Dorky bike gifts from clueless people

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok, so I got a HUGE box in the mail today from Nashbar bike. I had recently gotten my helmet from them so I thought maybe I forgot that I had ordered something else? DH joked that I was so bike shopping addicted that I wasn't even remembering when I ordered things (and he had me worried, too!). I opened it and there was this dorky "Toto Bike Basket":
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/...V61161139_.gif
Gee, just like in the Wizard of Oz! I figured hmmm they sent me this by mistake. But there on the packing slip inside was my (annoying control freak) brother's name as the sender.

So here's this totally dorky basket, like I'm supposed to put this on my road bike? Does he think I'm Rebeccah of Sunnybrook Farm? Daisy Duke? First, it won't fit anyway because of my interruptor brakes and cables, not to mention my headlight. But most importantly...I wouldn't be caught dead with this lame girly accessory. I have two different-sized very nice buckle-closing waxed canvas and leather saddle bags for the back of my bike, thank you. Both carefully chosen by me for my specific taste and needs.

I had sent him a pair of SmartWool glove liners for Xmas last week- at least HE can use something like that. I try to get things for people that they can USE without imposing my own tastes on them. I don't quite get it because he used to be a very avid road biker years ago- he knows a bit about biking. He's seen my wonderful bike, we've talked biking once or twice and he knows what I do. What is he trying to say here? He doesn't have a lot of money, so I doubt he would buy it simply as a joke.

Now, I know it was nice for him to send me a present at all, but...don't you just hate when people buy things for your bike that are totally clueless?
The good news is that I can tell him it wouldn't fit on my bike anyway, and perhaps Nashbar will allow me to exchange it for something else.

sigh......

[Kimmyt]

I had mentioned to my mom that I was looking at getting a nice HRM/distance wrist computer type thing for running. They were expensive, but I was looking into it. I told her not to bother getting it for me since I wasn't sure what I wanted. For Xmas she got me a regular digital watch with lap counter (ok it was a nice timex and I needed one) and a big bulky pedometer... the kind you attache to your shoe. I had given her all kinds of other suggestions for things she could get me, but she insisted on getting me the thing that I said I wanted to choose for myself. Well, I ended up just discussing with her that I really didn't feel that the pedometer would be useful to me since I wanted a wristtop version specifically so that I could keep an eye on mileage and if it was on my shoe then I'd have to stop and look at my shoe frequently which would just be silly. I thanked her heartfeltedly for the gift, I really do appreciate her trying to get me something I need, and explained that I just wouldn't use it, and I would feel bad if her gift went unused. She took it very well and asked if there was something she could get me fromt he running store she got it from, and I asked for a few pairs of nice coolmax socks or an ear warmer.

In the end, we both win out by discussing it like this because no one really wants to get someone a gift that they won't enjoy.

K.

[SadieKate]

I have one of those baskets on the front of a vintage Bob Jackson mixte. It looks great running around town on errands. Now if the bike were just a tad larger and fit me. If you have a townie/errand bike, put it on that.

You can always just use the basket on the floor by the door for your gloves and helmet. It says bike all over it but doesn't have to be used on the bike.

[Bad JuJu]

I agree with SadieKate that that basket would look cute on the right kind of bike, though it's obviously not right for your sleek Rambouillet (well, obvious to us, but not to your brother, I guess). I have a metal mesh basket on the front of my neighborhood cruiser, and it's very handy.

I also agree that your basket would make a nice little piece of bike-related home decor as an alternative. Using it that way might also help you feel a little empowered against the control-freakiness of your bro, since you'd be taking his initially irritating gift and turning it into something useful and cool in your own way.

[bcipam]

Hey at least your brother made the effort - it sounds like he tried. Poor thing give him "kudos" for that.

When you call and ask if the basket can be exchanged, don't forget to tell him how thoughtful and wonderful it was for him to send you a bike related gift. You don't want to hurt his feelings cause next time, no gift at all!

[ladyfish]

Well, it was good for a chuckle to me, at least. If he wasn't a road biker in the past, I'd give him a break. But since he as knowledge of the sport, it's just one of those crazy "what the cluck?" gifts.

You could start a thread on crazy gifts. I got this wierd plastic wagon looking thing one time with a pipe on one end and a metal plate on the other end. Couldn't figure out what the heck it was supposed to be. Never did. Closest I could come was some sort of cigarette holder (in the base of the big plastic pipe--smoking pipe shaped) and the metal plate was an ash tray. Well, that could work, I guess except I have never been a smoker. Still puzzles us to this day (needless to say we got rid of it very quickly).

[Trekhawk]

Personally I like it. Now all I need is that beautiful Amsterdam bike to put it on and I could get one for myself. I know sometimes we get gifts that dont leave us in raptures but hey at least he was thinking of you which is the main thing.

SK - I think that is a lovely idea.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I do see the validness of your points about using the basket in other ways, etc. But I don't see it working for me in this case.

Our "errand bike" already has a truly useful large metal basket on the front that we hook bungees over to keep things from bouncing out. You can put a whole bag of groceries in it!

I'm afraid this little basket is too small for much of anything, even a helmet would completely fill it.
DH and I tend to dislike having baskets sitting around the house with stuff in them. Makes us claustrophobic or something. I think the best way for me to deal with this is just to thank him and tell him it won't fit on my bike with my bar brakes and try to exchange it with Nashbar for something I can actually use.
I guess it's similar to when we first bought our house together and all our excited plans about how we wanted everything to look inside, how we were going to merge together and decorate together. Some friends gave us housewarming gifts that we could use and use up- cheese, candles, flowers, dish towels...others gave us things like framed posters for the wall. Pictures to hang on the wall is something very personal that a new homeowner would want to choose themselves...I would never give something like that to someone who just got a house. DH and I had just finished selling off 1/2 of each of our houses full of belongings just so we could fit our two households into one house, plus I'm a graphic artist with decades worth of framed paintings and pictures stacked in the basement. We already had enough framed pictures and art to furnish 10 houses.

I know, it's the thought that counts.
Still...I just think it's better to give things that people can use without having to display or attach it prominently on your bike, your body, or in your house. Socks, candles, books, movies, good coffee, tea, and chocolate are always good!

In the end, I still have to wonder why my brother chose this Dorothy/Toto basket for me- it seems so odd. Must have some Freudian meaning somehow.


Hey Kimmy....take a second look at the pedometer your mom gave you before you exchange it- every pedometer I know attaches to your BELT, not to your shoe. Read the package to check on this. A pedometer company told me last year that the biggest mistake people make with pedometers is thinking they are supposed to attach them to their shoes. You won't get a proper reading on your shoe, the inner pendulum measures the subtle up/down of your torso as you walk...not the back/forward swinging of feet.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And yes, I will be gracious after Christmas and thank him for his thoughtful gift.
I know it was a nice gesture to send me something, and I HAVE to believe he was trying to get something he thought I would like.

[bcipam]

My best buddy actually goes to the Hallmark store, picks out individual cards and mails them out (after adding a little message) to his friends and family. How many guys you know do that? I alway praise him alot for his effort and thoughtfulness. I actually have 3 male friends who send out cards each year. Each is in his 40's and unmarried. Mmmmmmm, should I be worried?

PS: That good buddy also, for my Christmas present, spent who knows how many hours, cleaning and shining up my MTBike. It's nicer looking now than when I bought it. He didn't spend a dime and I couldn't have gotten a nicer persent! What a sweetie (in that platonic I love you like a brother way).

[bcipam]

I have one of those baskets on the front of a vintage Bob Jackson mixte. It looks great running around town on errands. Now if the bike were just a tad larger and fit me. If you have a townie/errand bike, put it on that.

You can always just use the basket on the floor by the door for your gloves and helmet. It says bike all over it but doesn't have to be used on the bike.

I agree SK - cool idea!!!! Now I want one!!!!

[Eden]

When my hubby was in high school he asked for panniers for Christmas once - his grandma got him a nice little white plastic basket with nice plastic flowers on it. I'm betting you all know exactly what I mean. Some people just don't understand.....

[jobob]

Eh, could have been worse, he could have given you Maxi-pad slippers.

still giggling over that one...

[SadieKate]

Or this.

[Aint Doody]

Hey, Lisa, what about donating it to Salvation Army or Toys for Tots or something like that for a child's bike? Or do you have a niece or somebody like that who'd like it on a child's bike?--Regift????