing so hard and kept asking him if he really got me a chicken pot pie for Christmas. He said no, I just needed a box the right size for your present. It was a pair of hoop earrings! I still start giggling every time I think about it. Good lord that man makes me laugh. My son would use a tampon box if it meant the gift would fit. He'd also use Kleenex or paper towels in place of pretty paper (to wrap or hide the contents). On the other hand, he is such a good husband to his wife and kind of dotes on her. Can't judge a man on his wrapping skills! To me that type of thinking is worth its weight in gold. My husband has kept me laughing since 1967. Your daughter-in-law married a winner!
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Post by scrapmaven on Dec 27, 2023 16:48:38 GMT
One more. I think the funniest gift of the year was the Fender guitar lego that yds gave dh for the 2nd Christmas in a row. We've been teasing dh all year, because he hasn't built the thing. So, yds wrapped it, again and gave it to dh, as well as a nice gift card for something else. Dh is off this week, loves legos and STILL HASN'T BUILT IT! The clue is in the gift, dude.
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Post by Neisey on Dec 27, 2023 18:23:18 GMT
The surprise hit was the box of frozen croissants from Costco. DSO loves fresh croissants but since we moved to a rural area they aren’t as easily available unless we are going into town. I wrapped them, put them in the garage freezer and promptly forgot about them until Christmas Day evening. We’ve already baked fresh croissants 3 times lol!
A miss that we think we can fix…. When we bought our house, the previous owners left the home theater seating and we were told it was a certain brand name. I ordered DSO their tablet holder accessory (Which was not cheap for such a little thing lol) but come to find out the metal rod is just a hair too thick for the grommet system in our seating. We had to actually flip the chairs over to find out the actual brand name. Disappointing as he would like to have had it to play with over the holidays as he runs a lot of electronics/movies/music through his iPad.
I made the “Grinch Pubes” ornaments that were all over the internet for select coworkers, friends and my brother. I was able to be with some of them when they opened theirs and it was fun to watch their reactions, especially my brother who promptly hung his on his tree. .
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Dec 27, 2023 20:39:51 GMT
There were no missed for us this year, unless you could my mom getting 2 sets of Mexican train dominoes (which she says will be good because she plays with a large group). DH went above and beyond. I always make a wish list, mostly for my mom, and he got everything on it, plus jewelry, Ole Miss earrings, and some stocking stuffers. I can't wait to try my new heat press, and I've been doing cross stitch lately, so he got me some supplies. He got bike shoes and a weight set (which he had to carry inside himself because I couldn't lift it!). OH - DD got me a Lego Harry Potter Patronus set that you can deconstruct and make into a 2nd Patronus. I can't wait to do that! I got her an "official" Taylor Swift merch Koi Fish sweater and an album, and she also got a record player and countertop water dispenser (for the big jugs). I’m pretty pissed about what my husband got me for Christmas - a very generic type of lavender scented bath products. Just some crap he ordered from Amazon. I have been struggling with my hands and feet since this summer. Earlier this month I saw a dermatologist and am being treated for a specific type of psoriasis that is difficult to treat. I am currently trying to accept that I am going to need to take a medication that is likely to help, but it is a pretty strong med that will likely have some strong side effects. My husband knows that I have a collection of products that are recommended by my dermatologist. He’s annoyed that I’m pissed, but I said he is going to fix this. I refuse to accept such a thoughtless gift. We’re not poor and this was the best he could do. He just doesn’t care if I get a nice gift or not. He just wants me to have something to open so that he can say he did his job. Now and then he does a good job. I have hobbies. I have favorite stores. I like clothes. I like makeup. I like a new pair of pajamas, slippers, or a hoodie like everyone else. He gave me something I should not use because he can’t be bothered to leave the house or spend more than 10 minutes of shopping online for me. I got him something he needs but wouldn’t buy for himself - a reflector jacket and a tv antenna so that he can watch the local news. We cut our cable and that is the only thing he misses. He’s out in the living room watching the news right now and I am in bed bitching about him on the internet. I would be upset, too. My ex would also "check the box," and sometimes as late as 4:00 on Christmas Eve when everything was picked over. Ridiculous.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,504
Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on Dec 27, 2023 22:13:09 GMT
Just a little update - my husband knows that he screwed up and took me seriously when I said that he was going to try again. I sent him links to multiple things that would be good gifts for me. He never once asked me what I would like and from now on I am going to bombard him with links. He said he placed an order and that when it arrives it will be wrapped. Last year he got me pasta maker attachment for my mixer and l have used it many times. I had him do a little reading up on the type of psoriasis I have and he said afterward that he can see why I was pissed. It’s not very often that I open something up and say, “This is a terrible gift.” I’m glad I did.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,530
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 27, 2023 22:16:05 GMT
I had him do a little reading up on the type of psoriasis I have and he said afterward that he can see why I was pissed. Good for him for being willing to read up on what's going on with you and seeing where he went wrong. I know so many adults who will buckle down with the I don't understand why she's upset, I did what was asked and got her something for Christmas. Way to communicate and explain why you were upset and advocate for something that works for you.
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Post by karenlou on Dec 27, 2023 22:26:06 GMT
One more. I think the funniest gift of the year was the Fender guitar lego that yds gave dh for the 2nd Christmas in a row. We've been teasing dh all year, because he hasn't built the thing. So, yds wrapped it, again and gave it to dh, as well as a nice gift card for something else. Dh is off this week, loves legos and STILL HASN'T BUILT IT! The clue is in the gift, dude. For several years in a row I have taken stocking stuffers that I got DH that he never opened and stuffed his stocking with them yet again. He was going through his stocking on Monday morning and pulled out the Starwars puzzle ...for the third year in a row...it is in a little metal box, he was studying it and I said its a small puzzle...OH...he says...can you say "ground hog day"!!!!!!! He is actually a very bright man...However Not so much when it come to stocking stuff🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 28, 2023 0:19:33 GMT
I got a suitcase that I had asked for. Score. I also got tickets the the Philharmonic (also great) and attachable little cleats for walking on ice. We live in an area that can get a lot of snow and a few of our neighbors are elderly and wait to shovel. Dog walking can be difficult at times. I was thrilled to get them. My husband asked me what I wanted and I told him the suitcase. He asked if that was it. I said that he knew me and should be able to come up with something else on his own. He did well this year.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
Jun 26, 2014 19:30:06 GMT
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Post by scrappinghappy on Dec 28, 2023 0:35:22 GMT
All hits here. The kids got what they asked for and ds LOVED the goofy comp-sci tshirts I found for him. DD's absolute favorite was the surprise homemade dehydrated citrus fruits I made for her cocktail bar. My older ds got the tickets to Les Mis he's been wanting to see and other dd just moved into a new house so got a bunch of stuff on her wishlist. No surprises for her as she really needs everything on her list so that's where our budget went.
Gifts to me were absolutely BRILLIANT. I got the 3d printer I hinted at back over Thanksgiving (I actually bought it for myself when I saw it on sale but the family got an even better deal, so mine will go back with no one the wiser). I used it to make dh a cup holder for his car that holds his weird coffee mug, the one I unsuccessfully tried to replace (because nothing else with that volume fits in the coffee machine). He is super impressed. I also gave him a lifetime pass to the national Parks, one of the perks of getting "older".
I also got the loveliest bright luscious PINK cashmere travel wrap that I totally was not expecting. My daughter remembered that I commented about her wrap last winter and watched for a color she new I would love to go on sale.
My boys got me a necklace that is perfect so all in all I am super thrilled.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,530
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 28, 2023 1:54:25 GMT
What kind of 3d printer did you get? this is on DS's list and after a lean Christmas for him this year I need to step up my game.
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Post by rymeswithpurple on Dec 28, 2023 15:43:42 GMT
Biggest hit was probably the gift my brother and I went splitsies on for my parents: David Sedaris tickets and a gift card to one of their favorite restaurants. My grandma recently moved into assisted living, so now that my parents don't need to have someone over to watch grandma when they go out, they can go without worrying about that. Mom's going over every day (which I don't think she needs to do), but I'm glad grandma's in good hands. It's just frustrating that it's only now that grandma's in a place like that that mom's siblings are expressing any concern. Ugh.
Anywho. DH got a vertical waffle maker he's been looking at, and I got some craft stuff.
The only miss are what I'm assuming to be flea bites I got on my leg. Because only I would get bug bites in dang December.
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Post by shescrafty on Dec 28, 2023 16:04:26 GMT
Mostly hits and the misses were things for me (as usual). DH wrapped up a pair of shoes that I had bought myself and were too big and I was giving them to a friend. They were in my pile of gifts and he gave them to me and then was like “oh sorry I thought I had bought you shoes” when I told him I had bought them myself 2 months prior. He also bought me a phone charger that doesn’t work with my case. He got the same one for himself and gave them both separately wrapped to me like I had 2 presents-but really have zero. I have to give him a list for everything and he didn’t get many of the sticking stuffers on the list b/c “the line was too long at Target.” He did go to 2 different dinners with friends the same week without me (totally fine) so I told him I was upset that he had time for that but not me. It is like that every year and I am disappointed each year. Especially this year after cancer surgery and starting radiation in January
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 28, 2023 17:53:45 GMT
I made the “Grinch Pubes” ornaments that were all over the internet for select coworkers, friends and my brother. I was able to be with some of them when they opened theirs and it was fun to watch their reactions, especially my brother who promptly hung his on his tree. We must have different algorithms because I never saw those. I just googled and um... lol. and a weight set (which he had to carry inside himself because I couldn't lift it!) One of my sons got the youngest one who still lives at home with us a weight bench and all the weights to go with it. Usually when something heavy comes to the house I get that 22 y/o to lift it for me. Well, I couldn't do that with his Christmas present. UPS left the boxes in front of the door... up four steps. I got the big moving dolly, wrestled it up there, put it on its side and then rolled the weights and the dolly upright together. Then had to get it down the four steps and around to the back of the house to get it in the basement. The bonus is the boys were all pretty impressed that mom took care of it by myself. In fact, the one who received the gift said I might as well start lifting with him since I've already proven I can handle all the weights at once! For several years in a row I have taken stocking stuffers that I got DH that he never opened and stuffed his stocking with them yet again. That's actually brilliant. My husband rarely uses any of his stocking stuffers. It will be fun to do this just to see how long it takes him to catch on!
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,464
Jun 29, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
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Post by casii on Dec 28, 2023 17:59:48 GMT
We did a big disney trip with 2 of the adult children, their spouses and children. We told them that character meals or table reservation meals were their Christmas gifts. Everyone had also got small disney gift cards to buy themselves something while they were there. It was actually more than we would've spent on Christmas otherwise, but my DDs, one in particular, seemed disappointed they only got stockings to open on Christmas Eve.
DH says if we ever do another joint trip, they're picking up their own tabs.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,629
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Dec 28, 2023 18:22:31 GMT
casii I am so sorry your DD spoiled your trip with her grumpy attitude. I think what you did for your DDs and their families is amazing, and it's too bad one of your DDs doesn't see how generous your DH and you were.
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Post by Jamie on Dec 28, 2023 21:55:30 GMT
Nothing but disappointment here as usual. I shouldn't let it bother me but every year it does. I was given a game for the Nintendo switch and a 4 pack of chapstick. What gets me is he traded in other switch games he was done with, bought the game and put the rest of the credit, almost $40 onto an apple gift card, which he promptly kept for himself. So now I have a game that will probably only be played a handful of times and he'll just end up trading it in for himself. Guess the chapstick was good though seeing I needed to replace the one in my truck and my purse, but still.
What really bothers me is we both have wish lists on Amazon. He could have gone and bought me 2 books off my list and I would have been ecstatic with that.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,464
Jun 29, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
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Post by casii on Dec 28, 2023 22:56:38 GMT
casii I am so sorry your DD spoiled your trip with her grumpy attitude. I think what you did for your DDs and their families is amazing, and it's too bad one of your DDs doesn't see how generous your DH and you were. Dh and I have decided to let them get over it in their own time. Next year I'll be hunting some of that coal gum that loses all flavor after 5 seconds though.
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Post by melodyesch on Dec 29, 2023 3:11:21 GMT
We only really had two misses, both from my MIL. She gave DH a t-shirt with a HUGE cat on it. He loves cats, but this is a great big cat that takes up the whole front of the t-shirt. It was really quite funny. Then, she knitted (or crocheted) a hat for my SIL that had NO CHANCE of going onto SIL’s head. Then, she seemed kind of pissed at SIL that it didn’t fit. When it was time to open my gift, I got scared because it was something knitted and compared to SIL, I have a big melon. But thankfully it was a knitted basket so that was good. For the record, it DID fit on my head.
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