Christmas Prezzies Past or Present

[Cubist]

Its a slow day here so....

Speaking with my daughter last night the topic inevitably turned to the forthcoming festivities and her preparations for same. She, and her other half, having completed the most important task of ensuring that their little girl will be enjoying sufficient paper ripping - and hopefully not throwing one of her Terrible-Twos Tantrums that began a year or so ago - had turned their attentions to the question of ‘What to get for the oldies?’ After telling me of her plans for her mother and mother-in-law she finally got around to the central point of her call - ‘And what would you like Dad?’

I’m always grateful for this question - its not because I don’t like surprises but my sock drawer is stuffed with gaily coloured and seasonally messaged footwear, my tie rack is crammed with neckwear (one of which depicts the Battle of Trafalgar for some extraordinary reason that still escapes me), I have sufficient handkerchiefs - if sown together enough to sail a galleon, and I’ve never had a penchant for ‘The Smellies’. Knowing this from my past rants, and also aware that over the years my little pile of welcomed goodies under the tree had included products from manufacturers such as Bosch, Stihl, Stanley and Leatherman she finally got around to the question above.

This year, for once, I managed to surprise her; ‘A rope. Twenty metres, 8mm diameter, jute, natural colour’ I promptly replied.

The silence with which this was greeted was quite brief but one in which I could see the thought-bubble over her head containing the words - ‘Its finally happened, he was slightly bonkers before but now he’s fallen off the giggle tree and is still hitting the branches on his way down’.

Eventually, she replied with the inevitable ‘Whaaa..at, could you possibly want with a rope, are you taking the p…(roverbial)?’

In reply to which I gave her a concise, for me, explanation of how exactly said rope would be used and why it would be of value to me for my restorative activities.

I won’t share, or bore, you guys with that explanation right now. Perhaps I will in the future.

In the meantime a question for you dear readers: -

What prezzies, loosely germane to this forum, have you wished for or received in the past or are now hoping for on the big day?

And no, the giggle tree branches have not induced any odd delusions - honest!

By the way - Seasons Greetings to All, Bah humbug.

 

[Flyfisher]

DON'T DO IT Cubist, things are never that bad . . . oh, 20 metres you say . . . phew! I guess you have something else in mind because that would be more than enough to . . . er, forget I said anything. Anyway, moving swiftly on . . .

As for prezzies past, FF junior came up trumps last year with this not-so-little gem: www.lego.com/en-gb/product/land-rover-classic-defender-90-10317
It was a lovely surprise, not only for the reasons obvious to all inveterate tinkerers but also because it disproved my theory that no one ever listens to my general ramblings and instead he actually took note about my verbalised plans to give my old Defender a bit of TLC this year and this was his bit of encouragement, which worked on both levels - some pleasurable tinkering and (finally) fixing a number of much needed items on the old Defender. No idea what's on his mind this year though.

Happy Christmas to one and all

 

[Cubist]

I'll forgive the foul language - 45/47 is not welcome round here. Having said that though I do long to hear your next two words above after that name again at some time in the near future - Thursday would be nice. Please

Coo, that boy of yours is a thoughtful soul, and generous too. My socks, if they could, would pale into insignificance.

I'm pleased to say that my girl, after hearing my explanation, uttered a disgusted Harumph! A chip off the old block after all.

 

[a twig]

Having somewhat niche and nerdy tastes I have resorted to an Amazon wish list that gets circulated around the family which I do my best to ensure covers a range of budgets.

Has saved a lot of hassle, gifters are sure that presents will be gladly received and I avoid the polite smile and list on eBay routine.

Best gift in the last few years has been a bottle of Lagavulin 16 yo from a very understanding wife

 

[stuart45]

Best gift in the last few years has been a bottle of Lagavulin 16 yo from a very understanding wife

Had to Google Lagavulin. My daughter normally gets me a bottle of Bells, but I'll tell her you recommended this if she really cared about me.

 

[a twig]

Glenlivet 12 or Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold might be a good compromise between the two

 

[stuart45]

I think you have convinced me to go for this one.

Lagavulin 26 Year Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt Whisky 70cl

Lagavulin 26 Year Old Special Release 2021 Single Malt Whisky is a first for the distillery. Never before have they released a 26 year old. A deep-hued and regal looking malt. It's dark, wine-woody aromas are pungent with distinct peat smoke, and hints of baked figs in the background. I...

www.drinksdirect.com

 

[paulc]

What will I get, possibly something pointless and of no use what so ever. More likely, nothing at all.

Still got "gifts" from years ago that haven't been unwrapped - Saves on the disappointment.

 

[Gothichome]

Well,20 meters of 8mm sash cord would be great, I’m running low as is. When asked all I tell them pease and quiet is always nice to receive. But will that happen I doubt it. I will end up with some thing that will end up in my sock drawer purchased with thought but never used now other than the 200m of good sash cord, a couple new paint scrapers would be nice.
And to all, have very nice Christmas

 

[Cubist]

The First Lady, home for the holiday and fresh from yesterdays Shopping Safari, sans Cubist I'm glad to say owing to prior injury, peaked over my shoulder a little while back and asked 'Are you going to tell them?' Seeing my initial puzzlement, she went on to say, 'Lytham St Annes, you...' (you can fill in your own following adjective). As it often does around here 'the Penny Dropped' to, in this case fill me with horror.

My thanks, sort of, to @a twig , @stuart45 and @paulc for indirectly bring to mind;

A Nightmare Before Christmas
Bless me, it's more than twenty years ago now that the First Lady persuaded me attend a Single Malt Whiskey Tasting in Birmingham. After several samplings we each were persuaded to buy a bottle, or two in my case, of the Malts favoured by our palates.

Being frequent business travellers and then working for the same outfit we found ourselves one Friday evening out with friends and colleagues in Lytham and, as I then had the use of a company flat nearby, we adjourned from the hostelry to it at kicking out time. The rest of that evening is something of a blur but I did recall that at some point those malts were grievously attacked and the next morning I found one of purchased bottles thoroughly emptied but fortunately the others had seen little traffic.

The thing to remember here is that the Scotch Whiskey Society, at that time and because of the way it works, used a generic label on all the bottled malts they sold and with just a reference number to identify the precious contents.

The dead bottle was a 25 Year Old Glenfarclas which, at the time, was rumoured to sell in some hostelries north of the border for £300 a tot!

Whilst I only paid a fraction of that sum for the bottle in question I still lament the foolishness of that night and the subsequent efforts to kick my own rear end.

Well,20 meters of 8mm sash cord

Right material and close, but no cigar this time.

 

[Cubist]

What will I get, possibly something pointless and of no use what so ever. More likely, nothing at all.

Still got "gifts" from years ago that haven't been unwrapped - Saves on the disappointment.

This has got be some kind of Schrodinger mind trick right?

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