2nd Annual Bad Gift Contest
November 30th, 2006 by jessica
Due to an unforeseen database error, the entries for the Bad Gift Contest were deleted. We were able to retrieve most of these, but if you submitted an entry and do not see it, please repost your story so we can consider you for the prizes. We apologize for the inconvenience and have extended the contest deadline to January 15th.
The winter holiday season is upon us, so that means it’s time for SwapThing’s 2nd Annual Bad Gift Contest. Regardless of what you celebrate this time of year, gifts are given and not all of them are things we necessarily want. We want to hear about the things that make you put on a fake happy face when you open them. Whether the gifts are bizarre, inappropriate, or thoughtless, share your tale so we can all have a good laugh. Here are a few examples of what you told us last year:Â Â Â
- a flat-chested woman received a “boob cooler,” which is intended to keep well-endowed women cool and chaffe-free.   - a cash-strapped couple agreed to limit the spending on each others gift. She got him a shirt that matched his eyes, and he got her a doormat and a 12-pack of beer.   - a person living in a tiny 600 sq. ft. apartment received a tea set for eight people, though only a fraction of that could fit into the apartment.     The best stories will be voted upon with the winners receiving free swaps and SwapThing T-shirts.Â
  And don’t forget the old saying: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Don’t re-gift or return those unwanted items; list them on SwapThing and see if it tickles the fancy of someone else.Â
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Debra Says
After telling my mom that I needed a new alarm clock she found me a “flea market treasure” that when the alarm went off I had to open the battery compartment and switch a tiny little nob to turn it off…in the dark? I put it in the clothes hamper under the dirty clothes until I woke up later to figure out how to turn it off…then remove it from the house
Dec 29th, 2006 at 11:32 am
joanna Says
Last year for Christmas my husband and children colabarated together to buy me the perfect gift. they bought me a handhled mixer, so I would be able to continue to make thenm there favorate mashed potatoes. My mixer had broke the week prio. This is one gift I wish I never recieved because I have to
make them mashed potatoes at least once a week.
Dec 29th, 2006 at 11:36 am
Patrick Says
For the better part of a year I had b een hinting that I wanted a “Doctor Who” scarf, just like Tom Baker wore. It was dark shades of brown, burgundy, navy etc and was knitted. Also, and most important it was around 12 to 15 feet long.
My sister was so proud when she presented me with my scarf. It was 12 feel long. However it was white with pastels and was lace patterned crochet. it was horrible. However I did wear it one time and then promptly regifted it the next year as a gag gift at a white elephant exchange.
Dec 29th, 2006 at 11:37 am
Steve Collins Says
Opening gifts during a secret Santa went ary when the last gift opened, a small box hinting of an ornament or jewelry, contained a large dried
tarrantula. Quickly, everyone divulged what they had given, leaving the poor graduate student gift giver outed by his peers and the recipient wanting to know if it was just a joke and looking for another gift under the tree. There wasn’t one.
The grad student lab team was one man short come January and no one spoke his name, ever again.
Dec 29th, 2006 at 11:37 am
Jane Moore Says
My husband left hurriedly Christmas morning. He came back with a gift for me. He said he did not have the time to buy me a gift. He smiled as he
handed me my gift to open. I was horrified to find a “fartsmeller” gag gift. It was an aerosol diffuser to cancel out bad smells. He thought it was so funny and why would I be offended? I always take the time to buy each family member a thoughtful personal gift. It hurt my feelings.
Dec 29th, 2006 at 11:38 am
Sue Ragan Says
My father was never a big Christmas gift giver. It was always my mother who bought and wrapped the gifts and gave my dad some of the credit. Which made the beautifully wrapped gift which dad handed me on Christmas morning when I was sweet sixteen so special. As he gave it to me , he told me that he picked it out and wrapped it himself. I was so happy and overwhelmed by his sweetness that I ripped open the gift. And there, lying in the midst of red tissue paper was a bottle of underarm deodorant. He then said as he smiled at me was that it was time I started using something. I was horrified and humiliated. All I could do was to smile stiffly, thank him, and not look at anyone
around me. I never said anything to anyone, and no one ever said anything to me.
Dec 29th, 2006 at 11:39 am