Not sure what to get someone for their sixteenth birthday? Well, don’t follow the model of Queen Victoria‘s family.

In her day, birthdays were a day to offer instructions to young people. On her 14th birthday she was admonished to be reflective and “grow in goodness and become humbleminded” (as cited in Lewis, 1976).

To make sure that happened, at 16 she received a bust of her mother and illustrations of all the funerals she’d attended. Yeah, that’s a rousing way to celebrate turning another year older! At least you didn’t die as these folks did, Vicky!

What’s the weirdest gift you’ve been given? Comment below to share.