How to deal with the crushing disappointment of terrible Christmas presents
Christmas presents are hard to choose, and even harder to get right. Research suggests that last year we received 2.4 billion pounds worth of Christmas presents that we did not want and have not used.
Unwanted gifts
We’ve all been there; you open up Aunty Mavis’ poorly wrapped gift and pull out a scarf the hue of green that even the incredible hulk would smirk at, or Mum’s bought you a blender even though the only kind of soup you’re capable of cooking comes in a tin.
Ok, so we might not have been precisely THERE, but we all get weird and wonderful -often just plain weird- presents from time to time.
The thing to do in these situations is smile, politely say “thank-you!”to the offending relative or friend, and remember; it could be worse!
Spare a thought
Spare a thought for these weird Christmas gifts:
The Statue of Liberty –weighing in at 225 tons, and measuring 46.5 metres tall, it is officially the world’s largest gift, given by France to the US in 1886. Shipped in pieces, I think we can all be a little more grateful that we haven’t had to find room for 5 metre long hands and other giant anatomy parts somewhere in the garden.
A glass pickle – In Germany it is traditional to hide an ornamental glass pickle deep within the Christmas tree, the first child that finds it on Christmas morning is supposed to have good luck throughout the year, but in reality they actually possess a glass pickle, and a face full of pine needles.
A severed ear – Van Gogh cut off the lower half of his left ear on 23rd December 1888, wrapped it in cloth, and then handed it to a prostitute named Rachel. It is not known precisely why he did this, though many continue to theorise, but either way, it doesn’t make for much of a Christmas present.
Diamonds are forever
Don’t fret, nestled alongside the terrible gifts, are the amazing gifts, bear in mind ladies, more diamonds are bought at Christmas than at any other time of the year.
Dealing with unwanted gifts
But, if you are one of the unlucky ones this year (and obviously it is important to be grateful you are so fortunate as to have presents at all), what are your options?
1) Keep it, put it up in the loft, and try and repress the memories that your partner of 5 years thought it a good idea to buy you a life-size replica of Thor.
2) Keep it, and look out for an opportunity to offload it on someone else as a gift.
3) Take it back (tact necessary if asking for gift receipts so you can return an item).
4) Sell it on ebay, no one will be any the wiser, hopefully…
5) Swap it, www.swapshop.co.uk is a brilliant way to get the things you really wanted.
6) Give it to charity, if you’re feeling particularly philanthropic after what is often a fairly materialistic holiday why not give it away to help raise money for a good cause.
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