Welcome Guest Goddess Victoria Alexander!
Feb 10th 2010
Your Friendly GoddessesGuest Goddesses
Give a warm Goddess hello to guest goddess Victoria Alexander!
Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was more fun than real life. The author of 24 novels, she is a perennial best seller who has hit #1 on the New York Times. Her newest book is Desires of a Perfect Lady in stores March 30th. Yay!!!
THANK YOU?
With Valentine’s Day ahead, a friend and I were talking about presents we’ve received from significant others that were, oh, let’s just say less than hoped for. Maybe it’s one of those basic male female differences. In most of these instances the guy really thinks he’s being brilliant and creative. That he is giving the most exciting gift ever. These are gifts with a lot of thought behind them. They just don’t work for the one on the receiving end.
Once, my husband put a beautifully wrapped carpet tube under the Christmas tree. Seven feet long, it drove me crazy trying to figure out what was in it. Needless to say, my anticipation was running high. When I opened it I started pulling out socks, one attached to the next. An endless stream of socks. Now, I thought there would be something cool at the end, you know, maybe jewelry. But no, it was just socks. He thought it was so clever and I have to admit it was but ultimately it was still socks. Seemed a shame to waste so much cleverness on socks.
My friend’s husband gave her a brick this year for Christmas. It was a memorial to her dead cat and would be placed in a sidewalk at the humane society. But this was her big Christmas gift (cause there’s always one big gift) and ultimately it was a brick. He thought it was very cool and while she did agree it was cool, it was still, well, a brick. She got a new kitten a few weeks later.
I had a boyfriend once who gave me boxes. Wooden, carved, painted, music—really nice boxes but boxes. It soon became clear to me that regardless of the occasion—Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays—I would be getting a box. Oh, and did I forget to mention? These were empty boxes. Might have been after my third box that I knew I was not going to spend the rest of my life with the box guy.
So what’s the best/worst not-what-you-ever-ever-wanted gift you’ve gotten from a significant other?
Victoria will be generously giving away signed copies of The Virgin’s Secret and Believe! Comment below to be entered in the drawing.
292 Comments »
Fran on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:11 am #
Oh, you really made me laugh! Well this year I bought very nice presents for Christmas for my loved ones. I took an extra care to listen and buy all the things they wished for themselves. And then my significant other got me a diary – it was the nice one but still a diary. And I don’t even write it…
Mare Fairchild on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:13 am #
LOL. Love the socks. I hate to say the worst gift I ever heard of was given to my best friend on her 40th birthday. She had mentioned that she wanted to get a rifle when the boys moved out so that she could go hunting. Her insignificant other gave her a black powder rifle KIT! What not to give a 40 year old woman. LOL. I’ve gotten food processors, gold jewelry (I wear only silver and it’s rather obvious), and an after-market windshield wiper delay. I’m not with any of these men. The man I’m with got me a beautiful silver bracelet for Christmas when we’d only been together for about 2 months. I think he’s a keeper.
MizMacgyver on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:27 am #
Cannot wait for Desires of a Perfect Lady, the worst present I ever got was actually something I wanted. I just didn’t want a drill for Christmas. I just thought he would get me one without it being a gift giving occasion but no, there it was in all of it’s glory wrapped up for Chistmas. My boyfriend now has learned one thing in his 50+ years, buy bling. Most women will not kill you if you give them bling.
E.R. on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:38 am #
Well, wow. Umm, let me see…
One time, there was this person who I thought was just an acquaintance who gave me a box of chocolates and a book for V-day. Now that isn’t so bad, but I definitely wasn’t thinking of THAT kind of relationship. Sad to say, I really don’t have any contact with that person anymore.
I guess my pet peeve about X-mas gifts is that with my birthday close to that day, I sometimes end up having the SAME gift for both occasions. For two DIFFERENT days that have DIFFERENT meaning behind them.
I would totally say that the BEST gift anyone ever gave is their LOVE. It is their appreciation/respect/adoration/etc. of me that I would TREASURE above any other gifts.
Besides, we put too much emphasis on ‘material’ things anyway.
Cridds on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:40 am #
So funny to receive socks! When my kiddo turned 5 in April I couldn’t wait for Mother’s Day to come. He was finally old enough to realize what it was all about and I would get my kuddos…well…my hubby decided on the perfect gift and really tormented me with lots of, “wait untill you see this” “I just know your going to love this” and many, “you’ll never guess in a million years’”. So the big day arrived and I was so excited when in walks my hubby and a friend pushing a dishwasher! Yep, a dishwasher…now not that I’m not grateful for a dishwasher, but oh come on! I tried hard to hide it and was acting so excited but I think he saw through it. Later he explained that he knew I was spending so much time in the kitchen cleaning up that he thought it would be a timesaver and allow me to spend more time with the family…boy did I feel like a heel! Needless to say, that dishwasher did save me time in the kitchen…I hate washing by hand…and I’m still using it today…did I mention the kiddo turns 19 this April? He bought a really good model!
Vanessa on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:42 am #
What’s funny is that I like boxes too. However, the point of a box is to have something in it! So yes it’s great to get a lovely decorative box; but it is even nicer when it’s filled with chocolates, a book, nifty little goodies… My SO is usually pretty good at that, during the holidays he even got me a cd of music he cannot stand! I do have to wonder though… what do you think about all these commercials suggesting we would want a new cell phone for Valentines day, or other items that we may very well want… but they aren’t… well… romantic?
Danielle D on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:53 am #
Two years in a row I received a Brian Urlacher Bobbled-Head doll!!! After I received the second one I nicely mentioned please no more. After that my husband and I decided not to exchange gifts just cards.
Kirsten on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:09 am #
Last Christmas my guy gave me a cookery book called: I don’t know how to cook…..
Need I say more?! I felt like going to the fridge, taking out the bowl with jelly & dumping it on his head!
Neris on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:11 am #
Last Christmas my brother gave me a spafinder gift certificate. Which sounds nice, right? To bad he didn’t bother to check if there was a spa in my area that excepted them. I live in Hawaii and the only spas that take the certif. are on other islands. I’m sorry but they would have to do one HECK of a mani/pedi for me to spend almost $300 on airfare just to use the cerfiticate. :-\
Emmanuelle on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:28 am #
Last december, DH did the sweetest thing and came back from work with a present for me… no special occasion. Sweeeeeet right ?
.
Well DH knows I love perfume. And I mean LOVE it. So when he gives me the wrapped square box I’m in heaven. There are a few parfumes I’d love to have and I’ve told him about them so I’m VERY excited.
As it happens, I open the box and OH… I don’t know this fragrance. I’m a bit disappointed but surprises can be good so I open it. The bottle is definitely cute so I’m hopeful. I try the thing on my wrist and OMG, it stinks ! I hated it. Really hated it. It reminded me of smoke. I try to NOT make a face but it’s hard. On the other hand if I don’t tell him how I feel, he’ll keep asking me to wear it, which I have absolutely no intentions to do so.
So I told him and he gave it to a friend of his (who probably gave it to her wife). I learned later it is one of my friend’s favorite fragrance so it’s not like DH has aweful tastes, it’s just that sometimes I wish he would LISTEN !! (well he’s a man after all
Gigi on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:29 am #
The huge tube sock, I get it. Your husband has a sense of humor.
One year my hubby gave me a portable spa thing to turn your turn into a spa.
Needless to say I tried it one time and it was more trouble to dry and put away.
Other than that I can’t think of anything. Usually he has me pick out a few things and he chooses from the list.
Tina on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:33 am #
Welcome Victoria
I do not have a significant other, but my friends and relatives give me odd gifts for christmas or my birthday. In my opinion.
I can understand my mother getting me a curio cabinet for my figurines, but a china cabinet? The sucker is huge and she got rid of my kitchen table. Now I have no place to put my christmas tree.
Terry on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:35 am #
I would say a winter coat, I needed one but would rather have picked it out myself, I think gifts you have mentioned you need are the worst gifts to get. Much better to get gifts you would appreciate ie bling, a spa day, a massage,. Things you need are usually for the house not so nice.
deb c on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:41 am #
I loved reading about your presents. It started my day off with a laugh. I’ll share an experience with you. I had been wanting a pair of Uggs so bad. When my birthday arrived my husband handed me a box that was just the right size for them. So, I started saying,”I know what this is, I know what this is.”. Wrong, inside the box was a pair of tall rubber muck boots that he had decorated with colored electrical tape, and foil for steel toes. He called them Fuggly boots for ******. Anyway, the Uggs were on back order and I finally did receive them.
Tracey D on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:01 am #
Oh, your comment about the box guy made me laugh.. and it is similar to the best gift I’ve received. One Christmas, I was given a big wrapped box. Inside that box, another wrapped box. And so on… I figured the “grand prize” would be a gift certificate to a store, since I’m so difficult to buy for. Well, the final box contained a beautiful emerald and diamond ring, which I just loved. I cried for days…..
Aemelia on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:09 am #
OMG!!! Men, they try sooooo hard sometimes, and just totaly miss the mark! I once mentioned that I liked a song by a certain singer, and for the next 3 years got her cd for Christmas, until I finally mentioned that sure I liked a few songs, but she’s not really a favorite of mine. Then there’s the year I got 2 of the same CDs as the year prior…he knew I liked these bands, but didn’t realize he’d gotten me the CD’s already! Needless to say, now I make a list of the specific cd’s and movies I want.
Shannon T on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:15 am #
Hi Victoria!
A gift that stands out in my memory is one from my 9 year old son this past Christmas. He was so proud that he picked out a gift for me by himself and was sure that it was just perfect. It was a coffee sampler. Now I love coffee so this could have been great, but the coffee was horrible. I tried a couple different flavors before I gave up and threw the rest away (after he returned to school).
Anne on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:21 am #
My ex- would buy me books for Christmas. I love historical romance and have several fave authors, you included Victoria, but he would buy me books about vampires, and sorcerers, and other worlds. He knew when I opened them they weren’t what I wanted, so he would take them back to the store and exchange them, for the same thing. I would finally have to go and get the ones I wanted. This last year it seems he took one of my older books to the store and asked the clerk to give him a few of ‘these’. He ended up giving me books that had been in my collection for years. Needless to say, after five years, he’s an ex.
Angela on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:23 am #
Hi Victoria! Welcome to the Goddess Blogs.
I don’t have a significant other or sweetie.
So don’t get gifts. My mom sends me a check and lets me get what I want/need.
I did get a very large candle for christmas one year.
I like candles but don’t burn them due to the fact that I own one very curious cat.
So what does one do with a very large candle that they can’t burn? Don’t know.
Interested in suggestions.
Archer on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:27 am #
the worst – I had a guy send me an expensive bottle of perfume on Valentines day while he was dating my friend
Maureen on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:28 am #
After many years of marriage I often ask for gift cards because then I can buy what I want when I want to. One year, though, for Christmas my present was a piece of paper that was a certificate for a car starter. My daughter and I are reading the paper and must have had funny looks on our faces because my husband got all annoyed with us. That car starter is great in the winter especially at a time like this winter with so much cold and snow. It is very nice to get into a car that has been warmed up.
Jamie on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:54 am #
I am not telling you mine, but my mother’s present, for hers seems to top the list of heartfelt from the guy and most horrible from the woman’s point of view.
My sister and I ALWAYS got presents for my Mom and said they were from Dad. My Dad had no real taste in getting presents. One year, he gave her one of those cards that you put in your wallet with a nice sentiment on it and THAT was it. Mom was furious.
But my favorite is when he got an Altoids box and dumped ALL the Altoids into the bag and got one of those scratchy 99 cent chains in that box. He thought this was the best present. His eyes glowed while he did this. That alone would make ME love it. But, when he gave it to Mom, she yelled and screamed and threw it back in his face. He was CRUSHED. I must admit I scolded Mom for her behavior. Because sometimes it is not what you get but the thought behind it.
Cynthia N on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:59 am #
The DH has learned over the years, it’s bling, or nothing. One year, he gave me gardening supplies for Christmas. Not that it wasn’t appreciated, because I love to garden. But I look at that as work! He realized as they gathered more dust through the year that it wasn’t one of his grandest ideas. Now, he hits the mark every time!
Kelley on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:10 am #
The first Christmas my DH and I had (this was before we were married) was a big deal for him. His family really didn’t do Christmas in a big way and for my family it was the one day a year that we could make everyone feel special. My youngest sister had moved to Iowa to live with us to give her a chance to spread her wings and make changes in her life. She got to celebrate this holiday with us too. He honestly didn’t do too bad until it got to the stockings. I started to take the things out of it, it was then I realized he honestly didn’t have any idea how this was done. Socks, ice cube trays, pot holders, I think there might have been a couple of votive candles. I looked at my sister and we just started to laugh. We have been together now for 25 years and he has improved!!!!!
Laurie G on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:19 am #
One of the first years after we were married, my husband gave me clothes for X-mas bright red pants and a top with red, back and white spotches of color… YUCK. The next year he gave me black pants. They were fine but the top looked like one a football referee would wear. I kindly requested NO MORE CLOTHES for gifts.
We slowly evolved to no gifts, since we both hate to shop.
The wosrt birthday present I ever got was an UGLY statue, weighed about 10 pounds that looked like a gargoyle! I received it from my godparents. Really, really strange!
cail on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:27 am #
Welcome to TGB, Victoria! I’m extremely excited that you are here. I’ve been busy acquiring your backlist for the last few months (I read an author from book 1 to present when they get a recommendation from certain people) and I think I have enough of the early ones to start reading it soon.
I have gotten some dud presents, that’s for sure. My ex once gave me a curious george doll. I was like, you have got to be kidding me! Luckily, we made a habit of having lots of little presents so that wasn’t my only gift. In HS an ex gave me a very tacky candle for christmas. I think it was a music box too.
My DH is much better at gifts, especially when I write what I want on a piece of paper and put it on his desk. But he has come up with some good ones over time, on his own. Last year, he gave me the letters I wrote him in HS in a box, tied up all nicely. Usually, there is a love letter to add to the stack. I’ll take a letter over flowers any day. That is probably all I’ll get for Valentines Day anyways. He’s convinced that it’s a commercial holiday and gets me flowers randomly instead.
Freedom Writer on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:28 am #
Welcome to Mt. Oly, Victoria. Most of the gifts I get I pick out because no one wants to go shopping without me. My mother probably gives the worst gifts because she tries to impose her tastes on everyone else.
KellyP on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:30 am #
I’m not one for lingerie (strange I know but it’s who I am) but the gifts that my ex had given me was lingerie and a ring. Neither of which was what I had asked for. For me a bigger response would be given is if it were books. Books to me send me to such a happy place where I can escape. But he just didn’t get that and in fact was complaining about me only reading romance books and him not … well you get the picture. So I’m back to being single and enjoying being with my cat and my books.
LoriHandeland on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:31 am #
Welcome, Victoria!! Thanks so much for blogging today.
Love the tube socks story. Clever! Funny. But there definitely SHOULD have been jewelry in there somewhere.
Once my husband bought me a dress to wear on New Year’s Eve. He went to the second hand store and found a sparkly, backless, short, turquoise thing. I’ve never been sure if he thought that was the kind of dress I SHOULD be wearing, or if he thought that was the kind of thing I actually wore. It was hideous.
And yes, I did wear it on New Year’s Eve. And then I put it into the bag I sent to the second hand store.
He hasn’t bought me a dress since. Not sure why. Maybe he noticed it was hideous?
Nah!!
But as long as he NEVER buys me another dress, we’re good.
Whitney on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:34 am #
My husband and I have been married for a looooooooooooong time. Each year he got me “very creative” gifts, all of which told me he really didn’t understand my interests. Birthdays, Christmases, even Mother’s Days this went on for years. Finally I woke up and decided NO MORE! Since then we have been buying one big ticket item for our home each year that was on our “someday” list. Life is more pleasant and the strain of “gifting” holidays has almost disappeared.
Karen Hawkins on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:39 am #
Welcome to tgb, Victoria! I can’t wait to read DESIRES OF A PERFECT LADY! March 30th can’t come too fast. (rubs hands together gleefully) I just loooove that cover.
One year early in our marriage my ex and I decided we didn’t have enough money for birthday presents. So we agreed not to buy any for each other. About two days after my birthday (and no present), he walked in with something he’d bought for himself — a shiny new .22 pistol that he’d somehow come up with the money to pay for, over $200.
As soon as he showed it to me – all excited and happy – he remembered our birthday rule. So he looked at the gun, blinked, then said, “Oh. Your birthday. Right. Well. Uh. Here. I got this for you.” And handed me his new gun.
A gun, people.
Needless to say, I have since traded in this flawed husband model on a new, improved version we’ll call Husband 2.0. It’s the upgrade, and now I get presents for EVERY birthday. And no guns.
Rebekah E. on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:39 am #
The worst I got was a tuner so my husband could blare his heavy metal. The best was when we could finally afford a wedding ring after 8 years of marriage my husband took me to pick out what I wanted.
nancyg on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:50 am #
Mr. G knows better after our 1st Christmas together (2 months after the wedding). He bought me – wait for it – a Scumbuster!! so I could clean the bathrooms & tile grout more efficiently.
Now, 15 years in, he still gets me gag gifts for every occasion (in addition to “real” gifts). For example: a jeweler’s ring box with a phillips head screw & a note “wanna screw”?, pictures of my post-accident car with “$500 deductible” inside, the most hideous business suits EVER – I was 27 & I think he shopped at the great-grandma store! (receipt included – whew!), and this last Christmas – wrapped copies of some keeper shelf books (he’s threatened to report me to the show “Hoarders”)…
He does come through with great real gifts though – that’s why I still do his laundry!
Rita Sheppard on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:54 am #
My best gift from my hubby was the only Valentine gift I’ve ever gotten from him in 40 years of marriage. He bought me a necklace that had a tiny engraved heart with a dove on either side of it. It was beautiful and so touching that I wear it every year on Valentine’s Day.
Pesky on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:54 am #
My mom got elephants, everyone gave her glass elephants, porcelain elephants, wooden elephants…they were all displayed on a hanging shelf on the wall…until the great elephant massacre of the disco age when an ill timed spin took out the herd. The Bombshell and HewhoshallnotbenamedbutwithwhomIshareahouse were mortified, they made plans to replace all of the herd….Until mom informed them that she hadn’t known how to say anything but she wasn’t all the fond of elephants, she just hadn’t known how to say she would rather collect porcelain dolls and bellek china. We had been giving her elephants and gallon jugs of Jean Nate for years…YEARS!
Pesky on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:57 am #
Best gifting experiences are always event related.
Tickets to the circus, tonga drums in the Widow Jane mine, Fire Spinning and asteroid viewing.
I’m not a big “buy me things” person, I’d rather go see something new or exciting and do it with the person I love.
Freshechelle on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:04 am #
My annual Valentine’s gift is my Triple A premium protection from my parents for 20+ yrs. Nothing says “I love you” like roadside protection. (I’ve got to get me an SO, I’m overdue for some of these lame attempts at gifts.)
NancyG, “wanna screw?” – love it. I got detention in high school for laughing loudly at the joke. The guy was just so funny in his delivery.
CrystalGB on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:14 am #
My husband is clueless when it comes to gifts for me. He has given me several jewelry boxes when one would suffice. Fake gold jewelry which I hate and many other gifts that make me think “what the heck”.
kay on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:16 am #
After 40 years of marriage you would think a husband would know your taste. Nah! He thinks I like ruffled blouses, orange sarapes and chocolate covered marshmallows. Over the years what we do is, I buy my own gift and wrap it up with his name on it.
Julia London on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:18 am #
Victoria, welcome to Mt. Oly! It’s a pleasure to have you back. Love the cover of your new book!
My first husband gave me a make-up mirror once. I was shocked by it. He reminded me that we were in the grocery store once, and I saw one and said, “I wish I had one of those.” I also wished I had some new nail clippers and some anti-acids, so I guess I was lucky I got the mirror. My second husband has done much much better.
Rachel Gibson on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:19 am #
Welcome Victoria,
First, I love the cover of you new book. It’s very eye catching and gorgeous. And really, can you every go wrong with the word Desire in your title?
Worst present I ever got–Peeps. I hate Peeps. And the best is the photo album my daughter made for me last x-mas.
Rachel Gibson
Donna Wise on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:20 am #
My husband is……let’s say he’s thrifty…and he tends to buy me clothing off clearance racks!! And it hardly ever ends well!! I have received spaghetti strap tops for Christmas and sweaters in the summer. My favprite was a t-shirt one size too small of the winter olympics mascot about nine monthe after the end of the olympics!!!
Catherine Gayle on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:22 am #
My father is the worst about giving gifts that leave you scratching your head. The worst ones he’s ever given were all to my mother, back when they were married. One year, he gave her a microwave oven for Christmas. Yes, this was back when they were fairly new and so not everyone had one. And yes, they were fairly expensive. Let’s just say it wasn’t quite what she was wanting. Another year, for their anniversary, he gave her a stereo system–one which she never used, but which he used frequently. The real kicker though, was the year he gave her a weight lifting machine for their anniversary. I guess it was his not-so-subtle hint to her that he thought she was out of shape. It did not go over well.
Krystal on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:24 am #
The best I have received is by far, Diamond rings. I love rings.
The worst would have to be tires for my car, although I needed them, its just not something a man should give as a gift.
Gin on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:25 am #
Dishes…In my younger days I bought a set from the grocery, you know those that you buy a piece each week because it is on sale. Well my boyfriend knowing this buys me a complete set that not only were not the same pattern but not even the same color, mine was china like his was stoneware. They clashed. That is when I knew he was not the one.
TrishD on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:28 am #
Welcome Victoria!! Glad you’re here. And I love the socks story!
I’ve told this story before but it so fits today’s topic. The worst gift I’ve ever received was from a now ex-boyfriend for Christmas. Actually, it’s 2 bad gifts on one day. He got me a frying pan… yep, real romantic. But he out did himself with my second gift… a gas can! Do I have to explain why he’s the ex??
The second worst gift was a Christmas gift from my aunt. She gave me a bacon-wave… I was a vegetarian at the time.
The best gift? My now husband went to a Red Wings game while we were still in the “just friends” stage and knowing how much I love the Wings he brought me back a bag full of gifts! There was a shirt, earrings, a key chain… I was speechless but that was ok… he handed me the bag at work and walked out before I had a chance to open it. Do I have to explain why he’s the husband??
PJ on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:28 am #
Hi Victoria! First, I just have to gush a bit and tell you that I’ve been a fan for years. I’ve read all of your books and am counting the days until your new release.
For our second anniversary, my late dh found one of those anniversary guides that tell you what to get for that particular year. The guide said wood or cotton so clever dh gave me a cottonwood tree. A homemade cottonwood tree. To be precise, a branch from the yard with cotton balls glued to it. He was so proud of his cleverness. I was speechless. lol To his credit, he did improve over the years and gave me some very lovely gifts (lots of nice jewelry) along with the “clever”, funny ones.
Jo on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:29 am #
My worst was a mixer. It would not have been so bad if it had been the brand I wanted.
Missy on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:30 am #
My husband gave me a dress once. When I saw it, I couldn’t help thinking that it was too “loud” and I’d probably never wear it. But I did get the courage to wear it. (Figured I had to wear it at least once since he’d notice and have his feelings hurt if I didn’t.) I got more compliments on that dress than any other piece of clothing I’ve ever owned. LOL Even though I first thought it was an awful gift, it turned out to be an awesome one.
Charlotte M on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:31 am #
Well, I’m one of those weird women who doesn’t really do Valentine’s Day. Probably b/c I’ve never gotten a really good gift, ever. I’ve gotten the normal and mundane cards, candy, flowers & bears, of course, but I’ve never really gotten anything more than that.
Now, my best friend gets all the goodies. She’s kind of high maintenance, but I love her to death. When she was given a carbon monoxide detector one Valentine’s Day I thought it was pretty funny. She, on the other hand, didn’t find it amusing at all.
carol on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:32 am #
Let’s see. The worst present. A skillet for my birthday. A nice skillet, but still a skillet.
Amy on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:33 am #
Welcome Victoria!
The worst gift I have received was for my birthday. An ex gave me squirral sculptures and a pig necklace. I never said anything to him about the gift, I just smiled and said thank you. Deep down I was so dismayed that he would think this was something I would like, he obviously didn’t know me at all. Our relationship didn’t last much longer after that.
A few years ago for Valentine’s day my hubby gave me diamond earrings. I was always joking about wanting diamonds form my Valentine. I would leave him little flyers from Jewelry stores on his desk, with things that I liked circled, this happened for about 3 years straight and I didn’t receive any jewels. So, I gave up and one year asked for a coat. The fourth year on Valentine’s day my hubby gave me a big box, and I assumed it was the coat I had asked for, but when I opened it there was a blanket inside, and all wrapped up in the blanket was a little box. I got the most beautiful pair of diamond earrings, and it was a complete surprise. I guess not bugging paid off!
nancyg on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:34 am #
PJ -
my husband did the same thing this year for our 15th – it’s crystal, so he ORDERED a crystal clock with our names & wedding date engraved on it. I thought it showed foresight that he had to plan it ahead of time & not just pick something up, so I was touched!
In face, made MY gift to him look like doggie-doo!!
Margay on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:37 am #
These gifts are hysterical – love the one about the socks! Fortunately, I haven’t got a story to compare to any of these. I’ve always received some pretty neat gifts.
Margay
Christine on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:40 am #
The best gift I ever received from my husband is a beautiful Journey necklace. He was being deployed two years ago and though not his first deployment, this time I would be alone because our son had gone off to college. Needless to say, I was scared for him and depressed for me. He gave me this gorgeous necklace and told me that our journey was just beginning and wearing it got me through the long time that he was gone.
Sabrina Jeffries on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:41 am #
Hmm, my hubby is actually pretty good about buying me great presents. He has a good sense for it, but he doesn’t trust himself, so he likes it MUCH better if I give him a list that he just buys from.
However, one time he bought me an urn. I still don’t know why. He probably thought it was pretty. I’m not really an urn sort of person, though, so it …. um … disappeared a year or so ago. I don’t think he noticed. *G*
Karen Hawkins on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:44 am #
TrishD, ok the bacon wave for a vegetarian has to be the worst gift ever! It’s not only something you didn’t like, but it managed to criticize you at the same time. Ouch!
Michelle B on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:48 am #
I don’t think there ever has been a worst present. I’m not a jewelry person and that has been a blessing and a curse for my husband. On the one hand he doesn’t have to spend a lot of money, but trying to come up with gifts for me can be tough.
My favorite Valentines gift is a wooden carved bear that DH commissioned and helped design. The bear is sitting and in her lap are three cubs sitting all in a row. (We have three kiddos). It comes up to my hip and is very heavy. It greets people outside the front door. Hands down best gift and I was totally surprised.
Stephanie on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:49 am #
Loved the socks! Very creative wrapping LOLOLOL. My husband used to give me great presents – I loved every one of them. Now……I make him give me money and I go on a spending spree. He feels guilty giving me money so he gives me more than he would have spent on his own!!!!! You gotta love them LOL.
Julie Swaney on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:52 am #
Everyday could be Valentines day for me because my hubby is always getting me things without me haveing to ask. I collect unicorns and if he sees one somewhere that I don’t have, he gets it for me.
Thanks for the great interview.
Good luck with your books.
Julie S.
Robin/RBL on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:52 am #
I have to say that the best thing my dh does is: Cards. He used to just give me a card and sign his name, but one year, at a non-card-giving-time, I mentioned that I’d love it if he wrote me a few sentences inside the cards when he gave them. He has done it for many years and he makes me cry almost every time. We also do the ‘lets get something big for the house’ instead of individual gifts.
I actually think it might be ‘me’ as the bad gift-receiver’. I don’t like traditional vases of flowers for gifts (I’d rather have a rose bush to plant outside). I don’t care for jewelry (I already have SO much that I never even wear) but one year I did ask for a charm bracelet and then for a few years after that everyone got me the charms to put on it and that was so much fun to collect them all.
The most memorable gift was from the dh: a nice digital camera, tripod, camera bag, all the accessories and a printer and photo paper! I had been wanting one and looking but never wanted to put the money out for it.
My mom once got a bowling ball with monogrammed bowling bag from her boyfriend. Practical, yes. But not as a gift for a major holiday.
Renee C. on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:00 am #
Hahaha well I probably have to say all those things that are on the do not give as gifts list I’ve gotten. Socks, underwear, ugly sweater, etc. One word to the male gift givers out there…bling!
xoxo~ Renee
Jennifer Johnson on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:04 am #
I have long been a fan of yours Victoria! You are an amazing writer. Loved the post hmm I guess the best gift my hubby got me was a Ragdoll Kitten for my birthday I had wanted one for literally over 10 years but we couldn’t afford it. That year he saved up and bought her for me and I was in love from the minute I saw her.
Diana Troldahl on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:05 am #
I had been very ill soon after our marriage in August. We had a long, hard winter with my recovery being very slow. When Valentine’s Day came, I was happy to finally be able to get up and get dressed in the morning, but I dressed for home. Come Valentine’s Day, husband at work, I answer a door knock to find 4 guys dressed to the nines in tuxedos carrying roses, and one guy with a camera.
I let them in (to my far from tidy house) and they posed with half of them on one knee and sang three romantic songs, barbershop-quartet style. Then they posed with me to take a polaroid photo.
It was VERY romantic, and I DO love the photo, but I wish I had been wearing something other than farmer overalls with a raggedy flannel shirt LOL. I kinda stuck out like a sore thumb against all the tuxes.
Melanie on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:06 am #
I am actually the one that gave the dissapointing gift. A month after my husband and I first met was Valentines Day. He gave me a diamond tennis braclet and I gave him a shirt. Sixteen years later he still gives me a hard time about that one.
mountie9 on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:09 am #
The best gift I ever recieved from my hubby was the latest book by Julie Kenner. My hubby is a jock who has absolutely no interest in books, so it meant a lot that he listened to me when I was talking about books and actually WENT into a bookstore to get it for me. I will never forget it
jcp on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:10 am #
Te worst is clothes that don’t fit…..
he best is Amaon,com gift certificates
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:13 am #
Wow! You guys are amazing. By the time I logged on this morning there were already nearly 60 comments. I had planned to answer them all individually but that’s not going to work.
These are great stories and don’t anyone be surprised if I borrow them for a book someday.
I think the thing that stands out about most of these less-than-what-you-expected-gifts is, in many cases, earnestness. These guys are earnest—love that word. They’re trying really hard to do something different and creative and thoughtful. They only fall short because they lose sight of what you want or who you are in their enthusiasm.
In the movie “Same Time Next Year” when the hero and heroine get together every year they tell one good story and one bad story about their spouses. So to make up for the socks story (and my husband points out there was also a leotard tied to one of the socks. Whoa! Be still my fluttering heart.) I have to tell one of many, many good stories.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:14 am #
The box boyfriend and I basically broke up because he was kind of—oh what’s the word?—cheap. When we were talking about engagement rings he refused to spend more in principle than his friends—also cheap—had spent on rings for their girlfriends. Yeah. That principle didn’t work for me
When my husband and I got engaged, he cashed in the savings bonds that had been bought with his paper route money when he was a kid to buy my ring. If I hadn’t already known he was a keeper—that would have cinched it.
Okay, I’m off to work. I’ll check back in a couple of hours.
Smooch!
Jean P on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:15 am #
The best gift my husband ever gave me was a pair of diamond earrings. The worst was some really awful smelling perfume.
Lois M. on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:18 am #
Oh dear, I just really have no stories that compare. LOL I’m not always thrilled when my Mom gets me jewelery because I’m not a white metal fan, but seeing how silver is cheaper than gold, well, I get silver more times than not and they aren’t always styles I would really notice and just wear once in a while so she knows I have. . . and senior year in high school I did get socks from a friend, but she noticed that when I wore sweaters, I did try to match the socks, so I actually really liked it (since they matched stuff I had! LOL). . . so, ah. . . hmm. Think I like my silver pieces I don’t wear much a bit better!
Lois
Laura T on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:19 am #
A few years ago, I was dating a man named Jim. He was an avid hunter and had several “heads of dead animals” (as I referred to them in front of him) hanging on his apartment walls. That should have been a clue that this relationship was doomed, but I overlooked them as I really liked him a LOT otherwise.
He was so excited about his Christmas present to me–which was a bow. First, I didn’t know how to tell him I was NEVER going to shoot Bambi with a bow and second, I was not strong enough to pull it back if I wanted to shoot a bull’s eye or hay bale!
When we broke up (only about 6 weeks later) I returned the bow to him. I hope he found Mrs. Right and gave her that bow.
Reviewer Danielle on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:20 am #
Hi Victoria! First off I want to say please do not put me in for the books as I already have The Virgin’s Secret. Secondly, I love today’s blog.
I can honestly say my husband and I do not exchange gifts for Christmas. We wait until income tax so we always get what we want.
But…my mom gave something to my husband that I found to be hilarious and sad. She called him up and asked him if he liked to play with my hair. He said yes, that he loved to sit behind me and just run his fingers through it for hours on end.
Well…she took it to the extreme. He got one gift from her. What was it? Believe it or not, she got him a hairdini lol. You know, those hair thingies that are supposed to help make braiding your hair easy? LOL. He was floored! He was like “what am I supposed to do with this?” She was like, “well you like to play with her hair.” He just shook his head. Later as we drove home, he looked at me and said, “she’s your mom!” LOL. My response, “I can’t help that I was born into this family. You married into it. What’s your excuse?” LOL.
Erin on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:22 am #
My husband has never had trouble getting me a nice gift — when he gets me one. After 7 years of marriage, and 4 kids, we’ve agreed that since money is tight we won’t get each other gifts. I count myself fortunate that he usually remembers my birthday, and wished me a happy one!
Reviewer Danielle on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:23 am #
As for what my favorite gift was, it would have to be my son. My husband and I had been married for a year, living together for 3 years and we couldn’t get pregnant. We went to see the doctor and he said, “you do not know if you are infertile or not. We will have to do testing to check. But we call this phase infertility phase if you are trying for children without results for over a year.” I heard infertile and went home and told everyone I couldn’t have kids, even though the doctor never said that. 2 days after Christmas, i woke up and got sick all over my husband lol. Found out I was pregnant. So that was definitely the best Christmas gift I ever received!
dorothywc on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:24 am #
My Mom always tells the story of the time my Dad got her a set of pots and pans and wrapped each piece individually! She was not happy and starting crying by the 4th pan!
JZ on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:25 am #
My husband has always been amazing at coming up with thoughtful gifts. I love that, but it also drives me nuts because trying to reciprocate is that much harder! The best for-no-reason gift he’s gotten me was a lap desk with a book light so that I can read easier without straining the old eyes. Considering how much I read, it just proves that he gets me
Cate Sparks on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:26 am #
Boy this has been one fun read! The tube sock present story is great… We’ve been married so long that we’re to the buy something we ‘both’ want for the house… but in the past, he’s given me bling.. I have an elderly aunt who usually ‘misses the mark’ but everyone in the family always appreciates the thought. She’s kinda known for that — back in the 60’s she gave my dad a tie for Christmas — however it was a ‘boy size’ tie… When he held it up .. it hung about 5 inches below his chin! She was sooo embarassed…
Miranda Wood on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:28 am #
The best gift every from my guy – a ring the “is not and engagement ring. Let’s make sure that’s clear” Lol We ended up married less that a year later.
The worst was from an ex who bought me a track suit – I have never worn a track suit in my life.
The best over all gitf ever came from my Mom – I was having a really bad year and had lost my job around oct . I was still a single mom then. My mom came down a few days before xmas and gave me $200 to go and buy stuff for the kids. Nothing can top that.
Anne on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:32 am #
I received 5 pairs of socks from my godmother when I was a teen and I was just about as excited as you were.
The worst significant other gift was jewelry. I have a silver charm bracelet and he gave me a charm, a sterling silver…… wrench.
This was followed the next year by two pounds of candy from my favorite store. Very generous, but it was chocolate fruit and nuts which I don’t eat. After 20+ years you’d think he’d know that.
Nicole Jordan on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:41 am #
Welcome to Mt. Oly, Victoria! It’s great to have you here, and I can’t wait for your new book!
I don’t know if I can name a worst V-day gift since I never get any! Our wedding anniversary is two weeks before, so dh does his romantic thing then. I don’t know if that’s sad or what!
Thanks for making us laugh, Victoria….
And to all our other posters, this is such fun!
Claudia Dain on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:43 am #
Hi Victoria!! Welcome!
The best gift I ever, ever got was a ROOM! Years ago, while I was at a RT convention, my husband and kids glassed in our covered porch to present me with a sun room when I got home. It was the best, the most amazing, the most love-filled gift I ever received. They ordered sheets of double-paned glass, installed them themselves, painted, cleaned…be still my heart. As Big D said when I ‘opened’ my gift, “Not everyone gets a room for a present.”
So true.
Susan on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:45 am #
My hubby is the master of interesting gifts. One year for Christmas, I got a door knob, a light switch, and a beautiful chandelier. I was completely clueless as to why I got these gifts. He explained that they were for my closet. He knows that I love clothes and shoes, and that I dream of having a huge walk-in closet someday. He got these things to make my small walk-in closet feel special. It turned out to be the most thoughtful gift and something that I appreciate each and every day.
Elaine R on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:46 am #
My daughter asked my husband to take him to the store to get Valentine cards. He only heard ‘take me to the store’. So when he gets there, he realizes Valentine’s is the next day. What do I end up with? One of those stupid stuffed animals that plays an annoying song; and its Scooby Doo for that matter. What am I, five?
Ashley Domes on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:46 am #
My husband bought $50 worth of bath and body antibacterial soap because he thought it was body wash, and lotion. Gotta love them just grabbing the first thing they see.
Deb on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:53 am #
Hi, Victoria. Your post was so fun!
One of the best presents I received from my husband was a necklace. I had told him what I basically wanted, but he picked one out that was pretty and different as well. (It was a heart charm with a cross in the center; I told him I wanted a cross.)
HOWEVER, the worst present I got from him was a crockpot. I mean, really, a cookery item I could very well have chosen for myself? Nope, no jewelry inside, no perfume, not even socks.
Thanks for giving me a good laugh this morning.
Judith on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:53 am #
The BEST gift my husband gave me for my birthday last year was an ereader.I love it and now he can have a little corner for his scifi books on the bookshelf (just a tiny bit…)
Suzanne Enoch on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:58 am #
Welcome, Victoria!
My family is famous for disguising gifts at Christmas, though usually it’s pretty clear that this not THE gift for that person. This year I gave my sis a push broom (she’d asked for one – new house), and disguised it as a stack of presents tied together with a big ribbon.
Jane L on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:03 am #
Ok, One year I wanted one of those fancy Kitchen Aid mixers. I am a huge baker, wanted one, left pictures of them, showed my husband every opportunity, I could saying oh honey I want this for Christmas. Now normally I never really “ask” for a Christmas gift, but those were really expensive and I wanted him to be prepared. Soooo on Christmas Day I get the most beautiful Diamond and Pearl necklace. I loved it. The next day after Christmas ALL my girlfriends got those fancy mixers and I cried!!! My husband asked why I was so upset, I told him how I wanted that mixer and everyone got one but me. He seriously laughed for an hour. His theory was what woman really wants a mixer for Christmas?? He thought jewlerey was far better! LOL! He went and bought the mixer for me anyway! Thats why I love the guy!!
Megan on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:04 am #
My husband likes surprises and I do as well, but sometimes our idea of what will be surprising is totally different. One year for Valentine’s Day he ordered flowers, chocolates and a bear… after I had just been complaining that we barely had enough money to pay the bills. He said he thought it would make me feel better.
We did have a wonderful Valentine’s Day last year with a dinner date and movie and a moving conversation about how much we meant to each other. It’s really about the words for me.
Michelle on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:04 am #
I think the worst gift ever is something that comes with an electrical cord. My ex husband bought me a food dehydrator because he wanted me to make beef jerky like his mother used to make. I didn’t even know how to react…needless to say in the 7 years we were together I never once made jerky for him, I left it up to his mother.
Chris on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:05 am #
One year my loving husband gave me a tire for my car. One year, a trip to the dentist– for HIS wisdom tooth. LOL. But the all time best I think was the lawn mower trailer. $200 on mother’s day. I could think of a lot of other ways I could’ve spent that $200. He has gotten MUCH better as he has gotten older and I have told him what I want. This year… I got an Amazon Kindle so I could read my romance books. NOW he’s got the idea!
Lulu on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:05 am #
Worst gift ever received? Probably a crock pot from my boyfriend (and later husband). Since the crock pot incident we agreed to not exchange gifts, which works out nicely. I purchase what I want for myself and tell my husband how thoughtful he was!
Flora P. on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:06 am #
Early on in our marriage (we have now been married 30 years) I made the mistake of telling my husband I wanted a grey wool pantsuit. I was thinking along the lines of a classic grey tweed riding-style jacket and matching slacks. Hubby—thinking he’s giving me exactly what I want—buys me a dove grey double-knit jacket and pants that Granny would wear. To top it off, it was two sizes too big! Needless to say I couldn’t even pretend that I appreciated the gift. Luckily it really was way too big and I HAD to exchange it. Marriage saved!
LauraR on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:07 am #
Emmanuelle’s story about the stinky perfume present reminded me of the time my grandmother gave me a perfume pendant. The scent was very strong and not one I would choose, especially since I can’t stand to smell overpowering perfume!
Martha Hall on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:09 am #
Believe it or not, this year my husband gave me a Sports Illustrated copy with Steven Colbert on the cover plus his book and the Susan Boyle CD. These were great gifts to me as we limited the cost, and he NEVER asked for an idea from me. He hit my non-cycling interests perfectly.
Tchil on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:10 am #
Thanks for the interview and for the chance to win these books!
Christie Kelley on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:10 am #
I can’t wait for Desires, Victoria. It sounds fantastic.
Worst gift ever? Hmm, it must be the powder blue polyester pants (elastic waist, mind you) that my husband gave me one Christmas. Oh yeah, I was only twenty-four at the time and so didn’t need an elastic waistband. Needless to say, they went back to the store where he bought them.
Beygirl on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:10 am #
Valentines day last for me was not very romantic. The day before we were packing for my kids karate competition, and on Feb 14 we were there at 5:30 in the morning, we finished about ten at night. By the time we got home I was so tired we just went bed. The next morning I woke up and I told my husband ” happy valentines day” and he turns around and says ” yesterday was valentines day?”. Yeah, I was kind of mad but I let it go. That afternoon I got a basket of flowers with a big card that said Happy Valentines Day.. By evening I got a package from Fedex, I opened and saw my husband had ordered the Lomonosov tea set I wanted.. He ordered like three weeks before, but those things take a while to arrive..
SheridanLA on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:13 am #
Hrmm.. best was an iPod from a guy I was semi-dating.. it was not the expense of the gift (which was really generous) but the thought behind it. He knew I loved music, was out on my bike or walking all the time and did not really have anything to listen to other then a really old walkman thing. I was so shocked and surprised at the gift and used it for quite a few years.
worst.. from my ex husband – a really tacky fish slide bracelet that still had the clearance tags on it. Were I a wearer of fish jewelry, or even painted enamel jewelry, the cost would not have mattered.. but I know it was bought on Christmas Eve with nary a thought put into it.
Beygirl on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:14 am #
But my worst gift would have to be the leather jacket with animal prints that he thought I would look just adorable in.. He bought it when we first got married, and that thing is still in my closet years later.. I can’t even get rid of it, he thinks it’s so cute and to this day asks me why I don’t wear that… It has tiger and zebra stripes..
Linda paradis on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:14 am #
The worst Christmas gift I ever received was a pair of nice slacks, size 7, from my ex-husband. Why was it the worst gift? Well, I wore a size 12 at the time. Throughout the years, he always gave me clothes smaller than my size…..hum, what was he thinking? Any wonder he’s now my ex!
Jennifer on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:20 am #
For my high school graduation my boyfriend’s (at that time) mother gave me a make-up bag. The really sad thing is that I didn’t really wear much make-up. Maybe she was giving a hint. Even better was my gift from him was a small dog in the same material!!! That relationship didn’t last much longer!!
chelleyreads on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:23 am #
worst gift was a basketful of those smelly lotions, bath gels, salt, etc. sorry, but i can’t stand those smelly things and i don’t ever take baths with salt and i don’t use bath gels and they just sit on my bathroom gathering dust and taking space.
jackie on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:26 am #
The first Christmas we were married my former husband went to a male friend who had celebrated almost anniversaries and asked for gift advice. He was told, “Buy her something personal, something practical, and something fun.” Keith followed his advice and I always received great gifts. The personal items ranged from diamonds to bathrobes; practical from a bread machine to a rolling pen and fun was usually a Madame Alexander doll. He never gave me candy but there were frequently daises and books.
KPM on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:31 am #
While I was pregnant with our first, I was hospitalized for some problems over Valentine’s Day weekend. My wonderful husband brought me a dozen roses and chocolates in the hospital. He is an incredible person for choosing the right gift. I chose the right gift by choosing him. Thirty years later, I’d still choose him!
Cindy C. on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:31 am #
My high school boyfriend gave me almond chocolates that I was highly allergic to which lead me to end up in the emergency room. That was the worst gift. But the thought was nice. The best gift I got was a commitment ring from my sweetheart.
SuzyQ on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:43 am #
Welcome to Mt Oly Victoria! I love your cover, btw.
My dh is awesome at buying me gifts but he did get me something last Christmas that just wasn’t up to his standards. He got me a key chain that would sound an alarm whenever your hand got close to it so I could find them in my purse. Yes the thought was there, but unfortunately, the darn thing would never shut off. I ended up taking it back, at his suggestion, because I don’t think he could stand the noise either.
Rashmi @ A Book Blogger's Diary on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:44 am #
Our very first Valentine’s day was less than a week after our wedding. Needless to say, my new hubby forgot all about it. The next year, he managed to remember it, but late at night. Clueless, he dashed out and I got a gift card from 7-11! He got an earful about it, not just from me, but from the female members of his family as well. He’s gotten progressively better since then
Julia on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:44 am #
In ‘92, my dh & I had our first child together (we’d started w/ one each). He was born 8 days before Mother’s Day, and we planned to have a big day–baby dedication at church, dinner out w/ family, etc. I’d been feeling crummy the night before, then woke up that morning with terrible abdominal pain, & burning up with fever. I insisted on the dedication service, HE insisted on the ER immediately after. They were afraid it was my appendix, and said they needed to take it out. I was lying in the ER, in tears, as dh held my hand and said, “Other husbands stick with boring and traditional, and get their wives flowers or chocolate. See? I’m getting you emergency surgery for your Mother’s Day!” I had to laugh (after I hit him).
BTW, I got out of surgery, and the dr. informed me I had a perfectly healthy appendix (which they’d removed anyway). After a few more days of IV drugs, poking, prodding, and testing, they decided I had a “non-specific postpartum infection”. The dr. told me, “This is one of those times when we can’t pinpoint something, and it’s really frustrating to be a doctor.” I responded, “Really? Try being the patient!”
Madeline Hunter on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:45 am #
HELLO! Glad you joined us! Thank you!
My story is a little different. It is the great gift I expected a sig other to give me, but he didn’t. Last Christmas I dropped about, oh, fifty hints that an ereader would be a very cool thing to get. The first thirty hints were met with indifference because DH does not see the point of ereaders. (I think the point for him is clear—we would not have to tote an entire suitcase of books on every vacation.) But once I nudged for the fortieth time or so, I was sure I was getting through because he sort of ignored me with that “mmm” response. THEN, about ten days before Christmas, in my mailbox I got an email from B & N that was sort of “congratulations on buying your Nook, here are all the cool things it does to get you started.”
Well, wouldn’t you assume your DH had bought you one, and this email had been sent to the wrong email addy? I showed DH the email. “mmm.” I was SURE now. I opened my presents on Christmas, saving the nook-sized box for last. And no Nook. No Kindle. No ereader of any kind. And those “mmms”? He wasn’t being cagey. He was ignoring me.
Stacy S on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:49 am #
My dh bought me some sweaters one year. They were all colors that I liked but the sizes were for a much larger person. I give him a list with sizes now. This year my 13 yr old son made me a heart candle holder. He painted it my favorite color. Just not sure if they make candles that size though.
Gibb on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:49 am #
Hello there
The best surprise was before DH & I were married. We’d gone to the mall w/ my little bros. and I was supposed to get my promise ring cleaned. When we came back I was told the stone was loose and I had to leave it over the weekend. Since it was Xmas time I was instantly suspicious. But the cleaner personally came out and assured me. One brother who NEVER lies confirmed it, so I let it go. Come Xmas day, I’m waiting to open my BIG box and boy was I excited. When I opened it, there were romance novels and I’m excited until I realize I had them already, then the light bulb went on and I realized they were off my keeper shelf. Finally at the bottom of the box, there was a little box – from the jewelers. In it was the most beautiful 1+ carat HEART shaped diamond engagement ring. I laughed and cried at the same time – at the time I didn’t realize that was even possible. He’d been a part of a pay as you go program and he’d kept increasing the size of the diamond. Smart and creative man.
Gibb
Stacy Stewart on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:51 am #
My husband gave me a Cappuccino machine and I do not drink coffee or coffee products. He really wanted to give me a cool gift, but he did not factor in that I don’t like coffee. Needless, to say I returned it and bought something else.
Deanna Fullbright on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:51 am #
My worst gift from my Husband was a fishing pole…vaccum cleaner is a 2nd runner up……my very best was my Keurig coffee maker he got me last year…..I love it……This year am asking for and hoping to get an ereader….
Quilt Lady on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:54 am #
Hi Victoria, love your books!
My husband never buys me gifts so to my suprize one your on Valentines day he went out and bought me a pair of ear rings and had them attached to a white rose and placed inside a baloon. I was in shock because like I said he never buys me gifts for anything.
Melissa on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:56 am #
My husband bought me an AC Adapter for our car and wrapped in really nice paper for Christmas. I had no idea what he expected me to do with this, but he explained it was so I could use my breast pump in the car- as I was nursing out son and always looking for batteries or somewhere to plug in when we were in public. It was a thoughtful gift, but not exactly the fun present I had been hoping for
He did also get me a lovely mother and child necklace the same Christmas!
PS> I love socks, I would have been thrilled with a tube of fun socks…
Pesky on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:00 am #
I asked The Bombshell what the best gift the BIL had gotten her for Valentines day… It was sleep.
The Brain and The Squid were little, The Brain had been being a typical 3 year old, The Squid had had ear infections for weeks, The Bombshell was working as a VP at a Civil Engineering firm and was out every night for weeks trying to get plans through for a shopping center so that construction could start on time and then was coming home to sit up all night with the men. She came home and was going to lie down for a few minutes and then go on to the dinner she and the BIL had planned…it was lights out.
BIL rescheduled the dinner reservations, rescheduled the babysitter, took the boys out for dinner at McD’s, came home put them to bed and let The Bombshell sleep through the night. She woke up in the morning and felt so guilty and all he said was “Happy Valentines Day” I rescheduled us for two weeks from now.
Jeanette Juan on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:03 am #
This isn’t my gift, but a friend of mine got tickets to see a baseball game from her boyfriend. However, she hated baseball! I was receiving text messages form her all night about how much she wanted to leave and how I should make up some excuse to get her out of there!
Keeley on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:04 am #
Well, I didnt know if it was possible, but you did beat me on the worst gifts. I had a boyfriend once that forgot it was Valentines Day. We stopped to get gas at a convenience store and the clerk asked him what he got me….he said UMM, this fake flower? as he picked one up for $1.99 and paid for it with me next to him. Needless to say, this boyfriend became my husband. For Christmas he thought it would be nice to buy me 100 pairs of leg warmers because I mentioned I was starting an aerobics class. Olivia Newton-John I am not!! The best gifts he gives me are given to me everyday, patience, understanding and his love.
Thanks for your books, I love them.
Minna on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:05 am #
I do not have a significant other, but my sisters and brothers are very good at finding gifts I have no use for: slippers that don’t fit, books I don’t read…
Jacquelynn Franklin on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:06 am #
Thank you, for holding such a wonderful giveaway, I truly appreciate it! I am a 3 time cancer survivor (age 10, brain tumor[Menegeoma], age 21 Uterine Cancer [discovered when I was 6 months pregnant], age 36 skin cancer), as well as a Service Connected Disabled Veteran (US Army 6 years).
Now on to the WORST gift I have ever gotten…
An X (and this is the reason he is an X) and I had been snuggling and watching TV one night, and nothing was on, so I put it on the “Red Green” show (PBS)…I was laughing at the show. Red Greens tag line is “If they can’t find you handsome, at least they’ll find you handy” and he uses duct tape on everything…so what did I get for Valentines a few weeks later?
You guessed it…a CASE of Duct tape! Duct tape in every color.
peggy on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:09 am #
My Husband enjoys fishing so my last birthday he got me a fishing pole .I guess he forgot i don’t fish
Patricia Loverink on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:13 am #
My worst gift from my dh was a waffle iron. Come on now, did he really think I was gonna cook?
Ramona on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:14 am #
I just love giveaways. There are so many best gifts because I have always felt that anything my hubby and/or son give me are wonderful regardless of what they are because the gift is from them. My most treasured gift is my diamond tennis bracelet. I had wanted one for years & my boys surprised me with one one Christmas. The next Christmas they wanted to upgrade it without telling me, but I was always wearing it. Everything got hectic a few days before Christmas & I actually forgot to put it on so they grabbed it out of my jewelry box without me knowing & exchanged it for a little larger diamonds. Needless to say, the diamonds aren’t huge, but I love it because it was a gift from their hearts.
Noelle on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:17 am #
A boyfriend once gave me three Weird Al cds for my birthday. Now, I really don’t have a problem with Weird Al (in small doses), but what made the gift even worse is that I know he just gave them to me because HE was a fan and wanted me to be. Alas, we have since broken up and now, three years later, the Weird Al cds remain unopened. There’s a lesson in there somewhere, I’m sure.
Jenny on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:18 am #
The worst gift I ever received was from a boyfriend when I was 20. It was Christmas, we were engaged, and he gave me a cookbook!! Needless to say this is not what I wanted or desired. The engagement was off 2 months later. I might add, the gentleman was a minister!! lol Maybe that was why I broke it off. lol
Gillian on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:20 am #
Good heavens, I’m going to need a heavy dose of romance reading tonight after reading all these stories!
When hubby remembers, the presents are awesome–but he doesn’t always remember. And when the girls were younger, it seemed like we spent every Valentine’s Day in the hospital getting a child through pneumonia. Big romance there, you betcha.
Desiree on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:26 am #
For some reason I got socks. Not a pack of socks just a pair of socks not the best present I ever got. My husbands best gift to me on Valentines Day was a dozen lavender tulips, two books and chocolate. That was my favorite but he always gives me the best presents. I got a nice jewlery box with a chenille blanket. he is perfect in many ways.
Julia on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:28 am #
Gillian! You just reminded me, LOL. We had one do pneumonia last year, and a few years ago, spent Val. Day in with one who had a respiratory infection and GI virus simultaneously. Ahhhhh, kids…..adding whole new realms to excitement, adventure, and opportunities for gray hair!
Pesky on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:33 am #
Madeline: That’s just soooooo wrong. No hubby points for him.
Karen Rose on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:34 am #
Welcome, Victoria!! Your cover is awesome.
Worst gift and best gift both came from Hubby.
Hubby has only stumbled on the gift front once in almost 30 years, so I’ll cut him slack. This was when we were very poor after I’d lost my job almost 10 years ago. We’d watched TOTORO with the kids and I’d said how much I loved it. For the kids. But ultimately, it was a cartoon. For my bday that year, hubby got me all Totoro merchandise, and I could not contain my disappointment. We had so little money and this would be the only gift I’d gotten all year from him – and it was a stuffed animal thing from this cartoon. Now I chuckle about it.
However, the best gift more than makes up for any bad gifts. Our first Valentine’s Day, 1982, Mr. R gave me a silver heart on a simple chain. I found out a few weeks ago that he’d sold his high school letter jacket to buy the heart. I was overwhelmed, both from the sweetness of the act and the selflessness of not telling me what he’d had to do to buy it.
I lost the heart a few years after that and this Christmas Mr. R gave me a replacement, similar to the one I’d lost. Out of all the gifts this last year it was the simplest and the best.
Sabrina Jeffries on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:34 am #
Oh, and I forgot to say, Victoria, how very glad we are to have you here! It’s always fun to hang out with you, because you’re such a fun gal!
Rosalia on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:36 am #
My best friend and I have known each other for 25 years. When we were little kids we would get each other small gifts for Valentine’s Day. Mostly, candy like gifts that were inexpensive, but we did it for years. It’s one of those things we bring up when we are reminiscing.
Clickalot on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:36 am #
Socks are just a staple in the cornicopia of clothes. Hopefully, he gave you something better afterward. Maybe you can hang your socks by the chimney and wait for them to be filled with gifts from Santa.
Sabrina Jeffries on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:36 am #
Madeline, I know I shouldn’t laugh at your pain, but your post really made me chortle! It’s such a man response, isn’t it?
Tanya on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:39 am #
My first xmas with my man he was sooo excited about the gift he was getting me that he kept telling everybody about it, which got me excited. The anticipation was killing me when I finally opened it it was a shower head I’m a bad liar at the best of times I could not hide my disappointment at all. My face fell and all I could say was “it’s a shower head……. um thanks” he hasn’t improved much my first mothers day we woke up and the first thing he say’s to me is “oh I gotta go to wal-mart” really I had given him so much time out shopping and he hadn’t even one time looked for a gift for me I was pissed still am a little really I carried your baby for nine months and oh crap I gotta run to walmart for your gift. I have given up on him completely but I should have known from the beginning the first night we spent together I woke alone in his bed because he had gone to the store when he came back he had soda and a doughnut for himself and nothing for me. I could go on and on but in the end I still love him and he reciprocates it 100% if not more than me and I have two beautiful children from him what more could I really ask for.
cheryl c. on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:46 am #
Over the years, I have gotten some pretty good gifts from my husband. He has given me a curio, jewelry, flowers, and teddy bears. He has also made some goofs- cheap,ugly jewelry; CD’s of artists I don’t like; clothes I would never wear. I have learned just to buy myself something for him to give me. It’s not much fun, but at least I get something I want.
Elaine on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:51 am #
ROFL, socks! Love it!! My worse was when I asked for love knot earrings and he bought me flat hearts that were actually child earrings that did not fit. Now my son buys the earrings for his Dad. That actually works better! But the best is a simple “I love you” when I least expect it. When I think he is asleep when I turn out the light after reading a bit in bed, and he just whispers “I love you”.
summercecily on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:58 am #
The most delicious V-day gift I ever received was your traditional dozen red long-stemmed roses. The delicious part was that a cocky new fellow I was dating at the time thought they were a gift from my soon to be ex, who lived in Boston. He grabbed the card with bravado, only to see it read “somebody in Georgia loves you”! It was from my former, (and in some ways forever) love who had joined the army. I sure enjoyed that femme fatale moment and the cocky new beau was definitely on his best behavior after that!
tkwaryr on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:02 pm #
Welcome Victoria! My best gift was a ring from Borsheims from my hubby. Sounds nice as most women like jewlery. Borsheims is a very upscale store and my hubby is a “dirty construction” steamfitter. He designed a garnet, my birthstone, and diamond cocktail ring to commemorate our 10,000 days as a married couple. I smile everytime I wear my special ring knowing that my husband went after work dressed in grubby work clothes to Borsheims not caring what other customers might think. My husband is a KEEPER!
Debbie on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:02 pm #
My husband is the KING of gift giving. He’s always on top with the best and most wanted. In 2008, he hit #1 with an expensive digital camera with awesome zoom. Last year, he surprised me with the new iPhone. This year…the prettiest little watch I could want…white gold! Oh, and let’s not forget that every holiday and birthday, he always remembers to buy me my newest craving of romance readings!!!
I cannot wait to get your new book in March, Victoria!
Melanie on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:07 pm #
I’m the one who gave the disappointing gift. One month after my husband and I first met was Valentines Day. He gave me a diamond tennis bracelet. I gave him a shirt. Sixteen years later we still laugh about it.
Melody on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:08 pm #
One Christmas my ex and I went shopping with one of his friends to find gifts for the “group”. As the gal, I was responsible for recommending gifts for the only other wife in the group. We had entirely different tastes and it was an open secret that we couldn’t stand each other, but I was able to find a number of things I thought she’d like. Come Christmas, darned if my big gift wasn’t several of those items tucked under the tree. Don’t ever try explaining to a man how liking something for someone else works… Of course, time does make it kinda funny. :O)
Angi Hoagland on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:17 pm #
Okay, I can’t get the sock-string out of my head! Reminds me of those really bad magicians with all the bandanas strung together. But at least they end with a flower that sprays water in your face!! The worst gifts are usually kitchen-related!!
Jacqueline on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:27 pm #
My husband’s birthday is Valentine’s Day he really did not want to give me anything,but he did break down and gave me an MP3 player.
Dee on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:29 pm #
My worst gift was from my ex – and wasn’t really a gift at all. One year we had some family commitments that were happening around my birthday. BTW – it was family commitments from HIS family. He was so ‘busy’ that he completely forgot my birthday. He didn’t even wish me a happy birthday at all. No wonder he’s an ex.
On the flip side to that – my current hubby is awesome! All his gifts have been thoughtful. One year he bought me a collectors edition of books by a favorite author – because I had mentioned she was a favorite of mine. This year for christmas I received 6 gift certificates for massages…yikes!!! Not to mention that I always have a cup of coffee waiting on the bedside table for me when I get up. Plus when we got married – he designed my wedding/engagement ring and had it made for me. It’s a claddaugh on the inside with celtic knot work all around. Said that the claddaugh represented the two of us, and the knotwork our two families combining.
I know – I’m spoiled – but I like me this way.
Cheryl on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:37 pm #
A couple of years ago I had a boyfriend who got my clothing and perfume for Christmas. Now, I would have been quite pleased with this gift if it hadn’t been for the intent behind it. He decided that he wanted to dictate the way that I would dress, and the clothing (which was too big) was to exemplify this. As for the perfume, apparently he wanted me to smell a certain way. This is insulting, not to mention that I’m fragrance sensitive which means that artificial scent makes me ill. If he had given me this same gift without any of the manipulation I wouldn’t have viewed the whole thing as an insult. Needless to say, we are not on speaking terms any more.
moon_princess111 on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:37 pm #
My husband and I were raised with totally different gift-giving values. His family only bought/gave gifts they could use. My mother always said Christmas and our bdays were for things we wanted, and that’s what I always did with my own kids and my husband. If he said he wanted a tool box (and he did), he got it, is he wanted a lawn sweeper (don’t ask), he got that too. Those aren’t gifts I would have picked out on my own for him, but those were things he talked about wanting for a long time and once I got them for him, he was thrilled. That worked for him. Doesn’t work for me!
When we were first married I got things like pots and pans (I said I wanted some, just not for Christmas!), a vaccum cleaner, and dishes. The year of the pots and pans I kinda lost it. I ended up spending almost the entire day in our bedroom, alone and crying for MY family and not his stupid one. All my family lived over 500 miles away and it wasn’t posible for me to spend ANY holidays with them, I could only spend holidays with hubby’s family. And while they are all great, they weren’t “my family”. The year after the pots and pans incident, I got the money and took the kids to my mother’s for Christmas.
alisha on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:38 pm #
I love all of your books. I have all, but 2 of your older books. I can’t wait for Desires of a Perfect lady to come out. Don’t have a boyfriend or husband so no gifts to reort:-(
Biki on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:39 pm #
Dee, I agree, you’re spoiled! Lol, but in the great way because you found one of the greats out there. The worst gift I ever received was a a small mix of random samples packages. It was during a week where we had to “spoil” our big brother/sister. It was a bit of a let down as I was hoping for something with insight, lol.
Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:42 pm #
So wonderful to see you here, Victoria, a goddess among goddesses.
I’ve had some “interesting” gifts (a box of rocks, anyone?), but nothing that the thought behind them didn’t fix (still have those rocks!)
I’m looking forward to your new book. You have a deft hand with light humor, and I know there’s a smile—or ten—between the covers.
GSM on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:49 pm #
Last night my husband (of 25+ years) asked me if I wanted a freezer for Valentine’s Day. (Really–a freezer!) “Um, no thank you, dear.” Now while I would like a freezer to replace the one that conked out months ago, I just don’t believe kitchen appliances are the best bet when you’re trying to show undying love for a spouse. Anybody else out there averse to appliances for gifts?
Deanna on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:54 pm #
I used to get nothing, that’s right, nothing…he and I are no longer married…
TrishD on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:00 pm #
GSM… you can put me on that list!! My husband was talking vaccuum cleaner this past Christmas. Thankfully he listened to all my “you better nots”. The down side? We still need a new vaccuum.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:01 pm #
These are fabulous stories! Some of them have made me laugh out loud, some have made me sigh and some have made me nod and think “been there.” (And yes—tkwaryr—I’m very familiar with Borsheims! The last time I was there, I kept picking out bracelets I thought were baubles but ended up having the price tags of, oh, cars.)
To be perfectly honest, overall, my husband gives better gifts to me than I do to him. I honestly try but he is very hard to buy for. Usually, we just exchange gifts on birthdays.
Okay good story, bad/funny story.
We’ve never done much for Valentine’s Day except exchange cards–usually funny ones. He works in a university that’s affiliated with a hospital. For years he would pick up flowers in the gift shop on his way home. It became a running joke so he doesn’t do it anymore.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:02 pm #
This year for our anniversary, he planned a surprise trip to recreate our honeymoon. I didn’t know about it until a month before when I got an email from the airline telling me that my frequent flyer points had been cashed in. And I didn’t know where we were going until the night before. He took me to Maine where he had arranged everything—charming inns, special restaurants.
And if his presents aren’t always spot on—it’s okay because everything else is. Besides, it always gives us something else to laugh about.
KPM on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:02 pm #
What a marvelous book cover. Can’t wait to read the new book The story of the sock gift made me laugh. While reading the replies, I had forgotten about the holidays spent in the hospital etc. DD1 had scarlett fever…Christmas morning at the emerg. My 45th birthday, DS falls and breaks a tooth..trip to the dentist. DD1 catches her hand in a closing door…trip to the dr.’s/emerg on a New Year’s day.
OTOH…those holidays also included gifts of books, bling and lots of other stuff, so I can’t complain.
Peggy Gorman on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:06 pm #
Too funny. I love it when guys go shopping ,always get something they would love and it is always for them! Love when I opened my pot and pans ,my guess ,I should be cooking!! LOL Love the man that has no idea what to get ,thank goodness for gift cards!
My worst gift was getting flowers. I love flowers but my ex walked in on Valentines with 2 floral packages,one for me and one for my sister-in law. She got a big beautiful bunch and I got a couple. I must have had a funny look on my face because he said my flowers cost more. He only got me a small bunch because they were more expensive flowers. That made my day!
Amanda on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:07 pm #
Looking forward to reading this book! For some reason I keep getting teddy bears for valentines in every size imaginable!
Juanita Glass on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:11 pm #
The only color I cannot abide is yellow. Shortly after we were married, my husband sent me flowers – yellow with a yellow bow. I appreciated the thought, but carefully explained that I did not like yellow (I THOUGHT HE KNEW THIS ALREADY). A few years later, he sent me a plant as congratulations for starting a new job. He come by to see me and to see if the plant had arrived and discovered to his horror, the plant’s leaves has yellow splotches on them and there was a big yellow ribbon! I did not say a word about it, but he quickly picked up the plant and left the office. An hour or so later, he returned with a gorgeous plant with absolutely no yellow anywhere to be seen and a bright pink ribbon. After 31 years, he always tells the florist – no yellow, please! Two goofs in 31 years really isn’t bad, is it?
Eva on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:34 pm #
Hi, Victoria!
First, let me say how pleased I was to see your book ‘Believe’ was re-released last Christmas. It’s the first book of yours that I read, and I still have it – after two house moves and many bookshelf purges!
As to presents – after a few false starts, some of them mine (the sweater that took weeks to knit, and he only wore it once), we go on shopping dates. Besides that we each get things we actually want, it’s a great excuse for time for just the two of us. The trick is to set a dollar limit beforehand, so all that shopping fun doesn’t come back to haunt you later…
Marjana Kaly on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:36 pm #
The best?..had to my the necklace he got me for V-day!
Karen on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:40 pm #
My husband never thinks about birthdays or holidays until the day before, then he rushes out and buys the first thing that appeals to him. I’ve received nylons, an undrilled bowling ball, and countless obscure kitchen gadgets.
Last year after he gave me a cheese cutter, my adolescent daughter sat him down and explained why his gifts inevitably offend his wife. “Mom scrimps her pennies year-round using grocery coupons and hitting the clearance sales, all so you can waste a hundred bucks at Christmas buying her stuff that she doesn’t even want.” (Did I mention that my adolescent daughter is a genius?)
My husband has since stuck to buying smaller, more meaningful gifts and I love them.
Becky Jean on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:44 pm #
I just received a horrible gift from my boyfriend – the flu
haha.
The best gift I have ever received would have to be my puppy.
Kay Burke on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:57 pm #
My Husband of 30 years is now getting better and more intuitive about gifts when he consults with our 18 year old daughter:) There were gifts that were household gifts more than once but now much more personal – fun…
Rhi on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:04 pm #
I have to say, my guy wins at the gift giving. First off, he always takes me out to a good restaurant for my birthday. Last year, it was Jean George, in NYC.
Second, his gifts tend to be well thought out and useful. The year before I started law school, he got me a nice computer bag. Our first holiday season together, he got me a bracelet from Tiffany’s; our second, diamond earrings; and our third, a wallet and purse from Kate Spade. For my graduation from law school, he got me the newest video game from a company I like and the guide to it. Hell, he’ll get me something just because… like a dvd to make me feel better.
Kristen on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:12 pm #
The worst gift would probably be the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner for a house with NO carpet. But it had the super snazzy hepa filter. BLah Blah Blah.
He’s usually hit or miss. I get a good gift every once in a while.
Lola on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:21 pm #
The worst Christmas present? the first Christmas I was dating this man , he kept teasing me about my Christmas gift, how wonderful it was, how much I was going to love it, how I would never guess what he had for me. My very active imagination worked overtime on this for weeks before the holiday. On Christmas morning I came down the stairs at my parents house and there was this enormous box, with my name on it. Naturally , I opened it first……the fool was inside the box! He whispered that there was more to the gift, that I would get the rest later. I was thinking diamond, what I got was a ribbon wrapped around his …personal apparatus!
Rachel Gibson on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:23 pm #
Lola
He put a ribbon on his “package” –yuck!
Katie on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:24 pm #
I think the worst gift I have received from my new husband (only 8 months married on the 13th of Feb.) was for my birthday just a couple of days ago) February 5th. I was excited to see what my hubby had bought me for my birthday all day, and it just never came. We went out to dinner with my family and after getting home I thought he would give me my gift or have some special surprise since he is usually pretty good with gifts. At about 9:30 pm I asked him if he had me a gift or a card and he replies, “Baby, I thought that stuff you ordered online the other day was for your birthday.” Still, no card? After about 20 minutes, he grabs his coat and goes outside and comes back in a minute later. “Here ya go, baby. I forgot I bought you this card about a week ago.” He forgot he bought me a card? Two days later I came home and there was a rose made out of some type of jelly material that lights up in the door knocker – trying, I suppose to redeem himself. A jelly rose?
Last year for Valentine’s day he got me a beautiful diamond necklace- and picked it out himself! So I am still hopefully for this year.
Tanja on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:38 pm #
The best but strangest gift I ever received was an automatic trash can. It was weird but cool.
Lara on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:46 pm #
The worst gift my husband gave me was a handbag (I don’t use them) in a mustardy yellow color (far from my favorite color of blue as you can get!) He has a hissy fit if I don’t act like his gifts are the bestest ever, so I tried.
On another occasion, a friend had given me a box of individually wrapped chocolates, which I LOVED, but my husband claimed they would make me fat and so he not only dumped them in the trash, he made sure to crush each one first, so I couldn’t retrieve them.
Since then, I just buy myself my own gifts, since he still has no idea of what my likes and dislikes are after 14 years of marriage. I did give him a list of my faves a few weeks ago, so we’ll see if he’s reformed by now, but I’m not holding my breath.
At least he’s a terriffic father to our twin girls. I couldn’t ask for better in that department!
Molly Wilsbacher on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:49 pm #
After suprising my fiance (now hubby of 18 years) with a week-end trip to Toronto via 1st class rail to see Phantom of the Opera for his birthday, my birthday was followed up with a small bottle of perfume and a 3-pack of Hanes underwear. Not sexy underwear, but granny panties! He still has not lived that down. We were married for 5 years before I ever got a piece of jewelry from him!
Joan on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:51 pm #
One year when my two children were about seven and eight years old, my husband took them shopping for my Christmas present. They went to the local five and dime store and bought everything they could find that was yellow. Among many things I received pliers and screwdrivers with yellow handles, yellow potholders, yellow pads of paper, yellow tape, perfume with yellow label, and probably a dozen other things. The funny part of the story is that yellow is my husband’s favorite color, not mine! Still, I loved the thought.
Patty on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:01 pm #
We had only been married about a year. Our 1st christmas, so I was still expecting ROMANCE. We had just moved to the country. To say under construction is putting it mildly. There under the tree was a very nice size box. I had visions of a beautiful leather coat. When I opened it , the dissappointment set in. Inside was a pair of insulated rubber boots!
Jane on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:02 pm #
One of the best gifts was a necklace from Tiffany’s and least favorite was furniture.
PhyllisC on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:07 pm #
I don’t remember a really bad gift that I’ve ever gotten. But I have enjoyed reading about everyone elses – especially the socks.
My husband usually gives me jewelry. He has given me the same ring 3 different times. LOL At least he was trying. The nice thing about it was that I really liked it and the last two times I took it back and got to pick out something for myself.
PhyllisC on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:10 pm #
I had so much fun reading all the comments that I forgot to mention how much I love your books Victoria. You are on my auto-buy list.
Dawn on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:23 pm #
What great timing for this one!
My birthday is tomorrow and I adore socks, so the sock gift would have been awesome for me. I once bought a pack of socks that were all variations of gray shades. Green gray, yellow gray, blue gray, etc. Loved them!
Worst presents: my 18th birthday, shortly before I graduate from high school and am going to college-a typewriter from my parents. I couldn’t even type halfway decently. I’d been begging for one of those way cool all in one word processors that they had recently come out with…and I got a typewriter. Yeah, I was a happy 18 year old!
Or last year, when I prepped the husband and kids saying “ok, I’ve gained weight and I’m unhappy about it. Please don’t get me candy or clothes. Please. I have a huge wish list on Amazon. Please read it”. So, one year ago today, my husband loads up the kids at 5 pm to go shopping for my birthday. I told him not to bother.
Best presents: when I was 13 my folks got me a stereo! That was awesome. When I was 16, my mom got me a gorgeous opal ring that I handed down to my daughter at 16. This year, it looks like my husband learned a lesson, since I found a package on the porch from a place I really like!
Suzy R. on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:26 pm #
Hello…Enjoy your writing very much…Usually if I want to get a nice gift it falls on me to do the picking out, that way I can’t be disappointed. Not that I haven’t received some lovely pieces of jewelry over the years, (we have been married 26 years this May). This year I was surprised with tickets to see a Kenny Rogers concert on Valentine’s day, we have both enjoyed him long before we were married, I guess I’m aging myself. Happy Valentine’s Day all!
Donna Coe-Velleman (Long Island Romance Writers) on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:32 pm #
For Christmas, one year, my husband asked me what I wanted. I told him to get me something he’d like to see me in. Never say that without adding more details. I received seat covers for my car. I guess he saw how disappointed I was. Maybe it was me asking, “You’d like to see me in THIS?”, that gave him a hint. But now, after 15 years , he’s to insecure to buy me something unless I point it out. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.
Sewicked on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:33 pm #
This is going to sound odd but the best present that my SO ever gave me was the first Valentine’s Day present from him. It was a book on how to draw manga. I know, it sounds like a peculiar gift but it was just so perfect and so unexpected.
Worst present? The brass horse statue that a friend gave me for my birthday. I have no idea why he thought I’d want that. I still have it, because well, he was trying really, really hard.
Cathy Phillips on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:36 pm #
Hello and welcome, Victoria!
I loved your stories of the socks and boxes. Your DH has quite a sense of humor with the socks. LOL!
I’ve got to say the worst gift I’ve ever received was a vacuum cleaner. Yes, I needed a new one, but not for Valentines Day. Since then, my DH and I have put our heads together and decided on things we both want and go out and buy them together.
sue hieber on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:37 pm #
my hubby gave me a 200.00 pair of pierced earrings and my ears were not pierced.(after 5 years,you would think he would have noticed) i guess he thought we just came that way. i made him pierce them himself. funny, but he did a good job.
Vikki Parman on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:40 pm #
The worst was a toaster. He thought it was special as it has 4 slots, and 2 are larger size for toasting bagels. It IS the thought that counts……
Kimberly S on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:43 pm #
Best gift was diamond earrings from my boyfriend at the time – who is now my husband
Worst gift – I needed a new tire for my car – not really what I wanted for Christmas though
The Wonder on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:48 pm #
The best gift I ever recieved – A book I actually wanted to read. One that I had looked forward to reading. The worst – a used candle holder Yea that relationship didnt last long.
Amber S on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:51 pm #
An electric mixer. I felt like Steve Martin’s daughter in Father of the Bride when her fiance gives her a blender as a wedding present. Now I just get books and flowers, which is perfectly fine by me
Amber
maered on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:52 pm #
Perfume, which I didn’t like, and jewellery, which I also didn’t like are among the worst. I think these type of gifts are really personal and people always manage get the ones you don’t like!
Lucile on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:55 pm #
I have no idea what my worst present has been (I tend to just forget them so far–so either that’s just me or one hasn’t been bad enough yet!)… but I’d say my best-not from a significant other, but there’s not one for it to be from- was spending my birthday a few years ago in London.
Reviewer Danielle on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:56 pm #
Victoria,
That sounds awesome recreating your honeymoon! How romantic! We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day usually. This year we are going to the movies with the kids. My dh and I have read all of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books so we can’t wait to see the movie. We enjoy celebrating with the kids.
Leni on 10 Feb 2010 at 3:56 pm #
As of late the best is a dutch oven. I do a lot of cooking and needed one.
flip on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:10 pm #
Worst gift-flannel night gown three times my size…what was he suggesting
Best gifts were my down comforter, my sleigh bed and my huge enormous whirlpool tub.
All there gifts came from the same guy, my husband. He has wised up over the years.
marelou on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:22 pm #
I love gifts even the “hmmm? what’s that?” ones because I always end up finding something useful to to with them. Memorable gifts: two tickets to see Les Mis over 20 years ago. My then hubby saved up for the tickets – we were struggling then, but he knew I wanted to see it so he scrimped and saved to get me tickets. It was a wonderful show.
Kayla J. on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:23 pm #
Let’s see… Hmm.. Ok got it: The Worst Gift I Ever Got: I make no secret about my non-religion life. The guy, he was the same way. For x-mas (yeah, we still celebrate, I mean, c’mon, gifts!) I got him a really nice jacket. I got a cheap $5 necklace. The money and cheapness isn’t the crappy part. He got me a cross. Umm.. hello? Where did this come from? I still don’t understand it..
Jody F. on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:31 pm #
I’ve actually gotten quite a few gifts that were kinda crappy. It’s especially annoying when you tell them specifically what you want. Some things I’ve gotten are a box of plain old Lipton tea bags, microwavable bacon cooker, and an ice cream scooper that moos. Now, I practically beg for gift cards, and only gift cards.
Tawania Etheridge on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:32 pm #
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for the smile you put on my face
The worst unexpected gift I received was last christmas, I had asked my significant other for a Yorkie. I told him where the puppy was, what it looked like, and the price. When christmas morning arrived I was confident that my puppy was under the tree. Surprise surprise A very pretty kitten was under the tree instead. Too bad i’m allergic to cats. I sat right there in the middle of the floor and cried. I know, I was wrong for that, but you have to understand my feelings were way hurt. Long story short.. My grandma got the kitten, and I got my puppy on December 26.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:33 pm #
Here’s the thing when it comes to gift giving for men—their brains are not like ours. On one hand they’re alert enough to notice when you say “gee, I’d like a new toaster” or “I really need a new vacuum” or “my socks are worn out, I need new ones.” Then when it comes time to get a gift they search their minds—which are filled with their own work, and sports stuff, and meat. And in that scary world “need” has become “want”.
So even though in their own way they’re listening, they’re not always paying attention.
Breanna Appling on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:34 pm #
i don’t have one but i’ll tell you my moms. Once a year my step dad gets my mother flowers and every year he gets her the same one Hops… i will agree they drink beer alot but i don’t think that should qualifie for a flower. my step dad thinks it really cool that beer comes from this amazing plant, but my mom on the other hand likes roses.:-( oh well i buy her a different color rose bush for her every year for mothers day. I have nothing agenst my step dad, i love him alot, but really hops…
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:38 pm #
You do have to wonder though when you ask for a puppy and get a kitten—if you and he are actually speaking the same language.
Honestly though—it could have been worse in so many alternate small animal ways.
jackie h on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:47 pm #
Well this wasn’t the worst gift, but kinda funny. Whenever I try to fix something around the by myself, I can never find any tools, as my husband is not one of those “a place for everything and everything in its place” kinda guys. As I’m always complaining that I can never find a decent hammer or screwdriver, one year he bought me one of those tacky looking plastic cased “girls” tool sets. I wouldn’t have complained but my DH slowly started scavenging through that case as well, and I wish I had a picture of him with that pink hammer….
Jillian on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:51 pm #
Hi Victoria!
Bad gifts are terrible, but, looking back, can usually give me a good chuckle.
Have you ever been to the Bad Gift Emporium online?
Some of the worst gifts I’ve ever seen…and the good news is that no one gave me that junk!
It really puts bad gifts into perspective.
The worst gift I’ve ever gotten was from my uncle.
He sent me, my sister, and my mother matching hats and gloves.
The thing is that the hats were these horrible one-size-fits-all hats made out of little bits of chenille that stuck out in all directions. They made us look like we were having really bad hair days…or had just received an electric shock!
I think we still have them in some sort of bad gift box of shame…
Sunnymay on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:58 pm #
My brother thought a fire extinguisher was a great gift for his wife. We still kid him about it being a lousy first present. He stopped giving household stuff and gave something personal from then on. She had to train him on what exactly she desired and gave him choices in narrow categories.
Erika on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:07 pm #
Gift certificates. Yes they are useful, but they are so impersonal. Especially when everyone gets me the same one, it’d be nice if he at least went with one more original but still to my taste.
Beverly G on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:13 pm #
I think the worst ever gift i got from a SO was a airfreshner from thegas station since he forgo my birthdaya nd a friend of mine worked there and hugged me and gave me the friendly happy birthday announcement he thought he wasbeing cute or something not sure and baught me a pine fresh air freshner yeah it was rather embarassing and i was some what ticked off that he forgot i could live with that he forgot i couldnt get over how he callously handed me an air freshner as a gift
Pat Cochran on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:17 pm #
I’m thinking and thinking – but I can’t really think of any “worst” gifts! Any household items I’ve received I asked for! A mixer on a stand because
as I age, my hands tire easily. A food processor, because of my hands. A microwave oven because I love cooking in one! Along with these items
there were also nice pieces of jewelry: diamond earrings, my star sapphire rings, my grandmother’s pendant. My Honey listens closely when I
ask for something because it is something I really, really want!
The best “gift” we gave to each other. Our first child, our eldest son, was born on Valentine’s Day in 1962 !!!
Pat Cochran
Esther on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:25 pm #
My first boyfriend was incredibly cheap. He took me out to a spaghetti dinner for my birthday and thought that counted as a birthday gift. I didn’t complain but I think he knew I was disappointed, so a week later, he gave me a late birthday gift – an incredibly ugly bracelet that he clearly bought off the nobody-would-buy-this-super-clearance-rack at Nordstrom’s, that was so big on my tiny 16-year-old wrist that I could almost double it around my wrist, but not quite. It looked like a mafia guy’s bracelet and was for a young teenager.
My husband of 10 years, on the other hand, gives me incredibly thoughtful gifts that tell me he puts genuine effort into making those special days extra special for me. I am huge into the outdoors so these thoughtful gifts are not jewelry or flowers. They are things like an amazing pair of sub-zero boots that he picked out himself, a technical jacket that he picked out himself, etc. He knows I won’t spent the money on myself so he does it for me, and then I don’t feel guilty about owning something amazing that I don’t need, but want. I love how considerate he is, esp. because he is a typical guy in that he deplores shopping and likes “guy stuff.”
Sue Brandes on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:27 pm #
Last year I got this ugly bear attached to a box of candy. It had a fence around it with ugly glued on fake flowers and it played a bad song. LOL.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:30 pm #
It strikes me that some of these gifts, even though they might make you wince, are really quite endearing.
Of course, some of them, just make you wince. All depends on the person behind them I guess.
sheila on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:51 pm #
I dated this really cheap guy for a year. One day I noticed a hubcap was missing. For Christmas he gave me a hubcap he had found in the street- all cleaned up. He was very proud thatit was for a Saturn and matched the other 3.
Cheep cheep cheep
Kammie on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:59 pm #
My best gift was given to me 27 years ago on Valentine’s Day by my husband. It was a proposal and a ring. Since then, I’ve gotten nice gifts for various holidays. I can’t think of anything unusual or something I didn’t want.
Oh, and we gave each other a brick. lol A memorial of sorts, too, but on the sidewalk at a place we visit often and enjoyed on many vacations.
Luv on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:59 pm #
The worst gift I got , came from a guy I have been dating for a barely under a month. He brought me a singing fish,because he thought it was funny.
Chelsea B. on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:05 pm #
The worst gift I ever got was a tooth brush. When I was 12. For Christmas. We don’t speak to that person anymore
cories on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:05 pm #
Hi, Victoria Alexander! I love your books; they are so much to read! I especially love “When We Meet Again” and “The Pursuit of Marriage”.
For my birthday last year, my family gave me a new violin. The problem with that is: A) I already have a violin – the one my parents gave me when I was 14; B) I haven’t touched the violin I do have for well over a decade so I definitely do not need another. Still, it was birthday present so I had to thank them.
I gave my father a wooden box years ago, but I suppose a handmade box from a daughter isn’t the same as receiving one from a significant other.
chey on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:13 pm #
The most unappreciated gift I ever ever received was a bouquet of balloons.
Elaine M on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:24 pm #
Best gift: My ex gave me a high-end watch. Up to then, I had only owned the cheapest possible… never one that came from a jewelry store. I treasured it! Worst gift: Too-many years later, he gave me probably the cheapest department store earrings he could find in the two minutes I imagine he spent looking. Did I mention he’s my EX?
denise on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:26 pm #
My husband and I don’t exchange gifts anymore. We just buy our own stuff.
Amy on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:27 pm #
One year for Christmas my boyfriend decided that he was going to get me something to remind me of him every month of the year (he was going to be deployed) so, he got me — ready — a sock of the month club! Not a cake of the month or flowers every month…but, SOCKS! I hate socks and NEVER wear them! I hate the way they feel and I usually only wear hose. That same year, his mother gave me a rolling pin. (I can’t cook/bake well)…hint?
We no longer date and he is now home safe and sound…hopefully with a girl that loves socks!
Amy
mslooneytune on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:30 pm #
Luckily, we have been married for 25 years now, but one of my husband’s early gifts was given to me the day before our wedding. . . a puppy! Now the puppy was absolutely darling, but who has time to take care of a brand new puppy, . . . with all the wedding plans, activities, the rehearsal dinner, etc? Men, they definitely do not think things through sometimes. But, like I said, in other ways, he was a keeper. (My husband and the puppy!)
Lena on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:42 pm #
The worst presents I have received were from my ex. One was a nightgown but like his mom would wear, totally not my style. The other was a vcr which I had to finish paying off. It’s the thought that counts right. Explains why he’s an ex.
jenmeltwin on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:51 pm #
My fav had to be a guy I was dating in college who gave me the cutest stuffed animal holding roses. Turned out, another girl had given it to him earlier on Valentine’s Day in an attempt to lure him from me. He thought it was hilarious that he had regifted a gift from an admirer. And he wonders why I dumped him a few days later?
ladydawgfan on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:52 pm #
I’m trying to remember my weird gifts. Hmmm. Let’s see. There was the case of Diet Coke from my ever creative brother that I got for Christmas (yes, it was under the tree!). A friend of my mother gave me a half of a bird house with some awful wrapped candies in it (from the “what do I get them” shelf at Walmart). The next year, she gave me a selection of soaps, creams, and lotions in a cheap basket from the same shelf (I’m allergic to alcohol and extremely fragrance sensitive and unable to use any of it). I’m waiting for a garage sale to unload these items, minus the candy of course, since I don’t regift.
One of the best gifts I got was a plane ticket to see friends that I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. It was a trip that I couldn’t afford to take, but my parents bought my ticket and sent me on a badly needed vacation. I was extremely grateful.
Pam Thompson on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:09 pm #
My worst gift ever was from a former boyfriend. He bought me a dead stuffed flat grey cat, named Earl the flat cat. No idea why, but he liked it!!
My best gifts come from my hubby…he always gets me jewellery for any birthday, Christmas or Valentines Day. Along with flowers and chocolate. He even buys me gifts for no special reason. He picks everything out himself and I always love what he gets me.
Stacey Ellis on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:12 pm #
OK so my dearest trying husband of 5 yrs normally picks up hints quite well…then asks his mother to get the stuff, wrap it etc and they do a dodgy hand over somewhere far far away from the house…makes me feel like maybe I’m not trusted where pressie hunting is concerned…considering he freely amits to being a persistant Christmas pressie shaker and jiggler it’s got to be the biggest laugh. I once hinted for a ring…we’d been together 5yrs and I thought a little token might be nice…the car radio I opened instead was nice but well..what can I say…words failed me. When we got married I decided a few traditions would be nice and romantic…Christmas, Anniversary and V-day we’d do cards with Husband or Wife on them minimum…the playboy card I got for our first anniversary with the hot chick on the front and not a mention of wife on it needless to say left alot to be desired…sigh..there’s always next yr I say to myself as I give him a big kiss and hug in thanks!!
Wendy on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:23 pm #
Love the tube sock story! Funny!
This year for Christmas I got the Perfect Strap (the things to put on your bra to lift and go up a bra size) I have a DD cup WHY THE HECK WOULD I WANT TO GO UP ANOTHER SIZE HONEY! I have enough trouble getting shirts that fit now!
Men.. the bigger the better NOT!
Karen Hawkins on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:24 pm #
Pam said: My worst gift ever was from a former boyfriend. He bought me a dead stuffed flat grey cat, named Earl the flat cat.
Pam, you have GOT to be kidding. That’s so wrong!
Louisa Cornell on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:29 pm #
Hello, Victoria !! I am a HUGE fan of your books! And during the Avon FanLit Event a couple of years ago you gave my entry a rose ! I framed your comment and the Avon event set me on the path to writing historical romance, two Golden Heart finals and an agent so THANK YOU for your encouragement! Coming from one of my idols it continues to mean the world to me!
I cracked up a the tube of socks story. It sounds like something my brothers would do. These are the same brothers who sent a funeral wreath to my office on my 40th birthday. I was NOT amused. On my 50th birthday I took the day off just in case!
I think one of the best gifts my late DH ever gave me was the Doberman/Shepherd puppy he gave me for Halloween two years before we married. I lived alone at the time and he wanted me to have a big dog for protection. Sasha was an amazing dog. We both adored her. I lost my DH after 14 years of marriage, but Sasha stayed with me two years after that and helped me through the worst of it before at 18 she left quietly in her sleep to join her “Daddy.”
Worst gift? A HIDEOUS antique broach from my junior high boyfriend. Fortunately his mom made him get it back as it was an heirloom!
Brenna on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:31 pm #
Some very funny stories here.
My hubby and I rarely exchange gifts anymore. We each just get what we want, when we want it and we’re both good with that. So the best present is probably a ring he got me when we were dating. And the worst was a brick my son gave me to hold down the lid on the CD player because it wouldn’t stay latched. He thought he was funny. I wasn’t so amused.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:35 pm #
Pam–this is yet another reason why ex-boyfriends are ex-boyfriends.
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:36 pm #
Louisa–so nice to hear from you!
What a wonderful story. It just brought tears to my eyes.
Sally Gawne on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:37 pm #
We moved into a new home that had a little porch on the front that was going to be a perfect little place for me and the new baby to hang out…but it needed to be fixed with screen, carpet and so forth. My ex took me out to the porch on my birthday for the big hurrah and it was 3 hanging plants!!
Betty N on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:37 pm #
The best gift I ever got from my husband was this year. I am a grandma but all of my life I have wanted to learn to play the piano. My parents said no as I was growing up. Then I went to school, work….got married, had kids and the time, energy and money needed to go for other things. So I gave up on the idea. This year I decided if I didn’t do it now, I wouldn’t have another chance. So I asked my husband what he thought about it and he immediately took me out to look for used pianos and 24 hours later I had my piano at my house. My grandson was there when I talked about finding a teacher. He recommended his Pastor’s wife; I said great…he texted her and she agreed to teach me and now I am taking lessons and having a wonderful time learning to play it.
Karla on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:39 pm #
Best gift? Still waiting for that one. Worst gift? Finding out ex-bf was cheating on me. Though in the long run that turned out to be a blessing.
Tamara Shurling on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:42 pm #
Best Gift was my children
Worst Gift – I really can’t think of any I got that I was really disappointed in
RachieG on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:44 pm #
Without a doubt it’d have to be a reindeer that pooped raisins. I don’t like raisens at all and to have something poop them out? Really??
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:47 pm #
Oh Betty, he is definitely a keeper!
Joelle BB on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:47 pm #
Best gift I ever got was a personalized Red Wings hockey jersey. Unfortunatly, the guy who gave it to me liked me “like that” and I didn’t feel the same. It’s never easy to tell a guy you just want to be friends, especially after they present you with a super cool gift.
My mother scours garage sales each summer and picks out a “gift” for each family member. There have been some really odd things over the years, but we love them because we know that she searched far and wide to find them.
Worst gift I ever got was lavender soap. It’s a funny story that gets re told every year at Christmas. MY older brother always asked our mom to pick out his gifts for everyone from him. One year she got all the girls “imported” lavender soap. We each opened the soap at the same time while he asked “What did I get you this year.” The reason it ranks as the worst is because all of us girls were violently allergic to the soap.
Okie B on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:53 pm #
Hi, Victoria! Loved the blog
It was hilarious.
The best gift I ever got from my husband 8 years ago. We were so broke but this wonderful man I married came home with a box and in it was a sweat shirt. LOL The sweat shirt had a little chili printed on it and it read Little Hottie. It’s still wear it, that poor washed out thing.
The worst gift I ever got was from an old boyfriend. It was a terrible poem written on note book paper in pencil.
ash on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:08 pm #
too funny, you gals just make me laugh
Julie-ann Ford on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:15 pm #
Victoria, I just love reading your books. So thank you. As for best and worst gifts, I have to say that because my birthday is the day after Valentine’s Day I usually miss out on gifts. I would usually get either a gift for Valentine’s day or my birthday but never both. Since I have been with my husband, he always gives me a dozen roses and gift for Valentine’s Day and a dozen roses and a present for my birthday. His best gift so far is my book shelf for all the books that I have collected and love to re-read.
Melissa on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:21 pm #
My ex used to always try to buy me books, lol. I’d tell him not to ~~ cuz’ you already KNOW if it was something I wanted, and it had been out more than a day or two? I SO had it. He’d always get me copies of Nora’s books, or Julie Garwood ~~ which of course I had EVERY one, lol. I’d always act really pleased, but I was like you SO don’t listen to a thing I say, do you? Turns out ~~ I was right!!
Lyoness2009 on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:33 pm #
Hair dye….I’m sure it was a nice gesture but I”m a red head..and they wanted me to be a brunette. Who gives hair dye?
elainec on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:40 pm #
Hi Victoria,
I loved meeting you in Orlando last year.
I’m looking forward to your new book in March.
One of my favorites of yours is “The Seduction of a Proper Gentleman”. It is charming and very funny. After I read it, my husband downloaded it for me from audible.com and I enjoyed it all over again.
Good luck with the new one.
Angel on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:50 pm #
Valentines Day 1982 my then boyfriend bought me a microwave oven. It was one of those big ones that you could almost make a whole Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in. Well i thought it was one of the greatest things, my mom didn’t even have a microwave. My boyfriend and i got married that same year and yes, i have to tell you, i still have that same microwave……and the same hubby…lol.
Lauren on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:55 pm #
The sock tube is awesomely creative!
My husband got me a scroll saw for my birthday once. I think I had mentioned one time at a craft fair that having one would be cool, but to this day it’s still in the box. Another time he got me this cardigan sweater…it looked like it should have been for his grandma. Hmmmm….
But he totally redeemed himself a couple of years ago when he got me a chihuahua.
Best gift ever! This year for Valentine’s he got me a tattoo, also a very cool gift. He’s getting better with age….just like fine wine!
Linda B on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:21 pm #
Well, there was this really beautifully wrapped, large present that I felt sure was an electronic keyboard because of its size and the fact that we were both musicians. Imagine my, uhm, surprise to find a rowing, exercise machine (to be assembled, no less). Yep, he’s an ex alright.
Debby on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:22 pm #
My worst gift was car wash coupons but last year I got an ebookreader. that was the best
June on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:44 pm #
My husband is an avid fishman and goes whenever he can, so when he was planning his next fishing trip and said he had a gift for me..I thought for sure he would of included me in this adventure..he kissed me goodbye for the weekend and left me with his “ultimate gift” a pillow..shaped like a fish..well needless to say, the fish pillow was tossed but I still have the husband..lol..
Victoria Alexander on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:54 pm #
Well, I’m logging off to spend some time with my husband before bed. I do kind of feel like I’ve picked on him today. Not that I have a problem with that…
I’ve had a great time reading all your stories. What fun this has been.
And this is why I write romance. Men and women are like two different species and when they come together—well, it’s filled with humor and angst and thoughtfulness and stupidity. And fun.
Thanks for joining me!
Cheryl on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:55 pm #
The best gifts are the ones that are given from the heart — the little odds and ends made by childish hands, candy and preserves made as a family, the unique item that a cousin picks up from a vacation…these are the gifts that I end up remembering and the ones that are always the most special to me.
evlqn on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:08 pm #
Welcome Victoria, love your books and I am glad you are visiting us.
My worst gift was from my DH, the year he gave me a microwave, or maybe the year before when he gave me a waffle iron. Are we sensing a theme here?
Best gifts I ever received were from my sons,I collect dragons and they gave me a hand carved ivory dragon on an ebony base, it was one of the last legal pieces of ivory in the store. And then they gave me a cabinet to display my dragons in.
Last year for Mother’s Day our 12 y.o. g-son gave me a ceramic dragon he had painted and had fired for me.
LLL on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:09 pm #
The worst gift from my significant other was a road trip to a beautiful scenic county while I was suffering thoroughly from morning sickness. It was long winding roads and very few rest stops. Not a good combination for anyone who was feeling green and regularly needing pit stops.
Lisa G on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:14 pm #
I received a gaudy multi-colored checked silk shirt with a pair of multi-colored striped bell-bottom pants. They were so awful and he was so thrilled. I just want to cry!!!
Debra G on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:36 pm #
A set of dishes, when I wanted a watch!
Katie on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:42 pm #
It’s funny to me when I receive alcohol since I don’t drink.
foretta on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:50 pm #
Well I think the worst gift I ever got was a vac. Like I wanted to clean more LOL he made up for it the next year with a nice long extended weekend away.
Linda Henderson on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:12 pm #
I think the most unromantic gift my ex ever gave me was a breadbox. I was expecting perfume, lingerie or something like that, but I received a breadbox. Should have known right then he was going to be an ex.
LAURA N on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:18 pm #
My husband is an electrician/mechanic so I feel he is in charge of fixing things. One year early in our marriage he got me a Snap-on tool kit for Valentine’s Day. At the time I was disheartened, didn’t seem very romantic… Through the years I have used it countless times, I love it. Actually I think he wanted to keep me out of HIS toolbox whenever I was hanging pictures ect. Considering all the rings he has bought me since I sure can’t complain about his gifts!
Pita on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:33 pm #
Hello Victoria,
I love your books, my favorite was the series where the four friends make a bet to not get married I love them. Well my husband’s best gift ever was when he bought me my stand up mixer, of course I do not have an excuse to not bake for him LOL. By the way are you missing any socks?
Kim S on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:04 am #
I have to say that The Love Of My Life and I don’t exchange gifts for any holidays. We just buy the stuff during the year when we want it!!
But one year, just a few years ago, we decided to get gifts because we thought that maybe our not buying was having some negative effect on the kids. So, he got me a remote car starter for my recently purchased van!! It was THE BEST gift! Weird, as it was just a bunch of wires in a box, but THE BEST!!
I just discovered your writing recently Vitctoria! Can’t wait to get started soon!
Ohiogirl on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:05 am #
My husband has a really hard time buying me gifts. I’m thrifty and, picky. So this year, I thought I had it solved. With his apporval, I went to the warehouse sale of a local designer I ADORE and got a dress and three tops that fit me, looked great and were 80% off. I brought them home, showed them to him and then said “Take them. Hide them – these are your birthday gifts to me.” He was very happy and agreed to do so.
Christmas rolls around, 4 days before my birthday – and every gift I opened from my husband was one of the gifts we had agreed was for my birthday. He confessed he’d had no time to shop. Which meant that Christmas was flush – and my birthday had been pillaged. A very confusing feeling.
But to his credit, I then sent a bunch of emailed links and suggestions – and he ran with them. And planned a day of surprises and balloons that made my birthday extra spceial. But I can’t forget the feeling of opening up package after package “But this is for my BIRTHDAY.”
Trisha Kurta on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:07 am #
Over the years it’s expected to get gifts that you might not like or enjoy. I have learned to keep my mouth shut. (so as to not hurt the persons feelings) Then I donate the gift or re-gift it to someone who might appreciate it. One of the worse gifts I can receive is clothing. They never seem to fit or if I was shopping I wouldn’t pick them in a billion years. Case in point My brother and his family went to Hawii for Christmas two years ago. They brought me back a dress. When I tried it on it looked like a Moo moo. (lets just say when your full figured you do not want something making you look bigger than what you are) I think it’s hard for them to know what would work for me as they are both tall and slender. I am the complete opposit.
The first chance I got I donated it to the first orginaziation calling for donations. I really enjoy your books. I wish you all the best!
Patricia Barraclough on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:08 am #
A couple years ago, my DH and I decided not to exchange gifts at Christmas since we had gone on a trip that Fall. When we opened gifts with our three children and their families, the only gift i got was a plunger with artificial flowers and birds on it with a sign – “Hillbilly Birdbath.” I will have to say it wasn’t my best Christmas.
Bev B on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:14 am #
Best… a full day letterboxing!!
Mary Ambra on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:16 am #
My husband bought me a washer dryer set for our second Valentine’s day all I wanted was a ringand every year after My Valentine gift was an appliance never personal well I’m looking for Mr. Right again
Mary
Mitzi H. on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:25 am #
The 1st year I was married my hubby bought me a full length hooded cape (about 10 miles to big). I was afraid to wear it to a store….thinking I would be a suspect for theft!!! The 2nd year he bought me a garage door opener…and the entire family still laughs about that to this day (nearly 37 years later)….Hehehe. Since then he mostly buys me jewelry….and I love it!!!
PJane1031 on 11 Feb 2010 at 1:46 am #
Welcome to Mt. Oly, Victoria!! I would have commented earlier, but was trying to read thru all these great posts!!
I also don’t have a significant other, so there is one gift from a SIL that I still cringe when I think about it. I happen to have a Halloween birthday, and one year (probably only 10-11 years ago–I was out of college already). She apparently went to the clearance rack at Kohl’s and picked up this absolutely HIDEOUS Halloween sweater for me–it had different ‘holiday images’ knit into it, fringe in weird places, and JINGLE BELLS. I decided to return the sweater to exchange it for something else, only to find out the value of it was only $.50.
My mom, on the other hand, finds AWESOME things for me. Christmas 2008, with all of my quilting, she got me a walking foot for my sewing machine that I wanted. This past year, she got me a double-boiler–something I had been wanting/looking for for a while, but just hadn’t found–she knew, came across it in the store, and it wound up under the tree for me!
Raelena on 11 Feb 2010 at 1:54 am #
One year, a boyfriend gave me one of those gift baskets full of bath products you get at walmart…which I would have been okay with except he knew that I have sensitive skin and can’t use products like that.
Shelley (spgirls27) on 11 Feb 2010 at 2:37 am #
Hi Victoria,
Hope you are well.
I love my boyfriend but he’s not the most romantic guy in the world.
I got a rose once out of the blue for no reason and that to me was the BEST!!
The worst thing I got was money…money is not bad of course but not putting any thought into a present for my birthday is. By the way, he hasn’t done it since LOL!!
Great blog
Shelley D.
moon_princess111 on 11 Feb 2010 at 2:41 am #
I must admit my kids are the gift givers in this family (they had their mother to theach them right!) But last year my boys got these really great gifts for everyone, their dad, sister, grandparents, nephew, son, everyone got these really great pressies. Mine was last. It was this huge box and I thought they were kidding me and something much smaller just HAD to be inside this box,NOT it was a 3 piece set of gegaws, It wasn’t that they were ugly or anything, but they were HUGE! These kids have lived in this house off and on for almost 33 years and that’s what they got me? I was crushed. I told them, as nicely as I could that while I “liked” their gift I didn’t have anywhere to keep it and they knew that before they ever bought it. But I told them I’d keep it (figured I could easily regift it to someone with a much bigger house), and the 8 days between Christmas and my birthday the box sat in the same place in my living room. Everytime I’d look at it I’d either cry or get mad all over again.
Finally No2 son came by and grabbed the things I didn’t like/want and said, “It was a joke gift Mom, your real present wasn’t ready yet.” and he handed me a small box with a ring and necklace.
Theresa Shafer on 11 Feb 2010 at 3:06 am #
I wanted to loss some weight …this was during the time that the commercial where the girl puts up the skinny bikini as an incentive to lose was on the TV, well…. he bought me one in a size too small since “you said you wanted to lose some weight and you would look better if you did”……sigh. It has taken years to see this as funny.
Ruth C. on 11 Feb 2010 at 6:20 am #
In a previous day’s post, I stated that my DH is NOT DEMONSTRATIVE – he is also NOT a shopper or much of a gift-giver.
Years ago, he purchased a bracelet (that I still have) from a church function that was held to raise money for desperately needed building funds. It is a lovely bracelet and I have worn it many times.
One year for Christmas he bought me a pair of earrings – nice ones but not my style – the color was right but the shape and size were all wrong.
Usually he gives me money and I buy what I would like.
About 2 years ago, we (or I should say HE) got a microwave – we needed one since our original one bit the dust. I had loved the original one – it was HUGE (13×9 microwavable pan fit in) – and had BUTTONS (NOT a dial).!!!
What do we have NOW?????
A SMALL one with a dial (I HATE dials on microwaves).
But after almost 44 years I think I’ll keep him. He has other redeeming points – when I went to college (at the age of 43) he had dinner made and on the table for me every day as I came in the door (he’s a very good cook). He mops the floor when needed if I am busy or under the weather. Since I work and he is retired, he still cooks a few times a week.
Kim on 11 Feb 2010 at 7:18 am #
Best gift ever – my sony e-reader. Would never in a million years have bought it t for myself, but he took the decision out of my hands. What a guy.
Misty Wright on 11 Feb 2010 at 9:25 am #
Let’s see…last year I decided to leave V’day up to the man. LOL. I know stop laughing. But I figured that one time a year he could make a decision…it wasn’t too much to ask. He did wait until the last minute…MEN. But I have to say that I LOVE IT!! He took me a on a romantic weekend, roses waiting for us in the room, dinner that night and breakfast the next morning. We got to laugh, talk, and shop. We even went to Ruby Falls as well. It was a blast and I will never forget it.
He is in charge for this year as well. I have no idea what we are doing and I can’t be upset with him should he not find a sitter. He did, afterall surprise me a few weeks ago with a surprise night away to the mountains. It was snowing and we went ice skating. Had a wonderful time. Those are the moments I love. The unexpected spur of the moment trips…with five kids we don’t get those moments often and I enjoy them when we do.
All parents need their time to reconnect and recharge. 
Keira on 11 Feb 2010 at 9:59 am #
Worst gift? Hm… how about least thought out? I’ve gotten too many stuffed animals to count. I don’t want stuffed animals! Take me to the movies instead or to dinner. lol
Cory on 11 Feb 2010 at 11:24 am #
My husband has developed a thing for monkeys since we married. I think I’ve received more stuffed monkeys from him than anything else. Hopefully I won’t be getting another on this year. Because I’m going to start giving them to Bears on Patrol if he keeps buying them for me. Because I don’t care for monkeys. I’m for dogs, and big cats!
Debbie S. on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:16 pm #
On year for Christmas I received a “Brush” that you could put hairspray in the handle and some slipper socks that looked like they came from the 50’s. It was a lovely thought but not quite what I was hoping for LOL.
But when I go and buy gifts for family, friend or even BF (when I have one) I try to think what that person likes, or collects. I really try and make my gift personal so that they will truly enjoy it. But I always tell everyone that if for whatever reason they do not like my gift that they can take it back and my feelings will not be hurt.
It is the thought that counts, even when the thought does not turn out so great.
Eveline on 11 Feb 2010 at 3:27 pm #
How about no gift? My significant other has still a lot to learn about romance (very stubborn learner in this department and I’m such a great teacher
). But I love him and he’s a hell of a guy who’s always there for me especially on my off days. So maybe he is my best gift?
Heidi Shafer on 11 Feb 2010 at 3:45 pm #
The worst gift I ever received was from my exhusband and it was a chainsaw. I didn’t know what to say when he had it sitting there with my name on the card. I was shocked. And honest, he really did get it for me. Thought I would like to help him cut wood. Well that didn’t happen. I did just go on about my day after that. And everyone who asked what I got ? , well lets say they got a big laugh out of it.
HeidiS
Linda Peters on 11 Feb 2010 at 8:33 pm #
My husban hates hates to shop, so when I got a new potato masher for my birthday, that was it, I now leave notes around or pics of something I want and he seems to begetting the message
Michelle on 11 Feb 2010 at 9:55 pm #
Oh Lord….I would have to say one of the worst presents I get, EVERY Christmas from my hubby is calendars…..Not that I don’t mind them…but he gets me close to half a dozen EVERY Christmas……I mean, seriously, I don’t have enough wall space for them unless I want to wallpaper my house with them!! LOL!!
Victoria, you are one of my all time favorite authors and you are always an auto buy for me!!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Michelle
enyl on 11 Feb 2010 at 11:44 pm #
The most thoughtful gift that I have ever received from a boyfriend was a rare out of print copy Ibn Battuta’s travels.
Marilyn on 12 Feb 2010 at 2:40 pm #
My huband gets me clothing for almost every special day I celebrate. Most times this is not a problem because he gets some really great stuff, however I had to hurt his feelings when after I turned 40 I told him I would not wear any skirts or dresses that weren’t long enough when worn to reach the at least half way down my thighs! –No more mini-skirts! –Good grief some of them were barly 12 inches long!!
Kelly on 12 Feb 2010 at 4:10 pm #
The best preset I ever received was from my first love on Valentine’s Day. It was not so much the gift as the effort put into a scavenger hunt that lasted all day. We were in high school, so it was certainly more than I ever expected and to keep it up all day while we were in school took a lot of thought. Unfortunately once we got married later in life, he stopped being so creative and wonderful and then I stopeed being his wife! LOL, but it was still a great present.
TIFFY on 12 Feb 2010 at 6:52 pm #
MY WORST VALETINE GIFT WAS WHEN MY FATHER FORGOT TO BUY ME THE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT HE PROMISE
ME. I WAS SO MAD, THAT HE WOULD ACTUALLY FORGET. MY FATHER HAS ONLY GIVEN ME ONE V-DAY GIFT IN
ALL MY YEARS OF BEING HIS ONLY DAUGHTER. DO THAT STINKS OR WHAT?!!!!
Ranurgis on 12 Feb 2010 at 9:04 pm #
I guess the most inappropriate gift I ever got, though not for Valentine’s Day. My sister-in-law gave me–who do not like vampires–one of Anne Rice’s Vampire books and Bill Cosby’s book, something on being a father! I guess it was a cheap 2-for-1 deal.
Cathi O on 13 Feb 2010 at 9:11 am #
As we walked through the mall, my bf and I passed a store selling high end games and other accouterments. I mentioned that I loved to play darts when I lived in Kissimmee, Fl; there were lots of pubs with real dart boards. I acquired my own board, in a Cheers cabinet, and darts. Since oving to NJ, however, I have no place to hang it, and real dart boards aren’t in many places; we don’t get the tourists here.
As I am handed my present a few days later, I just knew… he gave me a dartboard! Needless to say, he returned it and I got jewelry instead.
Cathi O on 13 Feb 2010 at 9:11 am #
As we walked through the mall, my bf and I passed a store selling high end games and other accouterments. I mentioned that I loved to play darts when I lived in Kissimmee, Fl; there were lots of pubs with real dart boards. I acquired my own board, in a Cheers cabinet, and darts. Since moving to NJ, however, I have no place to hang it, and real dart boards aren’t in many places; we don’t get the tourists here.
As I am handed my present a few days later, I just knew… he gave me a dartboard! Needless to say, he returned it and I got jewelry instead.
susan leech on 13 Feb 2010 at 10:02 am #
My new wedding rings was the best gift I ever got for Valentine’s Day because I really needed a new pair as my old ones had to be cut off my finger in order to save my finger after a car accident.I never expected to get them on Valentine’s Day..always figured some Christmas they would be given to me..I was totally surprised. susan L.
Stella on 14 Feb 2010 at 12:15 am #
First, Victoria I love your books! I skip around all genres of romance novels but my absolute fave is historical. The worst gift that I have gotten from my DH was an ipod touch. I know you may be thinking hey I want an Ipod touch. Well, to be honest I loved the ipod that I had and I really wish that I still had it. But, he bought it for me and I gushed over it and said thank you and I use it, but deep down inside I like my old one better. But I will never let him know that because he was so excited to give it to me and even got it engraved.
Wanda Prince on 14 Feb 2010 at 7:57 pm #
LOL. Well I had to give this question a great deal of thought! I don’t recall my significant other ever giving me something I didn’t want. He knows I’m a readaholic so I am always very happy if/when he surprises me with a new book (or book series)! I keep a notepad in my work bad that includes books that I want to add to my collection. I usually indicated when the book will be coming out and if it’s included in a series. When I acquire the book I check it off my list. Every now and again, he’ll check my pad and surprise me with a book (or entire series) from my list for special occasions or no occasion at all. He’s just sweet that way! He’ll include a note with the books that says, “Don’t forget to check this book(s) off ur list!”