Times your parents pulled it out the bag and bought it right
Discussion
In a similar vein to to the bought it wrong thread but turning it around and doing it right!!
I have a couple:
Asked for a master system for Christmas knowing that money wasn’t exactly flowing at that point and the mega drive had only just been released ... got up one morning, headed downstairs ready for school and dad stops me and tells me I’m not going to school today, we’re going out - just me and him
This rarely happened, so got get sorted in normal clothes and we head out, we arrive at Toys R Us at Gateshead - im proper perplexed at this point - we go in and he heads straight for the gaming aisle and gets the last mega drive with sonic pack (rather than the altered beast pack thankfully) - I was shocked and overjoyed!
Second one, I wanted an RC car for Christmas and asked for a generic small car for some reason when secretly lusting for a larger Ferrari (after visiting Maranello in the summer and falling in love with the Testarossa) and come Christmas morning there was a 1/8 Nikko Ferrari Testarossa - still have it to this day
I have a couple:
Asked for a master system for Christmas knowing that money wasn’t exactly flowing at that point and the mega drive had only just been released ... got up one morning, headed downstairs ready for school and dad stops me and tells me I’m not going to school today, we’re going out - just me and him
This rarely happened, so got get sorted in normal clothes and we head out, we arrive at Toys R Us at Gateshead - im proper perplexed at this point - we go in and he heads straight for the gaming aisle and gets the last mega drive with sonic pack (rather than the altered beast pack thankfully) - I was shocked and overjoyed!
Second one, I wanted an RC car for Christmas and asked for a generic small car for some reason when secretly lusting for a larger Ferrari (after visiting Maranello in the summer and falling in love with the Testarossa) and come Christmas morning there was a 1/8 Nikko Ferrari Testarossa - still have it to this day
My mum and dad weren't loaded at all, i have childhood memories of them not being able to afford a lot. They sent me to a private school for primary and it crippled them 
I never had any computers or games but really wanted a sega mega drive.
Ill never forget the day when i got home from school on my birthday and there it was! My mum had saved up from her part time job to get me one, she was as happy as me I will never forget that day
Now i get socks and boxers
I never had any computers or games but really wanted a sega mega drive.
Ill never forget the day when i got home from school on my birthday and there it was! My mum had saved up from her part time job to get me one, she was as happy as me
I will never forget that day Now i get socks and boxers
Used all the emotional blackmail I could on the run up to my 16th birthday, to get a Sport Moped (1976). Constant refusals on all of the (valid) parental reasons NOT to allow your 16 year old on such a dangerous beast.
Sat at home on my birthday, and the house phone rang, it was my mum and dad, in the Dealers in Hull asking me if I wanted a red one or a blue one ?
Made up ? Much ??
Sat at home on my birthday, and the house phone rang, it was my mum and dad, in the Dealers in Hull asking me if I wanted a red one or a blue one ?
Made up ? Much ??
It must have been 1978 or 79 when my 2 brothers and I had "written our lists to Santa" with ideas for matchbox cars, board games etc, we'd put together from hours of studying the Argos catalogue, and talking to our mates etc..
One ridiculously speculative item we'd all put on our lists, never expecting to get it as it was pretty expensive at the time, and my parents were definitely not well off, was the original Atari video game - the Atari VCS (later rebranded as the 2600).
We were 3 of the happiest kids ever when we unwrapped the big parcel under the tree on Xmas morning, and then spent hours playing the "Combat" cartridge that came with the console. A couple of days later (in the sales) we then clubbed together any money we'd been given by aunts and uncles and bought Space Invaders and Adventure cartridges.
I recently downloaded an Atari 2600 simulator and all the games, and can't believe how basic they were, with simple blocky graphics, but at the time it was the best thing ever (at a time when the pinnacle of video games for your TV was the Binatone pong game with a square ball and couple of paddles to play "tennis" in black and white).
One ridiculously speculative item we'd all put on our lists, never expecting to get it as it was pretty expensive at the time, and my parents were definitely not well off, was the original Atari video game - the Atari VCS (later rebranded as the 2600).
We were 3 of the happiest kids ever when we unwrapped the big parcel under the tree on Xmas morning, and then spent hours playing the "Combat" cartridge that came with the console. A couple of days later (in the sales) we then clubbed together any money we'd been given by aunts and uncles and bought Space Invaders and Adventure cartridges.
I recently downloaded an Atari 2600 simulator and all the games, and can't believe how basic they were, with simple blocky graphics, but at the time it was the best thing ever (at a time when the pinnacle of video games for your TV was the Binatone pong game with a square ball and couple of paddles to play "tennis" in black and white).
for my 21st birthday my parents gave me a watch.
And my dad had either dropped enough hints, or told me outright (can't remember properly its nearly 20 years ago!) so I knew it was going to be a watch and that it was a Tag with a blue face.
Of course, armed with that info i did look in the window of the jewelers and identified a blue faced tag that was the most likely candidate -
there were two blue faced watches and i reasoned that they would have chosen the cheaper of the two, as the other was 2 or 3 hundred quid more. Which was then (and is to me now!) a lot of money to our family.
Trouble being I really really really did not like it, but really did like the more expensive one.
For the next couple of weeks I was in agony - knowing i did not like it but not knowing how to receive a gift of such expense and either pretending to like it and learning to love it, or telling them i don't like it and being an ungrateful sod. Should i tell one of them ahead of time that I'd looked in the shop window, no, can't let them know I'd spoiled the surprise. It was a dilemma, and like many first world problems it weighed heavy on me.
Anyway, come the day. Unwrapping it with expectant parents and girlfriend looking on. Mentally preparing to act as if I like it. Don't think i've ever unwrapped a present so slowly before or since. Open the box and there's the one I liked.
It takes a moment or two to sink in and I don't think i've ever been so happy with a gift. Beaming I was. My dad had had a last minute change of mind and told me had changed it after work the night before because he decided he didn't like the one he had bought and so found the extra money for the one he really did like. So i got the one I would have chosen and I didn't have to be an ungrateful sod or ever tell them that id looked in the jewelers window.
I've worn it almost every day for 20 years now, and often think about getting an omega, or rolex or whatever. But I just can't be disloyal to it.
And my dad had either dropped enough hints, or told me outright (can't remember properly its nearly 20 years ago!) so I knew it was going to be a watch and that it was a Tag with a blue face.
Of course, armed with that info i did look in the window of the jewelers and identified a blue faced tag that was the most likely candidate -
there were two blue faced watches and i reasoned that they would have chosen the cheaper of the two, as the other was 2 or 3 hundred quid more. Which was then (and is to me now!) a lot of money to our family.
Trouble being I really really really did not like it, but really did like the more expensive one.
For the next couple of weeks I was in agony - knowing i did not like it but not knowing how to receive a gift of such expense and either pretending to like it and learning to love it, or telling them i don't like it and being an ungrateful sod. Should i tell one of them ahead of time that I'd looked in the shop window, no, can't let them know I'd spoiled the surprise. It was a dilemma, and like many first world problems it weighed heavy on me.
Anyway, come the day. Unwrapping it with expectant parents and girlfriend looking on. Mentally preparing to act as if I like it. Don't think i've ever unwrapped a present so slowly before or since. Open the box and there's the one I liked.
It takes a moment or two to sink in and I don't think i've ever been so happy with a gift. Beaming I was. My dad had had a last minute change of mind and told me had changed it after work the night before because he decided he didn't like the one he had bought and so found the extra money for the one he really did like. So i got the one I would have chosen and I didn't have to be an ungrateful sod or ever tell them that id looked in the jewelers window.
I've worn it almost every day for 20 years now, and often think about getting an omega, or rolex or whatever. But I just can't be disloyal to it.
1967, and I was 18 years old and just arrived at University. I got in touch with mum & dad to tell them I had had an offer to join a rock group, but I needed to buy some decent kit. I came home to sort it out. One visit to the music store later and I was on my way back to college with a late 1950's left handed Fender Precision bass and a brand new 100W Marshall stack. The next three years were great, and I even managed to get a B.Sc at the end (somehow).
Thanks mum and dad.
Thanks mum and dad.
Do you know I have no idea what happened to it. I got back from college in 1970, stuffed it under my bed, and for the life of me I can't remember what became of it subsequently.
Mind you, after what I did to the poor thing, I might have devalued it somewhat!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Mind you, after what I did to the poor thing, I might have devalued it somewhat!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My dad bought me a Hartke bass guitar and amp starter pack for Christmas when I was 13 because I'd mentioned earlier on that I was interested in learning to play bass.
I didn't even realise I was getting it as he had kept it in the garage on Christmas day and didn't get home until around 19:00, whereupon he set it up in the dining room.
It's been a life changer as playing bass has been a love of mine ever since.
I didn't even realise I was getting it as he had kept it in the garage on Christmas day and didn't get home until around 19:00, whereupon he set it up in the dining room.
It's been a life changer as playing bass has been a love of mine ever since.
When I passed my driving test in 2008, my Dad was recovering from having a heart attack which also meant that he spent a good month in intensive care. So he wasn't working, I was, and after all my money went on driving tests etc, I decided to knuckle down and start saving for a car and the insurance.
So I came home after my test, more shocked than overjoyed that I passed (first time might I add!). He asks me what am I going to do for a car and I told him what I said above. A few days later I come home and he's flicking through Auto Trader showing me various cars he thinks are suitable. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was going to buy me my first car.
And in fairness to him he did, he let me choose the one I wanted. Found a lovely green Peugeot 306 1.9 XLdt literally 10 minutes walk away. We went round, looked at it, he paid the £550 they wanted in cash. Drove it home, to find my mom telling me to find an insurance quote as she's going to pay for my insurance too.
Felt really guilty over it all, I wanted to do it myself but my parents were insistent. Eternally grateful about what they did given the circumstances.
So I came home after my test, more shocked than overjoyed that I passed (first time might I add!). He asks me what am I going to do for a car and I told him what I said above. A few days later I come home and he's flicking through Auto Trader showing me various cars he thinks are suitable. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was going to buy me my first car.
And in fairness to him he did, he let me choose the one I wanted. Found a lovely green Peugeot 306 1.9 XLdt literally 10 minutes walk away. We went round, looked at it, he paid the £550 they wanted in cash. Drove it home, to find my mom telling me to find an insurance quote as she's going to pay for my insurance too.
Felt really guilty over it all, I wanted to do it myself but my parents were insistent. Eternally grateful about what they did given the circumstances.
When I passed my driving test in 2008, my Dad was recovering from having a heart attack which also meant that he spent a good month in intensive care. So he wasn't working, I was, and after all my money went on driving tests etc, I decided to knuckle down and start saving for a car and the insurance.
So I came home after my test, more shocked than overjoyed that I passed (first time might I add!). He asks me what am I going to do for a car and I told him what I said above. A few days later I come home and he's flicking through Auto Trader showing me various cars he thinks are suitable. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was going to buy me my first car.
And in fairness to him he did, he let me choose the one I wanted. Found a lovely green Peugeot 306 1.9 XLdt literally 10 minutes walk away. We went round, looked at it, he paid the £550 they wanted in cash. Drove it home, to find my mom telling me to find an insurance quote as she's going to pay for my insurance too.
Felt really guilty over it all, I wanted to do it myself but my parents were insistent. Eternally grateful about what they did given the circumstances.
So I came home after my test, more shocked than overjoyed that I passed (first time might I add!). He asks me what am I going to do for a car and I told him what I said above. A few days later I come home and he's flicking through Auto Trader showing me various cars he thinks are suitable. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was going to buy me my first car.
And in fairness to him he did, he let me choose the one I wanted. Found a lovely green Peugeot 306 1.9 XLdt literally 10 minutes walk away. We went round, looked at it, he paid the £550 they wanted in cash. Drove it home, to find my mom telling me to find an insurance quote as she's going to pay for my insurance too.
Felt really guilty over it all, I wanted to do it myself but my parents were insistent. Eternally grateful about what they did given the circumstances.
Not exactly bought, but they allowed someone to give me an absolutely brilliant gift...
Sometime around 1972/3, my Aunt's neighbour gave up driving & asked her if she knew anyone who would like his car - an Austin A35 (the ones in the new classic race series). She suggested me, asked my folks & they agreed: they'd trailer it to our house (about 60 miles away) & I could learn some basic mechanics & keep it in good nick until I was ready to drive. I was TWELVE & HAD A CAR! It was amazing - none of my school friends believed a single word of it, as I spent most of the summer sitting in it pretending to be Roger Clark. "you'll see when my dad brings it home" I insisted.
Unfortunately...the neighbours house was burgled & the miscreants rammed the car making their getaway, writing it off. My mates insist I made the whole thing up.
Sometime around 1972/3, my Aunt's neighbour gave up driving & asked her if she knew anyone who would like his car - an Austin A35 (the ones in the new classic race series). She suggested me, asked my folks & they agreed: they'd trailer it to our house (about 60 miles away) & I could learn some basic mechanics & keep it in good nick until I was ready to drive. I was TWELVE & HAD A CAR! It was amazing - none of my school friends believed a single word of it, as I spent most of the summer sitting in it pretending to be Roger Clark. "you'll see when my dad brings it home" I insisted.
Unfortunately...the neighbours house was burgled & the miscreants rammed the car making their getaway, writing it off. My mates insist I made the whole thing up.
CardinalFang said:
Not exactly bought, but they allowed someone to give me an absolutely brilliant gift...
Sometime around 1972/3, my Aunt's neighbour gave up driving & asked her if she knew anyone who would like his car - an Austin A35 (the ones in the new classic race series). She suggested me, asked my folks & they agreed: they'd trailer it to our house (about 60 miles away) & I could learn some basic mechanics & keep it in good nick until I was ready to drive. I was TWELVE & HAD A CAR! It was amazing - none of my school friends believed a single word of it, as I spent most of the summer sitting in it pretending to be Roger Clark. "you'll see when my dad brings it home" I insisted.
Unfortunately...the neighbours house was burgled & the miscreants rammed the car making their getaway, writing it off. My mates insist I made the whole thing up.
Awful end to it!Sometime around 1972/3, my Aunt's neighbour gave up driving & asked her if she knew anyone who would like his car - an Austin A35 (the ones in the new classic race series). She suggested me, asked my folks & they agreed: they'd trailer it to our house (about 60 miles away) & I could learn some basic mechanics & keep it in good nick until I was ready to drive. I was TWELVE & HAD A CAR! It was amazing - none of my school friends believed a single word of it, as I spent most of the summer sitting in it pretending to be Roger Clark. "you'll see when my dad brings it home" I insisted.
Unfortunately...the neighbours house was burgled & the miscreants rammed the car making their getaway, writing it off. My mates insist I made the whole thing up.
I got a car for my 15th - Suzuki SK410 and none of my friends believed me either, it was due to be brought back from Scotland where I had been learning to use it on my parents caravan site and the transfer box locked in neutral - I was called a liar ... however 3weeks later it was trailered home to their shock and awe!
I later took an angle grinder to the roof and carved it into a convertible when I was bored one afternoon and thought it would look cooler as a ragtop - I was right but my dad hit the roof that I just chopped it off without talking to him about it!
My birthday is quite close to Christmas, so if I wanted something a bit expensive the presents from Mum and Dad would get rolled in to one on Christmas day.
When I was approaching 10 in the late 70s they asked me if I wanted a Scalextric or a Hornby train set. The answer was, of course, Scalextric and I expressed a preference for the Scalextric "300" Racing Minis set with an extra Escort Mexico and Martini Porsche 911 Turbo, plus a few extra bits of track. I fully expected to be disappointed but bugger me they come up with the exact goods. I had never been happier, I loved Scalextric for years (and have recently succumbed to a renaissance) and I never got bored of it. Still have it, boxed, in fact.
http://www.scalextricguide.com/item_details.asp?it...
When I was approaching 10 in the late 70s they asked me if I wanted a Scalextric or a Hornby train set. The answer was, of course, Scalextric and I expressed a preference for the Scalextric "300" Racing Minis set with an extra Escort Mexico and Martini Porsche 911 Turbo, plus a few extra bits of track. I fully expected to be disappointed but bugger me they come up with the exact goods. I had never been happier, I loved Scalextric for years (and have recently succumbed to a renaissance) and I never got bored of it. Still have it, boxed, in fact.
http://www.scalextricguide.com/item_details.asp?it...
One year I remember asking for the "Boulder Hill" MASK base for Christmas, which I had desired basically for ever. Sure enough, on Christmas Day there was a suspiciously large box sitting at the foot of my bed. I was so excited I dived in there and then and my parents woke to find me happily playing with said toy.
Needless to say, they hit the roof as I'd opened it without asking, without them in the room to enjoy the excitement. I get it now as a dad, but as a child, having a massive box in your bedroom on Christmas morning and ignoring it was an impossibility. Note to self as a parent; put any "the big one" type pressies downstairs...
As an aside, up there in my top ten cringeworthy moments of my life was getting an electric keyboard for Christmas, but not the one I had asked for. Yes, Dad had properly researched the thing and got a better one, but it wasn't 'the one'. Like the little s
t I clearly was at that age, I had a strop, which three decades later I'm still ashamed of. I was a very luck lad and I really didn't know it. The only saving grace for the whole situation was my realising I should be ashamed - invaluable lesson there.
Needless to say, they hit the roof as I'd opened it without asking, without them in the room to enjoy the excitement. I get it now as a dad, but as a child, having a massive box in your bedroom on Christmas morning and ignoring it was an impossibility. Note to self as a parent; put any "the big one" type pressies downstairs...
As an aside, up there in my top ten cringeworthy moments of my life was getting an electric keyboard for Christmas, but not the one I had asked for. Yes, Dad had properly researched the thing and got a better one, but it wasn't 'the one'. Like the little s
t I clearly was at that age, I had a strop, which three decades later I'm still ashamed of. I was a very luck lad and I really didn't know it. The only saving grace for the whole situation was my realising I should be ashamed - invaluable lesson there.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff