Dursleys' Christmas Gifts: How do they send them and what's the point?

[Qeomash]

I've been wondering exactly how the Dursley's Christmas gifts get to Harry? And, also, why do they even send one?

I mean, how could the Muggle Postman go to Hogwarts? And how would the Dursley's get an owl to send one?

I think that a Wizard (perhaps Dumbledore himself) goes to Private Drive and MAKES them give him a present. However, he's never checked them so he hasn't seen WHAT they give him.

[Knight]

I think Hedwig goes and pester them until they give Harry something. She probably knows it will be a stupid little thing but she likes to annoy the Dursley's anyway.

[rose]

lol. yeah i agree with knight. hedwig prolly goes and makes the dursleys give harry a present

[lanifiel]

Hmmmm, I more think that deep down there is the tinest teensy weeny bit of goodness left in the Dursleys and they feel teh need to send something...

But I could be reaching...

^_^

[Morgoth]

Well I was thinking about this on a wider scale. How would Muggle parents really keep in regular contact with their children? Owls are ok I guess, but what about in an emergency, for say a relative who was suddenly taken ill?

I think that their must be some kind of emergency contact device or beacon that Muggle parents can use to get information to their children. I haven't read the books in ages, so I don't even know if this was brought up in them.

[PhantomTails]

Hedwig went to find Hermione in France for Harry's birthday, so she probably goes to pester the Dursley's every Christmas.

Also, in one of the books, it mentions that the Dursleys received a message about Harry staying over for the holidays, so they could always just give Hedwig the present for the return trip.

[Springy]

No, I don't think so. The students comes from the UK and I don;t think it will take an owl that long to get to hogwatts. Also, they could use Floo Powder. They phone the MoM, via telephone and then get there house connected to the Floo Network!!! Maybe that is a way to do it!!!

[Yoshi]

Well, do you think Muggles would really want to use magic? 1st thing they wouldn't know how, and 2nd well it's magic. They're muggles. The 2 do not mix.

[xicanti]

I like the idea of Hedwig pesting the Dursleys. It seems like something she would do, and they'd want to get her out of there as quickly as possible. The best way to do this would probably be to give her something to take to Harry.

It says in the first book that they've recieved Harry's note, too, so he probably sent them some word and Hedwig was conveniently there to carry back their "present".

[DarlingChild]

I was wondering that myself. I mean come on...they've sent him old socks, a toothpick and a tissue, lol. I agree with what everyone's been saying about Hedwig pestering them. *shrugs*

[rotsiepots]

Originally posted by lanifiel
Hmmmm, I more think that deep down there is the tinest teensy weeny bit of goodness left in the Dursleys and they feel teh need to send something...

But I could be reaching...

^_^

The Dursleys have never felt the need to buy Harry birthday presents, or even acknowledge his birthday. It's only since Harry's arrival at Hogwarts that he has started to receive presents for Christmas and birthdays (remember his astonishment in the first book, "Will you look at this? I've got some presents!")

I think you might be reaching a little too far on that one, Lanifiel. ;)

[Fuchsia]

Good point, rotsiepots.
I think they are too afraid to look like they are neglecting him to the wizards to not send something now. Though not afraid enough since apparently Harry is getting Dudder's stool sample in book 5.

[lanifiel]

Originally posted by rotsiepots
I think you might be reaching a little too far on that one, Lanifiel. ;)

Hehehe, I know I think its more wishful thinking. Still if they really didnt want Harry they would of just left him at a park when he was really young or something...

^_^

[rotsiepots]

I think Harry is bound to the Dursleys by more than just blood. That ancient magic might have something to do with it...

Time (and book 5) will only tell, I suppose.

[Fuchsia]

Don't underestimate the power of getting to feel self righteous, lanifiel.
I know people who will do anything just to feel like a matyr. They invite their whole families over to stay when they don't want to just so they can whine about how underappreciated they are.

[lanifiel]

Originally posted by Fuchsia
Don't underestimate the power of getting to feel self righteous, lanifiel.
I know people who will do anything just to feel like a matyr. They invite their whole families over to stay when they don't want to just so they can whine about how underappreciated they are.

True and I guess they enjoy having something around that they can take all their hurtful feelings out on...

[dorcasderr]

I guess I always figured that Hogwarts sends a packet of information to the parents or guardians of a student which would contain information on how to contact the students or send them something. For example, wizards have outposts in London. A letter or package could be sent to an address in London...a Muggle address, like a Post Office box or a "front" business and from there is sent via magic to the students. I also imagine that Muggle families are in some way watched for the students by incognito Wizards to let them know if they need to contact their families.

[Puffskein]

I was wondering about that...it probably is Hedwig. Just imagine the Dursleys sitting down to breakfast with Hedwig hooting at them. "GIVE THAT RUDDY OWL SOMETHING TO SHUT IT UP! ANYTHING!"

[Tiberius]

Originally posted by Fuchsia
Though not afraid enough since apparently Harry is getting Dudder's stool sample in book 5.

Please tell me you mean a wooden thing one sits on that Dudley made in school!

[dumbleedore]

I always imagined that muggle parents would know how to 'work' owls. But another idea I had is that Hogwarts has a muggle address somewhere to which all muggle mail gets sent and then a wizard brings it to Hogwarts.

Maybe Petunia knows how to send owls and she does it without Vernon knowing. I have always thought that Petunia is only outwardly hostile to Harry... long story...

And Lani, that is just sick. Very sick.

[familiar]

I remember reading that Hedwig flies to the Dursley's to pick up his Christmas presents. I also remember reading (I think in the first book) about how he got a clothes hanger for a present one year (before he was 11).

It would be interesting to find out how muggle parents get letters to their kids. There must be a generic PO box they can use, as well as a phone number for emergencies. Their kids no doubt send them letters by owl, and they just return the owl with their own letter, but what if their kid isn't the kind to write letters? There would be no owl, so there must be some alternate method of delivery. And what if you want to chastise your kid for something? How does a muggle parent send a howler? From Hermione's comments about how her parents don't read the papers does that mean she feels free from their influence in her behaviour? I mean she does worry about being thrown out of Hogwarts, but she doesn't seem to worry about what her parents think. Sorry, got on a roll there, probably reading too much into everything, but hey, it's a thought anyway.

[JoFaye]

I can't imagine the Dursley's bringing themselves to touch Hedvig, much less using her to post a present. Really good question.

[periwinkle-blue]

Originally posted by dorcasderr
I guess I always figured that Hogwarts sends a packet of information to the parents or guardians of a student which would contain information on how to contact the students or send them something. For example, wizards have outposts in London. A letter or package could be sent to an address in London...a Muggle address, like a Post Office box or a "front" business and from there is sent via magic to the students. I also imagine that Muggle families are in some way watched for the students by incognito Wizards to let them know if they need to contact their families.

Originally posted by familiar
It would be interesting to find out how muggle parents get letters to their kids. There must be a generic PO box they can use, as well as a phone number for emergencies. Their kids no doubt send them letters by owl, and they just return the owl with their own letter, but what if their kid isn't the kind to write letters? There would be no owl, so there must be some alternate method of delivery.

I quite agree with the above quotes and some other posts in this thread about having a central point of delivery, kind of like a muggle-to-wizard post office. But in the case of the Dursley, I agree with the below quote:

Originally posted by Pufffskein
Just imagine the Dursleys sitting down to breakfast with Hedwig hooting at them. "GIVE THAT RUDDY OWL SOMETHING TO SHUT IT UP! ANYTHING!"

p/s: Shouldn't this be in the Great Hall Forums?

[honeyelle]

I never really thought about it, i just accepted it. But now i think about it, I think that they give Harry the present for being away all year. But I don't have a theroy on how it gets to Hogwarts.

[MissPotterHead]

I've always wondered that. I think that Hedwig flies herself over there and makes them give him something... though Hedwig probably puts herself in big danger going back there...

[ponshi person]

i too think, that hedwig goes to the dursleys and pesters them for a present and brings it back to harry.

[Mimi]

NO IDEA

[Chocolate Frogs]

Maybe other muggle parents use owl post, but the Dursleys would never use it. The are too proud of being 'normal'. ;) Hedwig probably annoys them until they give her a present to give to Harry.

[Jinxie Cat]

i have no idea :??: ..... i'll just go with hedwig pestering the dursleys and they give her something so she'll go away!

[1MelissaPotter]

Maybe they know how to use owls and send one out of the goodness of thier hearts! (HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA)
Seriously maybe they just send it because they feel like it, or Hedwig may just bother them until they do, then again the stuff they give Harry Hedwig may not take because they aren't good enough for Harry.

[Dr Casey]

The gift and letter the Dursleys gave Harry for Christmas. Wonder what triggered that act of kindness. o_o;

[HannahStarr]

Hasn't Harry gotten a Christmas present from the Dursleys every year? I seem to remember him receiving a paper clip one year... probably his third year when he blew up Aunt Marge.

[jordmundt6]

A fifty-pence piece? Are you kidding? What is this 1932? They buy their son gold watches, racing bikes, working tanks, a library (that he doesn't--can't?:elaugh: use), video games, television sets, and more. They're the royal family of conspicuous consumption Goodness knows how they manage it on Vernon's manager's salary from Grunnings, and the best gift they ever give Harry is a fifty pence piece for Christmas? The Weasleys are dirt poor and Harry got better gifts from Molly after she'd barely met him! P.S. Did you search, I'm sure there's a discussion of the Dursleys' relationship with Harry somewhere dealing with this aspect.

[NANEL]

I seem to remember him receiving a paper clip one year... probably his third year when he blew up Aunt Marge.

I remember it as a tissue i could be wrong though.

[fruitia pickleweed]

I think it's a good question why the Dursleys bother giving Harry anything at Christmas and birthdays. One time it was a wire coat hanger, and another time it was a single piece of tissue paper, wasn't it? Maybe they are under some magical constraint to do something for him as a family member.

There is often more to Harry's Christmas presents than at first appears. Like the knife from Sirius in Book 4, that can open any lock, and gets used and then destroyed in Book 5. Even the old, foul, mustard-yellow socks of Uncle Vernon's are useful to cushion the sneakascope and later delight Dobby.

Harry passed on the 50p piece to Ron. Maybe Ron will get to buy something in a muggle shop! I'd like to see that....

[Cycloneprime]

I think it was just to be more cruel.

Those gifts mean "we know it's your bday, but u don't deserve anything so you don't get anything."

Having nothing wouldn't hurt as much I believe

[[Pretty]_[Unicorn]]

There are sine reasons. Maybe they enjoy watching HP be miserable when they give him junk. Like they go up to him when he expects nothing and they tell him that he is going to get something and they give him some ruddy thing will make HP even more sad and more enjoyable for them. Or maybe they feel a little guilty and believe by giving him anything will make them good people.

[hesdead-dealwithit]

Maybe they are under some magical constraint to do something for him as a family member.

I hadn't thought of that, but now that I do I think there's a very good chance that is right. Maybe Dumbledore said in the letter that they have to give him something, even a paper clip, for his brithday, otherwise . . . and the Dursley's just got a little scared and did what DD said. I find it hard to believe that the Dursleys are cruel enough to give Harry a tissue paper for Christmas, solely to make him feel bad. They know that a tissue paper would make Harry feel worse than nothing at all. Don't say that the Dursley's really hate Harry that much that they would - if they really hated Harry and that's the only thing that there was between them, they would just ignore him and try to forget about him (or actually forget about him) during the year, not give him a tissue paper.

[harp230]

Why wouldn't theDursley's be that cruel. It sounds just like them. If the Dursley's were afraid, then they would send something better. surely nothing at all would be better than the presents they send.
what concerns me more is how the presents get to Harry form the Dursley's at christmas. Specifically in COS Hedwig brings their present and a note. For the Dursleys, to be so against magic, why are they sending something by owl? Yes, i am sure there is no other way to send something than by owl, but it is just odd. They can't control recieving owl( as much as (harry's uncle wnated to in book 5...), but to actually touch Hedwig, let alone to send one to Harry. I would say there is a good chance that harry's aunt did this without her husbands knowledge. Which could be a hint at other things she is concealing about her knowldege of the magical world.

[Kaonashi]

I think they give crappy gifts just to make him feel bad. Think about it, Harry's at Hogwarts having a great time, and we know how much the Dursley hate Harry being happy. I can see them sending him horrible gifts just for the meaness of it.

[hesdead-dealwithit]

Why wouldn't theDursley's be that cruel. It sounds just like them. If the Dursley's were afraid, then they would send something better. surely nothing at all would be better than the presents they send.

I just don't think they are. I think the Dursley's don't hate Harry in the way that they are always thinking about him even when he's hundreds of mile away, but hate him in the manner of forgetting him when they never see him. They may be cruel enough to give him a paper clip to make him feel bad, but they wouldn't because they wouldn't be thinking of Harry.

[Jessica]

I agree withe hesdead. The Dursleys hate Harry when he is there, but only because he is there. Otherwise he's just an afterthought. Their dislike if him stems from his interruption of their life so when he is not disrupting it, they don't care enough to hate him.

I imagine that Hogwarts sends an owl/wizard/whatever to collect present from the muggle families for Christmas etc. The Dursleys just hand this owl whatever is convenient without really thinking too much about it.

[NorthStar]

It may be something to do with the whole "as long as you can call home the place where your mother's blood resides" thing.

Think about it, the Dursley's often ignored Harry's birthday completely (I think it says that in PS/SS) when he lived with them, but since he was living with them full-time he had no other place he could possibly call home.

Harry spends the vast majority of the year at Hogwarts now, so he has another place to call home, where he is always protected by DD himself and the other teachers, however this is not what DD wants because for the summer he has to leave the castle. The Dursley's may be forced to send presents to Harry to help maintain that bond between him and the place where his mother's blood resides, as well as him having to go there for at least part of the holidays.

What do you reckon?

[hesdead-dealwithit]

The Dursley's may be forced to send presents to Harry to help maintain that bond between him and the place where his mother's blood resides, as well as him having to go there for at least part of the holidays.

What do you reckon?
I totally agree. (In fact, that's just a better rephrasing of what we said earlier ;)) I just can't see the Dursley's bothering with giving Harry gifts, such as they were, or even thinking about Harry at all, unless they had to for some reason. And this is by far the best explanation I've seen.

[GryffindorSeeker]

I really don't know what the point of them sending the gifts are. I also don't know how they get them there. I think that Petunia is soley responsible for these gifts, although I don't know why or how.

[Doggy]

I have a feeling that they feel that sending something small and mean and useless is worse than not sending anything at all. Sometimes, I admit, I've forgotten my friends' birthdays when they've lived somewhere else ( :blush: ), but that was mere forgetfullness that anybody could get, not anything else. But if the Dursleys send Harry a present, it proves that they've remembered that they have a nephew and it's Christmas, but that they don't care enough to send something nice.

Anyway; wrong thread maybe; but how do the presents get to the foot of the bed in the night? Is there some big "post office" just before Christmas, where everyone gives the presents, and the presents are delivered during the night?

[Jill]

I have a feeling that they feel that sending something small and mean and useless is worse than not sending anything at all. Sometimes, I admit, I've forgotten my friends' birthdays when they've lived somewhere else ( :blush: ), but that was mere forgetfullness that anybody could get, not anything else. But if the Dursleys send Harry a present, it proves that they've remembered that they have a nephew and it's Christmas, but that they don't care enough to send something nice.

Anyway; wrong thread maybe; but how do the presents get to the foot of the bed in the night? Is there some big "post office" just before Christmas, where everyone gives the presents, and the presents are delivered during the night?

Doggy those house elfs also belong to santa. They probably sneak in on tip toe during the night, I mean Dumbledore with his great big white beared and hair, with glasses as well, could actually be santa clause. :lol:

I think Dumbledore/santa goes and picks up all the present in a never ending, deep sack. Wow that would make a brillant banner but I don't know how to go about and make one that would be any good.

So I think Dumbledore/santa orders the house elfs to place the present in the dorms. With of course McG or Mrs Santa perhaps.

Anyway got to go and tell Dumbledore/santa what I want for christmass, so see ya later, all.

[UselessCharmMaster]

The Dursleys have never felt the need to buy Harry birthday presents, or even acknowledge his birthday. It's only since Harry's arrival at Hogwarts that he has started to receive presents for Christmas and birthdays (remember his astonishment in the first book, "Will you look at this? I've got some presents!")

Well, the Dursleys are people who want to look "properly" and really care for their external reputation, even if at home they behave awfully. I mean, they feel they should send something, so they do, but as they hate Harry, they send things like a toothpick.

Maybe if you put "Hogwarts" on the letter, it's magically taken to the Great Jinxed All-Purposes Wizard Post Office? :rolleyes:

[Pucko]

even if the Dursleys feel a need to send Harry something "nice" for Christmas, they have no means to do so, unless DD send them an owl to take the present back every year, or Hedwig flies off to bug them (muah ha ha ha ha :elaugh: )

or maybe all the stuff they send his add up to some conspiracy and the tissue is EVIL :evil:

i was kidding. seriously. watch that become a thread now. the evilness of the tissue.

[Inigo Imago]

Hmmmm, I more think that deep down there is the tinest teensy weeny bit of goodness left in the Dursleys and they feel teh need to send something...

But I could be reaching...

I still think that lanifiel was right... We even saw in the 5th book that there was some compassion for Harry, even if it was "teensy weensy." Maybe I was just reading it the wrong way, but I thought I remembered a moment (ONLY a moment) where petunia looked like she had some emotion for harry, maybe it was only her fear of dumbledore, but it was something. I believe that the Dursleys are going to have a turn-around sometime in the next two books because, no matter how much they hate the wizarding world, they are connected to it and they aren't safe from the war. They will have to come to that realization and either form a peace w/ harry or betray him... I don't think that they are going to be able to have a passive hatred any longer... but I don't think that they would go so far as to turn against Harry in his ultimate time of need (expecially since Harry saved Dudley)... anyway, I may be crazy, we'll all know in due time :D

Inigo Imago

[harp230]

I think that if anyone of the Dursley's has a turn around it will be harrys aunt. His uncle seems quite puzzled whay Harry is actually wanted around. but thats for another thread. I guess Harrys b-day will be their first opprotunity to show a change...

[giantsquid11]

Harry receives his Christmas presents from the Dursleys via Hedwig. In the second book it says:
"At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room, carrying a very small package in her beak.
'Hello,' said Harry happily as she landed on his bed. 'Are you speaking to me again?'
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which was a far better present than the one she had brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys. They had sent Harry a toothpick and a note telling him to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts for the summer vacation, too."

Hedwig probably goes and hounds them until they send a present, like she did in book 5 when Harry wanted answers from Ron and Hermione and they got all the scratches and bites on their hands. Harry doesn't ask her to do it to the Dursleys, but she is a very intelligent owl and most likely thinks the Dursleys should send something. But who knows, its all just speculation anyway. :)

[Dedalus]

Well, the Dursleys are people who want to look "properly" and really care for their external reputation, even if at home they behave awfully. I mean, they feel they should send something, so they do, but as they hate Harry, they send things like a toothpick.
I agree. They have to keep up appearances, whether they like it or not. And even if not for the sake of looking proper, they're both quite frightened of wizards, and don't want to be seen not sending Harry anything, incase someone starts asking questions. They wouldn't want to be confronted about it, and certainly not by someone magical.

I also agree that Hedwig probably goes round and makes them send him a present. She seems to know when Harry is due some presents, as she showed up for Hermione to send her present to him as well.

[Doggy]

I agree. They have to keep up appearances, whether they like it or not. And even if not for the sake of looking proper, they're both quite frightened of wizards, and don't want to be seen not sending Harry anything, incase someone starts asking questions. They wouldn't want to be confronted about it, and certainly not by someone magical.
But they don't mind locking him up in his room in the summer holidays; only letting him out to go to the bathroom, or to hardly feed him anything.

It would be interesting though; if the thought of Lupin or Moody or Mr Weasley barging into their house will mean that they give Harry a more proper Christmas (and birthday) present. Now that would be interesting to find out..

[Dedalus]

But they don't mind locking him up in his room in the summer holidays; only letting him out to go to the bathroom, or to hardly feed him anything.
Ahh, but that was when they found out he couldn't do magic outside of school, and was away from magical folk himself. They seem to want to show some sort of front when they're scared that someone will definitely come after them, like when they gave him Dudley's spare room instead of the cupboard because they were scared that the house was being watched.

But I don't know. Maybe Hedwig just shows up and starts pecking them to death until they give in and fetch something :)

[Masterfroggy]

I have a feeling that they feel that sending something small and mean and useless is worse than not sending anything at all. Sometimes, I admit, I've forgotten my friends' birthdays when they've lived somewhere else ( :blush: ), but that was mere forgetfullness that anybody could get, not anything else. But if the Dursleys send Harry a present, it proves that they've remembered that they have a nephew and it's Christmas, but that they don't care enough to send something nice.

Anyway; wrong thread maybe; but how do the presents get to the foot of the bed in the night? Is there some big "post office" just before Christmas, where everyone gives the presents, and the presents are delivered during the night?

Doggy get my vote, I think they want to remind Harry that whilst they haven't forgotten Christmas, they want him to remember that he is as meaningless to them as a paperclip (stolen for Vernons office no doubt) or a paper tissue,
In the USA it it considered worse to leave a 1 cent tip, than it is to leave no tip at all,

[Sescja]

Never mind wondering how the Dursley's have sent their gifts. How do children in the wizarding world receive their gifts when away from home, or how do presents arrive at the foot of the bed when a friend send their gift?

[Nostalgia]

I guess I always figured that Hogwarts sends a packet of information to the parents or guardians of a student which would contain information on how to contact the students or send them something. For example, wizards have outposts in London. A letter or package could be sent to an address in London...a Muggle address, like a Post Office box or a "front" business and from there is sent via magic to the students. I also imagine that Muggle families are in some way watched for the students by incognito Wizards to let them know if they need to contact their families.

Yuuup. I'd agree with this. Dumbledore is a caring headmaster, so I'd imagine it would be like this.

[Gwenog Jones]

I agree with everyone who thinks that Hedwig pesters them until they give him something to bring back to Harry. They probably just grab the closest thing to them(i.e. toothpick, tissue).

[Credo Buffa]

It may be something to do with the whole "as long as you can call home the place where your mother's blood resides" thing.

Think about it, the Dursley's often ignored Harry's birthday completely (I think it says that in PS/SS) when he lived with them, but since he was living with them full-time he had no other place he could possibly call home.

Harry spends the vast majority of the year at Hogwarts now, so he has another place to call home, where he is always protected by DD himself and the other teachers, however this is not what DD wants because for the summer he has to leave the castle. The Dursley's may be forced to send presents to Harry to help maintain that bond between him and the place where his mother's blood resides, as well as him having to go there for at least part of the holidays.

What do you reckon?

I think that's a really good theory. It makes a lot of sense, especially in light of the fact that it would otherwise make a lot more sense for them to not even bother.

[ornjbreezy]

I always thought that Hogwarts sent notes home to all of the families to notify them when Christmas break was and when they should send presents. I think it was expected of them that the Dursley's would give Harry a gift, like the letter could say, "Please send the gift/s for your relative via owl" or something like that. I doubt that there is much of a magical bond, but I have no real evidence for that. Maybe JK just put those gifts in there to show how much the Dursley's hate Harry (if they hadn't sent a gift, Harry could just assume that they had forgotten him, which would be better than sending him something pointless.) Or it could be a huge plot point that none of us will be able to guess. ;)

Interesting thread!

[serious]

I have a question. I've been rereading Sorceror's Stone lately. It's a paperback edition, not the one I first read (I borrowed it originally and other people have borrowed my copies of various books since and not returned them). At Christmas, it says the Dursleys sent Harry a fifty-pence piece taped to a note.

I do not remember that at all.

The only presents I remember him getting from them are a hanger, a tissue, a toothpick and various used pairs of socks. Can someone confirm for me that they changed this or is my memory really off here? And why would they have changed it?

[lunasloony]

I have a question. I've been rereading Sorceror's Stone lately. It's a paperback edition, not the one I first read (I borrowed it originally and other people have borrowed my copies of various books since and not returned them). At Christmas, it says the Dursleys sent Harry a fifty-pence piece taped to a note.

I do not remember that at all.

Yeah i think there was a time harry was given a fifty-pence piece, i remember it. I can't remember which book though- i have a feeling that it could be in CoS or PoA. I remember that harry got the fifty-pence piece and was about to chuck it away when Ron asked if he could look at it b/c he was interested in it and Harry said Ron could keep it. Although i cant remember a note being attached to it? maybe it just said 'merry christmas' or something.

I hoped that helped.... :)

[serious]

No, it's Sorcerer's Stone. But yes, that is Ron's reaction. Weird that I didn't remember that. I was shocked frankly. lol I thought it said elsewhere that the Dursleys never gave him money of his own... hmm...

[StephyJ_83]

The Dursley's didn't give him money before that, and 50 pence isn't much. There was a note with it though:

We received your message and enclose your Christmas present. From Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Taped to the note was a fifty-pence piece.
"That's friendly," said Harry.
Yeah, compared to the other presents he got from them, that was very friendly indeed. But, it says that they received his message. I think your post goes along with that, ornjbreezy.

[Lupin_Lady]

The reason that the Dursley's even bother giving him anything is another form of Harry's 'torture'.

Think about it- if you lived with the Dursley's would you rather them not send you anything, or them send you a tissue as they did to Harry?
It's just the same as when Harry's in Privet Drv. THe Dursley's will not leave him alone. Vernon and Dudley can't ignore him. They have to keep picking and annoying him. So it's that continued.

[lunasloony]

hmm.... true... i guess theres not much harry can buy with a fifty-pence piece though.... a tissue maybe?! lol, to add to his collection. :)


Think about it- if you lived with the Dursley's would you rather them not send you anything, or them send you a tissue as they did to Harry?


Yeah i reckon getting a tissue is worse... its like a reminder of how mean the Dursleys are.

[Raven_Girly]

I think the Dursleys send Harry presents just for kicks. They probably find the thought of Harry getting all excited then unwrapping a toothpick extremely funny. But Harry knows not to excited though.

[Stayce]

As to why I do not know however how they get there is probably simple. The address to the school is on envelopes sent to Harry and DD is in contact with Petunia. He has to have established a way for her to send at the very least a letter to him. Besides there are several muggle parents that send wizard children greetings. So she has an Address. Beyond arriving by muggle post I would say that it is like the trunks when they arrive on the first day. Either house elves or magic delivers them to their beds.

[MadMagic]

I don't think anything cn arrive to Hogwarts via muggle post. To muggles, Hogwarts is a dangerous ruin, it would be a bit off for the postman to leave things in teh rubble of an old castle.
However, I do think that there is an established way for muggle parents to communicate with thier magical children. Perhaps the muggle mail is sent somewhere and then retrieved by some Hogwarts staff member or something. What ever the way is, I'm sure it is the method used by all muggle Hogwart parents.
As for the significance, I think it is just to make it clear how horrible the Dursleys are to Harry. It is also part of the Durlsey image created by JK, and I love it. They wouldn't be the same if the didn't give Harry 'gifts' of toothpicks and old socks. Heh, it's all about establishing them as the characters they are and I think it works fabulously.

[TheDarkLordSam]

Ooh, here comes my craziness, watch out! :rotfl: I have a few thoughts about the meanings, though they're very farfetched . . .

Toothpick: Could it be not a toothpick, but a sliver of wood? Maybe from the Potter's house ruins, or one of their wands?

Five Pence: Perhaps it was Lily's from when she was a Muggle?

Tissue: From James and Lily's wedding? Was Petunia even invited, though? And even if she was, would she've gone?

Was there anything else mentioned? I can't remember. Well, I think that Petunia isn't as foul as she seems, and wants to give Harry things from his parents. . . even if these items are not the case. Either that, or she must send them, so that he remains protected with that bond, like others have said.

But again, I must say, I'm quite quirky, so don't listen to me. I still think Mark Evans wasn't a mistake, just a future importance to the story. . . :huh:

[sirius_gerl]

interesting theories...(just a friendly FYI...JKR has already said that Mark Evans has no signifigance to the story...)...i like the theories...i cant really think of any other reason, unless DD wanted Harry to get at least one gift from his aunt and uncle.

[Kidney Pie]

I think it is there way of saying "Yes, we are still alive. And Yes, we still hate you. But I don't know how they get the present to him unless they give it to Hedwig.

[TheDarkLordSam]

(just a friendly FYI...JKR has already said that Mark Evans has no signifigance to the story...)I know, but I'll never give up hope. . . :angel:

[sirius_gerl]

lol...and you never should!:) that's a good reason to Kidney_Pie, they could be saying that to him through their presents.

[HpAngel123]

Idk if they sent him a present or ot i haven't read the books in a long time and i don't want to go and search right now so my guess is idk.

[HarryIsMyBoyy]

Haha...yeah I kind of always wondered about that too. Like, if you're going to send the boy a sock or a quarter..what's the point? Why not just send him nothing? I think it was probably just put in the books to show how rotten the Dursleys are.

<3 Christina <3

[lunasloony]

I wonder if they'll send him a present in HBP? What will it be? hmmmm... maybe a button or a paperclip. Or wait maybe half a paperclip. Now that would be soooo generous!!! :)

[grammer]

I believe they send gifts because they must to keep Harry's protection intact. The kind of gift isn't important, just that they send a gift. I also believe that Petunia MUST get something in return for taking Harry, like protection for her and Dudley (also of Lily's blood) as long as Harry can call their house home.

[Delving]

I've thought a couple of times that it would be funny to give one of my friends one of these presents as a joke. Like make them unwrap a gift to find it's just a toothpick, but then hand them their real present, which is a gift certificate to a restaurant. Or give them a tissue, but then later give them their real present, which is a DVD of a sad movie.

Unfortunately, I don't think any of my friends are big enough Harry Potter fans to get this. :sad:

But as for why the Dursleys do this, I tend to agree with the earlier posts that they're being mean. It is worse to give someone a toothpick or a paper clip than nothing at all. And it may also be true that they're so into being proper that they "have to" give a relative something for Christmas, even if its something that shows they really don't like him. How's that for phony morality? "We can't not give a relative a present -- that would be wrong. Instead, we're just going to show an 11 year old boy how meaningless he is to us."

[jasper]

Maybe the post owls give the Dursleys a hard time until they send something. It could be a Hogwarts practice to send owls out to muggle families if their kids are staying at school for the holiday. And then the Dursleys would grab the first thing they could think of for a present just to get the owl back out of the neighborhood.

[PotionsPunk]

WHY they would send him a gift is an easy question to answer. HOW? I have no clue, I'm going to side with JASPER on this one that maybe Hogwarts sends owls to muggle families of students for the reason of: "Maybe they don't keep an owl when the student isn't home". Moving onto "Why":
To dodge suspicion. In GOF Dursley was torn because he needed to keep up a front that he wasn't mistreating Harry for fear that he would write Sirius. Harry is at school on Christmas holiday, and it's been made clear to him since the beginning that Dumbledore would go to great legnths for Harry, so they send him a gift in...I guess you could say "fear". They imagine it would go something like this:
Scenario One: No Gift
Dumbledore: Happy Christmas Harry
Harry: Thank you sir.
Dumbledore: Did you hear from your relatives?
Harry: No, they don't really like to bother with me.
Dumbledore: They didn't even send a gift?
Harry: I don't see why they would.
At this Dumbeldore thinks: "I'm going to write them" or even worse: "Maybe I'll pay them a visit", which is something they would want GREATLY to avoid. So they send him a gift, and they imagine that the scenario goes something like this:
Dumbeldore: Happy Christmas Harry
Harry: You too sir
Dumbledore: Is that a gift from your relatives?
Harry: Yeah it is, that's really unusual
Dumbledore: Maybe they're not as bad as you think

This isn't the case, but the point it Dumbledore will neither be writing, nor visiting the Dursley's, which is what they want, which is why they send him a gift, no matter how bad it is.

[steph_HPfan]

Somebody probably goes to the Dursely house hold to get it... probably...

[grammer]

Ok - but how does the present get to Hogwarts. I can't see Vernon or Petunia using an owl willingly. I think maybe Mrs. Figg goes over and asks if they've sent Harry's gift yet, and they hand her the first thing they can find. Which would mean that one of them (Petunia) knows that Mrs. Figg has contact with the WW.

Just bouncing this off a few heads to see if turns into a ferret :lol:

[Crookshanks_]

I really can't imagine the Dursley's allowing anyone to come and get the present from their home... I mean they really HATE wizards don't they.. That's actually a really good question, because they cant send it by muggle post,where and how would they adress it..?(Don't think any muggle postmen knows where hogwarts is).The only thing i can imagine,is that Dumbledore sends them an enchanced envelope or something like that..

[Lucybird]

I'm not sure how but I think maybe it's something to do with the blood bond, a sort of extra potection, maybe

[emerald eyes]

For a while, I was kinda thinking along the lines of it being something about protection. Now I think it's more of Dudley and Vernon getting together and trying to figure out what would be the most horribly, embarrassing present for Harry to open if others are around him. As for how they send things to him, I think that there is some system worked out for them to mail items to a special postal address that wizards pick up and then disperse the mail to where ever from there. After all, there are other Muggle parents. You can't tell me that they would all be the most comfortable to go to Diagon Alley and fetch an owl. (I think there's a plan in place - maybe JK just hasn't worked out all the details yet!)

[IMAWIZARD]

I think that there is some system worked out for them to mail items to a special postal address that wizards pick up and then disperse the mail to where ever from there. After all, there are other Muggle parents. You can't tell me that they would all be the most comfortable to go to Diagon Alley and fetch an owl. (I think there's a plan in place - maybe JK just hasn't worked out all the details yet!)
I agree. Maybe a post office box address or something. Makes more sense than sending owls to all of te muggle families I think.

I think that the reason they send awful presents is because Dumbledore told them to. I believe that they really do hate Harry, but I'm not saying that they always will.

[LadyCadagon]

Ok you remember when Hedwig tortured Ron and Hermione to write Harry in the fifth book, but on Dumbledores orders they couldn't. Maybe Hedwig goes to the Dursley's during the Holiday's and bugs them until they just give her something to send to Harry. :blush:

[grammer]

Ok you remember when Hedwig tortured Ron and Hermione to write Harry in the fifth book, but on Dumbledores orders they couldn't. Maybe Hedwig goes to the Dursley's during the Holiday's and bugs them until they just give her something to send to Harry. :blush:

Maybe, but Harry did order Hedwig to do that. He didn't even expect Christmas presents from the Dursleys. And I just can't see Vernon or Petunia using an Owl under the best of circumstances. But Somehow presents get from them to Harry. And the presents are wrapped, I checked out SS/PS today. Harry's present was taped to a card. Somebody took the time to tape it to a card. Why?

So they wouldn't look bad in somebody's eyes. Whose? DD, Mrs. Figg, the neighbors??

So they wouldn't look bad in the eyes of whoever it was transported the note. Would an Owl care? I don't think so.

I think it was a person, a person connected to both Petunia and the WW. Who fits that description?
Mrs. Figg for one. DD for another. Is there someone else? Possibly. Maybe a house elf who cleans for Petunia? :evil:

So far, with all the choices I've seen, I'll pick Mrs. Figg.

[RemusLupinFan]

Just imagine the Dursleys sitting down to breakfast with Hedwig hooting at them. "GIVE THAT RUDDY OWL SOMETHING TO SHUT IT UP! ANYTHING!"Lol :)


I agree with those who said Hedwig probably goes over to the Dursleys and pesters them until they give her something for Harry. As was suggested, they probably just grabbed whatever was on hand to get rid of Hedwig as quickly as possible, especially considering how "unnatural" it is to have an owl in your house hooting and pestering you to tie something to its leg (heh, that 5 pence piece was awfully generous, don't you think? :p). Given Vernon's strong negative reaction to all those owls in OotP, it stands to reason that if Hedwig kept bothering them that they would come up with something to get rid of her. Otherwise, I don't think they would bother to give Harry anything at all.

Although I think grammer had an interesting idea about keeping the blood protection intact by maintaining the connection via a Christmas presant. :tu:

[grammer]

Why, thank you RemusLupinFan :takes bow:

[Tiberius]

Just imagine the Dursleys sitting down to breakfast with Hedwig hooting at them. "GIVE THAT RUDDY OWL SOMETHING TO SHUT IT UP! ANYTHING!"

LOL, I can imagine Hedwig picking up the bent and rusty paperclip and thinking, "Oh, it's a GOOD present this year!"

[SuperNova]

I believe Dumbledore forces the Dursleys to send Harry presents. They would like to ignore him, in book five they even want him to leave forever, but Dumbledor stops them.

Its important that Harry doesn´t loose contact with the Dursleys while he´s away. He must be reminded of them to maintain the feeling that he has a home with them, though he feels Hogwarts is much more of a home.

Dumbledore knew what the Dursleys was like when he left Harry there, but it was the only place were Harry could be safe. It´s important that the bond between the Dursleys and Harry is maintained to protect Harry.

In Chamber of secrets, the school almost had to close. Dumbledore knows that Hogwarts isn´t as safe as Harry believes, and doesn´t want Harry to feel like home too much at the school.

There´s more forces protecting and taking care of Harry than we know.
I think that Harry now is even more protected because Sirius died to save him.

[grammer]

I don't know, SuperNova:

I think that Harry now is even more protected because Sirius died to save him.

I wish I thought so. I fear that Sirius died too swiftly to cast any spells to protect Harry. I hope that he sat around Grimmauld Place long enough to draw up a will leaving his belongings to Harry (or the Weasleys, they could use a fortune, and Harry doesn't need it)

[morgiana]

The Dursley's don't send gifts to Harry. He never gets a birthday cake or presents. Hagrid brought him his FIRST cake when he was eleven. If they don't do presents when he's in their home they sure aren't going to do Christmas. I don't remember Harry ever getting a gift from the Dursley's.

[grammer]

morgiana:

The Dursley's have sent Christmas gifts to Harry at school, but they're pretty darned pathetic; a 50 pence piece, a toothpick and a piece of tissue. What we're discussing here is how and why? Do you think someone else is sending these pathetic gifts to Harry instead of the Dursleys?

[Discordia]

The Dursley's have sent Christmas gifts to Harry at school, but they're pretty darned pathetic; a 50 pence piece, a toothpick and a piece of tissue. What we're discussing here is how and why? Do you think someone else is sending these pathetic gifts to Harry instead of the Dursleys?

Why would someone else be sending gifts to Harry in the Dursley's name? It makes no sense. If anyhting it's just going to fuel the idea that the Durseleys don't and have never liked Harry.

I have to admit that their gifts have been down right pathetic. What's Harry going to do with a 50 cent pieve, a tooth pick and a tissue. He can't use the money actually he doens't need the money, and he can use the toothpick on his teet and the tissue when he needs it but they're pretty bad gifts. The dursley's will give Dudley a gift for practically ever day of the year but they are to cheap to give Harry a half decent present. Unless Harry is going to prop the 5o cents on the toothpick and wrap the tissue around it to make himself a nice doll or something I don't see a point to these gifts. The Dursley's don't care about Harry so why even bother to write or send him anything bc obviously it means they care something of his well fare. Either that or they're just doing it out of propriety.


Its important that Harry doesn´t loose contact with the Dursleys while he´s away. He must be reminded of them to maintain the feeling that he has a home with them, though he feels Hogwarts is much more of a home.

Dumbledore knew what the Dursleys was like when he left Harry there, but it was the only place were Harry could be safe. It´s important that the bond between the Dursleys and Harry is maintained to protect Harry.
Maybe that's why the Dursley's bother to send him anyhting. To try and maintain contact so that the spell remains intact. Even though the gifts are pitiful atleast they're somethign to remind Harry of the Dursleys.

[amethystraven]

I like the thought about the blood protection and the christmas present. I also think that Aunt Petunia isn't as hard towards Harry as she may seem....at least I keep hoping :) Also I think that one reason they even send him a present is because it is a way to keep on the "good" side of the magical world and their treatment of Harry. I mean why did they give Harry the bedroom? Because they knew that the magical world (or maybe just Hogwarts and DD) were keeping an eye on Harry

[SuperNova]

I wish I thought so. I fear that Sirius died too swiftly to cast any spells to protect Harry. I hope that he sat around Grimmauld Place long enough to draw up a will leaving his belongings to Harry (or the Weasleys, they could use a fortune, and Harry doesn't need it)

Well maybe Sirius had already protected Harry with some sort of spell. And the strongest reason Sirius went to tMoM was to rescue Harry. I think that matters. I think Sirius death will be useful to Harry. Maybe Sirius will save Harry when he can´t be saved by any mortal forces, just the immortal (you know when voldys last victims plopped out of his wand).

And the Dursleys maybe are forced by Dumbledore to send presents, but I may already have said that :p

[grammer]

That's possible. I mean maybe Harry gets pushed through the curtain too, and Sirius pushes him back out. Anything is possible. (especially with JKR!)

Back to the topic, however.

I wonder if there is a buried meaning in Harry's gifts from the Dursleys?

for example, the toothpick is actually a piece of his father's wand?? or something like that? :hits ball over net and does small dance of triumph: Whadda think?

[MoodyHarry]

I posted this somewhere in another thread, but I noticed OotP (I think) that the Dursley's sent a Christmas present (a toothpick I think) to Harry via Hedwig. I thought is was weird that Hedwig or any owl for that matter was delivering for the Dursleys.

I wonder if it's an oversight or deliberate? If deliberate, then Petunia (I would guess Petunia would send it) is not so anti-magic after all.

[Tiberius]

I fear that Sirius died too swiftly to cast any spells to protect Harry.

I don't think that you need to perform a spell so someone is protected by your death. I mean, Lily did it for Harry, and Voldemort was standing right there. If a spell was neccessary, Voldie wasn't going to just stand there and let her do it. I think it's the act of sacrifice itself that creates the magic.

[LeeJordanfan]

:::watching ball come over net:::

Now that's intriguing grammer, about a hidden meaning in the Dursley's gifts. JKR loves hidden meanings. (Like, Hermoine's Patronus is an otter and her parents are dentists).

Maybe we are asking the wrong question. Maybe it should be...why WOULD we give someone fifty cents, a toothpick, or a tissue.

Fifty cents to subtly clue Harry in that something's up with Gringotts bank.

A toothpick to remind Harry that he should listen to Hermoine whose parents are dentists? Perhaps Hermione had extra important stuff for Harry to know that coming spring.

A tissue to wish good health with the ordeal that Harry would be facing end of term?

::hits ball back over::

[grammer]

I don't think that you need to perform a spell so someone is protected by your death. I mean, Lily did it for Harry, and Voldemort was standing right there. If a spell was neccessary, Voldie wasn't going to just stand there and let her do it. I think it's the act of sacrifice itself that creates the magic.

She may have started casting the spell when James yelled at her about LV. Both James and Lily knew it was possible for LV to attack, I think she prepared in advance. Sirius, on the other hand, did not have much warning that Harry had got to the MoM; and he had even less warning that he was going to fall through that D*****ed veil.

Lee: :volley back: I wonder if the three gifts together could be used in a spell or something.

Maybe......The tissue was a warning about the Veil at the MoM??
:evil:

[mem]

:::watching ball come over net:::

Now that's intriguing grammer, about a hidden meaning in the Dursley's gifts. JKR loves hidden meanings. (Like, Hermoine's Patronus is an otter and her parents are dentists).


Uh....huh?
Sorry to interrupt the tennis, but what?

[grammer]

Mem:

which statement are you "huh"ing? The otter - dentist connection or the hidden meaning in the gifts?

[Shadow2389565]

I think that maybe Dumbledore threatens them to send a present. Or maybe they are afraid that they would get put in jail. Like in the 1st book, they give Harry a room because they get the letter from Hogwarts to Harry addressed "Under the Stairs", so they send him presents so they won't get in trouble. There is probably an address that muggles send and one of the professors get the mail and gives it to the students. Or gives it to owls and have the owls give it to the students so they don't feel left out that their letter didn't come swooping down. I am really not sure, that is a good question.

[DH4eva]

I personally think that Harry's aunt really does care about Harry and whenever Hedwig comes she forces them to give Harry a gift.Or Hedwig can talk and then he theatens them to give Harry a gift or else he will tell everyone that they are not normal.

[LeeJordanfan]

I have to agree with some of the other posters who think that there's simply a Post Office box for conventional Muggle correspondance. I suspect some adminstrative person at Hogwarts just goes, picks it up and brings it to the office. I bet all the important offices do this.

1. Except for Petunia on one occassion ("Remember my last!" from Dumbledore), we've never heard of muggle parents getting owls.

2. McGonagall writes to the parents when the students have misbehaved. (the Ford Anglia incident). I think she wants the parents to be receptive to her comments, not fearful. So I suspect she'd use Muggle mail for them.

3. The Ministry of Magic and the Prime Minister of England have contact with each other. Can you really see owls going to the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London without the muggle press ever noticing? I bet the Ministry of Magic also has a "felly-tone" for emergencies between the two leaders.

4. There is business that must be done in the muggle world. Carpentry supplies, plumbing supplies, and such seem to be pretty ordinary. If, say Hogwarts wanted to fix moaning Myrtle's bathroom, they'd probably order sinks. I can't imagine a muggle contractor filling an order request that came on parchment and being carried by an owl.

::sends extra ball over net to mem::

Otters are known for their exceptional teeth. Really strong. They can kill with them.

[PotionsPunk]

I have to agree with some of the other posters who think that there's simply a Post Office box for conventional Muggle correspondance. I suspect some adminstrative person at Hogwarts just goes, picks it up and brings it to the office. I bet all the important offices do this.

1. Except for Petunia on one occassion ("Remember my last!" from Dumbledore), we've never heard of muggle parents getting owls.

2. McGonagall writes to the parents when the students have misbehaved. (the Ford Anglia incident). I think she wants the parents to be receptive to her comments, not fearful. So I suspect she'd use Muggle mail for them.

3. The Ministry of Magic and the Prime Minister of England have contact with each other. Can you really see owls going to the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London without the muggle press ever noticing? I bet the Ministry of Magic also has a "felly-tone" for emergencies between the two leaders.

4. There is business that must be done in the muggle world. Carpentry supplies, plumbing supplies, and such seem to be pretty ordinary. If, say Hogwarts wanted to fix moaning Myrtle's bathroom, they'd probably order sinks. I can't imagine a muggle contractor filling an order request that came on parchment and being carried by an owl.

::sends extra ball over net to mem::

Otters are known for their exceptional teeth. Really strong. They can kill with them.

Those are fantastic points! Bravo trully.
:welcome: to the forums :D

[Zanya Perry]

To tell you the truth, I think that Hedwig is sent by a teacher, perhaps Dumbledore, and doesn't leave until a present is given to Harry. I mean, J.K. Rowling always talka about how Hedwig is gone for long periods of timem so, maybe she was sent by one of the teachers. It is a possibility, isn't it?

[LeeJordanfan]

PotionsPunk:Thanks for the welcome!

It was the British press that kind of got me thinking about the correspondence. From what I know about the reporters Rita Skeeter-like reputation in England, I just can't see Tony Blair being able to get Owl Mail over breakfast :lol:

I think you are right that the Dursley's send him some kind of gift because they would be afraid not to. They already feel the magical community may be watching them because of that first letter in book 1 (To Harry Potter, address: The Closet Under the Stairs), and might incur Dumbledore's wrath without it. This might be Uncle Dursley's reason.

But a secret message from Petunia disquised as a "nothing" present would a) satisfy Uncle Dursley, and b) serve as a secret warning to Harry.

Grammer: ::looking at volley::

Oh, what an idea! That the three things could be used together in a spell. Hmmm....

Tissues and toothpicks are personal hygiene products. Some kind of healing spell? Money for an inexpensive ingredient? Or what is the metal in a British pence piece?

The tissue could be a warning about the Veil. I think that's the best idea for a tissue present yet. It also suggests sadness and sorrow, as well as veil.

::sends ball back over thinking 'gosh this ball looks like a snidget':::

[grammer]

:The way LeeJordanfan volleys the ball, it acts more like a blodger:), hits it back:

If the gifts have a hidden meaning, AND Petunia is sending them; she certainly does know more than she's telling.

Hmmmmm - I wonder if a seer has to be a wizard? Is it possible for a muggle to be a seer? What does Petunia know and how did she learn it??

[mem]

Mem:

which statement are you "huh"ing? The otter - dentist connection or the hidden meaning in the gifts?

Otter-Dentist connection. I can't imagine what the one had to do with the other.

Sorry, I didn't notice anyone had responded.

[filius]

I vaugely remember something about Owls flying to the Dursley's from Hogwarts to send the presents to him... Only vaugely though. Can't remember...

[Tiberius]

She may have started casting the spell when James yelled at her about LV. Both James and Lily knew it was possible for LV to attack, I think she prepared in advance. Sirius, on the other hand, did not have much warning that Harry had got to the MoM; and he had even less warning that he was going to fall through that D*****ed veil.
But Lily died directly saving Harry. Harry wasn't under immediate threat from Bella. He was under immediate threat from Voldy when Lily died, however. Also, I don't think it was a spell, even if she only got halfway through. Any spell powerful enough to block the AK curse would be very hard to do, and a panicked half-performance of it surely wouldn't have worked. i think it was merely that lily was willing to sacrifice her life for her son that did it.

[GodricHollow]

morgiana:

Do you think someone else is sending these pathetic gifts to Harry instead of the Dursleys?

Maybe they're not as pathetic as we think, Harry thinks Hogwarts as a second home, so maybe for the protection to have a effect he has to be reminded of the sacrifice Lilly made to save him. Because the presents are associated with Muggles Harry naturally thinks of the Dursley's whenever he gets them, and we all know that Dumbledore keeps up to date with Muggle situations.

[ElizabethTaylor]

Umm... gosh I don't know. Dumblador might've helped them. I'm not sure. That's a good question. :agree:

[LeeJordanfan]

:

If the gifts have a hidden meaning, AND Petunia is sending them; she certainly does know more than she's telling.

Hmmmmm - I wonder if a seer has to be a wizard? Is it possible for a muggle to be a seer? What does Petunia know and how did she learn it??

::notices the TWO balls grammer sent over::

I definitely think Petunia knows more than she's telling. I mean, we know that she was jealous of Lily somewhat, but still, Lily was her sister and she was murdered. I would want to know all I could about the circumstances of my sisters death, ya know? Doesn't mean I would talk about it much. But I would educate myself about it so I could avoid the same fate if possible.

This may be why Petunia's distanced herself from the magical world so much. Petunia may think that if Lily hadn't ever married James, or gone to Hogwarts, that Lily would still be alive. I can't blame her for grudging the magical community.

JKR did confirm (in the "By Fans for Fans book") that Dumbledore and Petunia had corresponded before Harry was left on her doorstep. This is logical because Petunia and Dumbledore are on a first-name basis. So I think Petunia definitely knows alot. And I think she learned it from Lily, and more importantly...Dumbledore himself.

I don't think you have be a wizard to be a seer. But it can't hurt.

::rushes to hit the two balls back, succeeds, and takes a deep breath::

[grammer]

:huh: :where the devil did that 2nd ball come from?: :running towards one, and missing the other, puff puff:

I'm wondering if Petunia might be a seer, then her gifts Might make some sense, even if they are a bit (BIT?) weird.

: puff puff, I'm too old for this running around, puff puff:

[LeeJordanfan]

::sees the ball, just catches it, goes in house, sits down and knits out of two balls of yarn to work on with Ms. Grammer instead:: :lol:

Petunia as a Seer? Now I admit that's something I hadn't considered before. But why wouldn't Dumbledore not tell Harry by now? If there was ever a time to tell him it would have been when they were discussing the prophecy and things in Dumbledore's office.

She could be a Seer, that could be how she's kept up on the Magical World all these years. Does Mrs. Figg know? And if there is a Mrs. Figg, wouldn't there have been a Mr. Figg? What happened to him?

But how would Petunia have hidden that from Mr. Dursley?

[grammer]

Can you imagine Vernon asking questions??
:taking out her knitting needles and settling into her comfy chair:

It's also possible that DD isn't aware that Petunia is a Seer, after all, he didn't know about Trelawny until after her 1st prophacy. If Petunia is into self-denial, and hasn't told Vernon, why would she tell Mrs. Figg?

(I have contemplated the idea of a Mr. Figg - I personally think we was a wizard, killed during wizard war I - since Mrs. Figg was in the original OotP)

I'm less worried about how Petunia would hide it form Vernon, that I am what the Devil Petunia was trying to say with the gifts?

:ta da! Hold up knitting, House elf socks for Hermy:

[Tiberius]

If petunia is a Seer, how could she hide it from Harry?

[LeeJordanfan]

::admires Ms. Grammar's socks for Dobby. I notice that you made them all different colors. You're smart. When Harry wore matched socks Dobby said "They has made a mistake in the shop, Harry Potter, they is giving you two the same!".

I did a google search for "tissues" and Christmas presents. I came up with a few cases. Churches buy them for patients in nursing homes, or those who are "homebound". Homebound people are too sick to be mobile. They call it "Tissues for Christmas". While Harry isn't sick, he is certainly bound to Petunia's home. Also on google, I saw that sometimes people give tissues as a mean gift to people who you feel "allergic" too.

Tiberius, I don't know if you have to be magical to be a Seer. Can Petunia be a Seer and still a Muggle? What do you think?

For toothpicks, I found that sometimes people use them to make Christmas ornaments.

::has accidentally knit a glove into an earmuff. Sheepishly holds out knitting for Ms. Grammer to fix::

[grammer]

Tiberius:
Are all Seers the same as Trelawny? - I mean maybe some are the kind that see visions and can keep those visions to themselves (if they want to). If Petunia is that sort then I don't know why Harry would even suspect, do you?

:taking earmuff and gently unraveling yarn back to glove stage, pointing gently at knitting instruction sheet that clearly says not purl 5, but cast off 5, and handing glove back to LJFan - "Interesting choice of color, dear":

LJFan: I'm more inclined to think that IF the gifts had a hidden meaning, that it's an accumulated one. Meaning that I'd look at all the gifts to see if we can mix them together someway. What are all of the gifts, anyway? A toothpick, a 50 pence piece, and a tissue (which I assume means Kleenex type tissue, unless tissue has another meaning in the UK) Any others??

I'm using KJR's web site as my source for this idea, she has (twice now) used a list of three items to collect in order to get one of her hidden "easter eggs." Hmmmmm.... Wondering.....

[LeeJordanfan]

:starts knitting the green and yellow gloves properly. The purple polka dots were confusing, but it is back on track now:

If I were a Seer, I'd certainly keep it to myself and not tell Vernon. If she is, that's a good thing, because she's keeping Harry. So if if she can see, the Dursleys may be safe.

I think you're right about the combined gifts being used in a spell. I have no idea how though....

Oh! Didn't Harry also get a pair of Vernon's old socks once as well? I can't remember what book that was in though.

So socks, tissue, a toothpick and a piece of money. You could make a sock puppet with that. What else?

[grammer]

Yes, I seem to remember Harry thinking about that, didn't he end up giving the socks to Dobby? Let me see, socks and feet, tissues and noses, toothpicks and teeth (duh) and money (they mentioned the odd shape of the coin, I wonder what shape the 50P piece is in the UK? (Is Scotland's 50P piece a different shape than England's?) Hummmmm....
They used to put coins over the eyes of the dead, but this is only one coin..... Moody only has 1 real eye -

:Are those gloves the same size? From way over here they look a bit strange. Maybe it's the light?

[LeeJordanfan]

That's only four presents though. What did they send the other year? And if nothing was sent, why not? If they sent a tissue, I can't imagine them not sending anything.

Here's an answer to your question about the money of England. A fifty pence piece picture can be found here:

http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/pics/dec50.html

There's also a history of the fifty pence piece. I read it in depth, but I couldn't find anything that might be of relevance to Harry. However, it does note that there are 13 kinds of 50 pence pieces in the UK over the years. I wonder if JK Rowling had a particular one in mind.

:looks in hand at Hagrid size glove, and Winky sized in other. Thinks to self, 'I could just make one more of each and then I'd have Christmas presents for both of them'.:

[grammer]

Hmmm... :Approves of your decision for xmas gifts for both Dobby & Hagrid, starts another pair of socks for Hagrid... Argyle pattern:

Of all the images at that link - they 50 pence pieces all have 7 sides. I wonder if the shape is what we should be looking at, after all, Ron did comment on the shape of the coin. 7 sides, 1 side for each year of school... Seven christmas gifts.... seven items for the spell maybe..... it's a stretch....

LJFan - You DO realize that this entire theory of ours hangs by a thread (so-to-speak!)? But for some strange reason I still think the wierd xmas gifts will end up having a deeper meaning of some sort.

:speaking of stretch, these socks don't have enough for Hagrid, Hmmm Minerva??:

[LeeJordanfan]

Yes, I do realize that. :rotfl:

But it's so much fun learning how to knit socks over here and peaceful, compared to the ummm...busy thread over there that we've seen each other on. The knitting needles are really sparking from the heat in that area. I mean, my goodness. But I guess political threads are like that.

So to sum up the questions that we still need to figure out.

1. What is the significance, if any, of the seven sides on a 50 pence piece?
2. What spell can you do, if any, with the gifts that the Dursleys send Harry?
3. Does Petunia know more than she lets on? Can she See?
4. Do the Dursleys gifts mean anything at all, or are they just mean?


If you or I think of answers we can always throw a ball of yarn at each other to say more :)

:wraps up final two big gloves and two small gloves:

[grammer]

:Takes 3 pair of socks, commences wrapping in tissue paper before wrapping is gift paper:

LJFan: We also need to see if we can find any other gifts from the Dursleys, and what type of tissue they sent to Harry.


:Grateful for the peace and quiet, settles quietly into her comfy chair and takes a short nap:

[Allemande]

1. What is the significance, if any, of the seven sides on a 50 pence piece?

Somewhere in here, there is a thread with all the different possible significances involving the number 7:
- seven years at Hogwarts
- seven books
- seven tasks in PS/SS
- seven bottles in PS/SS for the Snape task
- (if the pattern continues) 7 DADA teachers
- 7 victims in chamber of secrets: mrs. norris, colin creevy, nearly headless nick, justin finch fletchley, hermione, penelope clearwater, and ginny weasley
That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Some other random facts about the number 7:
- in Judaism, the day of rest (shabbat) is on the seventh day of the week. there is also seven branches of the menorah (candlebra) and seven years to build the temple.
- seven deadly sins
- there is a theory that the number 7 represents the star Sirius
- Alchemy (aka the thing Nicholas Flamel and Dumbledore worked on) works with seven metals

[chupachup07]

That theory would explain some things, esspecailly the kinds of gifts Harry gets. Who takes the time to mail a rubber band?

[huckleberry]

maybe Hedwig visits the Privet Drive voluntarily to take their gifts to Harry :rotfl:

[grammer]

That theory would explain some things, esspecailly the kinds of gifts Harry gets. Who takes the time to mail a rubber band?

Harry got a rubber band as a gift from the Dursleys?? Cool! That's one more gift to add to the list. Can we find any others, I'm sure there's a hidden meaning somewhere in there?

[LeeJordanfan]

Is it possible that Hedwig just annoyed them until they gave something? Like Hedwig pecked the fingers of Hermione and Ron in Order of the Phoenix?

Gifts we know of: A rubber band, a tissue, a fifty cent piece, and Vernon's old socks...

[grammer]

Is it possible that Hedwig just annoyed them until they gave something? Like Hedwig pecked the fingers of Hermione and Ron in Order of the Phoenix?

Gifts we know of: A rubber band, a tissue, a fifty cent piece, and Vernon's old socks...

Toothpick (wooden?) That's 5 gifts, can we find any more??

Hope you all have Happy holidays !!!!

[lynsey1989]

i have always wondered this too
but i agree that hedwig "made" them

[Schames]

I havent read all the posts, but I do have some guessings.
1. Why? In book 5 Dumbledore explains to Harry that he is getting strong protection as long as he can call the Dursley house as his home. It is why he must spend there at least a summer month every year. When at home it isnt necessary to get presents. But at Hogwarts it is important for him to get presents from home, however small. Probably Dumbledore or McGonagall had a little talk with mrs and mr Dursley.

2. How? and how all other muggler parents did? Some of us did suggest an intermediatory post office. Good. Besides, in the school they had a professor in the study of Mugglers. It is possible and probable the professor had a telefone and took emergency calls, and helped with the post to the world of Mugglars, went to an muggler-post office nearby or such.

[LeeJordanfan]

Toothpick (wooden?) That's 5 gifts, can we find any more??

Hope you all have Happy holidays !!!!Found one! A coat hanger in Book One. I was re-reading the Scholastic edition last evening. When the Dursley's are running away from the owls, and Dudley is complaining because he wants to watch television.

This reminded Harry of something. If it was Monday -- and you
could usually count on Dudley to know the days the week, because of
television -- then tomorrow, Tuesday, was Harry's eleventh birthday. Of
course, his birthdays were never exactly fun -- last year, the Dursleys
had given him a coat hanger and a pair of Uncle Vernon's old socks.

Schames: Good thinking re: Whoever teaches muggle studies probably coordinates muggle mail/owls for the school. I don't think a phone is likely though, they say electricity doesn't work on the school grounds.

[Schames]

Schames: Good thinking re: Whoever teaches muggle studies probably coordinates muggle mail/owls for the school. I don't think a phone is likely though, they say electricity doesn't work on the school grounds.[/QUOTE]

Phones dont need a lot of electricity, only very little. Professor Lockman, when trying to get from the school to avoid search and fight with the monster, does say he get an call. Mistake by Rowlings? Perhaps. But perhaps there wera an emergency telephone somewhere - on Hogwarts or near Hogwarts for Hogwarts use.

[fairy_lightz]

yeh i ve neverthought about that at all, why do thety give him gifts they hate him, and they hate owls so they would give it to hedwig

[sirius_gerl]

Maybe Dumbldore told Mrs. Dursley to keep in touch with Harry in some way. I'm not sure. I know what I'm thinking, but I can't put it into words:S..JKR said that Dumbledore might have been sending other OWLS just to her. I say might, because JKR can't give stuff away that will be revealed in the books. (she obviously worded it differently. It was about the "Remeber my last" howler. And she said something about, he could have been keeping in touch with her)

[grammer]

It's my belief that the gifts are necessary to keep Harry's protection active during the time he isn't actually at Privet Drive. I don't think the size or type of gift matters, but it has to be a gift. I can't see the Dursleys giving Hedwig anything, even to get her out of the house. Vernon is far more likely to try and kill Hedwig, to get rid of her completely.

LeeJordanFan and I have been trying to figure out if the presents have a hidden meaning, like the collection of items on JKR's leading to an Easter Egg - so far we have found a list of about 7 gifts, but we haven't come up with a deeper meaning for it all.
:sigh:


-----------------

Happy new year all

[RavenEye]

When did he get a rubber band?

These were all the presents from the Dursleys I could find.

PS:
10th birthday: coat-hanger and a pair of socks (later used to muffle sneakoscope, then given to Dobby in GoF)
Christmas: 50p piece

CoS:
Christmas: toothpick and note telling him to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts for the summer holidays too

PoA:
13th birthday: Aunt Marge staying for a week (OK, that doesn't exactly count)
Christmas: nothing mentioned

GoF:
Christmas: a single tissue

OotP:
Christmas: nothing mentioned

[BrAinPaiNt]

Hmm...Well I am not sure this should be divination or History but I think it may lead to speculation so I stuck It here.
I also did some searching no Hedwig and Dursleys and I guess this could go into the Petunia Thread but I thought a fresh thread could be used as it does not apply strictly to Petunia even though I, or others, may lean towards her with possible explanations.
So Mods, if this has been done and I missed it, delete it, if it is something that should be in the History section then please move it.


So here goes.

The Dursleys hate getting letters from owls.

I doubt the Dursleys would ever put out a (muggle Mail) letter with Hogwarts address on it, because they do not know the address and also would not want people thinking bad about them.

So here is something to ponder.

How does it come to be that the Dursley's have sent Harry Gifts via Owls while he has been at Hogwarts?
Off the top of my head I think they sent him a toothpick one time and some tissue paper another time, they may have sent stuff other times and it is slipping my memory.

But If the Dursleys don't have an owl as they are muggles, or they are potrayed as muggles, then how do they send gifts (even lame gifts) to Harry via owl?

I guess this could be a little messup by JKR without realizing it.

OR maybe this falls into the who category of Petunia not being so hard core a muggle and dumb as she acts about the wizarding world prior to OOTP.

There are scenarios that I think happens with students at hogwarts who may have muggle parents/guardians. I would imagine they have worked out a time line with Hogwarts to have the owls pick up presents. The owls could leave and go to the house to pick up these xmas presents.
But I just do not see that going over well at the Dursleys with Uncle Vernon around.

So once again maybe it touches on the petunia theory that she knows a lot more then what she has let on over the years.
I also wonder if it is part of a protection spell that Dumbledore has worked out...that Petunia/Dursleys have to give harry a present every so often, even if it is basically nothing worthy, just to keep another protection spell in place....similar to harry just having to spend minimal time to keep the dursleys as the home of record.

I also don't think the Dursleys would use regular muggle mail as they would be afraid of someone finding out they were sending something to Harry Potter at a magic school.

Any other suggestions?

[thedarklord_89]

well i think hedwig went to the dursleys every christmas so to mock harry they sent him lame gifts
because even ptunia wouldnt bother to send an owl to harry if she WAS a witch :p

[wduran]

yea, i didn't get that either! how do they get those presents to harry? it trully is something to ponder...hmmm,
maybe petunia knows more than we think she knows
maybe she did send it via muggle mail to a wizard and that wizard would send it to harry

[rock bottom]

never thought about it, a very nice question. there's definatley something about the Dursleys we don't know. we know that they hate any kind of magic, but there's got to be a reason for that - I don't think that Petunia will hate her sister so much just out of gelousy, somethond must've happened between Lily an Petunia that made Petunia hate not just Lily, but the entire wizarding world.

And the dursleys gave harry a pound one time. :blush:

[agio]

you have a good point there.

well i think hedwig went to the dursleys every christmas so to mock harry they sent him lame gifts
because even ptunia wouldnt bother to send an owl to harry if she WAS a witch :p

I just cannot see Hary telling hedwig to fly to the dursleys, grab a gift, and fly back. Why would harry wish to send hedwig to the dursleys in the first place ? I think this explanation doesn't make sense.

About harry getting gifts - well there are three options
1) by mail
2) by owl
3) by both (i.e. mail to someone and then by owl).

Logically speaking, only one of them opens a possibility:

1) I just cannot see someone adressing a letter "hogwarths" and the post officer knowing what to do.

2) There are three dursleys, of whom we really only know about two, namely vernon and his so well behaved son. remaining petunia, who apparently knows about dementors, i.e. she surely knows more than we've read so far (I mean would be boring if the two remaining books were blank)

3) no way - they would need to have some kind of contact to a witch or wizard, and I again just cannot see the dursleys wanting to have some kind of contact with the wizarding world.

So if this isn't just a slip from JK, we have a proof that there is more to petunia than we know.

[jenny_d_b]

Dumbledore said the he had made sure that they gave him a present every year, no matter what, just a small thing. And so they have. Maybe it has something to do with the protection, I don't know... If Dumbledore knew that they most probably wouldn't give Harry a present if they weren't forced to do so, maybe he sent an owl who didn't leave from the Dursleys before they had given it something (familiar to the owl in PS, it didn't leave until Harry had paid for the paper).

[cassyopaya]

I´ve always assumed that Hedwig had flown to the Dursleys on her own and "forced" them to give her some gift(s) for Harry. I´d guess that the Dursleys are quite annoyed whenever Hedwig shows up so they´d do everything to make her go away again.

[McKinnon02]

I kinda assumed the same. Hedwig annoys the heck out of Vernon, who already knows what to do to get rid of her, so he attaches a small gift and she clears off.

[Unicorn21]

I like the idea that it was down to Dumbloedore as part of the protection magic. It seems the kind of thing Dumbledore would do.

[HP_ROCKS]

Dumbledore said the he had made sure that they gave him a present every year, no matter what, just a small thing. And so they have. Maybe it has something to do with the protection, I don't know... If Dumbledore knew that they most probably wouldn't give Harry a present if they weren't forced to do so, maybe he sent an owl who didn't leave from the Dursleys before they had given it something (familiar to the owl in PS, it didn't leave until Harry had paid for the paper).



Can you tell me where it says this? I dont remember it .. thanks

[atherella]

Hi Brainpaint,

I know you did a search and know the drill. There is a thread for this topic already though (I knew one existed, so I searched the word "gifts"). So, I'd ask that all discussion on this topic be moved to the Dursleys' Christmas Gifts: How do they send them and what's the point? (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=2656&highlight=gifts) thread.

Thanks. :)

[BrAinPaiNt]

Hi Brainpaint,

I know you did a search and know the drill. There is a thread for this topic already though (I knew one existed, so I searched the word "gifts"). So, I'd ask that all discussion on this topic be moved to the Dursleys' Christmas Gifts: How do they send them and what's the point? (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=2656&highlight=gifts) thread.

Thanks. :)


That's fine and thanks for directing me to another thread.
I get to read more great ideas about the topic that I was wondering about. :cool: :tu: