Gifts, good and bad

While hanging out at the hospital today, Margie and I did some serious plowing through catalogs for our annual Christmas shopping.

There is much stuff that is so “meh,” and much stuff that is so beautiful.  But some items of note (no links, alas, though I suspect you could track them down if you were so inclined):

REALLY STUPID GIFTS:

1. “Baster Tongs” — They’re tongs to use BBQing.  One of them has some dangly bits of plastic on the back side of the tong blade, which ostensibly can be used as a basting brush.  My take on it is that they will end up dripping baste everywhere as you use them as tongs.
2. “Pot Protectors” — Okay, so felt pads and the like between fine china to keep one item from scratching another sounds like a good idea.  But special pads to keep pots and pans in your pots-and-pans cupboard from scratching each other when you stack them … sounds kind of anal.

REALLY COOL GIFTS:

1. “An Alarm Clock, Sir” — A very cool English decorative alarm clock, with either different versions for men or women or different decorative trim you can apply.  The alarm consists of the voice of Stephen Fry, doing Jeeves, clearing his throat, expressing regret for awakening Sir or Madam (depending on the setting on the clock), and making some apologetic witty bon mot.  With enough phrases to last for 6 months before repeating.  Jeez — utterly impractical and quite expensive, but delightful in concept.