So, what did Santa bring you?

[johnny canoe]

I keep telling my family no presents and every year they ignore my request.
So one sister gave me a bunch of little items that I will use, twine for garden plants, food items, and four books (bird watching, gardening and two history). Another sister gave me winter gloves, coat, vest and hat, to keep me warm when shoveling snow or feeding birds. My two brothers gave me a GoPro Hero 5 Sessions camera, this I can wear on my head or mount on my bike, it's tiny, water proof, voice activated and so on. And I got tins of cookies from customers and a few Christmas bonus checks I found inside the Christmas cards they gave me.
Quite a haul for a single old man.

 

[marlingardener]

Johnny, do you think those unrequested gifts are an expression of love and gratitude? I bet they are! For a "single old man" you sure have a lot of folks who love and respect you. Merry Christmas!

 

[alp]

I keep telling my family no presents and every year they ignore my request.
So one sister gave me a bunch of little items that I will use, twine for garden plants, food items, and four books (bird watching, gardening and two history). Another sister gave me winter gloves, coat, vest and hat, to keep me warm when shoveling snow or feeding birds. My two brothers gave me a GoPro Hero 5 Sessions camera, this I can wear on my head or mount on my bike, it's tiny, water proof, voice activated and so on. And I got tins of cookies from customers and a few Christmas bonus checks I found inside the Christmas cards they gave me.
Quite a haul for a single old man.

When I sent Gray Parrot a card with a £5 inside, the thief not only removed the £5, but the card as well. , leaving Gray Parrot very unamused and I was literally fuming.

 

[zigs]

That's awful Alp

Just got these from my boy

 

[alp]

Didn't know you were so big on cacti? I was wonderful why you were sent plastic cacti and then I realised they were candles!

 

[zigs]

Didn't know you were so big on cacti? I was wonderful why you were sent plastic cacti and then I realised they were candles!

This time last year I only had the one cactus, Owcho. Decided that he would like some company so now have over 200 aand won a first and third prize for them in the show

 

[alp]

This time last year I only had the one cactus, Owcho. Decided that he would like some company so now have over 200 aand won a first and third prize for them in the show

View attachment 30779

View attachment 30780

Talking about hoarder! I wish I had a greenhouse (but then no! Golf balls will not spare it).. At one point, I propagated so many of my strepts that I nearly went mental. I couldn't get to anything as the floor, surfaces were all covered by pots, pots, boxes, trays and tubs... It's an illness!

 

[zigs]

Gonna be selling them in the spring to make room for the hundreds more that @Larisa sent me

 

[Larisa]

Cacti is an excellent gift! I will grow from seeds too.

In general, I am cautious about gifts. Our Christmas is ahead.

I do not like to meet at Christmas with my aunt. She is the head of the organization. Therefore, she receives many gifts and presents us with unnecessary gifts. Usually she gives dishes that I do not need.

One day my mother gave me an expensive tea in a beautiful bank. Perhaps I would be glad. But I personally gave her this tea 5 years ago !!!

One day my friends wanted to give me a live polar owl. I refused.
When I asked why they want to part with her, they confessed that the owl screams at night ...

Since I'm the mother of two cheerful guys, I have to give funny gifts. For example, the opposite clock. Their arrows move in the opposite direction. Or funny mugs. They break them often.

Sons know that I love something ... Interesting ... Therefore, they offer something to me, and I decide whether or not it is necessary. Now they offered me a mini butterfly farm as a gift. Butterflies should hatch from pupae, then I must take care of them. I read how to do it, it's not difficult and interesting. I think I will agree.

I like special gifts. These are things that were very dear to other people, but they gave them to me when the time came. There are very few such gifts, of course. I also have a happy crystal that is dear to me.
Probably, it's time to give it to someone special too.

 

[CanadianLori]

I think @zigs takes oucho to bed with him at night. Some have teddy bears, others...

 

[Larisa]

need to send oucho silicone pajamas for Christmas next ...

 

[alp]

One day my mother gave me an expensive tea in a beautiful bank. Perhaps I would be glad. But I personally gave her this tea 5 years ago !!!

Hahaha! Oh, dear! Caught RED-handed! How sad is that? She should have used it as it must have been very good. I was also given some out of date tea leaves.. I moaned, but hey, I am still here!

 

[alp]

When I asked why they want to part with her, they confessed that the owl screams at night ...

Screamed??? Hahaha! Very nasty friends!

Usually she gives dishes that I do not need.

I am a sucker for anything free! I even collected stuff from recycling sites. I would love to have more dishes. Sometimes, most of them are in the dishwasher awaiting a baptism.. and I will panic as to what to eat with the following day!

 

[DirtMechanic]

My dear wife gave me many shirts and pants and socks, because I am ruthless in my abuse of them. My SiL gave me a small internet device (echo?) to which one might speak and have it perform tricks such as turn on a radio. I was also blessed with peppermint striped socks that reminded me of The Cat in the Hat. Also I was given a glass bowl shaped coffee maker which one pours hot water into over grounds. I also received an electrical plug which responds to internet commands. No chocolates, but to say I have eaten well this holiday is an understatement. Also the 2018 farmer almanac, because it amuses some that I enjoy the garden so much.

 

[alp]

Socks that what my son really wanted and he didn't get from his dad! He has millions of separate, shrunk and/or thread-bare ones!