Let's say you kidnap a Travelocity Gnome and something happens to him- update post 84

[luvflorida]

and you can no longer return him in one piece?

Long story short (there is another thread here somewhere about the gnome and his travels): While at a family cook-out a few months, I kidnapped a relative's Travelocity Gnome and took him cross-country. We've been having a lot of laughs taking him on trips and sending postcards back to his family. We even shipped him back across the country to attend a family wedding and a family accomplice sent him back to us. Our gnome friend has one more trip to go on before we send him back to his family.

So...let's say...you pick up the gnome to set him on a table and he somehow slips from your grip, falls to the floor and breaks into three pieces. What would you do?

1. Immediately get on the computer and order an identical Travelocity Gnome, hoping that he can be shipped to your house before your trip to LV which is in two days, and crossing your fingers that he really is identical to the one that is now in three separate pieces. Then after your trip, ship the gnome back to his family WITHOUT letting on that he is not the same gnome that disappeared from his spot in the garden.

2. Same scenario as above, but include a note with him- "Ha! Ha! You'll never guess what happened...Ha! Ha!" and hope they are laughing about it, too.

3. Ship the new gnome back, then wait a year (or two or three...) and at just the right time (when everyone is together at some family function and having a really good time telling old family stories) you take your turn..."remember that time I kidnapped your Travelocity Gnome? Well, guess what...?"

4. Ship back one piece of the gnome and tell them if they want the rest of him, they'll have to send ransom money.

I'm thinking #3. My husband's idea is #4.

I'm also open to other ideas.

 

[MsLeFever]

I'd go nuimber 3....which makes me feel guilty but that's what I'd try.

 

[phorsenuf]

Hah. I love 4!!
Have you heard any feedback about their reaction when they see him in his travels? I know they don't know you have him but through the grapevine?

What kind of pieces is he in? I'm thinking if it's a missing arm or leg maybe photoshop him into some shark infested waters or something.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I think you have to replace the gnome with a new one. Ship it back with a note saying he's so refreshed by his travels that he looks like a brand new gnome.

 

[phorsenuf]

In further thinking I think you should do 4 and 1.

Do 4 first, because I find that hysterical, but then later on send a new one.

 

[luvflorida]

Hah. I love 4!!
Have you heard any feedback about their reaction when they see him in his travels? I know they don't know you have him but through the grapevine?

What kind of pieces is he in? I'm thinking if it's a missing arm or leg maybe photoshop him into some shark infested waters or something.

Oh, it didn't take them long to figure out we are the ones that took him. The first pictures we sent back showed the gnome's arrival at the airport in Phoenix. I think they're still confused about how he showed up at a wedding back on the east coast and then later appeared in pictures taken in San Diego, though.

Fortunately, I come from a family overflowing with relatives that have a terrific sense of humor, so I'm hoping they'll find the whole situation comical. However, one never knows for certain and I'm thinking they might find it funnier three years from now.

The three pieces consist of the platform with a hole in the shape of the gnome's feet, the gnome's body, and the top piece of his hat.

I like the shark idea, but unfortunately, there are no sharks in Tucson.

 

[Imzadi]

Do 3.

To paraphrase the book, The Little Prince, "You are responsible forever [for the gnome] you have tamed."

 

[phorsenuf]

Oh, it didn't take them long to figure out we are the ones that took him. The first pictures we sent back showed the gnome's arrival at the airport in Phoenix. I think they're still confused about how he showed up at a wedding back on the east coast and then later appeared in pictures taken in San Diego, though.

Fortunately, I come from a family overflowing with relatives that have a terrific sense of humor, so I'm hoping they'll find the whole situation comical. However, one never knows for certain and I'm thinking they might find it funnier three years from now.

The three pieces consist of the platform with a hole in the shape of the gnome's feet, the gnome's body, and the top piece of his hat.

I like the shark idea, but unfortunately, there are no sharks in Tucson.

Tell them he ran off with another gnome and they hitched to the west coast. After the accident and having no money he was forced to contact you to help get him home.

Glad they had a sense of humor about it. I would go with 4 then, but down the road send them a new one.

 

[My sister's princess]

How about a photo of new gnome standing next to pieces of old gnome with a caption like "hi I am in your new improved gnome. Don't worry about the old one, I took care of him"

Then continue having him roam

 

[luvflorida]

I think you have to replace the gnome with a new one. Ship it back with a note saying he's so refreshed by his travels that he looks like a brand new gnome.

I like this! We definitely are replacing the gnome with a new one. I ordered one this afternoon, one day shipping. I'm hoping he is EXACTLY the same as the one we are replacing!!!! I'm just wondering if, how and/or when we should tell my cousin!

 

[We_Love_Disney]

n.m

 

[Imzadi]

The three pieces consist of the platform with a hole in the shape of the gnome's feet, the gnome's body, and the top piece of his hat.

It actually sounds like the gnome is intact, without the hat. Maybe you can do a few pictures of him in the grass, etc., sunning himself without the hat. If he's hollow, make sure you shoot from an angle where they can't see the hole.

Send some of those pictures. They'll be baffled how you got the hat off.

Or shoot pictures of him on a hospital gurney, in 3 pieces.

Then send the new gnome, without any breaks, and they will be wondering for the next 3 years, how you got the hat off.

 

[gate_pourri]

Oh, it didn't take them long to figure out we are the ones that took him. The first pictures we sent back showed the gnome's arrival at the airport in Phoenix. I think they're still confused about how he showed up at a wedding back on the east coast and then later appeared in pictures taken in San Diego, though.

Fortunately, I come from a family overflowing with relatives that have a terrific sense of humor, so I'm hoping they'll find the whole situation comical. However, one never knows for certain and I'm thinking they might find it funnier three years from now.

The three pieces consist of the platform with a hole in the shape of the gnome's feet, the gnome's body, and the top piece of his hat.

I like the shark idea, but unfortunately, there are no sharks in Tucson.

If they have a sense of humor, I'd go with #4, followed by #2.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Take the pieces with you to Las Vegas. Take pictures of a new one at the craps table, then take pictures of the pieces of the old one out in the desert. Tell the family he owed money to the wrong people. After a week or so, send them the new one and tell them what happened.

 

[phorsenuf]

Take the pieces with you to Las Vegas. Take pictures of a new one at the craps table, then take pictures of the pieces of the old one out in the desert. Tell the family he owed money to the wrong people. After a week or so, send them the new one and tell them what happened.

 

[sunnyday123]

This thread is hysterical.

If there was any way you could get him onto a gurney and an oxygen mask, I'd do it.

I like the ransom one.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

1 and 4.

 

[gate_pourri]

Take the pieces with you to Las Vegas. Take pictures of a new one at the craps table, then take pictures of the pieces of the old one out in the desert. Tell the family he owed money to the wrong people. After a week or so, send them the new one and tell them what happened.

That is the BEST idea! I love it!!!

 

[usnuzuloose]

I would do 3 & 4. But I would take one last one in lv and state I just cant take this job no more. Its not what its all cracked up to be Then do #3

 

[Handbag Lady]

Present your family member with two boxes. Give them the first one:

It is the broken gnome with a t-shirt that says, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

The second box is the new Gnome with a T-shirt that says,"What a difference a vacation makes!"