Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hi all.


Just wanted to share with you...


My dearest mama got me.....a towel.


Given that she gave my brother in law 2 jumpers, and some aftershave, I thought that...slightly inequitable - esp. as I was the one busting my hump providing a gluten free Xmas lunch!


I know it's the thought that counts. By the way, I am not that bothered/outraged - I think it is funny!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/9281-any-rubbish-presents-to-report/
Share on other sites

A purple jumper. It was intended to accompany a pair of brown cords that have a suspiciously worn look to them which leads me to believe that either my father is loosing interest in the present buying tradition, or he just thought I wouldn't notice he was gifted them two bloody Christmases ago. I shall be buying my parents matching Zimmer frames next year in revenge.


Not that I want to appear ungratefull. It's just these things need to be nipped in the bud.

computedshorty Wrote:

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

> Just a memory.

> ...we did not have everything that we heard that

> other kids had got for Christmas but I for one

> would never exchange that.



Yes, and I can see why you wouldn't wish to "exchange that".



> My eyes have become moist now...



Mine too, computedshorty...big hug on its way to you and lots of good wishes for a very happy New Year xxx



As for "rubbish presents"...can't say I had any...but weirdly perhaps, the best present (for me anyway) was a simple but fabulous (still warm) loaf of homemade bread made by a friend. It was just so meaningful and had been made with such love that I could not fail to be touched by it...tastes damn good too!

Love that memory...how precious...cannot imagine London in 1926.....so much history...such an amazing city..that is really priceless!

Homemade loaf of bread..what a fabulous pressie idea...love it.

Now a towel for a gift is another matter altogether....

My worst present??...(not this year I hasten to add...), probably some weird brightly coloured liqueur in a shoe-shaped glass bottle!! OMG yes indeed..!!?? However, I think if you are getting any kind of presents at Christmas, consider that a blessing....

computedshorty Wrote:

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

> Just a memory.

> This is Christmas Day 2009, I have lived here, in

> a house of some 12 rooms in Lordship Lane, that my

> father bought in 1926 for most of that time I have

> memories. It does not take much to recall those

> days. Sitting alone in the kitchen facing the

> modern fire place, looking into the glow of the

> flames, changes to an opening with a coal fire

> part of a black iron range, with the oven door to

> the side, and large blackened kettles boil on the

> top, an iron flue pipe looses itself up the

> chimney, embers filters into the ashtray below, a

> poker to prod the fire, only dad could do this.

> To the right there is a double pram, it is there

> to keep the occupants warm, two heads covered in

> bonnets one pink and one blue, our new three week

> old brother and sister, have arrived to add to

> our family mum now aged 38 has seven children,

> this was 1938, Mum & Dad and Granny?s sister Gt.

> Aunt Alice made ten of us, there were four floors

> but only the lower two were furnished.

> We kids had got up early to look in our stockings

> at the foot of the bed, most years were the same

> an apple, orange, eight nuts, a drawing book, or

> crayons and a small pressed steel clockwork toy,

> turning the key to wind it up it might go a few

> feet before running out of power. The girls got

> things more particle like ribbons or beads. We

> would all sit around that enormous walnut table,

> covered by a shinny linseed oil tablecloth, set

> for ten, at the head Dad had his chair wooden with

> arms all the others were bare wood seats and back.

> While we waited for our Christmas Dinner, brothers

> and sisters gave the small presents they had made

> or saved up to buy.

> Mum brought in all the vegetables, my eldest

> sister served these onto all the plates, these

> placed in front of us all in turn , them the

> Turkey placed in front of Dad who sharpened the

> long knife on a steel rod, a plate was handed to

> Dad to put a share of cut slices of turkey

> according to size of the hungry child, Mums plate

> was placed on the range to keep warm as she would

> be last to sit as she kept bringing in more

> potatoes, gravy, mint sauce, at last all had got

> in front of them Dad said you can start now!

> Dad always bought a half bottle of wine he toasted

> the family, but only him, Mum and Aunt got any.

> We had a big Christmas pudding Dad would pour

> something over it and set it alight, mum had made

> jellies they were out side on the window cill

> setting in the cold, and lots of home made cakes,

> we did not have everything that we heard that

> other kids had got for Christmas but I for one

> would never exchange that.

> My eyes have become moist now with that memory,

> wiping my eye, all has changed and back to

> reality, No pram, for those children are now 71

> ears old.

> The table remains, but all those who once sat

> there have long passed away except me, accompanied

> by my cat.

____________________________________________________________________


Sooooo what did the cat buy you ?


Selfish things that they are.




W**F

my sister gave me a present .... looked very hopeful, beautiful wrapping and a note that said "just to let you know I love you".... hhhmmm... thought, this could be a good one... inside... three candles, the sort someone might by for the bosses secretary in last minute desperation for something to wrap... so anonomous that you could give it to a stranger... nothing wrong with the candles themselves but.... if it's the thought that counts???? maybe the just the note would have been better!!

Cufflinks from my little sister. The year before... a tie pin. I'm beginning to think she thinks I'm a lawyer.


And even I bought a rubbish present for myself this year.... the latest Star Trek DVD. I missed it at the cinema, asked for it as a present but didn't get it from anyone so I bought it anyway, watched it full of anticipation and... didn't really enjoy it. :'(

charliecharlie Wrote:

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

> my sister gave me a present .... looked very

> hopeful, beautiful wrapping and a note that said

> "just to let you know I love you".... hhhmmm...

> thought, this could be a good one... inside...

> three candles, the sort someone might by for the

> bosses secretary in last minute desperation for

> something to wrap... so anonomous that you could

> give it to a stranger... nothing wrong with the

> candles themselves but.... if it's the thought

> that counts???? maybe the just the note would have

> been better!!


That's just plain rude, with just one more you could at least have had the makings of a Two Ronnies sketch.

RosieH wrote:- I'm just shocked that you call her mum and not mummy.



Are you having a dig at David_Carnell's youthful countenance Rosie,


rather inappropriate during the festive season,


to be sooooooo acid some might argue.


To keep on topic, I bought a mini non-stick frying pan for just one egg, for someone who has everything.

I'm not digging at the boy Carnell's youthful appearance (who on earth could find fault with that visage? not I sir, not I) More at his rather marvellous poshness - I fondly imagine that his man servant would help him off with the Christmas wrapping on his Faberge eggs and Holbein canvasses...

computedshorty Wrote:

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

> My Christmas present.

>

> I have difficulty in handling things, as my

> fingers will not grasp,

> you might if you were near me, hear me say ?Dam &

> Blast.

> I have a habit of carrying things clasped close to

> my chest,

> my dinner gravy, it spills through my jumper and

> stains my vest.

>

> My two jumpers have to be put in alternatively for

> a washing,

> they are getting thinner now with all that

> tumbling and tossing.

> A Cataloque with clothes to fit the bigger man,

> came in the post,

> there is plenty of room to move about in them,

> more than most.

>

> I ordered one through the internet, size XXL

> colour Khaki,

> lets hope it comes soon the weathers changed, I?m

> getting parky.

> It arrived just now always nicely packed to get

> here for us,

> don't want to open it now, I will save it up for

> Christmas.

>

> I got my little Christmas tree, its only eighteen

> inches high,

> my cat plays with the baubles, when she tiers of

> it sits close by.

> She tries to open the Christmas paper, of the

> present on display,

> its that present that I waited for, and can open

> on Christmas Day.

>

> Its Christmas morning, I did not hang a stocking

> up I?m a bit old for that,

> but I have got a warm welcome, from my longhaired

> tortoiseshell cat.

> She jumps up by the Christmas tree, knocking my

> present down at my feet,

> so I open up my present, when asked who gave it to

> me I must be discreet.

>

> I might say Timmus gave me that, not a lie in

> fact, but slightly bent,

> you might well ask me, how on earth can a cat give

> you that present?

> Well of coarse she did not hand it to me, as I

> entered in the door,

> she sort of gave it a nudge and it landed tumbled

> down to the floor.



That's lovely computedshorty - you are very gifted (no pun intended)

My sister got me a shaving kit (albeit a lovely one) despite the fact for the past three years I have maintained a healthy beard on my face, so the present was pretty pointless. Much laughter on Christmas morning.


Also about ten years ago, the same sister went out and bought presents for all her friends at school etc. Then on Christmas day, me and my other sister opened our rather small gifts, to find refresher chewy bars inside, hysteria all around, and to make it worse, I got one, the other sister got two!! The cheek. Now a running joke within the family every year.

The highlight of my Christmas was the staple set my Mum gave me. She seemed quite pleased with herself when she asked me 'You don't have one do you?!'.


...It also remarkably resembles a set I saw in the Pound Shop...


And yes I do have a stapler already which I never use. Thanks Mum.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Does anyone know when the next SNT meeting is? I am fed up with my son being mugged on East Dulwich Grove! 
    • The issue must be everywhere at the moment. I was visiting a friend last week in Bermondsey, think we were walking  down Linton Rd & we dodged 7 dog poos. It was disgusting. 
    • Thanks for your message — I actually took the time to look into what CityHive does before posting my original comment, and I’d encourage anyone with questions to do the same. Yes, the Companies House filings are overdue — but from what I’ve gathered, this seems likely to be an accountant or admin issue, not some sign of ill intent. A lot of small, community-based organisations face challenges keeping up with formalities, especially when they’re focused on immediate needs like food distribution. Let’s not forget CityHive is a not-for-profit, volunteer-powered CIC — not a corporate machine. As for the directors, people stepping down or being replaced is often about capacity or commitment — which is completely normal in the voluntary and community sector. New directors are sometimes appointed when others can no longer give the time. It doesn’t automatically mean bad governance — it just means people’s circumstances change. CityHive’s actual work speaks volumes. They buy most of the food they distribute — fresh produce, essential groceries, and shelf-stable items — and then deliver it to food banks, soup kitchens, and community projects across London. The food doesn’t stay with CityHive — it goes out to local food hubs, and from there, directly to people who need it most. And while yes, there may be a few paid staff handling logistics or admin, there’s a huge volunteer effort behind the scenes that often goes unseen. Regular people giving their time to drive vans, sort donations, load pallets, pack food parcels — that’s what keeps things running. And when people don’t volunteer? Those same tasks still need to be done — which means they have to be paid for. Otherwise, the whole thing grinds to a halt. As the need grows, organisations like CityHive will inevitably need more support — both in people and funding. But the bigger issue here isn’t one small CIC trying to make ends meet. The real issue is the society we live in — and a government that isn’t playing its part in eradicating poverty. If it were, organisations like CityHive, The Felix Project, City Harvest, FareShare, and the Trussell Trust wouldn’t need to exist, let alone be thriving. They thrive because the need is growing. That’s not a reflection on them — it’s a reflection on a broken system that allows people to go hungry in one of the richest cities in the world. If you're in doubt about what they’re doing, go check their Instagram: @cityhivemedia. You’ll see the real organisations and people receiving food, sharing thanks, and showing how far the impact reaches. Even Southwark Foodbank has received food from CityHive — that alone should speak volumes. So again — how does any of this harm you personally? Why spend time trying to discredit a group trying to support those who are falling through the cracks? We need more people lifting others up — not adding weight to those already carrying the load.
    • Well, this is very disappointing. Malabar Feast  has changed its menu again. The delicious fish curry with sea bass no longer exists. There is now a fish dish with raw mango, which doesn't appeal. I had dal and spinach instead, which was bland (which I suppose I could/should have predicted). One of my visitors had a "vegetable Biriani" which contained hardly any vegetables. Along with it came two extremely tiny pieces of poppadom in a large paper bag.   This was embarrassing, as I had been singing Malabar's praises and recommending we ordered from there. The other mains and the parathas were OK, but I doubt we will be ordering from there again. My granddaughters wisely opted for Yard Sale pizzas, which were fine. Has anybody else had a similar recent poor (or indeed good!)  experience at Malabar Feast?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...