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Here's my awful gift story. @krakenfx #GiftFlip
For three years in a row, my uncle got me a toolbox for Christmas.
For context, I was 8 years old when this started.
Not “just bought my first house” years old.
Not “renovating a bathroom” years old.
I was a child with homework and didn’t know how to fix anything.
Same gift every year. Different brands of toolboxes, but all the same tools (drill bits, pliers, sockets) like I was supposed to become a mini Bob the Builder or start a home renovation show on HGTV.
I guess he really wanted me to become a handyman. Or he thought adulthood just… eventually happens if you keep gifting toolboxes to a child.
After year two, it became a running joke between me and my parents.
I’d say, “I can’t wait to see what Uncle gets me this year!”
They’d say, “Another toolbox?”
I'd say, “Haha yeah, like I need another 40 screwdriver bits.”
After the second toolbox, I even tried to help my Uncle out.
I said in the most sarcastic tone I could manage: “Thank you for the toolbox! I really needed another one of these! This is SO much better than the one you got me last year!”
Christmas number three rolls around.
I opened his gift.
You guessed it! Toolbox... again!
At that point, I wasn’t even mad. I was impressed by the commitment. This wasn’t a mistake anymore. This felt intentional. Like a lifestyle choice.
By the third year of toolbox gifts, I had enough tools to open a Home Depot or Lowe’s franchise out of my house, all at the ripe age of 10 years old. I still hadn’t fixed a single thing with any of the toolboxes. I hadn’t even seen any of the toolboxes since opening them at the family Christmas parties.
By the fourth year, I was giddy with excitement to receive another toolbox. I started unwrapping the gift and smiling ear to ear, fully prepared for the disappointment.
Ready to welcome my friend. …Toolbox #4. Except… it wasn’t!
This time, it was a first-aid kit!!
I immediately started laughing.
Not because it was thoughtful… but because it felt like the logical next step.
Like: “Alright, you probably hurt yourself trying to fix things with those toolboxes. Here! Patch yourself up, kid!”
To be fair, the first-aid kit was actually useful. I’ve used at least two or three Band-Aids from it in 20+ years since, officially making it the best gift he’s ever given me... much better than the toolboxes.