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Author Topic: Gifts you don't use  (Read 473 times)

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Offline Questor

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Gifts you don't use
« on: November 27, 2009, 08:35:40 AM »
As slovenly as I am, as fashion editor of The Hobo News, I'm still kind of picky about what I wear. For example, I wear t-shirts a lot, but if it's got visible branding, or does not have a pocket, I won't wear it. Similarly for sweat shirts. You can get crappy ones for about 2/3 the price  of a good one. I won't wear the crappy ones because they are ill fitting, have bad cuffs and necks, and generally are not as comfortable.

So over the years I've tried to make it clear to the family that I can always use new T-shirts and sweatshirts as gifts, but they have to be of high quality if they expect me to wear it and appreciate it.

I think I've finally got them trained about the t-shirts. Am not so sure about the sweatshirts, though.

Last year was the first year ever they got me t-shirts I'd wear. Prior to that I'd open the package and take the shirts straight downstairts to the Good Will box without even trying it on.

Do you have any situations like this, where you persistently get gifts you will not use?
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Offline puma4440

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2009, 09:07:03 AM »
arggg, don't get me started, every year for my birthday, my mother usually gets me one of those redneck shirts, the ones that have pictures of fishing with dynamite, or hunting out of a truck cab on stilts!  I get mad about it, I've told her I won't wear them in public, I usually cut them up for rags once she's out of sight. The ones that really make me angry are the ones that have anything to do with alcohol, I'm a recovering alcoholic!!! Get a clue, you're my mother.  Oh well, I moved my family 100 miles from anyone I know, so I don't deal with it on a daily basis.
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Offline Questor

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2009, 09:20:54 AM »
That reminds me of the plaid flannel shirts my mother in law used to get me every year. I never tried them on either. It took about ten years for it to sink in that I won't wear them.

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Offline puma4440

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2009, 11:55:28 AM »
I can get down with the flannel, lol. I like them for cutting firewood. Cheap enough if you tear them, you can pitch them, but thick enough you don't tear your arms up on bark.

I thought of another gift I hate, slippers. I have never worn them, the wife wears them, and its like open season for the dog and cats.

My father and I have a good system, I tell him what ammo I want, and vice versa.
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Offline kansasj

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2009, 12:19:40 PM »
Flannel lined denim jeans are the hot ticket.  I have one daughter whom has given me those for the last 5 years or so.  But why useless gifts like a new alarm clock or some new tongs for the BBQ.  This year I have put out the word to give me IOUs on perhaps a fried chicken dinner in June, or a BBQ brisket dinner next July.  Sounds good doesn"t it?   This way they save money at Christmas and can spread out Christmas throughout the entire year.
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Offline The Hermit

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2009, 01:45:26 PM »
Gifts you won't use:  About 40 years ago, one of my sisters was a knitting freak. She thought it was great fun to knit me a "pecker" warmer for Christmas. It has never been worn. And no, it wasn't because it was too big.   ;D



    The Hermit
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Offline Squib

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2009, 07:39:20 PM »
flannel is good because it's warm, somewhat durable, and doesn't show the wear and tear much... think of it as camoflage for the abuse it takes (ink, grease, dirt, blood- none of it shows much on flannel).   I told my stepdad to come out sometime and shoot some of my .357 handloads to see that they're safe and I'd then load him up 100-200rds for christmas.  that loser told me that I can't use .38special bullets in .357magnum cases because the bullets are too big and will stop up the gun- blow out the cylinder- etcetera.  He told me that i better get a bullet puller to disassemble all of them too or throw them in a fire.  ROFLMAO  :D  no joke, a 58yr old hunter/shooter/former l.e.o. believed that!

I'm damn sure not going to go buy anyone ammo anymore, it's just too costly.  I'll buy them guns and ammo magazine maybe, maybe a subscription but not any ammo.
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Offline magooch

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2009, 03:31:33 AM »
Gee, I thought the whole purpose of birthdays and Christmas was to swap stupid useless crap with one another.  I've got a room full of junk that's still in the boxes it came in.  Even my wife insists on buying me things that I already have and will never use.  The only person I know who has any hint of what I want, or will use is ME.  Why have we allowed ourselves to get into this wasteful conspiracy?  Oh, I know it's not the gift--it's the thought behind it.  Spare me the thought; I'll buy my own junk and you buy yours.  Christmas--baugh humbug.  How's that guys?  I'm almost getting giddy with the Christmas spirit.
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Offline pmeisel

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2009, 05:12:01 AM »
Running joke in our family about my mom always buying the wrong size or color....

So I moved south a couple years ago.  She asks my wife what to buy for CHRISTmas, and wife suggests a gift certificate to Lowe's (he always needs something there..).

So CHRISTmas comes and I get -- the wrong color, orange!  The closest Home Depot is over an hour away.....
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Offline Squib

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2009, 10:13:23 AM »
garage sales guys, christmas is to provide you with goods for garage sales

and jesus- although I'm not sure how that fits in with christmas trees, ornaments and presents

I try to reflect on that fact christmas eve- hope you don't forget either
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Offline Gun Runner

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2009, 10:32:03 AM »
Beings I already have about 3 of everything and then some I'am hard to shop for. Have a deal with my daughter, she gets me a fishing lic. every year for christmass. Son will pick me up some kind of tool, wife says to order something. For son and daughter I give them  $100.00 bill. They both say its the right Color and Size. Wife I get something in Black Hills Gold.

Gun Runner
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Offline Rustyinfla

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2009, 02:21:27 PM »


  I can neither confirm nor deny anything. My wife is already convinced that she can't buy me a worthwhile gift.
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Offline Squib

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2009, 03:27:49 PM »
PRIMERS ARE CHEAP, ASK FOR A FEW BOXES OF PRIMERS, people on the streets can afford primers, depending on the quality of a christmas card- it can cost more than primers

put a post-it note on a box of primers that says merry christmas (I really am going to tell my relatives that one, plus bullets for the really generous)
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Offline Empty Quiver

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #13 on: November 28, 2009, 05:53:42 PM »
Generally speaking, hunting fishing equipment. I pretty well have what I want, or will specify what it is I do want. I'm pretty particular about what I haul into the woods. I know that folks mean well, but honestly, most things you can find at a mall are useless to me. Only trust my father to buy me stuff for the field, he likely taught me to be discerning, and gave me my taste in equipment. 

Absolutely positively won't even bother trying on shirts that aren't marked tall. Nobody on this earth deserves to see my navel, and that is exactly what will be showing up after a couple washes. Haven't worn a reg size shirt in over twenty yrs.

I won't even try to buy a new knife any more. I got a antler handled Gerber over twenty years ago, and try as I might I can't find a replacement for it. All I've tried, and it's quite a few, just don't fit my hand the same way. The blade was hafted a bit crooked in the antler, and it is perfect. Ergonomics before ergonomics was even cool. The bend even makes it carry closer to my body. I have knives worth 5x that don't even leave the house any more.
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Offline kwells2006

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2009, 05:54:15 PM »
sweaters...

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Offline Hodr

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Re: Gifts you don't use
« Reply #15 on: November 28, 2009, 07:43:25 PM »
My wife and I have more dispoable income than our kids.  They were always trying to figure out something for us.  Year before last they figured out something for me that I will never use but am greatful for.  My father taught me to quietly pick up the check in a restraunt for a senior in  military reunion colors or a GI and family in uniform.  They send me a letter of when and where.  I was spit at coming home in 69 and have tried to thank the generation before and after mine in any way I can.  My kids leave a note with the waitress much like I do.

From my father,
From my Grandfather,
This one is on the Rangers.

Remember to tip the waitress.

It could be considered of no practical use to me, but it means we raised them right.

blindhari
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