Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear panda, happy birthday to you! Now blow out your candles, and make a wish! Did you wish for some used socks, an expired gift card or a box of cookies that you’re allergic to?
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cracks knucklesI was turning 17 and had friends over for my birthday for the very first time. As a fat, AuDHD girl I struggled to make friends throughout my childhood, so this was a major milestone. It was a great day, too- after school my friends came over, we hung out a bit, ate dinner, had some cake, and were about to go see “17 Again” starring Zach Efron in theaters. It couldn’t have gone better… until my mom handed me my presents.Most of them were typical birthday gifts- I think I got a scarf and a DVD or something- until I unwrapped the very last one. This was obviously a book and it was wrapped in different paper than the others. I love to read so I got my hopes up until I saw the title. It was “Eat This, Not That,” the diet book that was all the rage in 2009. My face must have fallen because my mom immediately started singing its praises. She waxed poetic about how it’s so educational, it’ll really change up my diet and I’ll lose weight in no time, etc. I didn’t want to cry in front of my friends so I muttered my thanks and returned to my cake, pushing it around my plate until it was time to leave for the movie. I couldn’t look at my friends until my sister, who wrapped most of my gifts, pulled me aside and said that she told Mom NOT to give me that book and she refused to wrap it. She apologized for not hiding it from Mom and saving me the embarrassment in front of my friends.At least my friends immediately understood who my mom was that day.
To find out how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user Andrewsteiner88, who invited others to share the worst birthdaypresentsthat they’ve ever received.He was kind enough to have a chat withBored Pandaand shared that he simply loves relatable questions. “We either all have a story or know a story about receiving a bad gift,” the OP noted.
To find out how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user Andrewsteiner88, who invited others to share the worst birthdaypresentsthat they’ve ever received.
He was kind enough to have a chat withBored Pandaand shared that he simply loves relatable questions. “We either all have a story or know a story about receiving a bad gift,” the OP noted.
Cigarettes and deodorant, from my gross grandfather’s drunken girlfriend. When I opened it, she winked and said she knew I smoked. I was EIGHT.
Not a gift to me, but I still don’t understand what we did so wrong to the person that they gave my 5 year old daughter a karaoke machine.
We also asked Andrewsteiner88 about his own experience with a terrible birthdaypresent. “The worst gift I received was a half-eaten box of chocolate from a coworker,” he shared. “That was the only bad gift I’ve ever gotten.“On the other hand, the OP says the best gift he’s ever received came from a friend years ago. “It was a signed record from one of my favorite artists. It was special because they knew I love music and the artist,” he told Bored Panda.
We also asked Andrewsteiner88 about his own experience with a terrible birthdaypresent. “The worst gift I received was a half-eaten box of chocolate from a coworker,” he shared. “That was the only bad gift I’ve ever gotten.”
On the other hand, the OP says the best gift he’s ever received came from a friend years ago. “It was a signed record from one of my favorite artists. It was special because they knew I love music and the artist,” he told Bored Panda.
One year, my parents had the audacity to give birth to me… all down hill since there.
Finally, we asked Andrewsteiner88 what he thought of the replies to his post. “I was surprised it became so popular! The answers were funny and bizarre to say the least,” he shared. “I wanna thank everyone for the response the question received.”
He got me a juicer that ‘had to stay at his house’.Oh, so you got yourself a juicer.BYE.
Golden girls wine glasses, when I was a few months out of rehab for alcoholism.
To learn from an expert, we got in touch with Nina Steyn, PR and SEO Executive atPrezzybox. First, we wanted to know about some of the best and worst presents Nina has ever received.“I had the most incredible birthday surprise for my 29th! A gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers and a heartfelt handwritten card,” she shared. “But here’s the best surprise - the real gift wasn’t in the flowers, it was tucked inside that card. Tickets to see my favorite artist in concert later this summer! I even had the choice between catching the show in London or Amsterdam. Talk about a birthday to remember!”
To learn from an expert, we got in touch with Nina Steyn, PR and SEO Executive atPrezzybox. First, we wanted to know about some of the best and worst presents Nina has ever received.
“I had the most incredible birthday surprise for my 29th! A gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers and a heartfelt handwritten card,” she shared. “But here’s the best surprise - the real gift wasn’t in the flowers, it was tucked inside that card. Tickets to see my favorite artist in concert later this summer! I even had the choice between catching the show in London or Amsterdam. Talk about a birthday to remember!”
My mom was a real f*****g a*s hole. I was heavily bullied at school and abused at home.One day during christmas, mom handed me a present and when I opened it, it was a doll that had similar features to my school bully. I didn’t realize until she started laughing and said “She looks like her doesn’t she”. Little me was scared to her core.
Not me but my brother.For his 30th birthday our parents got him a knock-off brand roomba. Not a bad gift in itself, you’re right.Except they got his twin brother a brand new car.
As far as Nina’s worst gift, she told Bored Panda it was a vibrant summer dress. “Despite its nifty feature of pockets, it didn’t fit, and the color clashed with my skin tone,” she explained. “Wore it once as a gesture of appreciation then it spent some quality time hanging out in the back of the wardrobe. Eventually, I decided to donate it to charity.”
I got a check from my elderly aunt for $5. It bounced and cost me $10 fee from the bank.
A goldfish. I was 18, 31 now, he is still going strong. I HATE him. Omfg do I hate that fish. Unfortunately as he is my responsibility I feel obligated to give him the best life possible. I’m going to be so happy when he finally dies. Until then that f****r will keep living the life of luxury.
The expert also shared some advice on how to choose a great birthday present for a loved one. “When considering what makes an exceptional birthday gift, it’s essential to prioritize thoughtfulness and personalization,” Nina says. “A great gift should reflect the recipient’s interests and preferences, showcasing a genuine understanding of who they are.““Dos include incorporating personal touches, such as customized messages or items tailored to their hobbies and passions. Quality should supersede quantity, emphasizing the importance of selecting a gift that reflects care and consideration rather than focusing solely on the price tag,” she continued, noting that “a well-chosen, thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive.”
The expert also shared some advice on how to choose a great birthday present for a loved one. “When considering what makes an exceptional birthday gift, it’s essential to prioritize thoughtfulness and personalization,” Nina says. “A great gift should reflect the recipient’s interests and preferences, showcasing a genuine understanding of who they are.”
“Dos include incorporating personal touches, such as customized messages or items tailored to their hobbies and passions. Quality should supersede quantity, emphasizing the importance of selecting a gift that reflects care and consideration rather than focusing solely on the price tag,” she continued, noting that “a well-chosen, thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be expensive.”
When I was six, my paternal grandparents gave me a… Potato. They said “It looks like a cat or a doggie! You can play with it, and you should be proud - we grew it ourselves!” They also gave me the cheapest set of crayons. Their other grandchild received a very cool and rather expensive toy piano a week prior. Yeah, my paternal grandmother never liked my mom, and the mother of the other grandchild was her daughter.
My boss gave me a pack of expired coupons for fast food joints. It was like getting a slap in the face… with a stale burger.
As for the “don’ts” of gift giving, Nina says procrastination is to be avoided at all costs. “Rushed decisions may result in generic or impersonal gifts,” she explained. “Steer clear of any gifts that don’t show much thought or consideration for the recipient. Lastly, practical gifts definitely have their place, but it’s worth aiming for a balance between usefulness and originality. After all, you want the gift to feel both functional and celebratory, adding a special touch to the occasion.”
My mom gave me a book that I made when I was 8 so she could laugh at me for how terrible it was. I drew the illustrations and wrote the story. It looked like s**t because again, I was eight. She loved to humiliate me and then get mad at me for “having no sense of humor”.
And if you find yourself with a disappointing gift and aren’t sure what to do, Nina says it happens to the best of us! “You’re opening a beautifully wrapped package only to find… well, let’s just say it’s not exactly your cup of tea,” she shared.“First things first, take a deep breath and remember that it’s the thought that counts, right? Even if the gift missed the mark, it’s clear that someone cared enough to pick something out for you,” the expert noted. “Regardless of how you feel about the gift, always express gratitude and appreciation for the thought and effort the giver put into selecting it. Focus on thanking them for their kindness rather than the specific gift itself.”
And if you find yourself with a disappointing gift and aren’t sure what to do, Nina says it happens to the best of us! “You’re opening a beautifully wrapped package only to find… well, let’s just say it’s not exactly your cup of tea,” she shared.
“First things first, take a deep breath and remember that it’s the thought that counts, right? Even if the gift missed the mark, it’s clear that someone cared enough to pick something out for you,” the expert noted. “Regardless of how you feel about the gift, always express gratitude and appreciation for the thought and effort the giver put into selecting it. Focus on thanking them for their kindness rather than the specific gift itself.”
A coat hanger. When I saw it, (10yo) I was so confused. Then I was told it came from my family members trip to France, which furthered my confusion, lol.
“If the gift is something you absolutely won’t use or enjoy, there are a few options on the table. Regifting, donating, or reselling the item can be appropriate in certain situations, but it’s essential to do so thoughtfully and discreetly,” Nina continued.
But if regifting isn’t your style, you can always consider donating the item to charity or to someone who might appreciate it more. “After all, one person’s ‘meh’ gift could be another person’s treasure,” Nina says.
My little brother bought me a framed painting from the op shop, cost him $2. Absolutely no thought put into it. I wrapped it up and gave it back to him for his birthday😂.
Underwear, socks. id be extremley gratful for it now, but when your nine and your expecting f*****g legos, not fruit of the loom.
“And hey, if you’re still scratching your head about what to do with that gift and it happens to have some value, why not consider giving it a new home through resale?” Nina told Bored Panda. “If the gift has monetary value and you’re comfortable doing so, you can consider reselling it. Just think of it as turning lemons into lemonade – or in this case, turning a lackluster gift into a little extra spending money.“But in some cases, it may be best to simply keep the gift, especially if it holds sentimental value or if the relationship with the giver is particularly sensitive, the expert added.
“And hey, if you’re still scratching your head about what to do with that gift and it happens to have some value, why not consider giving it a new home through resale?” Nina told Bored Panda. “If the gift has monetary value and you’re comfortable doing so, you can consider reselling it. Just think of it as turning lemons into lemonade – or in this case, turning a lackluster gift into a little extra spending money.”
But in some cases, it may be best to simply keep the gift, especially if it holds sentimental value or if the relationship with the giver is particularly sensitive, the expert added.
When I was around 14 for my birthday my mom brought me my grandmother and my aunt to this nice buffet. The food was good but at the end my mom was having trouble presenting her voucher to the cashier because the place didnt have wifi and she didnt have data at the time.She turned to me and asked me if I had data to which I said I didnt. She kept asking me to just check if I still had some left but I really didnt and so she ended up telling me that I was useless and that she shouldnt have bothered asking. I ended up crying in the car ride home with my aunt telling me that I shouldve had data and that I shouldve been prepared in case something like this happened.
A note saying that she was combining my birthday gift and Father’s Day gift together. The combined gift was telling me that she wanted a divorce.
Finally, Nina noted that the goal of giving birthday gifts is to spread moments of happiness to your loved ones. To do so, she shared three of her top tips. First, tune in and take notes. “Ever notice how your friend’s eyes light up when they talk about something they love? That’s your cue! Listen up and keep your radar on for any little hints they drop about what makes them tick,” she explained.Next, Nina says to think outside the box. “Don’t limit yourself to traditional gift ideas. Get creative and consider unusual gifts or experiences that align with your loved one’s interests,” she noted. “Whether it’s a personalized piece of jewelry, a spa day, or a DIY crafty gift, thinking outside the box can lead to truly original and memorable moments.”
Finally, Nina noted that the goal of giving birthday gifts is to spread moments of happiness to your loved ones. To do so, she shared three of her top tips. First, tune in and take notes. “Ever notice how your friend’s eyes light up when they talk about something they love? That’s your cue! Listen up and keep your radar on for any little hints they drop about what makes them tick,” she explained.
Next, Nina says to think outside the box. “Don’t limit yourself to traditional gift ideas. Get creative and consider unusual gifts or experiences that align with your loved one’s interests,” she noted. “Whether it’s a personalized piece of jewelry, a spa day, or a DIY crafty gift, thinking outside the box can lead to truly original and memorable moments.”
I got a straw once. It was extra special because it was a combined party for family members with birthdays near each other and my cousin got a cd player from the same person.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on my 21st birthday - thanks universe, you suck 😃.
Lastly, Nina recommends considering the element of surprise. “Sometimes, the most memorable gifts are the ones that catch the recipient off guard. Surprise your loved one with a gift they never expected, whether it’s a spontaneous day trip, or a funny gift for laughs,” she told Bored Panda. “The element of surprise adds an extra layer of joy and excitement to the gift-giving experience.“And of course, if you’re not sure what to give a loved one on their special day, you can always check outPrezzybox!
Lastly, Nina recommends considering the element of surprise. “Sometimes, the most memorable gifts are the ones that catch the recipient off guard. Surprise your loved one with a gift they never expected, whether it’s a spontaneous day trip, or a funny gift for laughs,” she told Bored Panda. “The element of surprise adds an extra layer of joy and excitement to the gift-giving experience.”
And of course, if you’re not sure what to give a loved one on their special day, you can always check outPrezzybox!
It wasn’t so much a gift, but…When I was going through my divorce, my future ex wife offered to take me out to dinner on my birthday. The last one we’d celebrate as husband and wife.It seemed like a nice gesture. A final act of civility on the eve of an ugly process.So we were sitting there over the appetizers at this restaurant, and I asked “so, how did you find this place?““Oh, this is me and (guy she was leaving me for)’s favorite restaurant!“Worst birthday ever.
A KitKat bar. Would have been okay, but the explanation was they were 3 for $2. I got one.
My mum bought me a hot pink suitcase when I was 17. That was all I got. Really felt like she wanted me to move out lol.
This year I got precisely nothing - so that’s probably be the worst.But I once got my fiancée a pair of Tiffany earrings for her birthday - and got a balloon for mine.
Box of cereal from the main “family” I had left.Receipt showing they used a coupon the get it to $3 still attached.Life is difficult enough, being forgotten is better than shoving how absolutely little you matter right in your face…. on your birthday, when you are missing those who brought you into the world but were cruelly taken, the most.
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A lawn mower for my 14th birthday…
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Not a gift but a card. This is now legendary in my family: I have an aunt (she’s pushing 70) that is extremely extroverted and loves to celebrate everything and be extravagant. I am an introvert. I don’t like my birthdays. I don’t like to celebrate my birthday for reasons. I don’t like attention. When I turned 40, my aunt sent me a card- and inside she wrote how I should be happy for my life and celebrate it…. Then she proceeds to write not one, not two, but SEVEN obituaries in my card of people she knew who were dead or dying. In detail. It was the most hilariously morbid birthday card I have ever seen. We now have it in our family safe as a legendary artifact. I know her heart was in the right place, but oh it was so bad. 🤣.
A flat pack desk, for me to put together myself…Parent threw a fit that I wasn’t exactly excited at receiving a desk for the one and only birthday present at 13.Thankfully, a couple of years later, I had the pleasure of witnessing the absolute meltdown that took place when my parent’s partner bought her a laptop bag as her main Christmas gift. She’d got used to receiving hugely expensive gifts for Christmas, but this Christmas went very much Love, Actually.Christmas was absolutely f****d, but I was grinning all the way through it, internally of course.
My ex-mother in law got me a “margarita Ferris wheel” where the seats were various mixers, salt/sugar cans and cups, but it was all horrifically low quality, expired 3 years earlier and still had the $1.99 closeout sticker from JC Penny on it. I don’t even care about my birthday or gifts but this actually felt like an intentional insult. I also rarely, if ever, drink.
Married 20 years. On my 50th bday, I got a card ftom my dad. Nothing from my wife and kids.
Pots and pans so I could “cook even better food” for him lol.
That time my boyfriend was too much of a coward so he got someone else to tell me I was dumped. Yeah that was pretty much the worst gift.
Not only did they not get me a present but my parents completely forgot about my 19th birthday. I lived with them and my dad even drove me to work that morning.
As a straight man, a p*nis shaped charcuterie board.
A handbag. It was ugly and I was 12, I didn’t care about bags. It was the only gift I got. I felt so sad that day.
My cousin gave me a signed picture of herself when I was like fourteen or fifteen, I mean, she put it in a frame so that was nice, I guess?
I got a used Victoria secret tee shirt that said SINGLE JINGLES.
One year on my birthday (which is in March), my mum gave me a ticket to Phantom of the Opera as my gift. I’d never expressed any interest in going to such a show, and I thought it was odd to get me a single ticket like that. Turns out, the date of the actual show was not until late December, so this would be my Christmas gift as well apparently.When the date got closer, I found out that it was part of a bunch of tickets that were apparently given free to workers at my mom’s husband’s workplace. So I ended up going to this show with a bunch of his coworkers.
Coming home from school to immediately be told my dog died.
Lizzie Mcguire activity book. I am a male and was 15 at the time, thanks Gma.
My boss gifted me a photo frame for my birthday.For context—he hired me as part of a program for hiring teens with no family who recently aged out of the foster care system.Thanks bud, think I’ll put my non-existent family and non-existent pets in the frame.
I was 9 at the time and they were doing one of those things where you could buy a Christmas gift from the school to give to a parent or friend, ect. Bought my dad a Thomas the train DVD. I knew exactly what I was doing, and it was hilarious.
A FURBY - ON MY 16TH BIRTHDAY.
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