Michigan crap you got today

Submitted by jeag on

As I opened a pair of Walmart Wolverine pajama bottoms this morning, I realized just how much Michigan memorabilia I receive every Christmas. Apparently, if you're not my mom, dad, or brother, and you want to give me a gift worth between five and forty dollars, the first thing you think is, "Hey, I think that guy really likes Michigan sports, or something!"

They are correct, of course. And the gifts that result are more thoughtful than ornaments or dancing Santas. HOWEVA, they're getting out of hand.

I own all of these items:

-Set of four M tumblers
-Two M shot glasses
-One cracked M beer mug (apparently not dishwasher safe)
-M bottle opener that plays the Victors (cool at first, but by beer three you need a quieter method)
-Three different M coffee mugs
-One M travel coffee mug
-Michiganopoly (unopened)
-Michigan Football Heroes playing cards (fun, but incapable of counting Euchre points)
-Michigan Football Memories DVD (unopened)
-M Alumni license plate holder (unused)
-M rear-window sticker
-M bumper sticker (unused)
-M key ring
-Three M baseball caps (I don't wear baseball caps)
-Three M hoodies (I wear two)
-Approximately ten presentable M T-shirts (I wear about three of these)
-Approximately fifteen ugly M T-shirts from Walmart, Sam's Club, Meijer, or Ann Arbor street vendors (unworn)
-M polo shirt
-Aforementioned M pajama pants (Zubaz?)
-Michigan Stadium poster (featuring the Halo!)
-Winged helmet poster
-Three M Starting Lineup guys (Woodson, Howard, Harbaugh)
-Bo-autographed mini football

I can't be a beautiful and unique snowflake in this regard. So what kind of Michigan stuff did you get this year, and is it cool or is it crap?

TomW09

December 25th, 2009 at 11:52 PM ^

Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. If it has a block M and was not purchased through the athletic department or at the MDen or from the official supplier (Adidas, formerly Nike), then it probably is crap.

Just look at the OP's list! I hate getting all that crap, ESPECIALLY the terrible t-shirts from Walmart. I get my gear from the official suppliers. That's usually the only stuff that I would actually wear on a day to day basis.

Side note: How much does everyone hate it when someone who knows nothing of sports and/or the University tries to talk about it to you? I hate it when I get the "well my kid likes State, so you must have a grudge with him." Look lady, you don't understand my disdain for MSU. You also don't understand that I don't care who you or your son roots for. Please don't talk to me about my school, because as much as I do love Michigan football, the University of Michigan is my school and it means alot more to me than a winged helmet or that stupid shirt that's littered with block Ms that you are wearing.

Err... maybe that was just one annoying person. /rant

EDIT: Sheesh, sorry y'all. Lemme try to explain: You know when you're out of town and some random guy asks you "Hey how about that Rich Rod, he's gonna get fired" and you think to yourself "There's no way I could possibly enter into a conversation so complicated with someone that is completely foreign to the subject" so you shrug it off and say "Yeah, I'm not worried, he'll turn it around." That's all I was getting at - sometimes it's annoying to talk to people who wouldn't "get it" on your level.

That and the general disdain of needlessly officially licensed merchandise (like the later mentioned "M" lip balm).

Lordfoul

December 26th, 2009 at 9:52 AM ^

I second this.

I did not receive a single Michigan related item, probably because my siblings and I decided not to exchange gifts this year (gotta save that $$$).

I did send an awesome array of MGOShirts out including the "Worst State Ever" shirt to my Mom who happens to have been born in Cleveland.

Merry Day After everyone!

TomW09

December 26th, 2009 at 11:22 AM ^

See, that's the difference, IMO. MGoShirts do not have the block M plastered all over them. They're good in my book (how could they not be?).

What I hate getting is the piece of poor quality product that, as the last part of production, had a block M sticker slapped on it. The same stuff that also has block S's, block O's, etc slapped on them and sent out to other regions.

FTR: I received no Michigan stuff this year, though gift exchangin' was light this year. I gave the "100 things about M football" book. I also gave some pics of myself to the fam. In each one I was decked out in M gear (none of which was from walmart ;)).

kriegers

December 27th, 2009 at 1:38 AM ^

I'm not sure how to organize this, but I bet a lot of us have M stuff that we don't or won't wear/use and there are other M fans who would put it to good use. Although, the holidays have passed, the spirit of giving (or at least bartering) could continue.

If people think a google spreadsheet would be helpful to facilitate such an exchange, I can whip it up, but not sure that's the best method or if people would be interested.

Just a holiday thought after reading this thread...

BlueVoix

December 27th, 2009 at 2:06 AM ^

I'll have to disagree with you on the official Adidas merchandise. Although I don't mind the new look, it more has to do with the placement on the logo, and that held true for Nike as well. My two favorite plain "Michigan" shirts are manufactured by Champs because there is no visible logo right smack dab on the front of the shirt. I want people to know I support Michigan, not that I have a shirt by Nike or Adidas.

turfboy

December 25th, 2009 at 12:01 PM ^

got some kick ass adidas long sleeves with that under armour feeling type material - and i agree, if it has a BLOCK M, its worth it's weight in gold (or maize) - merry Christmas to all of you !

HartAttack20

December 25th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^

L/S Maize Michigan Football shirt, reversible winter hat, champion grey hoodie, blue hoodie, Michigan football calendar (get one every year), and a wooden football plaque thing.

BrayBray1

December 25th, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^

She works at a tanning salon and they sell it...It looks like a golf ball with a big Block M on it, you unscrew it, and viola, vanilla lip balm. Odd gift? Yes....But it should come in handy for those arctic-like winds in Michigan.

formerlyanonymous

December 25th, 2009 at 12:16 PM ^

Nothing Michigan. Too hard to get it in stores down here. I did pick up a few UM ornaments for my Michigan Christmas tree though. I think I'm up to 15-20 nice ornaments and 5-10 crappy ones.

My girlfriend did get me these, though.

RagingBean

December 25th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^

Some t-shirts my dad picked up from street vendors at the Ohio State game last month. Bought myself a blue #1 jersey a few weeks ago, so my M wardrobe is expanding.

WolvinLA2

December 31st, 2009 at 1:28 AM ^

My new fiance es de Guatemala and it also is need of some more M gear. Anyone know where I can pick up a Vamos Azul shirt? Her parents would probably love it too.

Secondly, she got me an M jersey, #4 for Christmas. Last year #4 was Minor and B. Smith (both gone). Thus, it's likely a forsh takes it this year (maybe one each on O and D) and I'm excited to see who it is. If it's DG, it was a great buy on her part.

MGoViso

December 25th, 2009 at 1:07 PM ^

my girlfriend got me a glasses and contacts kit with M designs all over the glasses case, cleaning solution, contacts holder, and cleaning cloth.

TheBigAC

December 25th, 2009 at 1:13 PM ^

New Titlest Pro V1x golf balls stamped Go Blue
Glass Michigan Mug
Michigan Pullover Fleece
Michigan Ear Warmers
Michigan Sweatpants
My Favorite, the Rose Bowl program fron Bo's Last year as coach

UNCWolverine

December 25th, 2009 at 1:20 PM ^

I've got tons of M stuff of course. But I just wanted to mention that a few years ago my mom got me a Michigan hockey jersey (no name/anonymous) for Xmas. It's the only jersey I've ever owned and I probably wear it once a year, if that, while watching a big football game on TV far away in California. I have a theory on grown men that wear other men's jerseys and it's not good.

MH20

December 25th, 2009 at 1:37 PM ^

Last year:
- Golf bag
- Headcovers
- Golf balls
- Michigan Football Vault
- Maize & blue argyle socks
- Tin bucket with 'M' on one side and 'MICHIGAN' on the other (use it for spare change - over $80 worth)

This year:
- Alarm clock
- Wooden maize & blue sign proclaiming "LET'S GO BLUE" (thanks, sis)
- Winter-type jacket
- Toothbrush (yes, they make Michigan toothbrushes)
- Michigan helmet ornament
- Baseball-style shirt
- Awesome necktie (maybe my favorite gift, seriously)

There are a few more that I can't remember. And indirectly related to Michigan, I got several pairs of wool socks and feet warmers for chilly November games (and the occasional cold October game - I'm looking at you, '09 PSU).