so this thread was inspired by a bottle of “sparkling Shiraz” - why oh why would you inflict this on a friend or family member? I thought it was prosecco until opened it turned out to be a sparking red 
Have you received a Christmas or Birthday present which seems to be delightful until you open it and have a sinking feeling in your soul?
Sparkling red?
My BH lovingly bought me a subscription to “Private Eye” one year.However what I got was “The Spectator”.(She had got a bit confused)
If you’ve never read it,it’s a sort of up market Daily Mail.Boris may have been editor then.I don’t know,it went straight in the bin.
Hate to kick a gift horse in the mouth but one Christmas I got twisted wool decorated wired coat hangers.They were from my boyfriend. 🫣
On a positive note, it gives me something to laugh at.
You should have sent it to me it has some very good writers in it and has some interesting and
witty articles .
Well, this year I got a Retirement Album you’re supposed to record your thoughts, photos and momentos in as you retire!
I’ve never seen such a thing before and I’m not sure it’s my thing but it was a kind thought and I’ll give it a go!
Going to have to sit on my hands not to write something rude in it!
Many years ago ex mother in law bought me Marks and Spencers bath cubes , body cream, bubble bath gift box , I don’t use them so decided to return and exchange for something small and more useful , on returning the item the assistant told me these were very old stock and not been in store for years , the mean ole biddy had recycled years old presants to us and I later realised as years went by she kept gifts unused for years to save herself pennies .
Nowadays of course I would take to the charity shop .
Another Christmas gift I got was nothing , yes nothing , from my now ex husband , son of above ex mother in law , all around were opening their gifts with excitement as I waited for mine from him , my new husband of 2 years, I kept waiting for him to produce a gift lovingly bought just for me , thinking he was joking and would go "ta da " and hand it to me . When nothing appeared I asked , did you buy me anything , he replied " no , when I asked what you wanted you said , money to spend in the sales " .
I never even got the gift I asked for , so like his mean ole biddy of a mother , I eventually divorced him 
Sparkling Red Annie? 
It sounds like the alcoholic version of Tizer or Vimto.
I don’t know about receiving a present from hell, but I’ve given a few… 
We had only been married a few years and for Christmas I bought Mrs Fox a saddle bag for her bike and a tumble dryer… 
It’s a wonder we have been together for so long…
Only this year we agreed not to buy each other presents but pool our resources on a new vacuum cleaner…One of those cordless things that costs a kings ransom… 
I couldn’t bear the fact that I hadn’t purchased at least one present for her to open on the day, so I surprised her with her favourite perfume…Almost as expensive as the vacuum cleaner…
haha I once received a toolbox, a set of adjustable wrenches and some jump leads - who says romance is dead?! This was the year I passed my driving test and had my first car so it was considered by the OH to be an affectionate and thoughtful change from naughty undies…hmmm. A work colleague once received a tyre from her other half. She was not impressed.
This is true … I was given a present of a good wide leather belt and a silver buckle with a manufacture’s label Phat Bastard. I drew myself up to my full 6’ 6" and asked them if they had read the label before deciding on the gift. Wow were they embarrassed
Yes I should have but at the time I didn’t think I’d ever know anyone who would want to read it.
And the problem is Annie 
What an amazing present…
