Since gift giving is big this time of year and I just wrote about the best gifts I’ve ever received, I thought I’d write about gifts that often don’t please. Try to avoid the following:
- Gifts that remind people about their age: nose trimmer, scar eraser, or spot remover for the skin.
- Food and beverage items they don’t like: fruitcake, alcohol for people who don’t drink, or chocolates for those who are dieting.
- Books, movies, and CDs: unless you know which ones they might enjoy.
- Fitness and wellness items: gym membership, weight-loss program, diet food, soap, deodorant, how to improve your sex life tips, or low-carb cookbook.
- Clothes and shoes: sexy underwear, Christmas sweater, or socks. Skip clothes and shoes unless you know the person’s style and size.
- Gender-related gifts: blender, toaster, weed whacker, cleaning product, or vacuum cleaner. Don’t give these unless they’ve been requested.
- Regifted or used items: coffee-stained book, clothes, or figurine. Be careful with regifting things because you could give the present back to the person who gave it to you.
- Pets: dog, cat, turtle, or piglet. A pet involves a big time commitment, and a pet you select might not be the right fit.
- Useless gadgets: golf ball cleaner, coin counter, a self-stirring mug, or motorized ice cream cone.
- Joke items: whoopee cushion; items that give a shock such as a calculator, pen, lighter, cell phone, or TV remote; fart machine; rubber chocolates; or toilet mug.
Gift giving is all about knowing the tastes of the recipient. Unlike many, I love fruitcake and think socks are a great present. I’ve even put socks on my Christmas wish list.
Instead of the above gifts, which can be bad choices, some popular items for holiday gifts can be jewelry, electronics, gift cards, and gift baskets. If you give gift cards, need to keep the receipt and give it to the recipient in case the card is lost or stolen. See “BBB: Do Research Before Purchasing a Gift Card” for more information.
Best wishes with your holiday gift giving. I hope opening presents is fun for you and those you’ve given gifts to.
