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Most random but ultimately brilliant present you've ever been given...

492 replies

Limth · 18/09/2023 11:07

When I started my business many years ago, a 'friend' bought me a Rolodex as a bit of a bitchy present. As a 'fuck you', I started using it. Then I actually fell in love with it. And then I gave her it a name. And now I use it all the bloody time now. The 'friend' has long since disappeared from my life but Ms. Rowan lives on as my trusty side-kick.

In my 20s, I was moving out of a house to the other side of the country. I had stuff to go to the tip, stuff to go to the second-hand furniture shop, stuff for the charity shop, bags of tatty clothes for rag recycling. I was completely overwhelmed with it and struggling because I didn't have a car. For my birthday, my friend hired me a 'Man With Van' for a half-day. The sense of relief at having that help was better than any spa break I've ever had.

What random presents have you had that've ultimately proved to be brilliant?

OP posts:
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WitcheryDivine · 19/09/2023 17:52

Had just moved house and needed to get basic kitchen stuff but no shops near my house or work and I seemed to be at work ALL the time.

Mentioned this to my colleague and the next day she came in with 5 wooden spoons wrapped up in a bow. I love my spoons and they're still with me so many years on.

smoothieooo · 19/09/2023 17:59

A set of two rechargeable, magnetic lights which are motion activated. Absolutely brilliant (and I bought more which I've since given as well-received if slightly odd gifts)! One lives in my understairs cupboard and one sits on a magnetic strip outside my front door so no more fumbling for the the lock in the dark!

Katiemag · 19/09/2023 18:08

Drcrafty · 18/09/2023 13:50

An electric throw for the sofa. I am always cold, but I thoughtit was a bit 'old lady'. Five years later, still going strong with the most blissful fleecy electric throw over me on the coldest nights. So cosy!

I second the electric throw! Would not be without it but wouldn’t have thought of it. I’ve now bought them for other people as gifts

DenaJT · 19/09/2023 18:27

I was bought a self stirring mug! Its the only thing I've found that mixes cup a soup without lumps!

BooneyBeautiful · 19/09/2023 18:48

Limth · 18/09/2023 15:59

@Galatine I also use a paper diary. Going to select my new diary is genuinely one of my favourite days of the year.

I have a pocket diary every year and last night I actually remembered to order a 2024 one off ebay. I could put everything on my phone, but if my phone goes wrong (as it did two weeks into the first lockdown), I would be completely lost!

Brutalass · 19/09/2023 18:56

Ahh there's some belters .. but @NotHooray I think you win!! I think I need a mouse living to excess too!!😄

Tbf a good friend gifted me a rabbit to keep me company when I was single 😉

IcakethereforeIam · 19/09/2023 18:59

Stuffed, live or battery operated?

Midsizegal29 · 19/09/2023 19:03

When living in freezing cold uni accommodation, my boyfriend at the time bought me a slanket (a blanket with sleeves). I thought it was ridiculous but I used it daily and it still lives on our sofa over 10 years later.

also not a gift for me but my dad bought my mum a cheese grater where you pop the cheese in this little hole thing and then crank a handle and it rotates and grates the cheese. It’s so fast and I’m really jealous and have never been able to find one since he got it 😂 (he did also buy her a cigarette powered heated car window scraper too once for Christmas though!)

MysteryBelle · 19/09/2023 19:12

AlrightThen · 18/09/2023 12:41

Not random, my mum bought me an expensive handbag last year. It really pleased me in a strange way. Like I'm a woman who she believes deserves to have a good handbag.

Other than that I choose my presents because they never get it right.

I usually buy myself a lot of things prior to Christmas. Only then my world is in balance.

Love this ♥️

greyhairnomore · 19/09/2023 19:12

@Limth why was the fact she bought you a Rolodex a bitchy present ?
I'd love one. I had a Filofax with all my info in pre iPhone

MmmALovelyBitOfSquirrel · 19/09/2023 19:14

@Midsizegal29 I got mine from IKEA! I love it, much cleaner (I can never keep the grated cheese contained to the bowl, I don't know why!) and less work than any other grater! My hands get sore sometimes so that little crank has been amazing.Rotary cheese grater

Hidinginplainsightnow · 19/09/2023 19:18

During lockdown DH bought a magnetic menu / shopping organiser for the fridge door. Still in use and it changed our lives. Shopping is easier / cheaper and there’s no more standing in front of the freezer saying “WTF shall we do for dinner??”🤣🤣🤣

RosieandWPCWhatmough · 19/09/2023 19:19

When I was about 11 years old, and just starting baking, my grandma bought me a Portmerion pottery rolling pin for my birthday. My mum thought I would be disappointed with it , but I loved it. I am now 71, and still using the rolling pin, which is still in perfect condition.

financialcareerstuff · 19/09/2023 19:23

RosieandWPCWhatmough · 19/09/2023 19:19

When I was about 11 years old, and just starting baking, my grandma bought me a Portmerion pottery rolling pin for my birthday. My mum thought I would be disappointed with it , but I loved it. I am now 71, and still using the rolling pin, which is still in perfect condition.

Ohhhh that's so touching.... What a great thread!

LILLYPRINT · 19/09/2023 19:26

When we got married mom got us a slow cooker. Very grateful as I know she didn't have much money but did think,I would never use it. 43 years later it is still going strong and used regularly.

Sandwiched2022 · 19/09/2023 19:26

A metal detector from DH. I hadn’t asked for one, so not sure where the idea came from. We did like watching the Detectorists on TV….. Perhaps I will find a Roman horde of coins and we can retire early??f Haven’t used it yet as this is very recent!!

Nutterjacks · 19/09/2023 19:30

Mine is a mug from my dd.

I had this blue and white vintage mug, (endorsed by Jamie Oliver). Used it every day for years. Then was enjoying my coffee in the garden, managed to knock it off the table and it smashed into pieces.

The following week, come home from work, went to the cupboard to grab a mug to make a drink and low and behold, there was another mug exactly the same!

My dd had searched the net long and hard to find a replacement without me knowing.

I felt so overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness, I'd never known her to do anything like this before.

MrsAvocet · 19/09/2023 19:30

I've just remembered that my nephews and neices saved up their pocket money to buy me a gerbil once becauss they thought I was lonely as I was off work long term sick. To be honrst I needed a caged rodent to look after like a hole in the head! But it was very sweet of them and I grew very fond of him. He actually lived to a ripe old age (in gerbil terms) and my DD adored him as a toddler.

jays · 19/09/2023 19:31

One of those long graters that you can do garlic and ginger on etc, I can’t imagine my cooking life without it (I don’t really cook but I was a game changer) and a salad spinner. Oh my god, my salad spinner is the one thing that takes up too much room in my tiny kitchen but earns its space so much. I thought salad spinners were a load of pap but they’re amazing! Ffs, these are my best presents, I want to feel pathetic but I don’t! I love them 😂

Callipygion · 19/09/2023 19:32

Sandwiched2022 · 19/09/2023 19:26

A metal detector from DH. I hadn’t asked for one, so not sure where the idea came from. We did like watching the Detectorists on TV….. Perhaps I will find a Roman horde of coins and we can retire early??f Haven’t used it yet as this is very recent!!

I love that programme too and ever since have hankered after a detector. Not sure where I’d use it though!

ChocolateCinderToffee · 19/09/2023 19:34

@Midsizegal29 It's called a mouli grater, Amazon have them https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mouli+grater&crid=2O0HVHXKBG27J&sprefix=mouli+grater%2Caps%2C80&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Richelieu · 19/09/2023 19:36

Haha! The mouse! Do you think that eBay seller will be scratching their head thinking 'WTF? I hardly sell more than a couple of these a month and now ten of them have flown off the shelf in one day! What’s going on?'

I LOVE this thread!

clary · 19/09/2023 19:36

Ah @RosieandWPCWhatmough you deffo win the thread with that! What a lovely gift and a lovely memory!

I still have and use all the time a frying pan my dad bought me - I think I asked for it, but anyway, it was a rather expensive range so it has proved its worth; it must be at least 35 years old as my dear dad has been gone that long. Love the way random items make you think of people.