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17 November 2006
Holiday Help What are the best practical gifts you've either given or received?
The Mr Clean Auto Dry car washing kit (sold in the UK under the Flash brand). Fantastic piece of kit, does exactly what it says. Of course, it is only a useful gift if the recipient has a car.
When I was growing up, my dad prided himself on his aim in tossing quarters into tollbooth baskets — and never coming to a complete stop.
So one year, I gave him a springloaded toll pistol from Hammacher Schlemmer. (Poor guy, his birthday was 12/24, so he only got one gift a year.) Ohmigod, did he LOVE that thing! He was a deadly shot, and left more than a few amused/terrified drivers and attendants in his wake.
Ditto the wee Leatherman. And you can buy them repeatedly for idiots like me who forget to take them off their keyring before flying/going to nightclubs/etc. and have them confiscated.
Postage stamps, rolls of quarters (when I had to use a Laundromat), batteries, a bag of grocery items: Milk, bread, cheese, pb & J, eggs, dish soap, et cetera...
A six quart crock pot, with removable liner, and programmable settings. I love that thing. My brother and sister-in-law got it for me as my hubby refuses to buy me appliances for holidays/birthdays.
photo by splunge
photo by TheophileEscargot
photo by Kronos_to_Earth
photo by ethylene
