I think I was about 22, and my mom had asked me what I wanted for Christmas
I replied without hesitation - "SOCKS!" - because up until this point keeping my feet clad in woollen undershoes was proving to be a bit of a hassle. From all my various relatives I gratefully received 28 pairs of socks, enough to keep me going for four weeks (at least) without having to resort to washing, drying, sorting and all the other domestic stuff I really didn't have time for. I also thought I'd be extra clever - I sewed a little piece of red thread through the toe of each one so I could identify it as mine.

By the time the first of February rolled around my housemates had stolen 25 of the 28 pairs. Apparently the red thread made them easier for them to identify as well, and when they needed a pair they would just take them off the line, or, if they were in a hurry, directly from my sock drawer.
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Tue 10 Apr 2007, 13:01, Reply)