History Main / MyNewGiftIsLame

* In ''Literature/FriedGreenTomatoesAtTheWhistleStopCafe'', Buddy "Stump" Jamison is given an Erector set. Problem is, as his nickname implies, he has only ''one arm'', which means using the set next to impossible [[AgitatedItemStomping He does NOT take it well.]]

* Subverted in a flashback in ''WesternAnimation/WhatsNewScoobyDoo'' when Velma gets an encyclopedia set for her birthday. Velma, being who she is, is the type of person who would love something like that as a gift, however the clown hired for her birthday party didn't realize that, and ran them through a wood chipper. [[note]]Velma's mother booked the only party clown to use a wood chipper as a prop.[[/note]] This resulted in Velma [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes having a lifelong phobia of clowns.]]

** Noted that peoples opinion on gifts can change over time, whilst receiving socks as a kid is considered lame as you probably would rather get a cool toy getting funny colourful or nerdy socks as an adult is considered charming as a person can get you something practical but still potentially fun.

Typically, almost everyone gets a really spectacular gift that is exactly what they wanted. Except for this one guy who gets, say, a nickel.

The jilted character will feign delight, but as s/he watches the others enjoy their gifts, his/her annoyance will grow until s/he finally explodes at the gift-giver. This character might also have to [[TheDreadedThankYouLetter write a note saying 'thanks' despite not feeling thankful at all]].

Sometimes, [[ButtMonkey the universe just hates him/her]].

* ''TabletopGame/CrappyBirthday'' has a deck of cards representing dubious gifts like [[EverybodyHatesMines mime lessons]], a peeing statue and a one-year supply of "slightly used" soap. The goal is to "give" other players the gifts they would dislike the most.

[[caption-width-right:350:"I find my lack of Death Star disturbing."]]
[-[[caption-width-right:350:[[https://www.deviantart.com/naolito/art/Disappointing-Gift-321292631 Image]] by [[https://www.deviantart.com/naolito Naolito]]]]-]

[-[[caption-width-right:350:[[http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/228/b/e/disappointing_gift_by_naolito-d5baezb.jpg Image]] by [[http://naolito.deviantart.com Naolito]]]]-]

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* Two different [[ChristmasEpisode Christmas episodes]] of ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'' deal with this trope. In the first, "Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas," Dorothy protests the commercialization of the holiday after a terrible shopping experience, and insists that the girls exchange homemade presents instead. She's not thrilled with the results, especially after hearing that Rose returned a necklace she wanted in exchange for a maple syrup spigot. In the second, "Have Yourself A Very Little Christmas," the girls decide to do a Secret Santa for one another rather than risk the packed shopping malls. Blanche finds out that Rose is going to buy her present and is nervous, given her terrible record of gift-giving...but it's [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] when Rose gets her a tasteful, beautiful blouse, having asked Dorothy for advice.

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/BarbieLifeInTheDreamhouse'', Ken gets Barbie a charm bracelet for her birthday, but Nikki and Teresa tell him that she won't appreciate such a small present, given her status as TheAce. Everyone goes out of their way to get Barbie extravagant gifts, but she unfortunately already has them all (although unlike most instances of this trope, Barbie is sincerely grateful to her friends for every present, even if it's a duplicate). Ken then gives her the charm bracelet--and she's genuinely thrilled, as she's never had one before.

* ''Series/BetterCallSaul'': One episode has Jimmy's plan to rob an office complicated by the fact that the business owner is sleeping on the couch because his wife kicked him out after he gave her a vacuum cleaner as a gift. He protests over the phone that it's "top of the line" and "never loses suction!"

** In one episode Joel gives Gypsy an expensive doll, Tom a racecar, and Crow... pants. Turns out that this was a Very Special acknowledgment of his greater maturity, qualifying him for an "adult" gift. (In a ContinuityNod, whenever Crow has cause to pack up his possessions, one crate is clearly marked "pants".)
** In the first Christmas episode, "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians", the Mads invent "The Wish Squisher," a machine designed to turn cool gifts into this trope. A box of NES games becomes a pair of Underoos, money becomes your sister's raisin collection, and slot cars become an ugly pair of socks. The socks are run through the machine a second time and become a gift certificate for a stationery store.

-->'''Joey:''' Mine says "To Erin Lane".
-->'''Chandler:''' I don't have a ''job!''

* PlayedForDrama in ''Theatre/HarryPotterAndTheCursedChild.'' When giving presents to his three children, Harry bequeaths Albus the blanket that he was wrapped in when he was [[DoorstopBaby left on the Dursleys' doorstep]]. He thinks this is a very meaningful gift, but Albus points out that it's only meaningful ''to him,'' and that James and Lily got gifts that actually reflect their interests. Given that Albus feels stifled by the label of "Harry Potter's son," this leads to an argument that has the two falling out for much of the play.