Practical presents - Good or bad?

**Slyer** · 12th December 2008, 13:45

Do you think its a fair idea to buy someone else in your family a gift like a vacuum cleaner, lawnmower, ironing board etc? Something practical that they may indeed primarily use but it's not really a present, just a household item.

I remember when I got a milkshake maker from my parents for Christmas when I was about 12 and that pissed me off. Buy me a damn milkshake maker just so you guys can use it!

I suppose it depends on how much the person enjoys said household task.

**Skyryder** · 12th December 2008, 13:46

Yep no problem.

Skyryder

**alanzs** · 12th December 2008, 13:55

A gift is a gift. If you don't like/need/want it, re-gift it to another person...

**vifferman** · 12th December 2008, 13:57

Never buy a woman a household implement (iron, washing machine, etc.) as a present, unless it's one of many presents, several of which are bling/clothes/perfume or other personal items.

**kiwifruit** · 12th December 2008, 14:00

Good

.

**Big Dave** · 12th December 2008, 14:16

Originally Posted by vifferman

Never buy a woman a household implement (iron, washing machine, etc.) as a present, unless it's one of many presents, several of which are bling/clothes/perfume or other personal items.

You were doing real well till 'unless'.

**Beemer** · 12th December 2008, 14:20

It very much depends on the person and what the practical present is! I adore cooking so if anyone bought me cooking utensils or gadgets (food processor, ice cream maker, bread maker, mixer, etc - although I have all these things already!), I would be rapt. But I hate vacuuming and ironing so if anyone gave me one of those things, I wouldn't be as appreciative!

I bought my husband a combo pole saw and hedge trimmer for his birthday and he was thrilled to bits. I did buy him a flash iron too (not for a present!) as he does the ironing and he was pleased with that.

They were asking what people hated receiving as presents recently and I'd like to add a few to the list - sampler boxes of biscuits - ugh, hate them, hate them! I also hate getting nighties or hankies and slippers - unless they are possum fur slippers, of course! One guy I went out with years ago bought me a hat and some hankies - said he loved women in hats... despite the fact it was hideous and I didn't suit hats...

One year the husband gave me a bike cover for a present and I must confess that wasn't quite what I had been hoping for! The bastard even told me to open that box last so I was thinking he'd hidden jewellery (maybe an engagement ring?) in a big box as he loves disguising presents, but no, it was a Givi bike cover. A very nice one, and I had just bought an $18,000 bike, but telling me to open it last wasn't a good idea! If I'd opened it as one of my presents it would have been fine, but he made out it was THE present and I didn't agree!

**Tank** · 12th December 2008, 14:34

Originally Posted by Slyer

Do you think its a fair idea to buy someone else in your family a gift like a vacuum cleaner, lawnmower, ironing board etc? Something practical that they may indeed primarily use but it's not really a present, just a household item.

I predict that you are so not going to get laid over Christmas.

**Pussy** · 12th December 2008, 14:35

A good mate of mine reckons he got a naughty and a pair of socks for Christmas last year.... and they were both three sizes too big

**vifferman** · 12th December 2008, 14:36

In the past, I liked receiving practical presents. This year I'm hoping for invisible presents. So far, it looks like I'm on track for the big zero (Christmas and birthday).
I suspect the vifferbabe expects summat - no idea what.
I offered to buy one of those lingerie-clad housekeepers that are in every other mailer that comes through the letterbox, but she wasn't keen on that idea. Most of 'em look pretty waifish, so they shouldn't cost much to keep - just the odd waifer or whatever, and a sip of water.

**wbks** · 12th December 2008, 14:38

Depends. If I bought my dad a brand new tig/mig welder he would probably be wrapped...If I bought some chick a stove with built in shackal...Practical...But not so good...