We've all heard the saying, "it's the thought that counts" when it comes to gifts.
But not all thoughts are kind.
While Christmas should be honored with well intended gift exchanges, some people take the opportunity to surprise unknowing receivers with something unpleasant.
Whether they're inspired by a grudge or petty argument, a passive aggressive gift can really spoil the holiday cheer.
Redditor e2hawkeye wanted to hear people's stories about purposefully bad gifts, and asked:
"What was the most passive aggressive gift you ever got for Christmas?"
20. Ho ho ho
"My wife gave a very passive/aggressive gift to her brother's girlfriend one year for xmas. It wasn't actually the gift itself, it was the wrapping paper.
You see, this girlfriend was the woman who cheated with him on his wife, causing the marriage to fail and the the family to be split up. As you might imagine, my wife didn't care much for this woman. So, a gift was purchased and wrapped in Xmas paper. The paper had 'Ho Ho Ho' written all over it. Basically, just white paper with Ho Ho Ho.
Everyone got it. New Years was not fun."
19. You can't fall off of a video game, just sayin'
"When I was a kid I played a lot of video games and my dad gave me a skateboard in hopes I would go out more often.
Eventually that worked, but with a mountain bike"
18. Backpacks are just more practical
"For whatever reason, it drives my boyfriend's mother and aunts bonkers that I use a backpack instead of carrying around a purse a lot of the time (like for going to/from work or just general travels). Every year, someone from that little family group always thinks they're doing me a favor by getting me a purse. They're also not even that great of quality (like it's that cheap pleather that scuffs and looks like crap after a week of use)."
17. I would boycott Christmas too
"Half a bar of chocolate , I got my sister the $100 in cash that she insisted on and she got me absolutely nothing at first , but she was shamed by everyone else at the party so she threw a half eaten bar of chocolate at me that she was eating and told me that this was my present.
This year I am not celebrating Christmas. Nobody gets any presents. It will be just an ordinary day for me."
16. What are you trying to say, mom?
"My mom's bought me a stationary bike and two scales. I feel like she's trying to tell me something"
15. This is why they don't visit
"I once had an entire sarcastic christmas where all my family members unanimously decided to get me gag gifts without telling each other. It wasn't a planned thing they just all got me insulting presents without realizing it. I ended up with EU de toilet cologne, a poo emoji stuffed animal (im 23) a shirt with a far right political cartoon insulting Bernie Sanders and a maga hat (im the only family liberal) and a candy cellphone in an iPhone box
Grandma: why don't you come visit?"
14. A gift only a mother in law would give
"My grandmother (dad's mother) once got my mom tablecloths for Christmas. My mom was not impressed"
13. At least you can make a ton of mashed potatoes...?
"My mom got my wife a 10 pound bag of potatoes.
When my wife asked literally 'what the heck', my mom said 'I worked the church food bank last weekend and I knew you were poor so I got you something to help out.'
Yeah.
Mom was something else."
Giphy
12. Speaks for itself
"a t-shirt saying 'I'm not arguing with you, I'm just explaining why I'm right'"
11. That backfired
"Cousin gave me a Spice Girls album hoping I wouldn't like it and would give it to her. 'You're a boy, you probably don't even know what Spice Girls is. If you don't like it, you should just give it to me.'
I listened to it so many times in spite if her that eventually all I really really really wanted was a zig-a zig-ahhhh."
10. That wasn't very subtle...
"My aunt gave me a box of 'Thank You' note cards.
On the gift tag, she wrote: 'You should try using these sometime.'"
9. 'Santa' should mind his business!
"When I was in middle school, going through my tomboy phase, 'santa' gave me a book called How to Raise a Lady, and when I opened it my mom just looked at me and said 'Maybe Santa is trying to give a hint.'"
Giphy
8. So who got the iPod?
"When I was younger I managed to somehow lose my retainer at a Denny's. We searched everywhere, including the dumpster for over 30 minutes... my parents were furious. Fast forward a month, and the new iPod is released, and I really want it. I tell my parents that is the only thing I want for Christmas.
Come Christmas time, we are opening gifts and I see one that matches the shape of the iPod box... and sure enough, after unwrapping it - it's the new iPod! I hop up and immediately hug both my parents and I'm jumping around in joy! I sit back down and begin to open the box, and inside this iPod box is a new retainer. No iPod"
7. Don't take your anger out on children
"All growing up my aunt always got me really nice clothing. I always got sweaters or sweatpants from American Eagle or Hollister which were very popular in my tween years. Then, she got mad at my mom for something and I started getting very juvenile presents including a children's robe with Hello Kitty on it that didn't fit, a plastic bracelet loom when I was 17, and a cork board in the shape of a flower."
6. At least you could donate them
"Pack of underwear from my mother in law 4 sizes too big. Smiled, thanked her, though that was the end. Told my husband I was going to donate them as they were too big. He told his mother and her reaction was, well she will eventually grow into them."
5. I bet they never forgot their anniversary again
"One year everyone forgot my grandparents' anniversary (it's sometime in October). That Christmas every family got a professional picture of my grandparents with their anniversary on a plaque on the frame."
4. Those are the worst gifts under any circumstances
"A bible and a pretty hair band.
I'm a lesbian. At the time I was very butch."
3. Thanks a bunch, dad.
"They've definitely come from my father, both times.
1st time, I had a bad looking beard, so he gave me a pack of razors and some shaving cream.
2nd time, I asked for a pretty large gift -- a laptop. Apparently he didn't like that. He gave me a watch. A watch that he was previously given as a gift but didn't want. A watch that didn't work."
2. I think you can sue your boss for this...
"I had a real bully of a boss that delighted in making me miserable, but I was broke and desperate for a job so I didn't have a lot of options. The bullying kept escalating so I stupidly went to HR (because this was before I realized HR is there to protect the company not the employee). I told them what she'd been doing and gave them as much evidence as I had and told them that she was creating a hostile environment and I was genuinely concerned for my mental health.
Nothing came of the HR meeting and apparently that comment got back to my boss. Christmas rolls around and at the company party the bosses would always give their employees some little something. My co-workers got gift certificates to get a massage. I got a little tin bank that says 'I'm saving up for some therapy.'"
1. I'm guessing this is why they're an ex now
"My ex bought a plush raccoon, and then drew tire marks on it to commemorate the time I hit a raccoon while driving. I felt bad about hitting it and cried. Ended up crying again Christmas morning."
Giphy
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Reddit user r4tzt4r asked:
"What has absolutely no real reason for being so expensive?"
That sounds like a nice innocent question. Maybe someone will finally talk about why I'm suddenly paying so much more for an empanada.
Or maybe someone will offer a nihilistic view of the sociopolitical climate and we'll all need a hug.
Maybe both! Let's get into it.
Big Textbook
"College textbooks."
"I had a professor that was really against the college textbook industry and said it was a huge scam, so for the class I took with him he used a textbook that he wrote and provided a PDF version of it for free to all of us."
- -eDgAR-
"My geography teacher wrote her own book and workbook."
"The workbook consist of free use blank maps of the world and makes up 1/4th of book. The other 3/4ths is a notebook. Best $150 dollars I've ever spent."
"Her 'book' is organized like a badly structured Wikipedia page and cost $200. Both are required."
- JustASpeck765
"I had a professor that wrote his own textbook because he hated that the university’s recommended book was $600."
"He printed it through Amazon and sold them for cost - I think $40 or less. My class was the first to use it and we got to help him edit it."
"Unrelated, he died the next semester."
- FetusFritter
"He was definitely taken out by big text book."
- Taxitaxitaxi33
GiphyOh Canada
"Canadian internet and mobile plans"
- ReeG
"I had this argument with someone on Reddit once haha. They didn’t believe me when I said that the Canadian mobile plans are straight up robbery."
"$160/month for mine :( "
- [Reddit]
"Recently moved to the UK for my studies after being stuck in Toronto during the better half of the pandemic."
"It's ludicrous how much they're charging."
"My UK phone plan cost nearly 1/5th of what I pay in Canada, and I get better perks too."
- samakbarizadeh
GiphyPaying For The Privilege Of Paying
"My apartment charges $25 to process online payments."
"I just get a cashiers check at the bank and deliver it by hand because I can't pay that much extra for absolutely no reason."
- iremovebrains
"So my apartment complex charges a $35 processing fee for online payments. BUT, if I walk a paper check to the front office that they have to bring to the bank, no fee."
"Guess who still pays in paper checks, this guy."
- Mythradites
"We get charged $50 like what the f*ck is it doing that costs money?"
- bdizzle805
"Oh mine was $62 dollars a month lol"
- zazerite
"Mine charges 3%. Do the math."
"I just hand them a check in the office."
- pox_americus
"Mine charges 95 if I pay through PayPal, my other option is to give them my bank account login info."
- buttplugpopsicle
"In the last jurisdiction I rented in this was illegal: payments for rent could not themselves incur a payment, or indeed, any burden on the part of the tenant (or, e.g., drive across town to hand-deliver cash or a cheque)."
"What do the laws in your jurisdiction claim?"
- exfalsoquodlibet
GiphyHearing
"Hearing aids."
- pghreddit
"As an audiologist, I 100% agree!"
"Unfortunately the prices are the way they are due to two problems. One is most clinics 'bundle' services. This is mostly because insurance doesn’t like to pay for our testing or rehabilitation/counseling we provide."
"Two-if you’re a small clinic, the manufactures that make the hearing aids sell them at a higher price to you. For example, a small office might pay $1,500 for a pair of hearing aids. Whereas Costco, who can buy a lot more, only pays $100 for the same hearing aids."
"Its sucks because to become an audiologist you have to get a doctorate. You go through all that schooling just to end up 'selling' hearing aids nobody wants to buy from you because they can get it cheaper at a big box store."
"I wanted to help people, not be a sales person. One of the biggest reasons why I’m not practicing right now."
- Zelda_cat22
Giphy300%
"Born in the US, but lived in two different countries. Can confirm that medication in the US is in many cases more than 300% of what you’d pay for elsewhere."
- senseofphysics
"Xyrem. It can be absolutely life-changing for people with narcolepsy. However, most insurance doesn't cover it, and the out-of-pocket cost is about $6k for a 1 month supply."
- thotkeys
"Came here for this answer. No one pays the sticker price, but my insurance pays about $18k/month for this medication. It's nuts."
- PureKatie
"It's free in U.K."
- Attach_helicopter
"I've stopped my seizure treatment because its $100/month with insurance and discount card from the pharmacist."
"It's not working well anyway and the doctor refuses to change it. Why pay $100 to still have seizures when I can pay $0 to still have seizures?"
- Professor01011000
GiphyLike Any Other Fast Food
"Panera is literally the only restaurant I deliberately avoid solely because of the prices. Last time I ate there it was like $40 for two people to eat f*cking sandwiches. Insane."
- trymyomeletes
"I worked there for a week (quit because I hated it lol) and the worst part is everything is frozen and prepackaged just like any other fast food place, yet they act like it’s some “farm to table” “healthy artisanal” option."
"That’s how they justify the price. Absolutely bonkers."
- bby_bambao
GiphyHousing
"Houses. Long time homebuilder here:"
"Homes for purchase or rent- for humans to live in are TOO EXPENSIVE for no good reason."
"Artificial scarcity: lets talk materials- only a handful of MEGA manufacturers are producing the bulk of construction materials and softwood lumber. when there are only 2 or 3 mega suppliers and they raise rates at the same time due to "market forces" that is not illegal. when they lower prices to destroy competitors - that is also OK as long as they do not state that goal publicly."
"Additionally the MEGA wood producers- (Weyerhaeuser, Georgia Pacific, West Fraser Timber) hold politicians in their pocket. Lumber is the biggest line item cost on most builds after land."
"Trump raised the Tariff to 20% on Canadian imports, the WTO ruled against this move and it was lowered to 9%. Now Biden admin is raising it back up again despite the ruling."
"Shingles are made of gravel and oil- not much has changed in the last 50 years. They are better- no doubt- but no major change in cost to produce. Yet, cost of basic materials with mature, highly automated production continues to skyrocket- (Market forces- supply and demand)."
"Land- homes are mandated by code to be safe- that is good. They are also mandated by code and zoning to be bigger, and more expensive that makes sense for many people."
Giphy"Builders must work within this framework and deliver what they can profitably, which pretty much means build the biggest house possible because density rules and overheads imposed on home construction make building smaller less expensive homes not viable."
"It is hard to find a 'starter' home for under a quarter million dollars- no real reason for this."
"Codes are written by industry lobbyists- (sound familiar?) Once a new patented (safety, energy improvement) device is mature and ready for market, the owners of the patent will promote/ push through code changes REQUIRING their product be used on every single new home if possible. I am all for safe homes - but where does that push the market?"
"I am a builder for 30 years and strongly believe new houses are WAY better than old by just about every measure. However, manufacturing and material improvements we routinely see LOWERING costs of other durable goods do not apply due to the artificial scarcity keeping supply low and cost high."
"Demand will ALWAYS be there- everyone needs a home. A super clunky supply chain primarily focused on shielding from liability adds tons of cost for no reason."
"Too many ways to get sued if you are a home builder - so all employees are separate contractors, distributers are separate from manufactures. Even new home sales are often done by realtors independent from the builder, offering separation and legal defense from the endless expensive lawsuits that can result from no cause other than customer preference, customer neglect, neighbors or other issues not related to the builders performance."
"And Finally- Financing: You are encouraged to buy the biggest house you can afford as early on in life as possible because your home is your 'biggest investment.' "
"Banks will loan CRAAAAZY money and the government supports, promotes and funds this process in loaning as much as possible (Trillions) to a market of people determined to have a home and a stake in real estate."
"Is there NO other way to save money other than building equity in your home? A much smaller home with a larger investment portfolio is not a mainstream option. Federal policy views home ownership as a positive to be supported no matter the cost."
"PROFITABLE New small homes for under 100K could be and should be a thing in every American city. Homelessness would evaporate if there was an alternative other than putting people in motels."
- Bulldogsleepingonme
Education
"Honestly, I can't believe that nowhere in this post as of right now can EDUCATION be found."
"College doesn't have to be free, but recently the prices have gone through the roof and based on this post, it seems to have been normalized."
- AnonymousMemeing
"I would argue that cheaper tuition is good for the economy as a whole. The more educated people are, the more likely they are to invent, improve, or otherwise contribute to society."
"Absolutely everybody getting a free university degree is not ideal from a value to society point of view, but the way it has become these days, it is going to cost the country in 20 or 30 years."
- CanuckSalaryman
"Yes, I don’t think college should be for free but it shouldn’t cost as much as a house. It should be where you can still pay out of pocket for it."
- crazygirl2981
GiphyBy The People?
"Running for office in America."
"The cost to run a successful campaign in America for virtually any state level or higher political office is simply unattainable for the common person and prices out anyone but the ruling class of oligarchs and those with connections to it."
"Sure there examples of candidates outside the typical wealthy and ingrained political establishment, but they are the rare exception, not the rule."
"With US House races costing over $2 million and Senate races costing over $16 million the average person, no matter how well educated and how well qualified, is automatically eliminated without a vast amount of personal wealth or connections to the individuals, corporations, and parties that do hold that power."
"So the halls of congress and the seat of power is never filled with our best and brightest, but instead those with the wealth to attain that power and the conviction to maintain that status quo at virtually any cost to the people."
- Pursuitofsleep
GiphyThat certainly took a turn for the depressing there at the end, huh?
I mean... we were already feeling pretty poor but that last one ... ouch.
We need a nap—and a revolution, apparently?
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Redditor directinLA wanted to help us all compile a life list we should already have.
They asked:
"What is a safety tip everyone should know about?"
Don't give dogs chocolate.
That is a LIFE #1.
At least for fur parents.
Mistakes Cost
"Wear safety glasses when working. Wear safety gloves when working. Wear safety boots when working. Do not make excuses, one mistake can cost you your finger, eye, toe." ~ bstefanovic
GiphyListen Close...
"Firefighter here..."
"Sleep with your doors shut at night (helps prevent fire spread/smoke inhalation). Be able to crawl, blindfolded, out of every room in your house. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire."
"Where to meet afterwards, etc. If you have kids, explain to them that firefighters may look ‘scary’ in full turnout gear, but they can not be afraid of us. Friendly reminder while I have your attention; check the batteries in your smoke detector. They truly are life savers." ~ CharlieMike12
Car Support
"Put toilet paper in your cars." ~ lodoyox5
"Just walk through a supermarket. There are literally 1000s of food products that are packaged in sturdy, sealed containers that will not deteriorate or spoil in the heat while stored in a car. Canned foods come to mind immediately."
"Get the products that are self opening with pull open can lids to eliminate the need to keep track of a can opener. Juice in large bottles that can be kept as juice or the bottle can become a water container. The list of potential emergency food and water is endless if just given a little thought." ~ memskeptic
Protip...
"When you cut wood or metal, the chips fly faster than you are able to blink." ~ jesusSaidThat
"Here is a protip. Eye glass material counts. Some cheap eyewear will shatter or not stop anything.. The good ones will deform and are made of polycarbonate. I think 3M makes a good trustworthy one." ~ Specific-Layer
Hello Doc...
"If you you have a skin mole that has blurry edges, isn't symmetrical, is a weird shade of red, weeps fluids or acts like an open wound that won't heal, you might have skin cancer. Go to a doctor IMMEDIATELY. Melanoma kills fast." ~ vivav5
GiphyI worry about every skin blemish.
So now I have more mole worry.
Bloody Issues...
"If you're treating a gunshot victim while waiting on an ambulance, the best thing you can do is apply constant pressure to the wound. Bind it if you can. But, whatever you do, absolutely do not remove bandages if they get too bloody. Just add more. Don't give the wound any chances to bleed out more than it already is." ~ bamece3
GiphyThe Stairs
“It is better to correct an unsafe friend than to bury one." ~ LamarB
"I tried so hard to try and stop a friend from seeing if he could jump an entire flight of stairs. He almost launched me down it trying to push past me. I held him back a lot but he was determined and I wasn't going to get messed up on his account. He broke the crap out of his ankles." ~ khaominer
In Florida...
"As a life long Floridian, I see this all the time here, and else where in the news. In the event of a disaster, stay the hell away from downed power lines!! Don’t walk along the street with them, don’t drive your car over them, don’t take selfies with them. They’re thunder noodles and have been known to kill." ~ kowog1
Blue
"The gates on a railroad crossing are meant to break away when driven through. If your car ever stalls out on a crossing don't bother with 911, look for the blue sign posted on the crossing gates themselves and call that number. That number will get you in contact with the train dispatcher who can let oncoming trains know about it immediately." ~ M3T4LL1CA
Stay Thirsty
"You cannot drink the waters from cactuses in emergency due to acidity and toxic alkaloids, which causes vomiting, diarrhea and mass dehydration especially when you're hungry or thirsty." ~ peachie_bongo
GiphyI always hated cacti.
I hope everyone has paid attention.
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Redditor CindyQuicknFye wanted to hear about the people we've all encountered that left a bizarre impression.
They asked:
"What did somebody say that made you think: 'This person is out of touch with reality?'"
I've worked in the hospitality industry and the acting/writing business.
So I don't know where to begin with this, except to say... "Bless their Hearts."
"the elites"
"Working for a super wealthy client who lived in the most expensive gated neighborhood in the country. A Walled community, filled with old money and old political families, and he was complaining about 'the elites' who the hell do you think you are ? Joe F**king 6 pack?" ~ stinkload
GiphyIlluminati
"One of my relatives 'Joined the illuminati' on facebook... On. Facebook. He was really serious too and excited about it." ~ deadpuppet01
"I was 'invited to join the Illuminati' by a vegan raw food store I bought something from. I knew it was BS but wanted to show someone what it was so we could laugh about it. It sounded like some pyramid scheme that would 'have me vacationing in the alps with my investments' but it looked like my friend was considering it. :( " ~ Halfassedtrophywife
Unwiped...
"I remember a while back I read a post about a man who refused to wipe his bum hole after number 2 because he believed no man should have anything touch him there.... I remember vividly thinking 'how out of touch with reality do you have to be to have such a belief?' I am still occasionally haunted by this stranger." ~ GlassBear1609
Isn't that a crime?'
"I'm a 911 operator and had a man call 911 because the internet at the hotel he was staying at got disconnected. I told him it was not a police issue and he would have to talk to the hotel staff and/or just wait for it to reboot. He responded, 'Not a police issue? This is criminal. If I unplugged someone's life support, isn't that a crime?'" ~ nocreamjustsugar
Ummm?
"Had a coworker that noticed an item’s tag said Made in Vietnam. She’s said 'Made in Vietnam? That’s a place? I thought it was a war!!'" ~ pookies10
GiphyAnd I bet you these people are allowed to operate vehicles unattended.
Oh my...
Life & Death
"'Nobody has ever died from rationing their insulin, nobody' - My FIL. That was an odd take of his, I'm still kinda puzzled over it. People have died doing almost anything. He didn't think they died from rationing something that costs hundreds of dollars per week though." ~ Adventurous_Bed_6151
GiphyNasty Girl
"16 yo at DMV office getting her driver's license. Coworker asked her for ID, pulls out her phone and shows photos of her expired passport. Coworker said that's not acceptable. The girl turns around and hits her mom on the head and blames mom for no bringing in her IDs. Coworker yelled at the girl and said if you are old enough for a license, you are old enough to check online what IDs you needed to bring. 😐" ~ tintin9197
Bad Thanksgiving
"My aunt is a bit into that. She's done really well for herself but has forgotten that not all of us are retired engineers who play the stock market for funsies part time. She suggested Thanksgiving at my place one year, and I had to remind her that I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment and inviting around 15 people there wasn't going to work." ~ BoilingHotCumshot
Choices
"There are a lot of older ugly apartment buildings near the house I grew up in. My friend at the time that lived a very privileged lifestyle, $200-300+ weekly weekend dinners with the family, timeshares over the place, skiing and snowboarding trips, etc. She was like why would anyone want to live in these apartments? I would never I was like, people that live there don't have a choice." ~ OnfiyA
Me. ME. MEE!!
"Former roommate declared, 'I'm an only child, that means I don't have to be nice if I don't want to.'" ~ StoneCold_SteveIrwin
GiphyWell none of us are perfect.
As long as know one is not violent, just nod and smile.
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