Worst Christmas Gifts
From LoveToKnow Christmas
Understanding what the worst Christmas gifts are will make it easier to finish your holiday shopping by helping you understand which presents you should avoid.
An Overview of the Worst Christmas Gifts
Obviously, determining the worst Christmas gifts is subjective. A gift that your sister loves may not be greeted as enthusiastically by your teenage niece or your co-worker. However, there are a few general tips that you can use to help minimize the risk of picking an unsuitable present.
Clothing
In most cases, clothing is a bad Christmas gift idea. Trying to find the perfect outfit for someone else is a very tricky task. For example, here are some of the many ways buying clothing as a Christmas gift can get you in to trouble:
- The item is too big, implying you think the recipient is fat
- The item is too small, implying you think the recipient should lose weight
- The item isn't the person's style, implying you don't know him or her at all
- The item is too sexy, which for some women, means the gift-giver wants the recipient to start dressing like a prostitute
- The item isn't sexy enough, implying you think the woman is old and unattractive
Typically, it's a better idea to buy a gift certificate to someone's favorite clothing store so you can be sure the individual will get what she or he wants. If you insist on picking out an item yourself, however, check the closet to make sure you buy the correct size and to get a sense of style.
The Veiled Insult Gift
Gifts that imply a need for self-improvement are never a good idea at Christmas time. When giving a gift at Christmas, the goal is to show love and appreciation for the recipient – despite his or her flaws. Therefore, it's best to stay away from the following when completing your Christmas shopping:
- A beginner's cookbook for someone who is constantly criticized for a lack of cooking skills
- A fancy makeup kit for a woman who normally only wears lipstick on special occasions
- Anger management tapes for the man who is well-known for his temper
- Acne treatment products for a teenager
- A career planning guide for a recent college graduate who is struggling to find a job
- Any sort of fitness equipment for someone struggling to lose weight
- Parenting books for a couple expecting their first child, especially if you already have several children of your own and consider yourself something of an "expert" on raising children
High Maintenance Gifts
Gifts that require an investment of time or money on the part of the recipient should be chosen very carefully. Unless the recipient has specifically asked for the item, you may want to think twice before choosing the following:
- A pet for a child, especially if you don't have the parent's permission to give the gift
- A plant for the busy young professional who is never at home to water it
- A Blu-ray DVD player for someone who won't have money to invest in movies to watch on it
- An mp3 player for your grandparents who don't have access to a computer and won't understand how to load it with music
It's Not About the Money
Keep in mind that the list of worst Christmas gifts has nothing to do with how much an item costs. An expensive gift can flop if it's not chosen with the desires of the recipient in mind.
Simple and thoughtful gifts, such as a framed photograph of a special moment or a plate of homemade cookies, often end up being the most appreciated items under the Christmas tree. You don't need to feel the least bit guilty if you're sticking to a tight budget this holiday season. There are plenty of good Christmas gift ideas that don't cost a small fortune.
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This page has been accessed 381 times. This page was last modified 20:46, 31 January 2009.
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