In his interview for the Archive of American Television series creator Phil Rosenthal stated that this episode was based on a incident that really happened between him and his parents. During the shows second season the entire cast and crew received a stainless steel toaster with the "Everybody Loves Raymond" logo engraved on it as a Christmastime memento. Rosenthal sent one to his parents in New York. However, he never heard from them to see if they received it. Upon telephoning them Rosenthal's parents informed him that they really didn't need a toaster and thus took it back to Macy's, claiming to have bought it there, and exchanged it for a coffee maker. As they had never opened the box of the toaster he explained the significance of the it to his parents who seemingly were indifferent about it claiming they really needed a coffee maker, frustrating and upsetting Rosenthal. Upon hearing this the writers thought the incident was hysterical and decided to use it as a storyline with Ray, Frank, and Marie. Prophetically Rosenthal stated that someone must of bought that returned toaster at Macy's, opened it up, and upon seeing the show's logo exclaimed, " I'd rather have a Fraiser toaster."
