Author Topic: The Christmas arms race (Read 29,570 times)

oblivion · « **on:** December 28, 2011, 02:21 PM »

As Christmas 2011 starts its slide back towards the dim and distant memories occupied by all its many predecessors, I feel it's only right to start the traditional post-Christmas "what did YOU get?" arms race.

Anybody here who received a Ferrari, a fully equipped palace or an entire debt-free nation can leave now, please: this is for those of us whose credit cards start quivering slightly in fear, somewhere around the start of November every year...

No lists, either. What was your FAVOURITE present?

I may have to duck for cover when I start the list off: I got a Kindle. (Not the 3G version.) I know, I know, I've always said anti-Kindle things, done the luddite "I'd rather have a REAL book" stuff... but actually, it's very good. I haven't quite got to the point where it vanishes and all I have is content, but I can feel the move in that direction.

app103 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2011, 04:01 PM »

If I post what was my favorite gift, you guys are going to think I am weird...but here goes...

an 8 lb box of powdered milk

Or more accurately...

The 10 minute stand-up comedy routine that followed, from my daughter, about what would happen if you mixed it up with the box of laundry detergent. Every time I use the powdered milk for something, I am going to remember it, and that will be for a long time, considering how much powdered milk I now have.

mahesh2k · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2011, 07:28 PM »

Is it just me or every random forum where I check for christmas and new year threads always end up talking about resolutions that they can't keep?

40hz · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2011, 08:11 PM »

Quote from: mahesh2k on December 28, 2011, 07:28 PM

Is it just me or every random forum where I check for christmas and new year threads always end up talking about resolutions that they can't keep?

Maybe that's because if people only talked about the resolutions they did keep there'd be something like...what?...two or three posts in the entire thread?

JavaJones · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2011, 11:01 PM »

I got very few gifts, for which I am grateful! I don't really need much. I bought myself a computer back in October, I guess I could consider that an early Christmas present to myself, hehe. I narrowly escaped buying an HD Hero2 camera, as discussed here (I still might get one in 2012, no promises that I won't, hehe). As far as gifts from others (the usual kind? haha), I don't know what my mom got me as it's still in shipment and she won't tell me. The only other gift I got was some rather nice matcha tea from a friend of mine. Nothing like drinking the whole leaf! I'm a bit of a tea nut these days, so it's very appropriate.

(Semi)off-topic, this is my thought on new year's resolutions:

I don't plan to make any formal ones this year. Every year is an opportunity to learn and grow, right? Or to screw up royally.

- Oshyan

40hz · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2011, 11:32 PM »

I just keep repeating the exact same resolution each year that I have for the past twenty. I figure I'll either eventually succeed - or die trying.

This year, when it came to gifts, our entire family skipped getting presents for the adults for a variety of reasons not worth going into. But it wasn't a problem since nobody needed (or really wanted) anything anyway. And the get-togethers and dinners were just as nice as they always were. Maybe even a little nicer.

The kids, however, made out like bandits.

rno2 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2011, 01:02 AM »

I received nothing at all. Did not even do decorations or dinner. Just another day. Spent it hanging out with my dogs and watching movies.

kyrathaba · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2011, 01:50 AM »

A 6 week-old Boston Terrier puppy!

40hz · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:46 AM »

Quote from: kyrathaba on December 29, 2011, 01:50 AM

A 6 week-old Boston Terrier puppy!

Awesome!

oblivion · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2011, 10:10 AM »

Quote from: 40hz on December 28, 2011, 11:32 PM

I just keep repeating the exact same resolution each year that I have for the past twenty. I figure I'll either eventually succeed - or die trying.

I've never made a resolution, I don't think. I tend to figure that if there's something I ought to do, or something I ought to quit, I'll do it (or quit it) when the time is right for me, rather than a relatively arbitrary date just because a number has incremented.

For instance, I quit smoking on (I think) December 12th 2005. (Or it might have been 2004.) Not a resolution, as such, it was just the right time to do it. (And because it WAS the right time to do it, I didn't start again, unlike all the previous times I'd tried to give up.)

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This year, when it came to gifts, our entire family skipped getting presents for the adults for a variety of reasons not worth going into.

We decided that a few years back. But it seems the only adult in my entire extended family is my dad.

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The kids, however, made out like bandits.

Don't they always! Most successful kid present this year: some weird toy involving a "build your own predator" electronic thing and a water-filled tank containing a model of the predator that moves in response to stuff happening in the electronic game AND can communicate via infrared with another similar. So you CAN answer questions like "who would win in a fight between a shark and a velociraptor?" (Okay, so maybe it's not the most scientific of answers but what the heck!)

Our nephews, we're told, haven't been able to put them down. Always a sign of a good present!

oblivion · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2011, 10:12 AM »

Quote from: kyrathaba on December 29, 2011, 01:50 AM

A 6 week-old Boston Terrier puppy!

You are going to HAVE to post a picture, you know that I hope?

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2011, 02:16 PM »

Quote from: oblivion on December 29, 2011, 10:12 AM

Quote from: kyrathaba on December 29, 2011, 01:50 AM
A 6 week-old Boston Terrier puppy!
You are going to HAVE to post a picture, you know that I hope?

Indeed ... My wife insists... (we have 3 Boston Terriers).

Renegade · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:03 PM »

My sister sent some coffee from Sri Lanka and my mom sent some home made jam that got destroyed (thank you yet again to the post office - but that's another rant...).

Other than that, I made a delicious roast for my wife, but that's it.

I got told that I need to make a bigger deal out of Christmas next year... I haven't done anything for Christmas for a very long time.

Living in Canada, I found the commercialism sickening. Christmas was only as good as how much you spent. I was glad to get away from that and promptly tried to forget it.

Kind of on topic, if you love blasphemy - here's a laugh.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:31 PM »

Quote from: kyrathaba on December 29, 2011, 01:50 AM

A 6 week-old Boston Terrier puppy!

There goes the carpet…

cranioscopical · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:58 PM »

From my wife, a boxed set on CD of all the D'Oyly Carte Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas, to replace the LP's that I ditched when moving a decade ago. I had foolishly believed that I could replace them with CD's but never could find those exact performances from the 60's through the 80's.

mwb1100 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2011, 08:17 PM »

A nice bottle of Lagavulin 16 year old single malt with some nifty 'rocker' glasses (so your glass can be as tipsy as you are). I haven't tried it out, yet. I'm a little skeptical that it'll beat out my current favorite: Talisker 10 year old. But it'll be nice to find out, I'm sure.

The kit also came with some 'whisky stones' to use instead of ice - I don't drink my scotch with ice, but it'll be interesting to try with the stones.

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2011, 08:45 PM »

Hm... Favorite present...

A deluxe gun cleaning kit, which came with two boxes of hollow points so I can get them dirty again too.

kyrathaba · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2011, 12:33 AM »

Quote

Quote
A 6 week-old Boston Terrier puppy!
You are going to HAVE to post a picture, you know that I hope?

40hz · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2011, 12:43 AM »

Adorable!

Named her yet?

Renegade · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2011, 02:36 AM »

Quote from: Stoic Joker on December 29, 2011, 08:45 PM

Hm... Favorite present...

A deluxe gun cleaning kit, which came with two boxes of hollow points so I can get them dirty again too.

Just make sure to never be honest about that stuff: http://rt.com/usa/news/911-graves-gun-york-965/

And be thankful that nobody gave you a bipod or a tripod, because then you'd be a terrorist: http://rt.com/news/terrorism-credit-cards-government-613/

(I love guns~!

Don't have any, but I love shooting.)

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2011, 01:48 PM »

Quote from: Renegade on December 30, 2011, 02:36 AM

Quote from: Stoic Joker on December 29, 2011, 08:45 PM
Hm... Favorite present...

A deluxe gun cleaning kit, which came with two boxes of hollow points so I can get them dirty again too.

Just make sure to never be honest about that stuff: http://rt.com/usa/news/911-graves-gun-york-965/

Ah yes... Honesty is the best fallacy... (Sadly quite true these days - Proper subjects shouldn't be armed).

---------------------------------------------------------

Back on Topic, Cute doggie ... The wife approves.

Deozaan · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2011, 05:51 PM »

Quote from: Renegade on December 30, 2011, 02:36 AM

And be thankful that nobody gave you a bipod or a tripod, because then you'd be a terrorist: http://rt.com/news/terrorism-credit-cards-government-613/

While I tend to agree with the general sentiment of that article, it does blow things out of proportion. The article (and you) makes it sound like if you buy a single tripod you're likely to be a terrorist. But the pamphlet actually released by the FBI or whoever says that buying the things listed in bulk is suspicious.

The only thing on the list I can see somebody needing in bulk would be MREs for an emergency preparedness food storage.

I like this one though:

Quote

Possess limited knowledge of intended purchase items

So basically any time my mom buys electronics she could be a terrorist.

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2011, 06:14 PM »

Quote from: Deozaan on December 30, 2011, 05:51 PM

Quote from: Renegade on December 30, 2011, 02:36 AM
And be thankful that nobody gave you a bipod or a tripod, because then you'd be a terrorist: http://rt.com/news/terrorism-credit-cards-government-613/

While I tend to agree with the general sentiment of that article, it does blow things out of proportion. The article (and you) makes it sound like if you buy a single tripod you're likely to be a terrorist.

Not really, intent vs. reality. Once the mistrust (/spy) on your neighbors downhill slide starts ...(McCarthy era...)... the game is already over. You have "rights" right up until you get caught up in "the system" ... Then you have a right to an attorney (maybe...). If you haven't been in "the system" (read interrogation) consider yourself lucky, and try to keep it that way. But the cost of proving your innocence can be staggering.

Remember this: It is not possible to prove that you don't know something.

oblivion · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2011, 06:39 PM »

Quote from: mwb1100 on December 29, 2011, 08:17 PM

A nice bottle of Lagavulin 16 year old single malt with some nifty 'rocker' glasses (so your glass can be as tipsy as you are). I haven't tried it out, yet.

You'll hate it. Honest. If you need help disposing of it, please let me know and I'll pass on my postal address.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Okay, okay, it's my very favourite single malt. I also can't afford to drink it very often.

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The kit also came with some 'whisky stones' to use instead of ice - I don't drink my scotch with ice, but it'll be interesting to try with the stones.

You should always add a tiny splash of water to most decent whiskies -- it opens up the flavours no end. (But stop adding water before you've seen it splash.) Ideally, water from the home of the relevant place -- but some of those Scottish islands are quite a hefty trip. And yes, ice is generally a mistake, as it kills the flavours just as neatly as chilling cheap wine does. (There are people who suggest that Jack Daniels only manages to be popular because most people drink it over ice. I, of course, am far too diplomatic to hold such a view.)

Trying to be serious for a moment: Talisker (which is also an excellent single malt) is perfectly fine and if you like it, you'll probably find Lagavulin completely acceptable at the very least and one to never deviate from again at best

It's very smoky/peaty and definitely not a malt to rush -- but then, which of them are?

My wife organised Christmas presents for some of the people she works with. She found out their delivery driver likes Glenfiddich, so she bought him a sampler pack of 3 5cl bottles -- one of which was an eighteen year-old. Glenfiddich is pretty ordinary, as single malts go, but I did my best to steal the 18-y-o out of the box before she wrapped it. (Sadly, I was spotted.) They always say that that's the age where ordinary stops and spectacular starts...

kyrathaba · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2011, 10:14 PM »

Quote

Adorable!

Named her yet? smiley

Heh, there's a funny story behind that. My last name is Miller. So the people who had the litter started calling her Miller while they took care of her until she was old enough to be separated from the mother. My wife shortened their name for the pet from "Miller" to "Millie". Pretty cute, eh?