Pressies December 26, 2008 10:45 AM   Subscribe

So come on, what did you get?
posted by Artw to MetaFilter-Related at 10:45 AM (260 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

Love.
posted by baphomet at 10:46 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


My wife somehow got me Jaffa Cakes, which being a Brit stranded in America (and, given that I'm in Seattle, and so stranded inside my house right now) is actualy THE BEST GIFT EVER.
posted by Artw at 10:48 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Well, that and love, obviously.
posted by Artw at 10:49 AM on December 26, 2008


Hate.
posted by LordSludge at 10:49 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


204-piece craftsman tool set
no-bake cookies
black slippers
red oven mitt
handheld poker game
cat toy
5x7 framed picture, 2 wallets of same
space heater
kids' percussion instruments set
tons of ferrero roche
rain check for some gum
train whistle
noise maker thing (can't even describe it)
vitamin c cough drops
hand sanitizer
crest toothpaste
foot brush with bristles on one side and pumice on other
foot scrub
cooling foot talc
shout wipes
refillable aim-flame
nail care kit
magnetic key holder to put under car
posted by cjorgensen at 10:50 AM on December 26, 2008


i got a lot a lot
posted by LostOne757 at 10:51 AM on December 26, 2008


Original art, a hand-knit neck warmer, a quilt made from felted sweaters, some homemade shopping bags, PJs, some wool socks, cash for new binoculars, and a whole lotta love.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:54 AM on December 26, 2008


The Beatles Anthology on DVD
More sweaters than I will ever need
A cold
posted by synaesthetichaze at 10:54 AM on December 26, 2008


World peace, but I haven't had time to set it up yet. The directions are a little complex.
posted by Kwine at 10:55 AM on December 26, 2008 [26 favorites]


Exhausted.
posted by Skorgu at 10:56 AM on December 26, 2008


Bronchitis
posted by that girl at 10:57 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Ketchup.
posted by ColdChef at 10:58 AM on December 26, 2008 [3 favorites]


I'm not religious.
posted by box at 10:58 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Nah, just kidding, got a Carhartt hoodie and a case of Storm King.
posted by box at 10:58 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


a tight and scratchy feeling in the back of my throat.
posted by johnofjack at 10:59 AM on December 26, 2008


a broken dishwasher.
posted by needled at 11:00 AM on December 26, 2008


snow
posted by pyramid termite at 11:01 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


surround sound!
books!
so much food!
posted by stray at 11:04 AM on December 26, 2008


From my mom:

- Uggs! This is the only present I asked for, and she actually got them for me in October. I love them. You can all hate me now.
- A detachable showerhead for my apartment. What the...? She got me a massager a couple years ago. Guys, my mom's trying to get me off and I am freaked out.
- NewsRadio, the complete series. Probably the most spot-on present the woman's ever picked out for me on her own.
- Pajamas.
- Gift cards to the local movie theater, Chinese restaurant, Burger King, and a 12-ride Zone-5 commuterrail pass. She bought the last one before I told her I'd bought a car.

From my bosses:
- A CRAPLOAD of fancy chocolate!

My ex-turned-friend-turned-not-friend got me really pretty earrings, and my boyfriend got me Sailor Jerry's rum and a whoooole day of cuddlin'.
posted by lizzicide at 11:06 AM on December 26, 2008


no snow.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 11:07 AM on December 26, 2008


You can have ours, it's over-rated.
posted by Artw at 11:07 AM on December 26, 2008


a complete dvd box set of M*A*S*H and a case of the stir crazies.
posted by jonmc at 11:08 AM on December 26, 2008


I ate so much frickin' turkey that I got a stomachache, headache, and later got all feverish late into the night. Then came the vivid dreams of working on a Kashmiri construction site. It was joyous.
posted by ageispolis at 11:09 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


A little buzzed.
posted by applemeat at 11:10 AM on December 26, 2008


A Snoopy Snowcone Machine.
Snake-Eyes with his wolf Timber.
2 Lite Brites.
Another Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors Armed-Force car even though I asked for the Spike Trike scout vehicle. sigh.
posted by stavrogin at 11:15 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Incipient cirrhosis of the liver, a sore throat, and a ton of hugs!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 11:18 AM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


* points to groin
* makes whooping noises

posted by boo_radley at 11:18 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


I watched It's a Wonderful Life, The Incredibles, LA Confidential (go Netflix streaming!), and then Apocalypto, which inspired me to start reading Guns, Germs and Steel (I've been meaning to for a while). The bf made a fresh loaf of bread, which we then grilled with butter. He also made me a Vodka cinnamon hot chocolate, which I sipped while wearing my new robe. That's pretty much it.

Still waiting for my Secret Quonsar though. :(
posted by iamkimiam at 11:19 AM on December 26, 2008


I didn't get anything in a box, but I got lots of love from friends and especially from a wonderful woman. Yes, really. <3
posted by keijo at 11:23 AM on December 26, 2008


An infinity of bananas.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 11:23 AM on December 26, 2008 [5 favorites]


Twelve drummers, eleven pipers, ten leaping lords, nine dancing ladies, eight milkmaids, seven swans, six geese, five gold rings, four birds, three French hens, two turtledoves and a partridge in a freakin' pear tree.

I can't feed all these people, I don't live on a farm and I don't even wear rings. Worst. Christmas. Ever.

The dancing ladies aren't so bad, actually.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:24 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Anathem,
The Road,
Why We Suck,
A classic iPod (Yesss!),
A holiday sixpack,
the merry minute at the dive bar with old friends,
and some couch time with the hometown crush.
posted by carsonb at 11:24 AM on December 26, 2008


I didn't get anything, but at least I didn't get anything bad.
posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 11:25 AM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


I got a championship in my fantasy foorball league - for the second year in a row. The other teams are starting to have second thoughts about this whole "commissioner for life" thing.
posted by yhbc at 11:26 AM on December 26, 2008


Artw, I go to school in northern Indiana. The no snow was a gift.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 11:28 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


I bought myself 364 sockpuppets. I believe Matt bought himself a solid gold recumbent bike.
posted by Plutor at 11:30 AM on December 26, 2008


Foorball is a lot like football, except you play it with your feer.
posted by yhbc at 11:31 AM on December 26, 2008 [7 favorites]


Gloves, a cashmere scarf, heaps of food and hours of game time.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 11:32 AM on December 26, 2008


Does today count? If so, I got a call from the state Employment Dept which finally resolved the idiotic snafu in my unemployment insurance. So yay, I get unemployment compensation now. On the down side, I smashed my foot into the furniture while leaping for the phone, and split a toenail and perhaps even cracked the bone. (The toe's all swollen and feels kinda funny.) You win some, you lose some.
posted by Quietgal at 11:33 AM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For
Southland Tales
Star Trek VI, Special Edition
Battlestar Galactica Season 1
Elk and Buffalo jerky
Some kind of Russian choclates
A gift certificate to Bookmans
posted by Snyder at 11:33 AM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


Three Wallace and Gromit DVDs, "South," "This is Your Brain on Music," "Transfinite," some cool slippers which I gave the wrong size so they need to be exchanged, "The Endurance" DVD, Flight of the Conchords CD (which I am sure isn't as good as their live stuff), a page a day calendar...and we haven't gone to the parent's festivus yet. I'm spoiled.
posted by maxwelton at 11:34 AM on December 26, 2008


Half a Reuben sandwich and a sinus infection.
posted by Evangeline at 11:40 AM on December 26, 2008


a camera lens,
an Obama shirt,
a Beatles hoodie,
a Banksy book,
a bag of Reese's,
and a Nerf gun.
posted by danb at 11:44 AM on December 26, 2008


I got sick of Christmas, then I got better, then it was over.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 11:46 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


i got rhythm.
posted by msconduct at 11:46 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Wii!


Now what?
posted by gleuschk at 11:46 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Three (3) slices of pie, much-needed clothes and a good night's sleep.
posted by woodway at 11:48 AM on December 26, 2008


Carl Dreyer's Vampyr (Criterion version)
Season One of the new Doctor Who
A lovely green Le Creuset dutch oven
Alfred Hitchcock The Birds Barbie
An antique glass bottle thingy
Money
A stomach ache (I returned that one)
posted by katillathehun at 11:49 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Some John Scalzi books my husband also wants to read (from my husband).
A necklace with one of Tenniel's Alice illustrations
A new refrigerator so I hopefully stop poisoning my family.
A set of the world's smallest colanders in case I want to . . . wash and dry a single grape maybe? Seriously, I have no idea what to do with these.
posted by bibliowench at 11:50 AM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Cute dotted swiss rainboots! 2 pairs of earrings, a necklace, a Slanket (w00t!) and an LED Surefire flashlight (my geek gift!).
posted by Lynsey at 11:52 AM on December 26, 2008


Lynsey, that slanket contraption may be cozy, but in the pictures it makes people look like Friar Tuck.
posted by jonmc at 11:56 AM on December 26, 2008


I didn't get a single goddamn solitary thing.

Didn't give anyone anything either, so it evens out.

Oh wait, I did get a phone call from a friend offering to buy me a beer. But then I'll have to buy HIM a beer and on and on and on. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:59 AM on December 26, 2008 [5 favorites]


A whole bunch of Icelandic books by authors you people, MSTPT excepted, have never heard of. I did get a couple of foreign books, Wandering Star by Le Clézio and The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. I got a swanky wintercoat from my parents and three art-pieces from my sister.

Oh, and a copy of The Communist Manifesto from my lawyer uncle. Arise, ye workers from your slumber!
posted by Kattullus at 12:01 PM on December 26, 2008


Arise, ye workers from your slumber!

*hits snooze button*

five more minutes..five more minutes...
posted by jonmc at 12:05 PM on December 26, 2008 [13 favorites]


An indoor herb-growing thingy
A special pot for putting things in
A coupon to be redeemed for yarn and sticks at later date
A necklace better suited for a 14-year-old girl (oh well)
And a dining room set I bought myself
posted by libraryhead at 12:06 PM on December 26, 2008


Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Which was okay, I guess, but then there was this little shit who wouldn't quit banging on his goddamned drums for love or money. Christ, what an asshole!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:07 PM on December 26, 2008 [12 favorites]


Workers of the world, unite! never mind.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 12:07 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


A new cult robe A Slanket.
GPS
New Computer that doesn't restart itself when it sees flash or youtube or the color orange.
and money and gift certs, which was great.

Last week, my boss gave all of us, regardless of background, Christian musical tree ornaments from Q-fucking-V-C. If I don't go to a Yankee Swap for New Year's, I'm going to go Office Space on the atrocity.
posted by Weighted Companion Cube at 12:12 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


jonmc, as you noted, the slanket isn't exactly attractive; as a matter of fact, mine is pea-soup green, unlike the attractive powder-blue one in the picture, and you should have seen each of us trying to figure out how to put it on last night (hilarity ensued!) but it has been kitty-approved (one of them is lying on it right now) and it is so nice and warm to wear in our chilly NorCal house!
posted by Lynsey at 12:17 PM on December 26, 2008


I broke down and stopped saying 'nothing'... Asked on a whim for deer jerky, got it... OM NOM NOM. And mario kart. And crackers, a can of cheese. Taught old folks how to chat. Pictures of deer heads dressed up like raindeer. Silly Putty, Slinky, a Chia Tree. Fruitcake. A drill. A giant red glass ball. No clothes. A hangover on the way....
posted by zengargoyle at 12:21 PM on December 26, 2008


Too many attractives up above, sorry about that.
posted by Lynsey at 12:21 PM on December 26, 2008


an electric toothbrush.

That's it, so far. I'm expecting a bunch of cash to set up our baby's 529.
posted by gaspode at 12:23 PM on December 26, 2008


jonmc, as you noted, the slanket isn't exactly attractive;

It's not unattractive either. I just remember seeinga commercial for a similar product yesterday and immediately thinking "Friar Tuck!" is all.
posted by jonmc at 12:24 PM on December 26, 2008


The digital SLR camera I got last night is wonderful! It put the gifts I was so ungenerously whining about in yesterdays Merry Christmas thread in perspective, i.e: I now feel like a heel.

I'm a little blown away...and I still have a gift exchange with another part of the family today.
posted by never used baby shoes at 12:25 PM on December 26, 2008


I told everyone to skip the love this year and convert it into gifts and cash.

30 Rock season 2. (My daughter is well-trained. Gave her a pink Cybershot W120. Now I want one of my own. Not pink tho.)
A Go set. (Well, bought with parents' Christmas money.)
Disneyland cookies and candies. (Sister went to Disneyland.)
Various gift cards.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 12:27 PM on December 26, 2008


A bottle of Crystal Head Vodka
Some travel books
A ton of food (a basket of pasta, a "movie night" basket with DVDs & junk food)
Gift cards for nice restaurants & vidya games
A crock pot
A funnel cake kit (which I think is just a jug and a recipe?)
Cheese
A giant goblet (all I asked for was beer and cheese)
posted by comiddle at 12:28 PM on December 26, 2008


-Cash.
-Lovecraft's Legacy.
-An Evil Guest by Gene Wolfe.
-Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher
-The Kingsport Horror expansion for Arkham Horror.
-Flogging Molly's Float album.
-King's Bounty, the Legend.
-An unhappy looking little guy made out of coconuts.

Possibly I'm going to use the previously referenced cash to buy either the Call of Cthulhu LCG Core Set, or the War of the Ring board game. But probably I'm going to use it to pay down my credit card, like someone with a brain would do.
posted by Caduceus at 12:28 PM on December 26, 2008


My local Borders has a board game section for some strange reason, so I'm mostly likely to buy one of those other two games if they happen to have them for cheap in their "Holy Shit We're Going Out of Business but Not Straight Up Telling You" sale. Though really I'll be surprised if they even have them.
posted by Caduceus at 12:33 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


I watched my baby sister get engaged, and then she turned around and said, "I want to get married where you did, Sissy." I don't know, it was pretty epic. :)

yeah the marriage itself didn't work out but my parties are legendary, heh
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 12:33 PM on December 26, 2008


Caduceus - 50% off games, according to the "HOLY FUCK, 75% OFF (some of) ALL ITEMS!" email ad thingie they just sent me.
posted by Artw at 12:39 PM on December 26, 2008


Rest.
posted by pracowity at 12:41 PM on December 26, 2008


A cold - ow my sinuses!
posted by gingerbeer at 12:46 PM on December 26, 2008


Oh, and grumblebee gave me a Tippi Hedren Barbie and I got him Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.
posted by Evangeline at 12:54 PM on December 26, 2008


A bottle of whiskey and a case of holiday beer.
posted by RussHy at 12:55 PM on December 26, 2008


Zune A/V Pack
New Power Cord for my Laptop
Simpsons Calender
Iron Man
Socks
Multiple Shirts
LED light up beer glass, to make drinking more fun!
posted by lilkeith07 at 12:56 PM on December 26, 2008


Well, first, the favorite gift I gave. We each pick one family member in a grab who gets a special gift and I was lucky to pick my niece who I traveled with this year. We had seen similar art in South Africa and she regretted not having bought one.

I was given awesome gifts. Too much. The news my nephew and his wife would be parents in July; a phone call from a friend I had lost touch with for the last half dozen years; a nephew home for the first time in two years; and a donation to homeless shelter in my name.

Then some wonderful material things: an embroidered Kuna mola; an antique Japanese porcelain fish bowl; a necklace made from African clay beads; a sweater; gloves with fuzzy cuffs; chocolates; colorful dishtowels; a bottle of Starbucks cream liqueur; four tickets to a Norm Macdonald show for me, two sisters, and my niece; an E-Z Moves Ergo Lifter; and Conn Iggulden's Genghis Kahn books.

How lucky am I?
posted by madamjujujive at 12:57 PM on December 26, 2008


With Max, an old friend, our annual dinner at '21' on Christmas Eve. We sat at Bogey's Corner. Hard to decide what to eat, the menu has good choices. Over ate but memorably. 2 Mojitos packed full of rosy cheeks (whoo hoo!), cold Senegalese chicken curry soup (unbelievably yummy!), a sirloin steak medium rare, dessert of profiteroles (cream puffs with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce). The Salvation Army Band came to take donations and the whole place sang Christmas carols. Totally fun!

Christmas Day, a long, joyous, celebratory 1 hour telephone call from my sister in England.

A beautiful and practical Eddie Bauer down jacket from my half brother (he flattered me on the size, will need to exchange it for something that fits me after the dinner at 21.

2 denim, two-pocket work shirts from Rich and Rosie that I requested, which I will wear when I streetvend again. Looking forward to the Springtime!

An incredibly timely present from kind, thoughtful, MeFite Rumple. Thank you dear Rumple!

Two strangers came to my door, Emilia and Martin, from Sweden, who are subletting my neighbor, Jay's, apartment for the Christmas holiday. I told Jay I'd give his tenants the key on Christmas Day. They turned up and I asked neighbors, Rich and Rosie, if they would take in Christmas refugees for the celebration, so Emilia and Martin were invited over. We all had a grand old Fezziwig, joyful Christmas afternoon. It was a typical NYC United Nations gathering, friends from Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Italy, Canada, the visitors from Sweden, more neighbors came over: (we have a lovingly neighborly building YAYY!) Eric, who is a magician, did all kinds of tricks. Vanya, very much like a mother to me for 22 years here and who turned 80 this year, was there, in spite of being very frail, with her aide. Rich made a honey roasted ham, Rosie made amazingly delicious spicy lentils. It was a great time.

Yes, connecting with kind and considerate friendship, loving neighbors and love. Best presents.
posted by nickyskye at 12:58 PM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


Caduceus - 50% off games, according to the "HOLY FUCK, 75% OFF (some of) ALL ITEMS!" email ad thingie they just sent me.

Yeah, I saw that too, which is the only reason I'm even considering venturing out in this weather. The snow is starting to melt down here in Portland, but it's not melted yet.
posted by Caduceus at 1:04 PM on December 26, 2008


Wer're getting some interesting cycles of melting and refreezing, which seem to optimise the uncleared sideroads for maximum slideyness.
posted by Artw at 1:12 PM on December 26, 2008


Wine, food, nice jacket, amethyst necklace and diamond earrings. Best part was family dinner. Worst part was some family could not get to Portland because of the rotten weather and canceled flights.
posted by Cranberry at 1:15 PM on December 26, 2008


I got pneumonia and some nice Dansko shoes.
posted by stormygrey at 1:22 PM on December 26, 2008


Books, dvds and some odds and ends. Oh and a bit of a hangover, but then I did get up before 6am today to watch hours of premiership football, so that's sort of my fault.

Oh and Artw, I want one of your Jaffa cakes!
posted by ob at 1:24 PM on December 26, 2008


Sadly they all mysteriously disapeared at some point last night.
posted by Artw at 1:24 PM on December 26, 2008


Anathem, a Kitchenaid pasta attachment, a subscription to MAKE: Magazine, and a hat my fantastic sister crocheted for me!
posted by aubilenon at 1:29 PM on December 26, 2008


A gift card
A sushi making kit
A bag of lemon-scented cleaning supplies
A pair of silk boxers
Andy Partridge in a pear tree
posted by Dr-Baa at 1:29 PM on December 26, 2008


Jaffa Cakes was one of the things I brought back with me from London. And Hob Nobs.
posted by needled at 1:30 PM on December 26, 2008


I got to go to L.A. and escaped the snow in Seattle, suckers. Don't worry, I'm coming back tonight and I'm bringing snow shovels. I'll start digging you guys out in the morning.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:31 PM on December 26, 2008


Sadly they all mysteriously disapeared at some point last night.

Bastard
posted by ob at 1:34 PM on December 26, 2008


Jaffa Cakes was one of the things I brought back with me from London.

Oh jeez, you too! I don't even like Jaffa Cakes that much and now I'm going insane thinking about them. Still, I do have half a leftover Christmas pud in the fridge, although I'd better wait until Mrs ob gets back before getting into it or I'll be in a lot of trouble.
posted by ob at 1:36 PM on December 26, 2008


Strep throat, and a 10 day course of anti-biotics.
posted by blue_beetle at 1:40 PM on December 26, 2008


A bottle of Johnny Walker Black
Pink leopard print slippers
Bath towels
A music box that plays "What a Wonderful World"
A pretty scarf
Shot glasses
Some FIERCE green open-toed sparkly shoes
An adorable short sleeved shrug

I made out like a bandit, although I think my friends and family think I am an alcoholic lady-carouser.

Oh well, if the pink leopard print slipper fits...
posted by pazazygeek at 1:50 PM on December 26, 2008


So, comiddle.... How is the Crystal Head Vodka? Inquiring minds want, nay, need to know. Do the diamonds make a big difference?

As for me, I got a nice sportscoat and some other nice clothes. I got my mother The Wordy Shipmates and Assassination Vacation and got my father Anathem and Outliers. I got both of my parents absolutely addicted to Settlers of Catan as well, which may be the greatest gift of all.
posted by Navelgazer at 1:51 PM on December 26, 2008


Rockband for ps2, perfume, new car seat covers with matching accessories, a new set of dishes, The Breakfast club DVD, Heathers DVD, Baron Munchousen (sp?) on DVD, pretty checks, some Godiva liquor, a set of wind chimes, a mp3 player.

Best part? Packing up the Christmas tree and anything and everything holiday related and putting it away the day after.

Buh-bye Christmas!
posted by Grlnxtdr at 1:56 PM on December 26, 2008


Got: Knives (Henckels Twingrip)
Gave: Knives (Swiss army) to three young nephews.
posted by longsleeves at 1:57 PM on December 26, 2008


I scored Dark Knight, a money clip and some nice work clothes, and the missus and I got Interview with the Vampire and a remote control caddy for the wall. *thumbs up*
posted by infinitewindow at 2:03 PM on December 26, 2008


The Hob Nobs I got seem to be disapearing also.
posted by Artw at 2:08 PM on December 26, 2008


Oh jeez, you too! I don't even like Jaffa Cakes that much and now I'm going insane thinking about them.

I only got them because of the Jaffa Cake obsessing here. We decided we preferred dark choccy digestives, after all.
posted by needled at 2:09 PM on December 26, 2008


Dumped.
posted by Wet Spot at 2:17 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Hob Nobs are fine as are dark choc digestives, but I really want a Jaffa Cake. Actually scratch that, what I really want is a lovely pint of bitter in a cozy boozer with a nice roaring fire. Mmm, Boxing Day pints.
posted by ob at 2:18 PM on December 26, 2008


Fuck you. Now my day is completely ruined for wanting that.
posted by Artw at 2:24 PM on December 26, 2008


I got a smokin' hot librarian t-shirt and some coins from the State Treasurer's auction which I think means they're from a dead person's safe deposit box and some books and a candy bar.

But really, I got to go snowshoeing on the Solstice with my number one guy. Also got to give some stuff that was well-received, got to spend holidaytime with new friends, old friends and some family. Got to hate the holiday season slightly less this year. Got a fridge full of ready-to-bake chocolate croissants. And got to go get my friend at the train station. Got get got get got. Go.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:33 PM on December 26, 2008 [3 favorites]


Fuck you. Now my day is completely ruined for wanting that.

You're welcome!
posted by ob at 2:36 PM on December 26, 2008


/eats biscuits bitterly.
posted by Artw at 2:37 PM on December 26, 2008


I suppose there's nothing I can say to make it better is there? Such are Yuletide tragedies.
posted by ob at 2:45 PM on December 26, 2008


Blokus Duo. Great board game and really easy to learn, my wife and I went from opening the box to trash talking and bitter rivalry in about five minutes.
posted by tomcooke at 2:52 PM on December 26, 2008


I got an iPod and a BIG gift certificate for Borderlands books. Now I need to ask you, what science fiction / fantasy must I buy now?

I got my wife a woodcut from mefi's own woodblock 100, among other things. She loves it (as do I)
posted by dirty lies at 2:55 PM on December 26, 2008


Best gift was great conversations with young cousins I don't know very well. They're on the threshold of adulthood, working out what they really think about things, separate from their parents or siblings, and especially, working out how to express themselves accurately. So nice to sit there and listen, ask questions, nod encouragingly, and say stuff like "Hey that's a great point, I never thought about it like that." One of them observed hopefully, "I'm holding my own in this conversation!" "Yep, you sure are." It was cool.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 2:56 PM on December 26, 2008 [3 favorites]


Segway tour and Ecosphere were the highlights.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:56 PM on December 26, 2008


And by the way, I just found a British grocery in San Francisco a few weeks ago. Went in and got some Jaffa Cakes, something I did not know I liked when I lived in London. If any of you ex-UKians be good to me and favorite me a lot, you may be getting some next Christmas.

I was disappointed that they don't carry the shrink wrapped corner store "indian" food that was the basis of my diet there. Just as good as 7-11 microwave burritos, but British.
posted by dirty lies at 2:59 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


I got Series 1-4 of House (cheaper in the UK than in the US, much to my surprise), Wall-E (not watched it yet), some clothes, some chocolate, and a couple of books by Charlie Stross (The Jennifer Morgue and The Atrocity Archive).

I'm also taking the opportunity to enjoy chocolate digestives and a number good pints of John Smiths' Magnet Bitter while I'm back in the UK visiting family. I'll doubtless be taking back a bag filled with proper Teabags (Tetleys), Choccy digestives (actually, chocolate Hob-Nobs), Dairy Milk and Jaffa Cakes back to Texas.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 3:06 PM on December 26, 2008


The Jennifer Morgue and The Atrocity Archive

Two of the best, IMHO. Or possibly two of themost in-line with my nerd interests.
posted by Artw at 3:07 PM on December 26, 2008


Though I'm more of a PJ Tips man.
posted by Artw at 3:08 PM on December 26, 2008


PG Tips, dammit.
posted by Artw at 3:08 PM on December 26, 2008


Yeah, but I prefer Tetleys (I'm a North Yorkshireman... sort of) and I can get PG Tips from the World Market in Fort Worth, so not such a big deal... :-)
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 3:13 PM on December 26, 2008


Fair point.

For some reason the Safeway in Bend, Oregon does both PG Tips AND Chocolate Hob Nobs, but they don't do dark chocolate hobnobs, which are the true crack.
posted by Artw at 3:15 PM on December 26, 2008


Christmas just isn't Christmas unless my mama gives me underpants... in front of 'moonMan's parents. THNX MOM.

It's been a very ad-hoc Christmas with my parents' house falling apart (kitchen was destroyed... roof is leaking... it's December in Vermont!), but we've managed. I think my parents and 'moonMan's parents hitting it off famously has been the best present.

As for LOOT: Aforementioned underpants, pjs, overalls to wear in the baby mines (YES!), a really nice longsleeved shirt, sweater, & mittens all from Free People, a mug, cocoa, peppermint spoons, a BONUS CHECK (!!!), & sock monkey slippers from my employers & associated kiddos, Miss Dior perfume from 'moonMan's mom, a bunch of notebooks from assorted relatives of 'moonMan's, a random kitty cat thing that baffles me, a DVD of case files from a forensic pathologist (YESSSSSS!), Unstrung Heroes (GR8 movie), and finally, a scarf.

No illnesses to speak of, praise Dog.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:16 PM on December 26, 2008


I got a Bissell Spot Bot.

I was pretty miffed (shallow, I know) but then I got a beautiful bracelet.

And my husband is sound after a pretty bad stroke a month ago. Best gift ever!
posted by pearlybob at 3:18 PM on December 26, 2008


Yeah, I hear you. They're rare in the UK, let alone in the US.

In case you're interested, the store I was talking about is Cost Plus World Market and it looks like they've got a few stores in your neck of the woods. They're expensive, but they do stock proper UK Dairy Milk, not that repackaged Hersheys shit.

</plug>
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 3:20 PM on December 26, 2008


Due to the weather here in Vancouver, I opted out of leaving town to spend time with my one remaining family member, and turned down a dinner invitation that would have required a long drive on icy streets. No gifts, no dinner, no carols.

Instead, a friend and I served turkey dinner with all of the trimmings to the less fortunate in a welfare hotel on the Downtown East Side. Had hot chocolate at a coffee chain outlet. Then we were going to see Four Christmases, but she had written down the wrong time. So we wandered around fruitlessly in the grey slush for hours. Finally found a cafe that was open. Shared nachos, had a couple of drinks, ambled back and saw the movie (which was sub-mediocre, but Vince Vaughn was good in it). I caught the Skytrain home; she walked, the other direction.

What I got for Christmas was community service, no pressure, and the dangerous realization that after ten hours of effortless rapport, I like this girl.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 3:24 PM on December 26, 2008 [4 favorites]


Books1, a wool overcoat, an HD TV, a table saw, and as far as experiences go, hanging out with my wife and family and chilling in my little brother's nascent chill room.

1I have an Amazon wish list that I have used primarily as a place to keep up with books that look interesting. I tend to forget it is there. So when my mom discovered the list and bought me several things included there, I had the pleasant experience of being surprised to get this I had forgotten I wanted.
posted by jayder at 3:28 PM on December 26, 2008


surprised to get this

surprised to get things
posted by jayder at 3:29 PM on December 26, 2008


A lap full of rescued puppies, albeit temporarily.
A++, would be puppy furniture again.
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:38 PM on December 26, 2008 [7 favorites]


Can't stop for long.... got DDR for my wiiiii... must... keep... playing....
posted by gomichild at 3:41 PM on December 26, 2008


(Anyone in the Bay area want to adopt a pit bull-mix puppy? My friends are fostering them. They're only 4 weeks old now, but they'll need homes once they get a bit older.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:44 PM on December 26, 2008


snoooowwww! (ok, so it came before Xmas, but it was my first White Christmas ever. Altho with this much, and ugh, the slush, I may actually be over all that.)

I gave away a LOT of cookies, and some calendars, and that was cool.

Box from mom is allegedly arriving on Monday. Go mom. :\
posted by epersonae at 3:50 PM on December 26, 2008


Afterglow from an awesome birthday celebration on the 23rd
posted by desuetude at 3:51 PM on December 26, 2008


I didn't know dark choco hob nobs were hard to find even in the UK. My last night in London, went to Waitrose and stocked up on dark choco digestives, hob nobs, and dark choco Jaffa Cakes. And Waitrose house brand tea - I've noticed I get two mugs of strong tea out of one UK teabag, compared to one mug from my usual Trader Joe's Irish breakfast tea.

Mr. needled claims he can't tell the difference between hob nobs and digestives. Shock! Horror!
posted by needled at 3:54 PM on December 26, 2008


Big box of Legos
LOLCAT magnetic poetry for fridge
"Zombie Repellent" (shotgun) t-shirt
Complete works of H.P. Lovecraft
$100 from Mom to myself and my special lady friend for a nice holiday dinner
posted by brundlefly at 4:01 PM on December 26, 2008


(Judging by the gifts I received, I'd estimate my age at around 15.)
posted by brundlefly at 4:02 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Liquid Jaffa Cake:

1 part vanilla vodka
1 part Frangelico or other hazelnut liqueur
1/2 part Cointreau or other orange liqueur

Pour gently over ice. No chocolate necessary, although you may serve this with a slightly-chilled Cadbury Flake, if you like.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:03 PM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


Nikon D40
Boom Blox for Wii
Better speakers for the car
Gift cards to local restaurants
A clipboard
posted by DMan at 4:03 PM on December 26, 2008


And my brother got us Guitar Hero, so we'll probably be rocking around the clock for the next couple days.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:05 PM on December 26, 2008


I got some kickass gloves my mom knitted for me that are perfect for my work, a cashmere sweater from my grandma, lots and lots of board games, and a Cute Overload calendar. The real success of the season, though, was the talking dalek action figure I got my boyfriend. He figured out I was getting him a dalek action figure, but he hadn't counted on it being able to move and threaten to "Exterminate! Exterminate!" him. It's great.
posted by lilac girl at 4:14 PM on December 26, 2008


A trip to California (relatively warm) from upstate NY (very not warm; also under several feet of snow).
posted by thomas j wise at 4:24 PM on December 26, 2008


needs more cowbell: A++ WOULD CLICK ON PUPPY PHOTOS AGAIN.

Sadly, I am neither in the Bay Area nor the puppy market, but man, I want to give them all internet smooches and scritch their widdle ears.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:37 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Nokia n810 Internet Tablet
Star Wars IV-VI Boxed Set
Fluxx: Zombie Edition card game
M•O (Wall•E) Figure
Blindness by Jose Saramago

(I'm a spoiled, nerdy child. And so, so happy.)
posted by cowbellemoo at 4:38 PM on December 26, 2008


- Red Rider BB gun
- shot in the eye
posted by DU at 4:49 PM on December 26, 2008 [4 favorites]


I got a beautiful, hand-made, scenic calendar. Best of all, I got the peace and serenity of a day off work.
posted by netbros at 4:50 PM on December 26, 2008


Girlfriend's flight got canceled due to the weather on both coasts, so she came to Christmas with me. That was better than anything I got, but I still feel bad for her that she still hasn't gotten to her family. Hopefully the weather will be clear this weekend.

Less sappy, the folks got me a Mr. Bento and some sheepskin slippers. And, inexplicably, my mother managed to scrounge up three (!) Wii Fits - one each for my brother, my little cousin, and me.

GF got me a really nice sweater. She also bought me some new chinos last month, so I guess that means it's serious now.
posted by backseatpilot at 4:55 PM on December 26, 2008


A Neroli Jasmine gift set from the Body Shop (apparently there is a floral scent out there that I like! So I smell pretty good right about now) and a new Intuos tablet. \0/ I had a little Graphire when I was in high school, but that got caught in the crossfire of a battle between my cat and my fish, and died. I haven't yet set it up the new one though.

I'd also like add that after seeing him listed on the Mefi Mall page I ordered one of woodblock100's prints for my mom for Christmas. It is beautiful and she loved it! And when I ordered the print it arrived quickly, with plenty of time before Christmas. So I would absolutely recommend him to other mefites. :)
posted by kosher_jenny at 5:19 PM on December 26, 2008


"...a remote control caddy for the wall..."

Wow, General Motors really does drive people up the wall!
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 5:24 PM on December 26, 2008


Not eating all your jaffa cakes in one go means you have either superhuman levels of will power or you are no longer British.

As for me... books, DVDs, food and slippers. Slippers. Slippers that I was pleased to have. When the hell did I suddenly become middle aged?
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 5:30 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


I let other people have at least three of them!
posted by Artw at 5:45 PM on December 26, 2008


I got it good.
posted by not_on_display at 5:51 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


Walker told me I got AIDs.
posted by stet at 6:03 PM on December 26, 2008


-an iPod Nano (My Sansa died a dishonorable death and I was annoyed)
-The Dory Previn autobiography
-An awesome set of Kidrobot smoking breakfast foods via my SQ
-The 20th Anniversary MST3K gift set (LAZERBLAST! whoo!)
- A sweater vest! a Green one! real wool!
-A fbook about the history of typography
-Um a huge dinner?
-A bottle of my fav whiskey
-An Alan Moore gift set WITH the writing for comics essay


What I Gave

-A designer belt
-a Balde Runner glowing umbrella
-an electric screwdriver
-crystal beads from Montreal
-A figurine based on Bosch paintings
-Several packs of Black Jack gum and that caffeinated lip blam
- a set of triforce earrings
- A book about language acquisition in children
posted by The Whelk at 6:15 PM on December 26, 2008


-a huge box of cheap candy to my SQ
posted by The Whelk at 6:15 PM on December 26, 2008


I still haven't had my Christmas (Chanukah, but whatever) yet! Instead of my sister & I flying from Ottawa / B.C. to Newfoundland for my parents, we all decided to go down to Mexico. But my flight was the only one that made it. So far I am alone.

That being said: a dressier winter coat, Dr. Who's The Beginning Box Set.

And a trip to Mexico
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:25 PM on December 26, 2008


Fluxx: Zombie Edition card game

Well NOW I know what I wanted for xmas. There's a zombie edition? And no one told me?
posted by gingerbeer at 6:36 PM on December 26, 2008


I got a rock.
posted by pyrex at 6:46 PM on December 26, 2008 [4 favorites]


Snow.
Most of the week off because off the snow.
Having family that realizes we don't travel this time of year.
Some stuff.
But mainly melissa may and I were happy our cat Mushi is around to give a gift to open. (Our other cat has too much dignity for that sort of thing.)
I've gotta go finish the lamb chops and fried apples/pears with rice. Belated happy holidays, y'all.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:55 PM on December 26, 2008


Two pairs of long underwear and a $50 Wawa card.
posted by The Straightener at 7:53 PM on December 26, 2008


There's a zombie edition? And no one told me?

I know! Just when I think my mom can't surprise me, she'll go buy me something zombie related and leave me going "Oh. Em. Eff. Gee."
posted by cowbellemoo at 8:14 PM on December 26, 2008


I got Left 4 Dead, and it's the best thing ever.
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:25 PM on December 26, 2008


For Christmas? Oh, I get to wonder how the fuck I'm going to pay the bills this month, and the next month for that matter. Happy new year!
posted by nola at 8:25 PM on December 26, 2008


A giant atlas! With the right countries on it! (My old one still had Yugoslavia & Czechoslovakia on it) I can travel by map for hours.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:26 PM on December 26, 2008 [2 favorites]


Oh, and I got to watch the Spurs beat Phoenix by one point at the buzzer. I love it when Tim Duncan does his little "Yess!!" fist-pump thing.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:42 PM on December 26, 2008


I got to walk around Washington Square Park in the snow with a pretty girl who I hadn't seen in a while. (Okay, the park itself is totally unremarkable right now, since it's being renovated and mostly surrounded by chain link fence. But the girl is really awesome, so that made up for it.)

Oh, and a copy of Goodbye Babylon, and a ticket to see the Ballets Trockaderos de Monte Carlo.

It's been a good trip.
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:52 PM on December 26, 2008


I got clothes. And I bought my wife a semi-functional DVD set of the Flintstones first season. Bay Area ProTip: don't go into Fry's on Dec 24th. You do not have the willpower. NO ONE HAS THE WILLPOWER.
posted by GuyZero at 9:05 PM on December 26, 2008


I got a hankerin' for Jaffa Cakes. Darn you, Artw.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:32 PM on December 26, 2008


Carton of smokes from my old man.
posted by bardic at 9:52 PM on December 26, 2008 [6 favorites]


Considering money is tight these days, I just asked for giftcards. And OH! the giftcards I've received! Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Starbucks, H&M, Michael's craft, and a few checks from random relatives. All portable, all will supply me with things I need pretty badly (food, clothing, caffeine and embroidery supplies).

Also, nickyskye, your story not only touched me and made me tear up a bit, but is pretty much exactly how I'd want my perfect Christmas to be. Fantastically heartwarming without being forced. Much love.
posted by piratebowling at 10:03 PM on December 26, 2008


Pope Guilty: I got Left 4 Dead, and it's the best thing ever.

Oh gosh. My brother got a copy and I thought it was amazing for about 5 minutes until I got killed by a witch. It was TERRIBLE. I don't respond well to spooky behavior.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 10:34 PM on December 26, 2008


bardic: Carton of smokes from my old man.

I'm not the first man to point this out but a carton of smokes, if you're a smoker, is a fucking awesome gift. Stop your whining and smoke up, Johnny!

I'm sorry, John Hughes! I'll never speak ill of The Breakfast Club again!
posted by Kattullus at 11:05 PM on December 26, 2008 [1 favorite]


So come on, what did you get?

A fucking pardon by George W.!

Watch out Obama!
posted by ericb at 11:07 PM on December 26, 2008


I got slightly sunburned at the beach today despite the constant reapplication of 30+ spf sunscreen and sitting in the shade. Damn ozone hole. The beach rocked though, snorkelling, swimming, frisbee throwing, kite almost-flying.

Great presents this year too. Hand printed stockings. Dead Milkmen CD. A really cute apron. Short stories by a favourite author. A HUGE box of cookies. Kittens. And eleven more days before I have to go back to work.
posted by shelleycat at 11:10 PM on December 26, 2008


Way too much snow.
posted by juv3nal at 11:13 PM on December 26, 2008


A couple-few days in Vegas with Mr. F, topped off by Christmas lunch at Emeril's New Orleans Fish House in the MGM Grand. (Say what you will about the man's unnerving TV persona. The food there is amazing.) The taco place in the Luxor is pretty good too, if you go at night-- during the day, they don't quite seem to have their shit together yet staff-wise.

Random Christmas Eve encounter: Santa and Mrs. Claus were heading back to New York New York from the Grand at 2:30am. Mr. F and I were the only other people on the walkway. Very odd.

We got money from various relatives, and his folks threw in an Obama T-shirt for him and a neat handmade shopping bag for me (crocheted by my mother-in-law). Mostly, though, we got a week off from work at the same time, which is exceedingly difficult to swing in our industry, and a nice quiet hotel room to hole up in together.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 12:29 AM on December 27, 2008


My fiance handed me a wrapped parcel that seemed familiar. I looked at one of the gifts I had for him; indeed, it seemed to me to have the exact same dimensions, and I handed it to him without saying a word. We opened them simultaneously -- yep, we bought each other the same book.
posted by amtho at 1:15 AM on December 27, 2008 [7 favorites]


Devils Rancher: "A giant atlas! With the right countries on it! (My old one still had Yugoslavia & Czechoslovakia on it) I can travel by map for hours."

Holy crap, you too?

When I was little, my dad let me have his copy of the Times Family Atlas of the World. It was the best evar, with large, detailed plates and handpainted continental views and city plans and everything. I loved that thing -- it's what made me interested in maps and geography at a young age, and the only reason I can find the Empire State Building or the Arc de Triomphe or the Colosseum from space in Google Earth unaided.

But the book (which I still own) is older than I am, and now woefully out of date. The country profiles at the start include the USSR and its satellites, and Beijing is still referred to as Peking.

So needless to say I was floored when I got the newest edition from my parents for Christmas. Not so much because they remembered how important it was to me, but more because the book is the size of a tabletop and weighs 13 pounds.*

I guess what I'm saying is that my giant Christmas atlas can beat up your giant Christmas atlas, nanny-nanny boo-boo, etc.

* no city plans, though :(
posted by Rhaomi at 3:55 AM on December 27, 2008 [4 favorites]


I got a G1. It is impossible to hyperbolize how amazing this thing is. It has already found my daughter's missing car keys. It forced the cats to quit fighting and get along. It has convinced a lazy relative to return to college. It forced those idiots across the street to start parking more considerately. Just now it declared "the human millenium will be a fact." I believe every single word of that.
posted by loosemouth at 3:57 AM on December 27, 2008


Am I the only one who hates Jaffa Cakes? Chocolate + orange = wrong in every way.

I will trade you all the Jaffa Cakes in Britain for one box of Chicken in a Biskit, which I did not receive for Christmas and I cannot find for any amount of love or money.
posted by triggerfinger at 4:56 AM on December 27, 2008


Chinese food and a movie.

Its what I didn't get: Kelly's Carwash. For the 40th straight year I asked and waited and nothing.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 4:58 AM on December 27, 2008


I got a hankerin' for Jaffa Cakes.

I don't even know what a Jaffa cake is, and this thread has given me a right powerful hankerin'. That's one of the dangers of being a Texan. Hankerins spring up out of nowhere, and the right powerful variety can be stronger'n' a blue norther.

I guess what I'm saying is that my giant Christmas atlas can beat up your giant Christmas atlas, nanny-nanny boo-boo, etc.

*Stomps off to weigh New Giant Atlas* I'm pretty sure it's the giantest of all, bubba.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:03 AM on December 27, 2008 [2 favorites]


Chocolate + orange = wrong in every way.

What the shit?
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:04 AM on December 27, 2008


Chocolate + orange = wrong in every way.

... but ...but ...Terry's Chocolate Orange?!?
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 6:32 AM on December 27, 2008


We exchange gifts on New Year's Eve, so I got nothing material, but I have spent so much uninterrupted time with friends I'd be happy getting used bus tickets. And I've got 1000 pages of Japanese poetry shipped to my place, so that's a plus.

LOLCAT magnetic poetry for fridge

What does it say, what does it say?
posted by ersatz at 6:34 AM on December 27, 2008


A repossession notice.
posted by arimathea at 6:56 AM on December 27, 2008


Brown rice, chiccory coffee, a French drip pot, high heat cooking tools, a moldy orange, a cat watering device, and chateaubriand.
posted by Pants! at 6:57 AM on December 27, 2008


Beaded sweater, pair of knee-high boots that don't zip all the way up (damn me and my athletic calves), extremely low-rise tweed trousers (really, Old Navy? Why do you think us professional ladies want to give everyone an eyeful of ass crack?), yoga mat. The boyfriend gave me DVDs of La Linea and The Brand Upon the Brain! and CDs by Roxy Music and the Shortwave Set. I knit him a pair of mittens, made a scarf for my mom, gave my brother a homemade Zissou cap, and got a pair of cookbooks for Mom's husband. And threw a copy of In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash into the Yankee Swap pile. Good times!
posted by pxe2000 at 7:07 AM on December 27, 2008


So, back in September I adopted an adorable little dog from the local rescue shelter, and named him 'Doctor' after my late grandfather (yes, that was his real name). So my friends found a kids' book called Dr. Dog and left it on my front porch 'from Santa'! How great is that?!

(Awesome book, by the way.)
posted by trip and a half at 7:08 AM on December 27, 2008


Am I the only one who hates Jaffa Cakes? Chocolate + orange = wrong in every way.

Jaffa Cakes are shit. Which is peculiar, because their French equivalent, Pims, with the white chocolate and cherry jelly on sponge are just plain awesome.

Neither come close to cigarettes though.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:20 AM on December 27, 2008


I got to stay up with my 1.25 y/o son during his first bad fever.
That, and a Lego-Stormtrooper keychain from my wife.
posted by signal at 7:50 AM on December 27, 2008


a new video card
a nutcracker which seems to be some sort of pirate monkey
a copy of Left 4 Dead (for which I still need a new motherboard and cpu)
a computer-related toolkit (tiny screwdrivers!)
a zombie-themed mobile
a bottle of Jim Beam
a new sake set
tickets to see They Might Be Giants next month (yay!)
a wonderful handmade ornament
"Never Again" by John Ashcroft (can't say I disagree with the title)
copious amounts of food
cash money
pretty stoned
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 8:52 AM on December 27, 2008


Miss Dior Cherie perfume oooooh
A Hitchcock Boxed Set aaaahh
Dune
Schizopolis
Rebecca
$50 Amazon
A Badminton set
Diplomacy
and the BEST, an Eyvind Earle poster.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:02 AM on December 27, 2008


I got the husband a new iPhone. He lost his brand new iPod touch a month ago after only having it a few days. Then on Xmas day I found the touch under a sofa cushion. We thought we had left it in a diner.

A patient's daughter gave me the most wonderful embrace at work on xmas eve.

Also on Xmas day I got a wretched cold. My sympathies to the rest of you that were nursing bugs. Lucky me the hubby set me up with brand new netflix that downloads instantly and the book Let The Right One In. I will never leave the sofa.
posted by dog food sugar at 9:16 AM on December 27, 2008


I got a rock.

At least you're keeping the tigers away!
posted by inigo2 at 9:22 AM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


gallbladder pain
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 9:36 AM on December 27, 2008


tickets to see They Might Be Giants next month (yay!)

They're a blast live, dude, but even if you don't wear glasses, buy a cheap pair and wear them for the show just so you don't stick out.
posted by jonmc at 9:38 AM on December 27, 2008 [2 favorites]


Jaffa Cakes are shit. Which is peculiar, because their French equivalent...

At that point PeterMcDermott was hanged as a traitor to the crown.
posted by Artw at 9:41 AM on December 27, 2008 [3 favorites]


- Celtic pendant and bracelet
- a book of roller derby art
- Sephora gift certificate
- the Creed Star mug
- pewter flower bracelet
- silver ball earrings

I bought myself Rock Band 2, which my son has just taken over.
posted by Lucinda at 10:00 AM on December 27, 2008


Gave: A very large but pristine abalone shell, Phillip Dick's VALIS trilogy, a tiny jeweler's drill bit, dichromatic float-glass beads, a self-made bracelet/necklace made from purple Tiger's-eye beads on a strand of memory-wire, "desert-sand" pottery vase, tech support, quartz metronome, butter, booze, smokes. (And more, and some stuff I haven't had a chacne to give yet because of folks being out of town.)

Got: A Duncan Imperial yo-yo, which is awesome and reminds me how a real yo-yo is supposed to work as opposed to my slip-axle and clutch-axle Yomega yo-yos. Pre-paid phone minutes + phone call with mom. Chicken soup. Ribs. Mashed potatoes. Salad. Berry pie OMG. Bread. Booze. Smokes. Bubble hash. Three days of slacking off, watching movies, listening to music and drinking with fellow art-weirdo housemates around the fireplace. Homebrew Chai-IPA. 7 foot spruce tree covered in empty beer cans, records and creepy doll-heads. Assortment of misanthropic weirdos as surrogate family - vastly appreciated.

Also: Seriously deep communication, self-realization and some self respect. Nervous breakdown. Epiphany. Solstice. Real rain and thunder in SF. Also, several profound hangovers and an unbridled disdain for Daylight Savings Time.

Bought for self: Socks.
posted by loquacious at 10:50 AM on December 27, 2008


I had to spend a lot of time convincing my husband that buying your wife a teapot for Christmas is not at all like buying your wife a hoover for Christmas, and joyfully, I did get an extremely nice teapot that I love. Also, books and super snazzy pink striped Bagpuss-style slipper socks that rule and a DVD that won't make sense to anyone outside Ireland.

The very very very best things I got, however, are Memo (who is here to stay with us until hopefully March) and, due to a post-adoption reunion that has suddenly warmed up, a whole new family right around the corner!
posted by DarlingBri at 10:51 AM on December 27, 2008


- AUS$190 (I'm going to Sydney in a couple of days to meet up with my gf)
- green QuikSilver fleece
- Star Wars Lego
- two Carcassonne expansion packs
- Ticket To Ride: Europe
- chocolate
- two LED torches
- rubber band gun
- 101 Things To Do Before You're Old & Boring book
- Spinney wind-up robot thing

and to arrive in the new year:
- Acer Aspire One netbook
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:59 AM on December 27, 2008


I got enough inspiration to write a book of true, short stories chronicling the last 16 months of my life.
posted by parmanparman at 11:04 AM on December 27, 2008 [2 favorites]


A "Rabbit with Big Pointy Teeth" plush
posted by Thorzdad at 11:33 AM on December 27, 2008


The Muppet Show season one on DVD and a super-keen Brooklyn Industries bag. I have the best girl ever.
posted by secret about box at 11:47 AM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


LOLCAT magnetic poetry for fridge

What does it say, what does it say?


Nothing yet, alas, as I forgot them at my girlfriend's house. Further updates as events warrant.
posted by brundlefly at 12:35 PM on December 27, 2008


Some books and a lousy iTunes gift card that I can't use to buy apps (in Canada). All I wanted was apps :(
posted by sunshinesky at 12:55 PM on December 27, 2008


Influenza.

And a nice shaving brush from my wife.
posted by Grangousier at 1:05 PM on December 27, 2008


A new red kettle, enameled inside so it won't get scary rusty like the old one.
A glamorous beaded l necklace.
A Billy Bragg album via iTunes that I already own, but I will not tell the giver this.
An iTunes gift certificate which might have to lead to an askme.
A pair of earrings.
Intricately beautiful hand made tie-dyed tissue wrapping paper.
A frog that turns into a prince when immersed in water, which is a nice change from my usual romantic life in which the opposite happens.
A gorgeous bracelet (why yes, my daughter did score a lot of free jewelry by being sort of scarily Amway this fall, why do you ask?)
And, as a special post Christmas surprise, the Moomins comic book from gaspode! YAY! Thank you so much! It came in the mail with my secret quonsar gift so the day after Christmas was like happy magic metafilter christmas all over again, which helped a lot with the other thing I got:
a well deserved hangover.
posted by mygothlaundry at 1:34 PM on December 27, 2008


iPhone!
posted by TurquoiseZebra at 1:46 PM on December 27, 2008


My family gave me a bunch of drama and a cold.
posted by Big_B at 1:47 PM on December 27, 2008


I guess what I'm saying is that my giant Christmas atlas can beat up your giant Christmas atlas, nanny-nanny boo-boo, etc.

My atlas only weighs nine pounds. *sob!* *hurls book across room, breaks foot.*
posted by Devils Rancher at 3:01 PM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


Best gift?
My mom and mom-in-law *like* each other. This will save me a lot of ask.mefi posts in the future.
posted by idiotfactory at 4:07 PM on December 27, 2008


My parents and my sister came to spend the holidays here in Paris, so the gift-exchanging was more subdued (luggage allowances and all that). On the other hand, I got to see my family for Xmas and we ate lots of tasty tasty food and drank lots of awesum wine.

Perhaps my favourite gift, though, was introducing my father, who had never set foot in Europe in his 70-year life after growing up on a cattle ranch in Columbia, to my favourite city.
posted by LMGM at 4:30 PM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


Camera lens
new mixing bowl
a new knife
sub to the Economist
charging station

All great gifts because it means my partner listened when
I noticed/griped about something. Even things I didn't even realize I said it aloud.
posted by beccaj at 4:43 PM on December 27, 2008


BTW Have the puppies I sent you all arrived yet? I'm a bit worried about how well they'll do if the post has been deleayed.
posted by Artw at 4:56 PM on December 27, 2008


BTW Have the puppies I sent you all arrived yet?
Yeah. Two words...air holes.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:04 PM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


"...a bunch of drama and a cold..."

Isn't that for Hanukkah?
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 5:25 PM on December 27, 2008


"My mom and mom-in-law *like* each other."

That's a good thing? I'm serious.
posted by nthdegx at 5:27 PM on December 27, 2008


Yeah. Two words...air holes.

In the box, not in the puppies. I made that mistake once.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 5:40 PM on December 27, 2008 [2 favorites]


I got the look on my kids faces, when my son saw his drum kit, and my daughter found the mobile phone (cunningly packed in a box half the size of the loungeroom, and filled with old linen).

Yeah, I scored some good stuff too, but nothing will ever beat the expression of delight when they realise that mum lied all year, every time she said 'HA! A drum kit/mobile phone?!? Not on your life!'.

Oh, and the 24-carat-gold-flecked bubbly chardonnay at Christmas lunch wasn't bad either.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 6:44 PM on December 27, 2008


I thought a couple of those sachets of anti-moisture crystals would do the job!
posted by Artw at 6:53 PM on December 27, 2008


This gaming chair which is really awesome.
The new Ludacris cd which the wife mistakenly bought from Walmart. (It's ok, sweetie, you didn't know it's useless to buy a rap cd at Walmart because they're all edited to death.)
Rock Band: Track Pack 1 for the Wii
New pillows, mattress cover and blanket from the 'rents

And........an iPhone! My wife is truly the best.
posted by CwgrlUp at 6:54 PM on December 27, 2008


I got a banjo, a banjo DVD, a banjo book, banjo strings, a banjo case, and banjo lessons.

It was sort of a theme Christmas.
posted by bondcliff at 7:11 PM on December 27, 2008


What was the theme?
posted by Kattullus at 7:13 PM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


Deliverance?
posted by Artw at 7:17 PM on December 27, 2008 [5 favorites]


tivo!
posted by davey_darling at 7:43 PM on December 27, 2008


BTW Have the puppies I sent you all arrived yet?

Yes. They were delicious. Thanks!
posted by homunculus at 8:45 PM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


I got a KitchenAid stand mixer. But the best part of Hannukah was the look on the husband's face when he opened his gift - a signed, first edition of Catch-22.
posted by Ruki at 9:01 PM on December 27, 2008


Pliny the Elder

PLINY THE ELDER!!!!
posted by grateful at 9:02 PM on December 27, 2008 [2 favorites]


at 6:30 this evening I posted this:

Fluxx: Zombie Edition card game

Well NOW I know what I wanted for xmas. There's a zombie edition? And no one told me?


at approximately 8 pm, I was given my VERY OWN ZOMBIE FLUXX GAME by most fabulous mefites Ambrosia Voyeur and contraption. There is a Santa after all! Thank you guys!
posted by gingerbeer at 11:39 PM on December 27, 2008 [1 favorite]


Nothing yet, alas, as I forgot them at my girlfriend's house. Further updates as events warrant.

Better hope she doesn't host a cat.

oh hai, i had ur magnets but i ated them
posted by ersatz at 2:47 AM on December 28, 2008 [2 favorites]


A pith helmet
A really loud horn for the VW
posted by Harald74 at 5:24 AM on December 28, 2008


Playstation 3
LittleBIGPlanet
A cool hat
A glow in the dark Army of Darkness T-Shirt
An Edinburgh Crystal Decanter that seems to evaporate brandy at a startling rate.
Bruce Parry's Tribe DVD boxset.
Drunk
posted by Elmore at 5:48 AM on December 28, 2008


loosemouth, I got that G1 too and every word you wrote is true. I'd also add that it reorganized my closets, did the dishes, and then made sweet electronic love to me for about 15 minutes.... then the battery died.

I need to find that battery app that makes this phone last longer.
posted by Bageena at 8:24 AM on December 28, 2008




Well, at this point I assume I've gotten everything I'm going to get. So the combined haul for my birthday and Christmas totals 2 dvds (one in which I had expressed interest) and a pair of socks. I didn't think I was particularly naughty this year, but apparently I grossly misjudged the parameters thereof. What a shitty end to a shitty year.
posted by Heretic at 8:58 AM on December 28, 2008


Food, food, food. Amazing Xmas Eve dinner with Mom's spaghetti.

Two weeks off to loaf on the couch, watch MST3K and rock the newly-unlocked Nintendo Wii (Thanks, Homebrew Channel!)

Vicodin.
posted by porn in the woods at 9:42 AM on December 28, 2008


USA-ians: just in case you didn't know, you can buy Jaffa cakes in all varieties up in the Frozen North. A quick trip across the border and you could stock up for the entire year.

mmmmmm Jaffa cakes

I got 2 rounds of gift cards from Chapters, and a copy of the New Yorker cartoon collection from my brother. I was bowled over; that's within shouting distance of something I would actually want. Best part of Christmas this year was everyone being happy and pleasant for the entire day. The last few Christmases have been drama-fests.
posted by jokeefe at 12:30 PM on December 28, 2008


How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
a card from my cats (via my bf)
posted by silkygreenbelly at 1:28 PM on December 28, 2008 [1 favorite]


A cool hat

Fedora?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 2:54 PM on December 28, 2008


Books!
More Books!!
A Coat!
Spooks Season 5 on DVD.

I like books.
posted by knapah at 4:55 PM on December 28, 2008


Pray tell, knapah, what books?
posted by Kattullus at 5:05 PM on December 28, 2008


Richard Jackson, "Writing the War on Terrorism: Writing the War on Terrorism: Language, Politics and Counter-terrorism"
Horkheimer and Adorno, "Dialectic of Enlightenment"
Gerry Cohen, "If You're an Egalitarian, How Come You're So Rich?"
Naomi Klein, "Shock Doctrine"
Zamyatin, "We"
A collection of Poe...

And some other things. Nobody got me an Obama book though, so I did lose a bet with my girlfriend. Pah.
posted by knapah at 5:20 PM on December 28, 2008 [1 favorite]


Heh...

PS3, LittleBigPlanet

(Ostensibly for the *family*...)
posted by jkaczor at 5:21 PM on December 28, 2008


Wii Fit
1TB External Hard Drive
GPS for car
Eco-Drive Watch
Money
posted by govtdrone at 7:06 PM on December 28, 2008


Chicken pox vaccine. I was thrilled. (Seriously.)
posted by meerkatty at 7:58 PM on December 28, 2008


I gave my sister, at her request, a copy of the book Traffic, which featured, on page four, the author's description of how an anonymous AskMetafilter question he posted led to his writing of the book.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:16 PM on December 28, 2008


Stoned, caffeinated, drunk, some phone calls from my family, lonely, alienated, sober, bitter, drunk, stoned, caffeinated, hungry, full, alienated, stoned, sleepy, herpes, alienated, lonely, cold.

Oh wait, you meant Christmas and I mistakenly thought you meant 2002.

Okay then, for Christmas I got: stoned, caffeinated, drunk, some phone calls from my family, lonely, alienated, sober, bitter, drunk, stoned, caffeinated, hungry, full, alienated, stoned, sleepy, alienated, lonely and cold...for free. Plus a hug sometime earlier in the day.

My chest hurts.
posted by Minus215Cee at 3:06 AM on December 29, 2008


My fiancee got me a really gorgeous accordion, thus dooming herself to a lifetime of oom-pah and bad rock covers.

She's the best.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:28 AM on December 29, 2008


Wow, it looks like there's a strong Slanket following here. I got one too. Also my partner got 'How to Cook Everything' and I was flipping though it last night. Pretty sweet book.

I got a bunch of gift-certs and some tech items and not enough books. Money. Family angst. A slight cold.

More importantly, I got my tuition reimbursement from work, from the summer, which I had totally forgotten about. So 'more money' as well.

You know, the Stop and Shop has Jaffa Cakes here in CT. I didn't know they were the cigarettes of the expat community.
posted by cobaltnine at 6:35 AM on December 29, 2008


The best gifts I received were a portable 16mm editing machine & an easy bake oven. Yes, an easy bake oven!!! I have spent the week baking & eating tiny cakes :)

The best gifts I gave were a Sony Reader & Pop-a-Matic Trouble.
posted by zarah at 7:16 AM on December 29, 2008


Reading the above made me realize that the best present I got was perfect health for me and the mister. Sad face for all you who didn't feel 100%.

The big present was a digital camera!!!! I haven't had a camera for over 5 years. I really missed it when we went on vacation to California, so Santa Baby came through for me. Whoot. Also many, many candies, cookies, and snacks, and books, and games, and snuggly things and sexy things.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:39 AM on December 29, 2008


So are Slankets cool now? Because God knows I don't want to be uncool while I'm lazing around on the couch watching "Law & Order" reruns and eating chocolate chips straight out of the bag.
posted by Evangeline at 7:50 AM on December 29, 2008 [2 favorites]


Our horny little zebra finch couple blessed us with a handful of very tiny babies a day or so before Christmas. Now I've got a nest-full of squeaking balls of seed-packed fuzz with disproportionately large heads.

Which is both sweet and disturbing all at the same time.
posted by quin at 8:41 AM on December 29, 2008 [3 favorites]


Boris Akunin books, swanky colouring pencils, gift vouchers for yarn, and the indulgence of my extended family for a long, bitter, sweary game of gin rummy. No pony. Small details aside, this is also what I wanted when I was about eight.

Also, someone else's duplicate of The Wire Season 4. The gift of Wiremas comes in pretty useful when you discover you've come home to stay in the middle of Cold War II: This Shit Is Serious.
posted by carbide at 9:54 AM on December 29, 2008


For Christmas we got my Mum onto the Internet, via a shiny new mac all her kids clubbed together for. Now I'm just waiting for the moment down the line when she really masters it and turns up here and calls me out.
posted by tallus at 10:23 AM on December 29, 2008


carbide: The Wire Season 4.

One word of advice, don't watch season 5. Just don't... it's not that it's bad, exactly, had I seen it just by itself without having seen seasons 1-4 I would have thought it really, really good, but it's not in the same league as the previous seasons and, frankly, really loses sight of some key characters. So be happy with the greatness of The Wire and don't watch the last season. It didn't ruin The Wire for me, but I would rather not have watched season 5.

Hell, now I kinda want to go watch it from the beginning all over again.
posted by Kattullus at 10:42 AM on December 29, 2008


One word of advice, don't watch season 5.

I disagree. No, it's not as good, and has its issues (most notably, I think, that it was fewer episodes and thus has more of a cram-everything-in feel) but you should watch it.
posted by inigo2 at 12:37 PM on December 29, 2008


If anybody wants a late Xmas present, a few months back me and pips bought tickets to see Chuck Berry at BB KIng's Bar & Grille on New Years Eve. With my foot injury, we can't go. Whoever wants them can have 'em free of charge (although some beer and cigarettes wouldn't be refused. Contact via mefi mail.
posted by jonmc at 3:19 PM on December 29, 2008


Kattullus: One word of advice, don't watch season 5.

I'm a bad, bad person and actually watched it before season 4, after three days of resistance lost out to a case of butit'sthereandineedmorenownownow, so I know what you mean. Not my favourite arc, and they were busy breaking my heart into lumpy mush elsewhere, but I still liked it.
posted by carbide at 2:43 AM on December 30, 2008


Pretty much what I deserved. Nothing, really.
posted by dg at 2:56 PM on January 1, 2009


Two very old dead fish.
posted by tangerine at 11:47 AM on January 2, 2009


Seriously, they're millions of years old. Skinny little guys, Knightia maybe.
posted by tangerine at 12:11 PM on January 2, 2009


Books galore!
Graphic novels from my gentleman caller
Cookbook from Dad
Art book from stepmom
Depressing novel from visiting friend
NYer subscription from Mom

Then headphones from sis and Obama pin from friend
Tons of new socks for TOTAL SOCK REPLACEMENT from myself
posted by rmless at 1:56 PM on January 2, 2009


It didn't ruin The Wire for me, but I would rather not have watched season 5.

May rubbish rain upon thee!!!!

I don't think I could live with myself wondering whatever became of Bubs!
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 2:21 PM on January 2, 2009


I thought that they totally blew the character of Bubs in the 5th season (and pretty much every other major character, except Bunk, Kima and Rawls). I don't want to talk specifics, this is spoilery enough as it is.
posted by Kattullus at 2:31 PM on January 2, 2009


Tons of new socks for TOTAL SOCK REPLACEMENT from myself

Eureka! You've just changed my life!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 9:23 PM on January 2, 2009


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