Sometimes you can get coal in your stocking even if you’re on the nice list.
Christmas is a time filled with an array of flashing lights, the smell of peppermint and an assortment of decorations surrounding various neighborhoods. Friends and family members gather around the Christmas tree and cherish the time they have with one another during this holiday season.
Embedded with the traditions of Christmas comes the art of gift-giving. Whether people have been naughty or nice, the anticipation builds as people patiently wait to see if they got what they wished for. As the sun rises on Christmas day, many race to the tree, reading the labels of all the presents and tearing up the wrapping paper with their names on it.
As they get to their presents, some are filled with excitement, pulling out the items they wished for. But there are some who are unlucky when opening their gifts, leaving them puzzled as to what they’re looking at.
How does one react when the present they received is something they didn’t want? USC students across the campus shared their Christmas stories of times when they were left with a present they didn’t like in the slightest.
Donovan Wood, a sophomore majoring in business administration, was baffled by what he saw when he opened up his present. Wood explained how it came off a bit weird knowing that he had received something that he would have no trouble getting for free.
“One year I got a toothbrush and toothpaste. Which is kind of weird because my mom is a dentist,” Wood said. “If we are going down the route of giving gifts for teeth, maybe an electric toothbrush would’ve been a bit better.”
Alejandra Moreno, a freshman majoring in psychology, had instant regret when she opened the box to see what was inside. Moreno knew that what she had in her hands, she would never put on her body.
“Would definitely love to get age-appropriate clothing,” Moreno said. “When I was 15, I remember one of my aunts got me a shirt with a minion on it. I was already too old for that shirt when I got it. But it would’ve been cool for me to wear maybe when I was seven.”
Alex Weir, a freshman majoring in business administration, had one of the most “unique” gifts that left him in a state of uncertainty, not knowing the meaning behind someone giving him this gift.
“I’m not really sure why, but one time someone gave me a single quarter for Christmas,” Weir said. “I opened my stocking and thought that it might’ve been something else. To be honest, that quarter is probably still in a piggy bank somewhere in my house.”
Denisea Lavato, a sophomore majoring in accounting, was a little bit annoyed by the gift she received because it was something that she didn’t ask for. But it was also something that she would’ve never imagined getting as well.
“I got a hedgehog one year. Not really sure why, but my older sister just got it for me,” Lavato said. “Having that thing around, they’re kind of a pain in the ass. I would’ve rather preferred a purse, some clothes or something low maintenance.”