My uncle and his girlfriend normally give everyone a present that she has picked up from car boot sales. I've always assumed they attempt to match the gift to the recipient e.g. a stuffed ancient camel to my daughters. Last years miniature glass house was a winner - even if it contained a handful of earth and had a few stones rattling around the bottom - as was the life size papier-mache goose.
This year they came into the living room on Christmas Day carrying two crates and announced: "We've made a change. Instead of trying to decide what to give you, you choose your own. It makes more sense."
They then laid a blanket on the rug and set out thirty battered items: cups, a few pictures, a copper tea pot with a wobbly handle etc.
My SIL snaffled the best: An old fashioned glass bottle that was not only clean but had a stopper. My mum managed a (slightly rusty) ice cream scoop (she had actually been given a special first choice viewing the day before by my uncle's girlfriend in recognition of the fact that she was cooking lunch for twenty). My aunt chose a used back scratcher. I went for a tarnished tin, but I've left it at my mum's: it's hard to feel attached to something that wasn't actually chosen with you in mind.
There wasn't anything suitable for my uncles five great nieces and nephews who are all under seven.
After half an hour, my uncle's girlfriend packed what was left back in the crates and said thoughtfully: "It's very interesting seeing what's left behind" (mostly everything).
It was pretty funny.