History Main / UnwantedGiftPlot

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs'' episode "A Gift For Papa's Day" is all about Papa Smurf trying to get rid of a gift hat that he doesn't like wearing. It gets humorously mistaken for a MagicHat by Gargamel when he uses it to capture the Smurfs, and Papa Smurf even fools Gargamel into believing that it is in order to distract him long enough for the Smurfs to escape. To resolve the issue once and for all, Papa Smurf decides to have the gift hat cast in bronze so that it can be seen as a trophy of one of their escapes from Gargamel.

* The term "white elephant" (meaning a troublesome or unwanted gift) comes from a legend that when the King of Siam didn't like someone, [[InvokedTrope he would give them]] a white elephant as a present (or make it known he was to do so). In this culture white elephants were sacred, so the recipient couldn't put it to work but still had to feed it, creating a drain on his resources. Turning down the present would be a grave insult, so the only way to avoid it was to absent yourself from court--[[ExactlyAsPlanned which was the intention]].
* Any high-value item like a car, house, etc can become this if given to someone who lacks the funds to pay for maintenance, property taxes, and the like.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Westeros has [[AwesomeButImpractical Harrenhal]], and plays this trope for all the hubris-laden, classic White Elephant drama it can manage...for a full three-century period, both in the backstory and within the current series. Should the Iron Thone find itself needing to [[StandardHeroReward reward somebody]] who could ''conceivably'' turn out to be [[SocialClimber either difficult or dangerous down the line]], yet would also ''quite'' like to get *cough* [[PlausibleDeniability deniably]] *cough* rid of them (see "dangerous") at the same time, nothing beats handing them the ImpossibleTask of taking care of [[TheMillstone the place]] by giving them what seems to be a [[SchmuckBait peach of a title and access to the pick of lands in the Riverlands]]. It. Isn't. [[RealityEnsues Really, it's not.]] Harrenhal as a castle is rumored to be [[{{Curse}} cursed]], with every single house that accepts the title Lord of Harrenhal falling into such misfortune that they are inevitably destroyed within the span of a couple decades. It's almost a pity quite a few people, both in the main story and the history of the place, [[SubvertedTrope never quite realise that]] until a [[HighTurnoverRate bit too late to do them any good]] (readers, other characters and those writing the supplementary histories chronicling the various misfortunes are ''well aware'', however). Worse, those winding up in possession of the stone pile can't exactly try giving the place back after either 1) accepting the title to it or 2) taking it by force or deception and/or 3) subsequently finding out they can't handle it. Because reacting like "You know, after actually trying it, it doesn't really fit me; may I have a refund, pretty please (or I'll trash everything around here to find any funds until you do think about it)?" would be either treason to the Crown or an insult to the entire region, both of which would get you justifiably besieged within your awkward-to-fully-man walls... and squashed.

* A ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' episode "Gift of Gum" has Patrick giving [=SpongeBob=] a giant ball of chewed gum for Best Friends Day. [=SpongeBob=] is both scared and disgusted by it and attempts to get rid of it without Patrick knowing.

Compare MyNewGiftIsLame, GiftGivingGaffe, and ConvenienceStoreGiftShopping. Also see KidsPreferBoxes, TheDreadedThankYouLetter, and IGotARock.

Most often a stock sitcom plot inherited from theatre (predominantly farce and pantomime) in which a character receives a present. [[MyNewGiftIsLame The present is absolutely hideous, the wrong shape or size, impossible to maintain or clean and/or some other defect.]] Additionally, however, he or she is forced to pretend that they just ''love'' it, so as not to hurt the presenter's feelings or otherwise disappoint them for whatever reason.

Compare MyNewGiftIsLame and ConvenienceStoreGiftShopping. Also see KidsPreferBoxes, TheDreadedThankYouLetter, and IGotARock.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Westeros has... [[AwesomeButImpractical Harrenhal]] -- and, plays this trope for all the hubris-laden, classic White Elephant drama it can manage... for a full three-century period, both in the backstory and within the current series. Should the Iron Thone find itself needing to [[StandardHeroReward reward somebody]] who could ''conceivably'' turn out to be [[SocialClimber either difficult or dangerous down the line]], yet would also ''quite'' like to get *cough* [[PlausibleDeniability deniably]] *cough* rid of them (see "dangerous") at the same time, nothing beats handing them the ImpossibleTask of taking care of [[TheMillstone the place]] by giving them what seems to be a [[SchmuckBait peach of a title and access to the pick of lands in the Riverlands]]. It. Isn't. [[RealityEnsues Really, it's not.]] Harrenhal as a castle is rumored to be [[{{Curse}} cursed]], with every single house that accepts the title Lord of Harrenhal falling into such misfortune that they are inevitably destroyed within the span of a couple decades. It's almost a pity quite a few people, both in the main story and the history of the place, [[SubvertedTrope never quite realise that]] until a [[HighTurnoverRate bit too late to do them any good]] (readers, other characters and those writing the supplementary histories chronicling the various misfortunes are ''well aware'', however). Worse, those winding up in possession of the stone pile can't exactly try giving the place back after either 1) accepting the title to it or 2) taking it by force or deception and/or 3) subsequently finding out they can't handle it. Because reacting like "You know, after actually trying it, it doesn't really fit me; may I have a refund, pretty please (or I'll trash everything around here to find any funds until you do think about it)?" would be either treason to the Crown or an insult to the entire region, both of which would get you justifiably besieged within your awkward-to-fully-man walls... and squashed.

* The ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'' demonstrates a classical use of the White Elephant (echoing the actual gifts of non-albino elephants from a ruler to dangerously successful and popular generals) in Cetagandan society: [[ArrangedMarriage brides]] from the haut caste for exceptionally successful ghem. While this is actually something the ghem in question desire very much, it's also understood by all to be an example of this trope: the marriage is certainly not refusable without incurring mortal insult, and it's just as obviously used because the expenses of maintaining the bride's standard of living and her in-laws' new social status tends to eliminate any buildup of material or political resources which might someday down the line disturb the ghem caste's permanently subordinate role.

To add to the character's pain, the poor receiver of the doomful gift turns out to either be just ''so'' good an actor, that the presenter insists that they wear it all the time, put it on display, paint the house to coordinate, etc. Or, the gifter is either simply being or pretending to be in SelectiveObliviousness to the actual situation. All the while, the poor victim has to profess contentment with or love of this horrible MoneySink. Cue an increasingly miserable character, and [[HilarityEnsues thus is comedy and/or drama committed]] as they try either to get rid of it, come to terms with it or endeavour to find a magical [[TakeAThirdOption third option]] that will bypass the whole dilemma.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Westeros has... [[AwesomeButImpractical Harrenhal]] -- and, plays this trope for all the hubris-laden, classic White Elephant drama it can manage... for a full three-century period, both in the backstory and within the current series. Should the Iron Thone find itself needing to [[StandardHeroReward reward somebody]] who could ''conceivably'' turn out to be [[SocialClimber either difficult or dangerous down the line]], yet would also ''quite'' like to get *cough* [[PlausibleDeniability deniably]] *cough* rid of them (see "dangerous") at the same time, nothing beats handing them the ImpossibleTask of taking care of [[TheMillstone the place]] by giving them what seems to be a [[SchmuckBait peach of a title and access to the pick of lands in the Riverlands]]. It. Isn't. [[RealityEnsues Really, it's not.]] Harrenhal as a castle is rumored to be [[{{Curse}} cursed]]. It's almost a pity quite a few people, both in the main story and the history of the place, [[SubvertedTrope never quite realise that]] until a [[HighTurnoverRate bit too late to do them any good]] (readers, other characters and those writing the supplementary histories chronicling the various misfortunes are ''well aware'', however). Worse, those winding up in possession of the stone pile can't exactly try giving the place back after either 1) accepting the title to it or 2) taking it by force or deception and/or 3) subsequently finding out they can't handle it. Because reacting like "You know, after actually trying it, it doesn't really fit me; may I have a refund, pretty please (or I'll trash everything around here to find any funds until you do think about it)?" would be either treason to the Crown or an insult to the entire region, both of which would get you justifiably besieged within your awkward-to-fully-man walls... and squashed.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Westeros has... [[AwesomeButImpractical Harrenhal]] -- and, plays this trope for all the hubris-laden, classic White Elephant drama it can manage... for a full three-century period, both in the backstory and within the current series. Should the Iron Thone find itself needing to [[StandardHeroReward reward somebody]] who could ''conceivably'' turn out to be [[SocialClimber either difficult or dangerous down the line]], yet would also ''quite'' like to get *cough* [[PlausibleDeniability deniably]] *cough* rid of them (see "dangerous") at the same time, nothing beats handing them the ImpossibleTask of taking care of [[TheMillstone the place]] by giving them what seems to be a [[SchmuckBait peach of a title and access to the pick of lands in the Riverlands]]. It. Isn't. [[RealityEnsues Really, it's not.]] Harrenhal as a castle is just a [[MoneySink little too big]] and [[DIYDisaster rundown to properly maintain, defend or govern]] using its available, ''legitimate'' methods of income, and that's ignoring the rumors that the place is probably [[{{Curse}} cursed]]. It's almost a pity quite a few people, both in the main story and the history of the place, [[SubvertedTrope never quite realise that]] until a [[HighTurnoverRate bit too late to do them any good]] (readers, other characters and those writing the supplementary histories chronicling the various misfortunes are ''well aware'', however). Worse, those winding up in possession of the stone pile can't exactly try giving the place back after either 1) accepting the title to it or 2) taking it by force or deception and/or 3) subsequently finding out they can't handle it. Because reacting like "You know, after actually trying it, it doesn't really fit me; may I have a refund, pretty please (or I'll trash everything around here to find any funds until you do think about it)?" would be either treason to the Crown or an insult to the entire region, both of which would get you justifiably besieged within your awkward-to-fully-man walls... and squashed.

** The main problem of maintaining and manning Harrenhal is that it was created and populated by King Harren, who had the income and manpower of two regions to support the ultimate stronghold. When his lineage was destroyed, and the inheritors of the castle stripped of all lands except those of the surrounding countryside, no one who is dumb enough to take it has the resources to restore it, and those that do have the resources are smart enough to not fall into the SunkCostFallacy with the damn cursed money-sink.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Westeros has... [[AwesomeButImpractical Harrenhal]] -- and, plays this trope for all the hubris-laden, classic White Elephant drama it can manage... for a full three-century period, both in the backstory and within the current series. Should the Iron Thone find itself needing to [[StandardHeroReward reward somebody]] who could ''conceivably'' turn out to be [[SocialClimber either difficult or dangerous down the line]], yet would also ''quite'' like to get *cough* [[PlausibleDeniability deniably]] *cough* rid of them (see "dangerous") at the same time, nothing beats handing them the ImpossibleTask of taking care of [[TheMillstone the place]] by giving them what seems to be a [[SchmuckBait peach of a title and access to the pick of lands in the Riverlands]]. It. Isn't. [[RealityEnsues Really, it's not.]] Harrenhal as a castle is just a [[MoneySink little too big]] and [[DIYDisaster rundown to properly maintain, defend or govern]] using its available, ''legitimate'' methods of income, and that's ignoring the rumors that the place is probably [[{{Curse}} cursed]]. It's almost a pity quite a few people, both in the main story and the history of the place, [[SubvertedTrope never quite realise that]] until a [[HighTurnoverRate bit too late to do them any good]] (readers, other characters and those writing the supplementary histories chronicling the various misfortunes are ''well aware'', however). Worse, those winding up in possession of the stone pile can't exactly try giving the place back after either 1) accepting the title to it or 2) taking it by force or deception and/or 3) subsequently finding out they can't handle it. Because reacting like "You know, after actually trying it, it doesn't really fit me; may I have a refund, pretty please (or I'll trash everything around here to find any funds until you do think about it)?" would be either treason to the Crown or an insult to the entire region, both of which would get you justifiably besieged within your awkward-to-fully-man walls... and squashed. [[spoiler: Littlefinger has so far got around this by simply letting others take and try holding the castle via their own duties, intrigues and/or treasons: he thereby gets all the peripheral rights to the titles, with none of the maintenance or other problems actually dealing with the zombie white elephant directly would give him -- or, those being ungrateful enough to turn the [[OpportunisticBastard oportunity down flat]] in front of the Lannisters would give him, either. He is aiming to [[CuttingTheKnot cut the knot]] by quarrying the thing to the ground and replacing it with a much saner keep down the line, hopefully at a profit -- Harren used top-quality materials when he built it, after all.]]

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', Westeros has... [[AwesomeButImpractical Harrenhal]] -- and, plays this trope for all the hubris-laden, classic White Elephant drama it can manage... for a full three-century period, both in the backstory and within the current series. Should the Iron Thone find itself needing to [[StandardHeroReward reward somebody]] who could ''conceivably'' turn out to be [[SocialClimber either difficult or dangerous down the line]], yet would also ''quite'' like to get *cough* [[PlausibleDeniability deniably]] *cough* rid of them (see "dangerous") at the same time, nothing beats handing them the ImpossibleTask of taking care of [[TheMillstone the place]] by giving them what seems to be a [[SchmuckBait peach of a title and access to the pick of lands in the Riverlands]]. It. Isn't. [[RealityEnsues Really, it's not.]] Harrenhal as a castle is just a [[MoneySink little too big]] and [[DIYDisaster rundown to properly maintain, defend or govern]] using its available, ''legitimate'' methods of income, and that's ignoring the rumors that the place is probably [[{{Curse}} cursed]]. It's almost a pity quite a few people, both in the main story and the history of the place, [[SubvertedTrope never quite realise that]] until a [[HighTurnoverRate bit too late to do them any good]] (readers, other characters and those writing the supplementary histories chronicling the various misfortunes are ''well aware'', however). Worse, those winding up in possession of the stone pile can't exactly try giving the place back after either 1) accepting the title to it or 2) taking it by force or deception and/or 3) subsequently finding out they can't handle it. Because reacting like "You know, after actually trying it, it doesn't really fit me; may I have a refund, pretty please (or I'll trash everything around here to find any funds until you do think about it)?" would be either treason to the Crown or an insult to the entire region, both of which would get you justifiably besieged within your awkward-to-fully-man walls... and squashed. [[spoiler: Littlefinger has so far got around this by having others try taking over and holding the castle using their own treasons: he thereby gets all the peripheral rights to the titles, with none of the maintenance or other problems actually dealing with the zombie white elephant directly would give him -- or, those being ungrateful enough to turn the [[OpportunisticBastard oportunity down flat]] in front of the Lannisters would give him, either. He is aiming to [[CuttingTheKnot cut the knot]] by quarrying the thing to the ground and replacing it with a much saner keep down the line, hopefully at a profit -- Harren used top-quality materials when he built it, after all.]]

* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', Amy gives Penny a big, tacky painting of the two of them, where even in the painting Amy has a giant smile and Penny looks nonplussed. Bernadette points out that in the painting Penny looks like a man. Amy does not take it well when she discovers Penny taking it down, and their solution was to hang it on the FourthWall of her apartment, meaning it's always ''there'' but rarely seen. A SequelEpisode involved some apartment shifting, with Amy and Sheldon taking Penny's old apartment and deciding to gift the painting Penny again. Again, they end up hanging it on the FourthWall.

* On the ''Series/TheKingOfQueens'', Doug and Carrie receive a hideous painting of themselves for their anniversary from their friends Deacon and Kelly. They pretend to love it, but secretly try to get rid of it. [[spoiler:It turns out Deacon and Kelly had intentionally given them a horrible present so they would be allowed to get rid of an unwanted gift that Doug and Carrie had previously given them.]]

* After Severus Snape performs a minor favor for him in exchange for a live acromantula, [[FanFic/InquisitorCarrowChronicles Alessandor Carrow]] goes into the Forbidden Forest, drags one into Hogwarts, and kills it straight into Snape's waiting hands. While Snape's delighted by the chance to experiment on fresh acromantula, Carrow decides to remember it. Following his adventures, he keeps finding rare and powerful potions ingredients, which he doesn't hesitate to forward to Snape - the problem being that most of these items are fantastically dangerous and illegal.

* After Severus Snape performs a minor favor for him in exchange for a live acromantula ,[[FanFic/InquisitorCarrowChronicles Alessandor Carrow]] goes into the Forbidden Forest, drags one into Hogwarts, and kills it straight into Snape's waiting hands. While Snape's delighted by the chance to experiment on fresh acromantula, Carrow decides to remember it. Following his adventures, he keeps finding rare and powerful potions ingredients, which he doesn't hesitate to forward to Snape - the problem being that most of these items are fantastically dangerous and illegal.

* After Severus Snape performs a minor favor for him in exchange for a live acromantula [[FanFic/InquisitorCarrowChronicles Alessandor Carrow]] goes into the Forbidden Forest and drags one straight into Snape's waiting hands. While Snape's delighted by the chance to experiment on fresh acromantula, Carrow decides to remember it. Following his adventures, he keeps finding rare and powerful potions ingredients, which he doesn't hesitate to forward to Snape - the problem being that most of these items are fantastically dangerous and illegal.

* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', Amy gives Penny a big, tacky painting of the two of them, where even in the painting Amy has a giant smile and Penny looks nonplussed. Bernadette points out that in the painting Penny looks like a man. Amy does not take it well when she discovers Penny taking it down, and their solution was to hang it on TheFourthWall of her apartment, meaning it's always ''there'' but rarely seen. A SequelEpisode involved some apartment shifting, with Amy and Sheldon taking Penny's old apartment and deciding to gift the painting Penny again. Again, they end up hanging it on TheFourthWall.

* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', Amy gives Penny a big, tacky painting of the two of them. Bernadette points out that Penny in the painting looks like a man. Amy does not take it well when she discovers Penny taking it down.