The 10 Worst Gift
Ideas to Keep in Mind This Holiday Season
BodyEcology.com Note: Here is a fun and interesting article reprinted with
permission from the free SixWise.com newsletter.
You've been waiting all year for this (even though you don't admit it to
the kids), the big moment when it's time to open your holiday presents. You
tear off the paper, feigning a smile as your heart secretly lurches and you
get a sick feeling in your stomach: It's a three-pack of tube socks and a
giant-hand back scratcher!
We've all been on the receiving end of an awful gift, and it's time we all
fess up about the bad gifts we've given out ourselves. This year in the United
States, nearly $250 billion will be spent between Thanksgiving and December
31 on gifts, so give your loved ones, and your wallet, a break, and make sure
the money you spend will go toward gifts the receiver will actually want to
keep.
Top 10 Gift Ideas to Avoid
- Exercise Equipment: Nobody wants the five (OK, 10) pounds they
gained over the holidays thrown back in their face, which is exactly what
your sweetheart will feel you're doing if you give him or her a Thighmaster
this year. Leave the purchase of exercise equipment to the individual, unless
they specifically requested it as a gift themselves.
- Anything Used: If the box is crinkled, even slightly, they'll know
it's been used! Same goes for clothing that mysteriously contains no tags,
or popcorn tins that are slightly less than full.
- Gifts That Require Work: Vacuum cleaners, most kitchen appliances,
leaf blowers and nose-hair trimmers are not, and should not be considered,
"gifts." Again, a possible exception is if they have been asked
for -- no, begged for -- and even then ask yourself, would they really like
something that adds fun or enchantment to life instead?
- Socks: Most people are happy to buy their own socks, and would
rather do so than receive them as a present. (Yes, even if they're covered
in reindeer or have separate places for each toe.) Don't believe us? Consumer
Reports found that socks were the most offensive and disappointing gift
that people received in 2005!
- Homemade "Trinkets:" There are some exceptions here --
for example, such gifts from children to parents -- but generally, the recipient
will not appreciate the hours you spent hot-glue-gunning tiny Christmas
bears to a wooden sleigh (that you also spent hours hand-painting with the
family's initials and coat of arms). We know this violates some people's
assumptions and best intentions, but according to experts and studies it
is so!
- "Weird" Items: It's tempting to buy that one-of-a-kind,
fuzzy, fuchsia sweater vest for Aunt Sue, or that giant frog-shaped paperweight
for cousin Pete, but, unless you know they've been yearning for one, chances
are slim that they'll like it (and odd items may be difficult to return).
Remember, there is a line between tasteful unique gifts and flat-out weird
ones, and the line is not that fine.
- Clothing: Although clothing is the most popular gift for 2006 shoppers,
according to Consumer Reports, it also came in as the most disappointing
category (with socks the worst among them) of gifts received in 2005. So
unless you are absolutely confident that you know the correct size, color,
fabric -- and style -- that the person will like, don't buy it. Less risky
are neutral items of clothing that don't quite run these risks. Unique personalized
gifts such as these marble photo coasters pictured above ARE an excellent
type of gift choice.
- Lingerie: In a similar vein, lingerie is a risky bet. Pick
out something she likes, and that's the correct size, and you may have done
well -- but the chances of this are slim (no pun intended). More likely
you'll buy something that's too big (and therefore implying she's fat),
or too small (and therefore implying she's fat), or is the wrong style entirely
(opening up a whole new can of worms).
- Items That Could Hurt (or Annoy) Others: Your neighbor's kids may
love a drum set, but would their parents speak to you afterward? Similarly,
rollerblades are fun, but did your Uncle Theo tell you about his bad hip?
Risky items in this category include slingshots, pellet guns and other toys
that involve projectiles, items that involve loud, repetitive sounds, and
sports equipment and/or power tools that fall into the wrong hands.
- Novelty Gifts: You may think that a fly-in-the-ice-cube gag is
the greatest thing, but chances are that novelty gifts such as these will
not impress your loved ones (unless they're 5 years old). Also watch out
for quirky things that you may think are cute, but will actually violate
the rule above (think the "Singing Bass" fish that hangs on the
wall or a snowglobe that plays "It's a Small World").
What Can You Give?
Of course, keeping the individual and their tastes and preferences in mind
is always rule #1 (and may possibly lead you to violate any of the "rules"
above -- some people ARE genuinely excited by receiving flexible
ultramicrofiber duster for the holidays!)
But if your gift list has now been diminished, here are some items that etiquette
experts consider safe to give, and usually truly appreciated by the recipient:
Among the most desired gifts, Consumer Reports found that electronics were tops
for men, while women preferred gift cards, followed closely by jewelry. Also
desired by at least a handful of the survey participants were good health and
peace on earth.
Related Recommended SixWise.com Reading
How
to Choose the Right Gifts for Other People's Babies and Kids
How
to Choose the Right Gifts for Men: Six Simple (and FUN) Steps
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