Symbolism of objects found on porches

[Deleted]

Several local residents have reported unusual objects found on their front porch, documented with photos.  All reports include a stuffed toy like a blue octopus; some have a stainless steel dinner knife alongside the toy.  I live in a very diverse community with people of many cultures and traditions.   I could attribute the stuffed toys to dogs dropping off children's toys they found but dogs don't usually deposit stainless steel dinnerware alongside the toys they find and drop. I've Googled this but got nothing.  I don't want to create drama where there isn't any, but our security services are being called out on this.  Any ideas?    

[thyme4change]

Weird!

[Tennesseer]

Any other reports of the same objects found in other areas of your town/city?  

First thing which came to my mind was the start of a promotion for a new seafood or other type of restaurant in your area (based upon the objects you described).

[CCL]

Could it be something to do with Thanksgiving? Like some sort of symbolism?

[Opti]

Nov 11, 2020 19:11:42 GMT -5 @donethat said:

Several local residents have reported unusual objects found on their front porch, documented with photos.  All reports include a stuffed toy like a blue octopus; some have a stainless steel dinner knife alongside the toy.  I live in a very diverse community with people of many cultures and traditions.   I could attribute the stuffed toys to dogs dropping off children's toys they found but dogs don't usually deposit stainless steel dinnerware alongside the toys they find and drop. I've Googled this but got nothing.  I don't want to create drama where there isn't any, but our security services are being called out on this.  Any ideas?    

Any strange people about or residents who like to play pranks?

[Tiny]

Is there anything incommon with the houses that have been "gifted"? In my area - that might be a High School prank - and all the houses would have HS students living there or have occupants somehow related to the school. (Like TPing the athletes houses around Homecoming.  TP's kind of rationed these days - so have the kids found some other thing to do?) 

OK, went down a rabbit hole... seems there's a tradition that if you gift someone a knife the recipient is suppose to give the gift giver a coin.    I think it's mostly in reference to wedding gifts? Not sure.  

[NoNamePerson]

Nov 11, 2020 22:16:25 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Is there anything incommon with the houses that have been "gifted"? In my area - that might be a High School prank - and all the houses would have HS students living there or have occupants somehow related to the school. (Like TPing the athletes houses around Homecoming.  TP's kind of rationed these days - so have the kids found some other thing to do?) 

OK, went down a rabbit hole... seems there's a tradition that if you gift someone a knife the recipient is suppose to give the gift giver a coin.    I think it's mostly in reference to wedding gifts? Not sure.  

I was thinking the "modern day TP run" also so we should meet up in that rabbit hole.  But I had visions of people being ecstatic about having TP in yard/trees. I can see them out there snatching it down and yelling "it's a miracle" I was going to make a TP run this morning now I'm saved from entering a store for another week   

[tractor]

Interesting. I first thought it would be a good way to get rid of stuff you don’t want. I have several stuffed animals that so could start leaving on my neighbors porches, along with old printers, books, old shoes. Maybe one of your neighbors is just doing some COVID cleaning. 🙂

[happyhoix]

I would say bored teenagers like the ones who dressed like a creepy clown with red balloons standing in desolate parts of town in the middle of the night, or off in the middle of a field or edge of the woods in the middle of no where.

Not doing anything legally wrong, just trying to creep everyone out.

[azucena]

Any ring evidence?  Or talk of it on nextdoor?

[Deleted]

Thanks all.  Security patrol responded, took additional photos, and contacted local police to collect the evidence. Still a mystery which hopefully won't be repeated.

[happyhoix]

With so many door bell cameras surely he will get caught sooner or later.

Let us know if that happens. I hope it’s the Littles.

[Opti]

Nov 12, 2020 8:50:10 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

I would say bored teenagers like the ones who dressed like a creepy clown with red balloons standing in desolate parts of town in the middle of the night, or off in the middle of a field or edge of the woods in the middle of no where.

Not doing anything legally wrong, just trying to creep everyone out.

I give them style points for creative mischief.