Wow! I love hearing about all these crazy gifts. I've gotten a few myself:
First Christmas I knew the guy who would become my husband, he got me a bunch of really nice things, chessboard, books, clothes, etc. in one of the boxes however was a Hickory Farms Beef stick and party havarti (if it wasn't for the cheese I'd say he was trying to send me a message) I looked quizzically at it and he told me his best friend recommended it. Thought I might be having a party at college or something.
Fast forward to our 5th anniversary (traditional gift: wood) and I wanted to know if he might like this pretty olive wood cheeseboard, so I call his best friend, and he says sure, but you'd have to get him some kind of cheese to go with it. My husband was probably just as confused as I once was as he's unwrapping these blocks of cheese, but we all joke that his best friend is actually a secret marketing operative for the dairy council.
The worst gift I recieved however was for my wedding. My brother, who was only maybe 19 at the time took me aside the day before my wedding (high stress time anyway) and said that he had gotten something for me when he was in port during his submarine "cruise" I opened the wrapping paper and there was a little US Navy baby bottle, bib, and rattle set with a little sailor bear on them. My jaw dropped in utter shock and I think i said something like "Are you KIDDING ME?!?"I was not pregnant and had no plans to be (married over 5 years and we're still not quite ready!) I know he meant well, he's just very traditional and assumed that if I were getting married I'd have children shortly after. I was so rude, I felt really bad and eventually apologized. My dad, who is a legendary
good gift giver came in and smoothed things over, and gave my brother some tips for the future. He's gotten better. This year he got me a cake decorating book, and he has learned to call and ask for hints for what to get my husband, mom, sister-in-law.
