MENOS DA UNA PIEDRA

Some expressions, turns of phrase, idioms, and manners of speaking are funny and often even shocking. In Spanish, as a way of consolation, and when something, a gift, a present, appears not to be up to the occasion, we say: "menos da una piedra" because no matter how much you squeeze them, stones render nothing. English has similar funny expressions, like "better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick,  better than a slap in the face (with a wet fish)."  It's a consolation. 

Menos da una piedra Better than nothing, better than a slap in the face, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

Me dieron un euro de propina que es poco, pero menos da una piedra I was given a one-euro tip which isn’t much but better than nothing

— “Pero también se decía menos da una piedra…” Antonio Muñoz Molina, Sefarad, 2001. Esp.