Looking for a gift that is made to be destroyed
December 10, 2014 3:19 PM Subscribe
I committed a party faux pas at a dear friend's fairly rowdy Christmas brunch and I'd like to get her an apology gift, with a twist.
I accidentally dropped and smashed a darling little cup to bits, and what was worse was, just hours before, I had gone off on a tear about how sweet the little cups were, and how pretty things can cause such sorrow when they get broken. Good grief, I might as well have said, "It would be a...shame if something were to happen to it."
The droppage was absolutely accidental, and my friend has absolutely forgiven me, but I would like to get her a little Christmas happy as an apology. I have asked about replacing the cup, but she says her sister is planning on getting her a replacement as she lives where they are made.
So, I am seeking suggestions for gifts that must be broken to be used. So far, I have come up with only two ideas: those lovely Terry's Chocolate Oranges, and a piñata. You guys have any other (better) suggestions? They need to be something I can get in, or have sent to, the U.S. Under $50 would be best.
I accidentally dropped and smashed a darling little cup to bits, and what was worse was, just hours before, I had gone off on a tear about how sweet the little cups were, and how pretty things can cause such sorrow when they get broken. Good grief, I might as well have said, "It would be a...shame if something were to happen to it."
The droppage was absolutely accidental, and my friend has absolutely forgiven me, but I would like to get her a little Christmas happy as an apology. I have asked about replacing the cup, but she says her sister is planning on getting her a replacement as she lives where they are made.
So, I am seeking suggestions for gifts that must be broken to be used. So far, I have come up with only two ideas: those lovely Terry's Chocolate Oranges, and a piñata. You guys have any other (better) suggestions? They need to be something I can get in, or have sent to, the U.S. Under $50 would be best.
A Piggy bank
Anything In case of emergency, break glass
Nuts
posted by FallowKing at 3:28 PM on December 10, 2014
Anything In case of emergency, break glass
Nuts
posted by FallowKing at 3:28 PM on December 10, 2014
If you can get them in time for Christmas, a set of Christmas crackers! I get mine on the internet, and I've seen them at World Market.
posted by theraflu at 3:28 PM on December 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by theraflu at 3:28 PM on December 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
There is always a peppermint pig.
posted by agatha_magatha at 3:38 PM on December 10, 2014 [6 favorites]
posted by agatha_magatha at 3:38 PM on December 10, 2014 [6 favorites]
Seconding peppermint pig! They are flipping delicious.
posted by pemberkins at 3:44 PM on December 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by pemberkins at 3:44 PM on December 10, 2014 [3 favorites]
I love this idea. 2nd-ing the geodes, here are some bigger ones too.
posted by stinkfoot at 3:54 PM on December 10, 2014
posted by stinkfoot at 3:54 PM on December 10, 2014
Creme brulee?
posted by middlethird at 4:05 PM on December 10, 2014
posted by middlethird at 4:05 PM on December 10, 2014
Kinder Eggs are legal again in the US and can be found in many fancier grocers, candy shops, and online.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:10 PM on December 10, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 4:10 PM on December 10, 2014 [5 favorites]
Okay, I've just returned from my local mall which has two candy stores, and I'm going to backpedal on those Kinder eggs. However, one store has something called Yowies from Australia and another has these Spiderman Treasure Chocolate Eggs. I will check back with the place that said they were getting Kinder Eggs "any day" but apologizes if I mistakenly got anyone's Kinderhöpes up.
posted by Room 641-A at 5:03 PM on December 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 5:03 PM on December 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
These seem to be sold out, but maybe you could make them yourself...
Christmas Cascarones!
posted by calgirl at 9:52 PM on December 10, 2014
Christmas Cascarones!
posted by calgirl at 9:52 PM on December 10, 2014
Blow out an egg.
Fancifully decorate it, perhaps hinting that it should be broken.
Write out a poem or note, curl tightly into a tube and insert in your now pretty egg.
Basically just a variation on a cascarone, but with a bit of a ship-in-the-bottle vibe, and less mess.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 2:01 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fancifully decorate it, perhaps hinting that it should be broken.
Write out a poem or note, curl tightly into a tube and insert in your now pretty egg.
Basically just a variation on a cascarone, but with a bit of a ship-in-the-bottle vibe, and less mess.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 2:01 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
I like the geode idea. I went to a Montessori school through third grade, with a class size of 12. We all got along but there were natural pairs of good friends. When we finished third grade, our teacher gave each friend pair a geode, with each kid keeping half. That was nice.
posted by benbenson at 10:16 AM on December 11, 2014
posted by benbenson at 10:16 AM on December 11, 2014
Some friends of mine have a tradition for a certain occasion. They blow out enough eggs to have at least one per person, and then fill them with tiny strips of paper with wishes and hopes for the next year, ranging from the sincere to the fanciful. The eggs are sealed and decorated. When it comes time to use them, they go around the circle, and everyone chooses an egg. It's then cracked on the heads of the person next to them, and the papers that land on them are their blessings for the coming year.
I have no idea what this tradition might be called, or if it's a *thing* - never asked - but it seemed right to mention it.
posted by stormyteal at 4:35 PM on December 12, 2014
I have no idea what this tradition might be called, or if it's a *thing* - never asked - but it seemed right to mention it.
posted by stormyteal at 4:35 PM on December 12, 2014
Response by poster: Follow up:
I sent her a package with geodes, a peppermint pig, and a Terry's chocolate orange. I think I may be out of the doghouse. Thank you for all your suggestions.
posted by thebrokedown at 2:23 PM on January 27, 2015
I sent her a package with geodes, a peppermint pig, and a Terry's chocolate orange. I think I may be out of the doghouse. Thank you for all your suggestions.
posted by thebrokedown at 2:23 PM on January 27, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 3:21 PM on December 10, 2014 [17 favorites]