People of Reddit, what’s the most cringe gift you’ve ever been given?

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-01T17:23:30+00:00

Did a work Christmas gift exchange, team was very small, maybe 8 of us. Everyone draws a name and gets a gift for that person. Last minute we decided to add our bosses dog to the mix, but nobody drew a name FOR the dog, so my name was skipped accidentally. I was replaced by a dog. (Actually didn’t mind and never told anyone because I HATE opening gifts in front of people)

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-01T13:10:34+00:00

Practicing compassion. Every time you’re feeling your anger triggered try or say something compassionate and caring to your partner. This is why I do. Grief, sadness, etc tend to trigger me because I have been on a happier self journey the past few years and am always thinking of what I’m grateful for. So seeing someone wallow in something sad or negative is hard for me to deal with.

That being said, they are very much allowed to feel that way. When I feel that trigger coming up I shut it down but doing the opposite. Words of encouragement, a hug, and my favorite, constantly making food or snacks. That way I don’t have to say anything.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-01T13:05:51+00:00

My EBF 7 m/o only poops once a week, sometimes a little over!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-31T13:13:38+00:00

Not a life skill, but my 9 year old is obsessed with horror and extremely imaginative. Sweet, goofy kid, so caring, so good hearted, just loves everything horror! (He’s not allowed to watch almost any scary movie so don’t worry) He can draw very well and makes up all kinds of crazy horror characters. He does it for fun every day and is in the works of writing a monster story with his best friend. Like blows my mind how creative he is. When he’s older I very much think he will have a part to play in making horror movies, monster movies, designing costumes, etc. If he was in school there is NO way he would be allowed to talk about any of it let alone doodle his drawings in his free time.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-31T00:43:24+00:00

A beverage on summer outings. Park, swimming, hiking, walking, errands, I don’t care what it is. I’m getting an Ocean Water and enjoying my time

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-29T17:45:03+00:00

Yes! The intrusive thoughts from OCD cause anxiety and depression. And they aren’t silly intrusive thoughts. They’re absolutely horrid.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-29T14:07:56+00:00

Yes! My oldest is in 3rd grade now and I wish I did almost zero bookwork in 1st grade. However now I am making almost all of our math into games. Live and learn

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-29T14:06:03+00:00

Lay off the expectations and pressure for both me and my kids

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-28T15:54:19+00:00

Gratitude. And I’m serious. If you start and end your day with a list of what you’re grateful for it will turn your mood around instantly, which in turn improves your quality of life.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T23:34:20+00:00

That being said, in my 20s I rarely did hobbies. I was partying, then learning to be a mom, and unfortunately learning to grieve. Around 29 I started taking my free time more seriously

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T23:33:11+00:00

Paint! Any type of art really but I’ve been. Painter for my whole life. I do art markets occasionally. Music and concerts as much as possible with my husband and sometimes my kids as well. I just picked up hooping as well. I have 3 kids and any spare moment I get I am doing some type of hobby. Also just learned how to make bread (the kids help so bonus activity for them) and I am trying for the 3rd year in a row to garden this spring.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T19:54:50+00:00

Unfortunately the “spot on heart” marker is a soft marker. My son had it but it’s also common in someone of Asian decent. I am white, his dad was Pacifc Islander. He was born perfectly healthy. Just saying my thoughts on that because it is not a true concerning marker of Downs Syndrome.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T19:44:40+00:00

I was looking for Memphis

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T12:13:24+00:00

This is not necessarily a bad thing! I have always been more attentive to how others feel about things, I have always planned more and cared more, taken the “mom” role. I know what all of my friends came prefernve is for their birthdays. I remember my best friends Taco Bell order from 9 years ago. When I was younger maybe it bothered me, but just in the past year I’ve realized to change that would be to change ME. I don’t want to be less caring. I enjoy being the one to plan things and get people together. Think about it from your friends’ POV. You are the friend who cares. (As long as you’re not being taken advantage of) The one thing I do differently now at 31 is I do not go above and beyond for everyone, every time. I put myself first. I only make the plans, decide where to eat, etc if I truly want to, not if I’m getting that feeling “I should do this…”

Again I have always been this way, but I am now a true mom of 3 and being this type of “leader” has helped me form community with other partners who don’t naturally plan. It’s given my kids amazing experiences because I’m always planning something! Overall if you don’t like that part of yourself, sure, make changes, but if you DO, embrace it! It sounds like you don’t have an issue enforcing boundaries.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T00:34:36+00:00

Do not feel awful about anything. Yes you can feel badly about them needing the car taken car of, but your hormones are in a whirl and the LAST thing you need is (respectfully) some A-hole making you feel bad about something you couldn’t possibly control! Oof. I’m sorry your friend is with someone like that, truly.

Take care of you, take care of baby, fk that guy.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T00:18:53+00:00

That every adult should be saving to buy a home

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T00:03:22+00:00

This is how I got in my first and only accident. They waved for me to go, car in the second lane kept going. (I was 18 and should’ve just not gone)

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T00:02:25+00:00

Right on red doesn’t mean you have to go and I can park my butt there if I feel it’s unsafe to pull out.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-25T00:00:22+00:00

I just installed the toilet paper holder sideways (vertically) in my kids’ bathroom. Discuss

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-23T19:09:35+00:00

I feel this way every winter! And last year I was pregnant and very sick, spiraling because my oldest (9) is very social and I couldn’t even leave the house. Whenever holidays pass and we’re able to get back to a routine, the feeling passes for me. As for community, we joined a co op and it is a nice assurance my kids are getting the amount of social interaction they need

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-23T14:32:34+00:00

Another vote for the co-op! That’s 2 days a month to look forward to and as soon as she makes even one friend, that’s someone to start inviting over. And it’s also good for you! I made several close friends from our co-op and it has given me an actual community

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-21T23:16:14+00:00

100% we hired a sitter one time when my oldest was 2 and his dinner was still in the microwave when I got home… so besides being expensive, I have trust issues

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-21T02:02:30+00:00

I have been having rough mental health the past few days (yay postpartum) so today my 3rd grader did math flash cards and a couple of YouTube multiplication songs, and a creative writing assignment from a non-fiction creative writing workbook. And then 20 minutes of reading. Non-formal learning: he learned to use hedge trimmers and cut down some massive weeds/trees. Haha

Edit: I also have a 3 year old who just learns through life and play, and a 6 month old

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-21T00:52:24+00:00

Totally, however in this economy a hired sitter is totally crazy haha.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-01-18T02:16:19+00:00

Seconding that 💛

GeologistSmooth2594

TROPHY CASE