Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Propose A Modern Alternative To Coal For Santa Claus To Give Naughty Children

Christmas is upon us. It's time to get those Christmas present lists together.

So... who has been naughty and who has been nice?

Who is getting diamonds and who is getting coal? Yuck, coal. Is that even a thing anymore? Who even started that idea?

There has to be some funnier or more "for the times" type of "you've been naughty" stocking stuffer.

I feel like the statement coal used to make is kind of last century at this point.

Apparently I'm not alone in this thinking.


Case in point...

Redditorrallfreedomwanted us to update Santa's deliveries for the children on the naughty list, they asked:

"Since Santa is old, and coal was considered worthless back in the day, what new worthless item could Santa give to naughty children in 2021?"

If you really wanted to set me off on Christmas morning, then you should leave me something personalized. Something you how I'd hate. Like a cassette tape of 80's Christian soft rock. That would make a statement of just how naughty I've been.

What a Difference

Blockbuster GIF by Big Potato GamesGiphy

"Blockbuster gift cards." ~ GamerOfGods33

"And still no one will shop at the one franchise location still open." ~ pesto_trap_god

Discs

"AOL Internet discs... (actually getting rare these days)." ~ whorton59

"After collecting enough of those AOL discs, I just open a bottle of Tennessee whiskey and make AOL disc fish wall art." ~ ExRockstar

"I wish I still had the picture, but my friend passed onto me a photo of a chair (more like a throne, if I recall) made entirely of AOL discs." ~ PM_MeYourSmilingFace

Discharge

"Outdated phone chargers." ~ TheBrotherhoods

"A correct phone charger for the device, but it only works in one very specific angle and charges the phone super slow." ~ Karl_the_stingray

"People rave about how good old Nokias were but they forget that if you went up a version like you got upgraded to a 3310 from a 3210 then all your chargers were now something like 0.25mm too small and you had to buy all new ones." ~ erroneousbosh

Interpretations...

"We currently misinterpreted what 'naughty kids get coal' originally meant. For a poor family in December, coal was the difference between warmth and freezing, hot food and not. 'Coal' was not something mean. It was like socks, now." ~ adaza

"Exactly. If the child was selfless, they would get a personal gift as a reward. If the child was selfish, they instead would get a gift to be shared with the family, forcing them to be more altruistic." ~ MoobyTheGoldenSock

Necessities...

toilet paper help GIFGiphy

"Toilet paper. Just like coal, it's something the whole house needs and will use but is going to be bought anyway. It's also consumable and practical just like coal." ~ NeverGetaSpaceship

I could still use toilet paper. You never know when society is gonna go off into the deep end again and buy it all up. Remember the beginning of Covid?

Spin

fidget GIF by Future GenerationsGiphy

"Idk why but I feel like fidget spinners would be pretty infuriating to the masses of children as something that still counts as a gift but is for sure a let down & past trend." ~ mmaster42

Way back when...

"An "Introduction to Windows 95" book." ~ Actual_grass

"There's one of those package shipping stores near me that sells all kinds of miscellaneous stuff. Anything to make a buck. They have a carousel stand with laminated sheets containing tips on how to use various computer programs. Still for sale as of last week: 'Shortcut keys for Windows XP' and 'Tips for using Microsoft Word 2010.'" ~ dartdoug

All Yours...

"He could give kids one of the old cables that was collected over the years but wasn't thrown away because it could need it at some point." ~ CaptWeirdBeard

"I have a tupperware tote full of those things. I'll sell it to Santa for scap value of the copper. You hear that Santa? $5 and it's all yours." ~ GreatJanitor

Dial Up

"A rotary phone." ~ cannotbefaded

"My Grandma had a rotary phone she kept(still worked so why not) as well as having a cordless phone. Had a relative that wanted to use the rotary phone the one time just to use it instead, decided they didn't want to do that again." ~ golden_fli

"Okay, I actually like rotary phones. I was young enough to remember using rotary phones and preferred using them to touch tone phones. Only because it was fun to spin the dial and watch it spin back into place." ~ GreatJanitor

So close...

ronald mcdonald mcdonalds GIFGiphy

" McDonald's toys from 2 years ago. Old enough to not be popular trends, but new enough to not be collector's items." ~ GavinSnowe

McDonald's still has toys? Who knew? And those fidget spinners, how did anyone ever enjoy those? That would set me off as well.


Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.


More from Trending/best-of-reddit

red flag
red flag
Carson Masterson on Unsplash

The Biggest Red Flags People Ignored In A Relationship

They say love is blind. And stupid.

In hindsight, it's easy to see all the problems and red flags.

Keep ReadingShow less
The cast of The Breakfast Club
Universal Pictures

'Breakfast Club' Cast Reunites For First Time In 40 Years—And Explains Why Film Wouldn't Be Made Today

For the first time in 40 years, the cast ofThe Breakfast Club got back together, though this meeting wasn't for detention in a library—it was for the C2E2 Convention in Chicago.

Though most of the cast has appeared in the same room before, this event included everyone: Molly Ringwald ("Princess" Claire), Ally Sheedy ("Basket Case" Allison), Emilio Estèvez ("Jock" Andrew), Anthony Michael Hall ("Nerd" Brian), and Judd Nelson ("Outsider" John).

Keep ReadingShow less
Abigail Disney
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Disney Heiress Epically Slams 'Sociopath' Billionaires Who Hoard Their Wealth

The Guardian columnist John Harris recently interviewed heiress Abigail Disney. Despite her famous last name, Disney has chosen a life marked by activism and advocacy.

One area she is particularly vocal about is the responsibility that comes with extreme wealth. Disney has been a staunch supporter of higher taxes on millionaires and billionaires.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Donald Trump shaking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s hand and not shaking Cheryl Hines'
ESPN+

Trump Appears To Snub RFK Jr.'s Wife Cheryl Hines For Handshake At UFC Event In Awkward Video

Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Cheryl Hines, who is married to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., found herself in an awkward moment on camera after President Donald Trump appeared to completely ignore her attempt to shake his hand at a UFC event on Saturday, despite shaking the hand of her husband.

On Saturday, Trump attended the fight night at the Kaseya Center with several administration officials and sat ringside for the event.

Keep ReadingShow less
Triston Casas holding his baseball cap to his face and showing off his painted green nails.
Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox / Contributor/Getty Images

Red Sox Star Has Fans Cheering With Viral Explanation For Why He Paints His Nails

In our seemingly progressive world, one still expects male athletes—specifically baseball, basketball, football, and hockey players— to fit a specific mold.

A mold Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas doesn't remotely fit.

Keep ReadingShow less