What's the most unique and/or best gift you have ever received?

[missy]

Or have ever given?

 

[missy]

I'll start.

1. Not unique but answering for the best category and the best gift I have ever received are adopting our animal rescues and making them part of our family.

2. Most unique gift at that time would be the gift of TIVO when they first came on the market in 1999. My surprised me with the first iteration of TIVO. So new I hadn't even really heard about it and had no clue how much I would love it. All I thought was uh oh this looks complicated. But it turned out to be one of my favorite (surprise) gifts of all time.
These days I know it isn't a unique gift but back in the 90s it was.


As for best gift I/We have ever given I think the donations we give to our favorite charities are far and above the best gifts we have ever and could ever give.

 

[AprilBaby]

Best gift received: every year we get a calendar of the grandkids. I see it every day. I keep them and we have a year by year photo album.

Best gift given: each of my kids got a kitchenaid mixer when they moved out for Christmas. Each of them thank us at cookie time! Three boys, one girl.

 

[stracci2000]

The best gift was this .75 G, VVS2 OEC given to me by a dear friend.
I cannot get a good shot on my cell phone, but it is gorgeous.
This is the story.
In 2012, I was working in a grocery store. A regular customer, an elderly man, befriended me. He was a former jeweler. His wife was sick, and he hated leaving her to come grocery shopping. I told him to call the store, ask for me, and I would bring groceries to his house, as he lived nearby. So we had that arrangement for a while. His wife eventually died. He had a bad heart and was told that he wouldn't live much longer.
One day just before Christmas, he came into the store and handed me his personal ring. He said "I won't live much longer,and if my family gets hold of this ring, they will sell it. I want you to have it, because you will appreciate it." He died a few months later.
I never had it reset, but it fits on my index and middle finger, so I wear it occasionally.

 

[missy]

The best gift was this .75 G, VVS2 OEC given to me by a dear friend.
I cannot get a good shot on my cell phone, but it is gorgeous.
This is the story.
In 2012, I was working in a grocery store. A regular customer, an elderly man, befriended me. He was a former jeweler. His wife was sick, and he hated leaving her to come grocery shopping. I told him to call the store, ask for me, and I would bring groceries to his house, as he lived nearby. So we had that arrangement for a while. His wife eventually died. He had a bad heart and was told that he wouldn't live much longer.
One day just before Christmas, he came into the store and handed me his personal ring. He said "I won't live much longer,and if my family gets hold of this ring, they will sell it. I want you to have it, because you will appreciate it." He died a few months later.
I never had it reset, but it fits on my index and middle finger, so I wear it occasionally.

Love this. What an amazing and wonderful story @stracci2000 and how meaningful a ring. Thank you for sharing it with us. A beautiful ring and an even more beautiful sentiment behind it.

 

[missy]

Best gift received: every year we get a calendar of the grandkids. I see it every day. I keep them and we have a year by year photo album.

Best gift given: each of my kids got a kitchenaid mixer when they moved out for Christmas. Each of them thank us at cookie time! Three boys, one girl.

That's a great gift and each year you can see how much the grandkids have changed. I love photos and the happy memories they bring. LOL to the kitchen aid mixer...that was the first gift I ever bought my dh (when we were dating and I got it in red for him) and he still has it. That is a sweet (haha) gift. And even better that your kids show their appreciation in cookies. Yummm.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

My Godson has given me the best and most unusual gifts. He is 11. Last Halloween (I love Halloween and I love crystal skulls- the sparkly, shiny type) he make me a sparky Halloween castle decoration. This year during a fall festival I gave him $20 to buy something. He came back with a vibrant colored, hand painted crystal skull jewelry box and gave that to me. Last week he gave me a crystal skull key chain as a present for no reason. His thoughtfulness and attention to what I like really makes my heart warm.

 

[ksinger]

There was the most brilliant single gift, and the most brilliant gifts(plural).

The best single gift I ever received was a Rubbermaid combined household step-stool and toolbox. My mom gave it to me in the early 90s and I was a bit less than thrilled, although gracious as she'd always taught me to be (on pain of long and lingering death, so that by this time the conditioning was well-established). But lo and behold, that stool/toolbox quickly became my most used item. I found I LOVED it! It was perfect!! I wanted MORE OF THEM! Naturally, when we tried to find another one, Rubbermaid had quit making them. The story of my life (and many others' lives, I'm sure.). And I still have that item today, and still use it often. Thanks Mom! I miss your brilliant gift-giving every year.

The other, the giftS, was my mom's getting me socks every year. I always got socks as a kid, another of those Christmas gifts that was less than inspiring, but my mom used simply keeping me in clothes as a gift. Extra wasn't usually in the budget of a single mom. Fast forward to college, and she stopped getting me socks, not sure why, but for a few years she quit. My socks had become worn completely out, and as a poor college student, I complained to my mom that OMG, these sock things were expensive and where the heck were my Christmas socks?? From that day forth until she died, I got my obligatory package of Christmas socks. She got such a honk out of my realization that stuff like socks wasn't such a yucky gift after all. I was a great long-running and much-loved inside joke between just her and me. So again, thanks Mom! I miss your brilliant gift-giving every year.

 

[junebug17]

The best gift was this .75 G, VVS2 OEC given to me by a dear friend.
I cannot get a good shot on my cell phone, but it is gorgeous.
This is the story.
In 2012, I was working in a grocery store. A regular customer, an elderly man, befriended me. He was a former jeweler. His wife was sick, and he hated leaving her to come grocery shopping. I told him to call the store, ask for me, and I would bring groceries to his house, as he lived nearby. So we had that arrangement for a while. His wife eventually died. He had a bad heart and was told that he wouldn't live much longer.
One day just before Christmas, he came into the store and handed me his personal ring. He said "I won't live much longer,and if my family gets hold of this ring, they will sell it. I want you to have it, because you will appreciate it." He died a few months later.
I never had it reset, but it fits on my index and middle finger, so I wear it occasionally.

@stracci2000, this story made me tear up...your kindness to this man shows you are a very special person. You didn't have to go out of your way like that, and there were probably times it was inconvenient for you, but you did it anyway - and what a help it was to this man. His gift shows the high regard and affection he had for you, what a special piece for you to have.

 

[diamondringlover]

hands down my son....he was born 12/26/1985

 

[jbake]

My husband and I started dating in September 10+ years ago. That first Christmas he gave me an assortment of gifts that surprised and moved me by how much he had been paying close attention to who I was/what I liked. The things I remember the most were a journal from Anthropology (I had recently discovered and fell in love, but couldn’t afford much, if anything from,) a pretty box to keep special little tokens in, and a Nintendo DS, handheld gaming device because I had never had something like it growing up. (My daughter recently discovered that & has been playing my old games ) I know there were other things, but those stand out in my memories.

I can think of two gifts I’ve given him that he was especially touched by. While we were engaged, I worked part time at a local jewelry store. When we picked out his band, he picked out a titanium band that was only $20 my cost. That didn’t seem right for him to have a ring worth so little when he spent quite amount of time (and money) picking out my ring. So I went through all our catalogues and found a beautiful band with a matching little princess to order. We had already combined our finances, so since I didn’t want him to know about it, I used money that would have been spent on my meals at work, to steadily pay it down. It was a few months of peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, but he loved his “fancy” band when I slid it on his finger during the ceremony.
The second surprise was four our seventh anniversary. I had a photo book made for him with beautiful (and tasteful) boudoir pictures. Then had a scavenger hunt set up for him when he got home from work to find it. He actually teared up when he opened it, realizing all that went into making him such a gift.

 

[lyra]

Does it mean anything that I can't think of one? I honestly think I enjoy giving gifts and hope I've made good choices, but it's so HARD for me every year. I just buy my own gifts too, or pick them out. Is it shallow to say I've enjoyed all the jewelry gifts I've received for Christmas?

 

[telephone89]

One of my favourite unique gifts (received) was a little bonzai garden thing. Had the mini tree, rocks and a few little plants. I'd never received anything like it and it was stunning!
It's not unique anymore, but I love "giving" my husband vacations lol. I booked us tickets to vegas for NYE one year, spain, mexico, nola, etc.. It's maybe not a great gift because I always go too haha.

 

[LaylaR]

Best gift.

My husband once, without me giving him a wishlist or anything, on his OWN, bought me these gorgeous purple leather Bloch ballet flats. Total surprise from left field and I wore those into the ground. I love purple apparel. It was thoughtful and considerate and showed how well he knows me.

 

[marcy]

Great thread Missy. I'll come back and read everything later.

My favorite gift is some paintings my DH did of some of my favorite stuffed animals. I collect teddy bears and he has some Killer Rabbits.

My favorite gift that I've given someone - is we do an Angel tree at work every year and I picked the tag of a girl who wanted a camera. Since photography is my hobby; we bought her a nice camera with rechargeable batteries and memory card. I hope she still loves it.

 

[mrs-b]

The best gift I ever received was last Christmas from my husband. Christmas last year was the first anniversary of the death of my beloved dog, and my husband somehow snuck all the photos I loved most off my computer and out of our files and organized them into a hardcover Snapchat book. As well as photos, there were excerpts of things I wrote about him, text exchanges about him, and bits and pieces right up till a couple of days before his death. It was the most precious, beloved, thoughtful thing I've ever received, and after I stopped crying, I spent the rest of the day with it hugged against my chest. I love that book and the thought that went into it, and the man who cared about how I felt on that difficult, difficult day enough to try to share it with me, rather than trying to jolly me along or brush it under the carpet.

 

[AV_]

Received: a pendant that was given to me too early - it should have been a comming of age gift, but my father knew he will not be there for the day ~ten years later. At the time I was just surprised by the magnitude of the unwarranted gift! Of course no one said anything, a delusion I am grateful for. I have only worn it a few times; yesterday was one.

Given: I do not quite know what becomes of my gifts, good/not good? Some were not small, so they better be good. A small gift (of cookies) made me happier than just about anything else: they turned out to be a gesture at the beginning of a friendship...

Gifting is a mistery!

 

[stracci2000]

@stracci2000, this story made me tear up...your kindness to this man shows you are a very special person. You didn't have to go out of your way like that, and there were probably times it was inconvenient for you, but you did it anyway - and what a help it was to this man. His gift shows the high regard and affection he had for you, what a special piece for you to have.

Thanks @junebug17. When I brought him groceries, we would sit on his porch and he would tell me lots of stories.
Some seemed true, and some were clearly embellished!
He was an interesting man who had traveled the world with the military and held many jobs. He told me stories about flying a B17 bomber in the South Pacific in WWII.
I never had the heart to reset that diamond.

 

[marcy]

The best gift was this .75 G, VVS2 OEC given to me by a dear friend.
I cannot get a good shot on my cell phone, but it is gorgeous.
This is the story.
In 2012, I was working in a grocery store. A regular customer, an elderly man, befriended me. He was a former jeweler. His wife was sick, and he hated leaving her to come grocery shopping. I told him to call the store, ask for me, and I would bring groceries to his house, as he lived nearby. So we had that arrangement for a while. His wife eventually died. He had a bad heart and was told that he wouldn't live much longer.
One day just before Christmas, he came into the store and handed me his personal ring. He said "I won't live much longer,and if my family gets hold of this ring, they will sell it. I want you to have it, because you will appreciate it." He died a few months later.
I never had it reset, but it fits on my index and middle finger, so I wear it occasionally.

Stracci2000, what a wonderful gesture by that man. He appreciated what you did for him and knew that you'd appreciate his ring. I am glad you wear it. It is a very nice ring.

 

[marcy]

Great stories everyone.

 

[Gabbycat]

Three years ago I started my fight with major depression. I had made mention in passing to my husband that I thought getting back into playing music would be helpful. I play the viola, but it had sat in my closet for some time and was not in good shape. He sneaked it out of the house and took it to the music shop for a badly needed tune up, and then he presented it to me on our anniversary and encouraged me to play.

My husband is a very thoughtful man, and I frequently feel blessed to be married to such a great partner. He has never been stingy with gifts or anything else. This present was special because it wasn't just another item, but it showed just how much he was listening and how in tune he was to what I needed at the time.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

The best gift I ever received was last Christmas from my husband. Christmas last year was the first anniversary of the death of my beloved dog, and my husband somehow snuck all the photos I loved most off my computer and out of our files and organized them into a hardcover Snapchat book. As well as photos, there were excerpts of things I wrote about him, text exchanges about him, and bits and pieces right up till a couple of days before his death. It was the most precious, beloved, thoughtful thing I've ever received, and after I stopped crying, I spent the rest of the day with it hugged against my chest. I love that book and the thought that went into it, and the man who cared about how I felt on that difficult, difficult day enough to try to share it with me, rather than trying to jolly me along or brush it under the carpet.

This is the tenderest thing I've read in a LONG time. You're lucky to have such a thoughtful husband.

 

[Calliecake]

@stracci2000 , The story behind your ring is so heartwarming. Your kindness must have meant so much to him during a difficult time. You are a great lady Stracci.

 

[Calliecake]

@mrs-b , I can appreciate your prized book more than you know. My husband made me a Shutterbug book of pictures and captions about our sweet multipoo this past Mother’s Day. He put a lot of thought into making the book and the pictures and captions were so sweet about the silly things she has done thru the years. I had strict instructions not to open a package that arrived that week and had no idea what he was up to.

I wasn’t able to have children and years ago there were a few Mother’s Day that were very hard. I had many happy tears when I opened the book this year. My husband has done many things to touch my heart throughout the years but this one brought me to tears immediately. The book is my most prized possession.

I’m glad you too have a very thoughtful husband and partner. It sure makes for a wonderful life no matter what life throws your way. I’m so sorry about the loss of your beloved dog. They really are like our babies.

 

[missy]

My Godson has given me the best and most unusual gifts. He is 11. Last Halloween (I love Halloween and I love crystal skulls- the sparkly, shiny type) he make me a sparky Halloween castle decoration. This year during a fall festival I gave him $20 to buy something. He came back with a vibrant colored, hand painted crystal skull jewelry box and gave that to me. Last week he gave me a crystal skull key chain as a present for no reason. His thoughtfulness and attention to what I like really makes my heart warm.

Aww what a sweetheart and how much he loves and adores you.

There was the most brilliant single gift, and the most brilliant gifts(plural).

The best single gift I ever received was a Rubbermaid combined household step-stool and toolbox. My mom gave it to me in the early 90s and I was a bit less than thrilled, although gracious as she'd always taught me to be (on pain of long and lingering death, so that by this time the conditioning was well-established). But lo and behold, that stool/toolbox quickly became my most used item. I found I LOVED it! It was perfect!! I wanted MORE OF THEM! Naturally, when we tried to find another one, Rubbermaid had quit making them. The story of my life (and many others' lives, I'm sure.). And I still have that item today, and still use it often. Thanks Mom! I miss your brilliant gift-giving every year.

The other, the giftS, was my mom's getting me socks every year. I always got socks as a kid, another of those Christmas gifts that was less than inspiring, but my mom used simply keeping me in clothes as a gift. Extra wasn't usually in the budget of a single mom. Fast forward to college, and she stopped getting me socks, not sure why, but for a few years she quit. My socks had become worn completely out, and as a poor college student, I complained to my mom that OMG, these sock things were expensive and where the heck were my Christmas socks?? From that day forth until she died, I got my obligatory package of Christmas socks. She got such a honk out of my realization that stuff like socks wasn't such a yucky gift after all. I was a great long-running and much-loved inside joke between just her and me. So again, thanks Mom! I miss your brilliant gift-giving every year.

Isn't that funny how that works? Often the case the gift we aren't initially excited about turns out to be some of the best gifts ever. And yeah story of my life to..as soon as I love something it stops being made. That's why as soon as I know something is a winner for me I stock up. I agree toolboxes and socks rock. What's popular now are subscription sock services. I kid you not.

My husband and I started dating in September 10+ years ago. That first Christmas he gave me an assortment of gifts that surprised and moved me by how much he had been paying close attention to who I was/what I liked. The things I remember the most were a journal from Anthropology (I had recently discovered and fell in love, but couldn’t afford much, if anything from,) a pretty box to keep special little tokens in, and a Nintendo DS, handheld gaming device because I had never had something like it growing up. (My daughter recently discovered that & has been playing my old games ) I know there were other things, but those stand out in my memories.

I can think of two gifts I’ve given him that he was especially touched by. While we were engaged, I worked part time at a local jewelry store. When we picked out his band, he picked out a titanium band that was only $20 my cost. That didn’t seem right for him to have a ring worth so little when he spent quite amount of time (and money) picking out my ring. So I went through all our catalogues and found a beautiful band with a matching little princess to order. We had already combined our finances, so since I didn’t want him to know about it, I used money that would have been spent on my meals at work, to steadily pay it down. It was a few months of peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, but he loved his “fancy” band when I slid it on his finger during the ceremony.
The second surprise was four our seventh anniversary. I had a photo book made for him with beautiful (and tasteful) boudoir pictures. Then had a scavenger hunt set up for him when he got home from work to find it. He actually teared up when he opened it, realizing all that went into making him such a gift.

Love this. Both of you so thoughtful and caring about the other. That is love. The best gifts have little to do with cost and are all about the thought and the effort and caring that goes into it.

 

[missy]

Best gift.

My husband once, without me giving him a wishlist or anything, on his OWN, bought me these gorgeous purple leather Bloch ballet flats. Total surprise from left field and I wore those into the ground. I love purple apparel. It was thoughtful and considerate and showed how well he knows me.

Oh @LaylaR that is such a great gift. For your dh to buy you that on his own is the nicest surprise. Shows how much he listens and knows who you are. Greatest compliment when our partner knows who we are and gets it. I bet the ballet flats look gorgeous on you too.

The best gift I ever received was last Christmas from my husband. Christmas last year was the first anniversary of the death of my beloved dog, and my husband somehow snuck all the photos I loved most off my computer and out of our files and organized them into a hardcover Snapchat book. As well as photos, there were excerpts of things I wrote about him, text exchanges about him, and bits and pieces right up till a couple of days before his death. It was the most precious, beloved, thoughtful thing I've ever received, and after I stopped crying, I spent the rest of the day with it hugged against my chest. I love that book and the thought that went into it, and the man who cared about how I felt on that difficult, difficult day enough to try to share it with me, rather than trying to jolly me along or brush it under the carpet.

Oh my gosh @mrs-b that made me cry too. So sweet and tender of your dh. Again my condolences on the loss of your sweet darling dog and I am glad you have such a wonderful thoughtful dear gift filled with happy memories of him given to you and created by the love of your life. Hugs.

Received: a pendant that was given to me too early - it should have been a comming of age gift, but my father knew he will not be there for the day ~ten years later. At the time I was just surprised by the magnitude of the unwarranted gift! Of course no one said anything, a delusion I am grateful for. I have only worn it a few times; yesterday was one.

Given: I do not quite know what becomes of my gifts, good/not good? Some were not small, so they better be good. A small gift (of cookies) made me happier than just about anything else: they turned out to be a gesture at the beginning of a friendship...

Gifting is a mistery!

Hahaha I have known many (men mainly) who say the same about gift giving a mystery. How kind and touching of your dad to give you the pendant when he still could and not after the fact. I am sorry about the loss of your dad and glad you have warm memories to remember him by. I also agree that homemade gifts (yum cookies) can mean more than store bought gifts. The time one puts into baking them is worth more than going to the store or just buying something online.

Great thread Missy. I'll come back and read everything later.

My favorite gift is some paintings my DH did of some of my favorite stuffed animals. I collect teddy bears and he has some Killer Rabbits.

My favorite gift that I've given someone - is we do an Angel tree at work every year and I picked the tag of a girl who wanted a camera. Since photography is my hobby; we bought her a nice camera with rechargeable batteries and memory card. I hope she still loves it.

@marcy I love this. I love handmade and homemade gifts so much and of course I love this because it is so you. How thoughtful of your dh. And he has talent. And I am sure your angel tree girl still loves the camera you got her. That's a great gift.

 

[missy]

hands down my son....he was born 12/26/1985

Aww and yes that is the greatest gift hands down.

Does it mean anything that I can't think of one? I honestly think I enjoy giving gifts and hope I've made good choices, but it's so HARD for me every year. I just buy my own gifts too, or pick them out. Is it shallow to say I've enjoyed all the jewelry gifts I've received for Christmas?

Nope not at all. I couldn't really think of anything to answer my own question with either so just shared what came to mind but I know I missed some better gift giving and receiving answers. LOL bling is a great gift as is buying exactly what you want to buy. And why not? My dh and I used to write a few choices and let the other pick out one of them that way the gift was still sort of a surprise and yet we were getting exactly what we wanted. It worked out pretty well while we did it that way.

One of my favourite unique gifts (received) was a little bonzai garden thing. Had the mini tree, rocks and a few little plants. I'd never received anything like it and it was stunning!
It's not unique anymore, but I love "giving" my husband vacations lol. I booked us tickets to vegas for NYE one year, spain, mexico, nola, etc.. It's maybe not a great gift because I always go too haha.

I love bonsai trees. They are just beautiful. And I also love vacations as gifts and as you write it's a win for you too. What's wrong with that? And experiences last forever in happy memories. Some of the best gifts IMO.

 

[missy]

Three years ago I started my fight with major depression. I had made mention in passing to my husband that I thought getting back into playing music would be helpful. I play the viola, but it had sat in my closet for some time and was not in good shape. He sneaked it out of the house and took it to the music shop for a badly needed tune up, and then he presented it to me on our anniversary and encouraged me to play.

My husband is a very thoughtful man, and I frequently feel blessed to be married to such a great partner. He has never been stingy with gifts or anything else. This present was special because it wasn't just another item, but it showed just how much he was listening and how in tune he was to what I needed at the time.

@Gabbycat what a sweet thoughtful and special gift. Yup shows how much he listens to you and is in tune with you and gets you. He's a keeper. Music is healing for the soul. Hope that challenging time has passed and you are doing well. Hugs.

@mrs-b , I can appreciate your prized book more than you know. My husband made me a Shutterbug book of pictures and captions about our sweet multipoo this past Mother’s Day. He put a lot of thought into making the book and the pictures and captions were so sweet about the silly things she has done thru the years. I had strict instructions not to open a package that arrived that week and had no idea what he was up to.

I wasn’t able to have children and years ago there were a few Mother’s Day that were very hard. I had many happy tears when I opened the book this year. My husband has done many things to touch my heart throughout the years but this one brought me to tears immediately. The book is my most prized possession.

I’m glad you too have a very thoughtful husband and partner. It sure makes for a wonderful life no matter what life throws your way. I’m so sorry about the loss of your beloved dog. They really are like our babies.

That is a very sweet and thoughtful gift you will enjoy for decades to come. Our furbabies are our children and we are lucky our men love them too.

Great stories everyone.

What she said. Thank you all for sharing your warm and touching stories. Loved reading each one of them.

 

[Queenie60]

My best gift - I took my Christmas money that I receive from my MIL each year and used it towards my little maltese dog, Quincy. He's now 13 and aging. He sleeps a lot and doesn't play as much as he did in the past. I love him to pieces and can't imagine life without him however, I know that the day will come when I will need to let him go.

 

[Ally T]

The greatest gift I have ever received was the proposal of marriage at 7.30am Christmas morning, 2006. It was 9 months on from our first date & two months after we had bought our home & moved in together. When you know, you just know

The greatest gifts I have ever given, are my 2 daughters to my husband. I was advised against pregnancy due to medical complications (Von Willebrands) but he wanted babies & my Consultant worked really hard with us to ensure safe deliveries both times. After 2 perfect pregnancies, the deliveries were difficult sections that stopped my heart due to blood loss, but we all made it through. After baby number 2, I was told absolutely no more. Quit whilst you’re ahead! When my husband comes home each evening, his face lights up when he sees the girls. If they are already in bed, they will shout down for him as soon as they hear the front door. Even just watching him sit & patiently help them with homework makes my heart puffy. So despite my fears & reservations about having children, those girls were the best & most treasured gifts I could ever give.