Why does anyone ever buy.......

[Robinw]

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Pamina - LOL and WMP - you've made an old girl very happy!! I was wondering what to get the MIL & FIL for Christmas, now that problem is solved! You've inspired me to go for another look through the Index catalogue - will post later!

Jessi, my mum has two of those dolls, a boy and a girl. We saw them in Australia a few years ago and she really liked them and long before we saw them in the UK. I dont know how they compare to the ones in the catalogue that you have but these are quite good. Are we sad??

Well Pamina my girl, you threw down the gauntlet with your tempting selection, but I hope I have risen to the challenge with my veritable treasure trove, hold on to your hats now :- what about a Siberian Ice ring (the actual size of Siberia!) for a mere £35.99, or a bejewelled Witch on a broomstick (very apt for me, some may say!) for a spell-binding £49.75. For the man in your life:- what about a Handcuff pendant for the (kinky) price of £24.99 or a dazzling roaring panther onyx ring (knuckle-duster style, of course!) a bargain at a tenth of the price £34.99. For the MIL, spoil her with a Bird song wall clock (yes, it really does play a different bird song every hour!) for only £15.99! Or what about a combination Cherub clock and indoor water fountain (the best of both worlds) a mere £47.50. Still can't decide? Perhaps a Lady on a swing table lamp will tickle your fancy, especially when you know it's only £34.99 - Enjoy! (I would just like to add at this point incase anyone who works for Index is reading this, this is only IMO, and as you can see, I am a total gibbering idiot!)

This has reminded me of another pet hate, it's those bronze-effect statues of nude lovers canoodling - they make me want to puke! Perleeeese Pamina, don't tell me that you and dh collect these, it'll just finish me off!!!

Good grief, I don't know whether to laugh or cry - who comes up with the ideas for this stuff?! I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc... but surely within limits - no?

I tried to post earlier but it got eaten up on the way by my computer so, I will once again reveal that dh bought me one of those blow up aliens that were doing the rounds a couple of years ago. It was my only Christmas present that year as ds had just been born and we were too exhausted to shop for anything more than one present each - wish we'd skipped presents altogether! I hasten to add that I'm not normally such an ingrate - but an alien - what could he have been thinking? no, don't answer that one.

I would recommend that all of you go and have a look at the Franklin Mint website: www.franklinmint.com. (How do you do those live link thingies btw?) Lordy, it's funny! The "fantasy pocket watches" are particularly fantastically awful!

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My brother once bought me and DH Matching Cardies With Zip-up Fronts from BHS (to which we returned them at about 9am on Dec 27th.)
He has also given us a front-door knocker with our surname on and one of those gadgets for stamping "from the library of" in your books. He has never asked where they are or why we don't use them so I think they were bought in desperation and instantly forgotten.
Rhiannon, you asked if those loop-the-loop cars work - yes they do! The one we have was a cheapo from Woolies last year but it did work and DS got - ooh, at least 10 minutes pleasure from it! (It's been on a shelf ever since.)

Oh dear, I knew that when I get carried away like that by the 'heady' world of naff (IMO) products, I'm going to cause some offence along the way! Soreee!!! Remember, it is only IMO and as you've probably gathered, I lost the plot years ago!! Anyway, at the risk of causing more offence, I've got another selection of Christmas present corkers from the UK Bright-Life freebie catalogue:- What about a stylish acrylic balaclava/ winter cap for those 'frigid winter days' (yes, it really did say that!) 3 for £12!(just think Pamina, you, dh and dd could all have one!) or what about (a Mumsnet favourite) yes, it's the Hide-and-seek dolls, described as 'well-behaved, quiet, don't each much' - makes you wonder why you have the real things when you could have 2 of these for the knockdown price of £18!

Joe1, sorry I hope I haven't caused offence! No your not sad, I just find them a little strange...

Check out iwantoneofthose.co.uk (or is it .com?)
There's loads of really mad gifts on there. You can buy authentic classic red phone boxes and post boxes. You can even buy yourself a fighter jet (if you have a few hundred grand to spare). Oh and they also sell relatively normal stuff like keyrings and bottle-openers.

OK, I've found the ultimate (contain yourselves, girls!) yes, it's the much sought after Coalport porcelain Cliff Richard figurine standing a proud 21.6 cms tall, but still only £149.00! (No, I haven't mistyped £1.49!) Better be quick though, as there is a limited edition of only 2750 (looks like production will totally exceed demand then!)

P.S. I forgot to add IMO, so please don't anyone post that their Mum has just got one of these - I already feel totally ashamed!

Of course not Jessi, they are not mine anyway, my mums and she doesnt care what anybody thinks. She has a house full of all weird and wonderful things.

Wow, Stompy, I'd love a fighter jet! Then I could play with all the big boys that fly over here, using our village for target practise. Dunno where I'd park it though.......maybe the playing field??

Pamina, you know those his and hers T-shirts! Well I got my brother and his wife those as a wedding present (I used cute kids photos!) It was a bbit of a joke and I doubt tthey've ever worn them, I am now embarrassed!

Once I was given a goose head planter! It was a flower pot with about 6 ducks heads around it, each with a little yellow ribbon around the neck!

I just lurrve those dahling plates that are advertised in Sunday magazine supplements - you know the ones, Franklin Mint stuff that cost an arm and a leg and are invariably of a small child holding a King Charles spaniel mmmmmmm - or the star wars/tolkein chess sets that cost about £50 a figure. Who buys these things? Don't tell me.... one of you lot and then I'll feel like a right XXXXX.

Willow2, yep after Jessi you are next, my sister has a certain breed of dog and buys anything she can with them on, including all those plates and mugs, anything really. What sort of picture of us do you have (and we talk to dead people, see different thread). We really are not weired (sp) or sad, although Im sure some people who know us would disagree.

How about a toilet seat with the lid decorated with 'The three Graces' (I think, well it's 3 classical style nude ladies dancing about). Anyone tempted? It's in the window of my local decorating shop.

How about a £500,000 Advent Calendar, as sold by Harrods?

Dm2, yes! I have seen the type of thing you're on about and they do some hideous ones with gold shells and starfish in and sell them for £50!! Its for your bum for bleeps sake, it doesn't have eyes (thankfully)!!

tell me more about the advent calendar - I assume it's for adults? I couldn't buy one but I'm curious about what could be in it.

Wendym, the calendar is shaped like a Swiss chalet and has a very expensive gift for each day of Advent, one of them being a diamond encrusted pen, I think! Only three have been made - perhaps there are no more than three people in the entire world who would want to buy something so tacky! (Just IMO, of course!)