Jan222009
Purge Thursday: Novelty Gifts
Filed under Purge Thursday by Kim at 10:41 pm on Jan 22 2009
We’ve all received them. Many of us have probably given them. The cute thematic items that remind us of our friends, even though they don’t have an ostensible use or their ostensible use is… questionable. (My shame: pet breed themed items. I like to give them.)
Jack has graciously allowed me to use a novelty gift he received as a Purge Thursday item. Once upon a time Jack ran an event called a Peep-Off here in Maryland. People ate lots of peeps in a short amount of time. There were t-shirts made. This was long ago, long before I came into Jack’s life. Others have done this challenge newer, faster and better. But around here, Jack is known for his peep-off (if I misspell that “poop” one more time…) role in history. So it goes that Jack was the recipient of a tool called the Peeps Marshmallow Maker.
This item that strongly brings to mind the Unclutterer’s Unitasker Wednesday has been lurking in our kitchen drawer at the back of (well, taking up most of) the area where we’d store tupperware. I think since I told him he should get rid of it he is now downstairs making his first and last marshmallow peeps, but he agrees that this isn’t something we really want to keep. Oh wait… yup, he’s making them. Now you get bonus peep-making pictures.
So the thing about the novelty gift is that it’s really funny. But if the person isn’t going to use it regularly or at all, is it worth the laughs? My thought is that since most everyone has a camera phone now, it would be better toake a picture of the thing, post it on your blog or email it, and say, “man, this made me think of you!” That way you connect with a friend, save your money, save the recipient’s space (and chagrin if they want to get rid of it and are afraid to do so out of politeness*), and everyone wins.
Now, this year Jack got a novelty gift that is basically consu
mable. Environmental issues with paper calendars aside, What’s Your Poo Telling You? is highly educational! Also in our house we may or may not talk too much about poo. Hey, it’s important to be cool about biological functions. I’m gonna be a nurse one of these days.
* Obviously, making this item the subject of a PT post is not the politest way to get rid of it, and I know who the giver was, and I know they will read this, and I am so sorry! It is funny. And this batch of peeps will be eaten with reverence.
1 Pages tagged "paradise"on 23 Jan 2009 at 6:16 am
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2 SparklieSunShineon 23 Jan 2009 at 10:31 am
That actually looks like it was fun to do. I will also admit I was too scared to click the poo link.
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3 Archbishop Dave Smithon 26 Jan 2009 at 2:14 am
Trust me, the Peep Off that Jack saddled me with isn’t newer, better or faster. Only more retarded. I also get Peep related gifts as well and my Peeps Marshmallow Maker sits in view of my computer. Next to a copy of Peeple magazine where a friend glued peeps to everyone’s faces inside People magazine. There’s also an empty bottle of Peep Blue Ribbon beer with a decomposed peep stuffed inside. Another friend got a 12 pack, opened them all, shoved in a Peep and recapped them.
If I’d known Jack, and therefore you as well Kim, were around Baltimore, I would’ve taken you out for drinks last time I was there. I toured with the band “The Bananas” just selling stuff last year. http://www.myspace.com/thebananas
I hope Jack got interviewed for the latest Peepumentary that got filmed. I think it comes out this year.
-Dave
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Kim Reply:
January 26th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I don’t think he did! I’ll have to point him to your comment. We do like drinks and we also like bands so next time keep us in mind!
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