Christmas is a time to give and receive gifts. Gifts are a wonderful way to express your feelings, but they can end up conveying the wrong message altogether if they miss the mark. If you don’t want any fake ‘Thank yous’ and frosty looks after the holiday season, you’d better give the right gift. There are, however, some gifts, which NOBODY wants on Christmas. Here’s a list of gifts you have to steer clear of:
Fruitcake
Fruitcake may be the flavor of the season, but no one likes to get it anymore. Everyone is already full of sweets, and most people are counting calories during the holiday season, so fruitcake, though a traditional gift, is no longer appreciated.
Snow Globes
Snow globes look great, but they are kind of tacky if you’re not age seven. They just sit there collecting dust, and they have absolutely no use. Whoever you’re thinking of giving a snow globe to, probably already has lots of them. So snow globes are definitely a no-no, for everyone.
Socks
Socks too are something which nobody wants anymore. Hand knitted socks can still be given, but not the usual designs you see everywhere. If you give socks to someone, it may just indicate that you have not spared any time and thought to select a gift for them.
Gag gifts
NO gag gifts, please. No one expects or likes pranks on Christmas morning!
Pets
You may love pets, and even if you know someone who loves animals, if they wanted a pet they would get one for themselves. Pets are a big responsibility and have to be taken care of well. Many people get pets as gifts which they do not want, and the unfortunate animals end up in shelters. So pets are a bad idea as a Christmas gift!
Holiday ties and scarves
Holiday ties decorated with snowmen, candy canes, and reindeer are really corny and cannot be worn except for a few days in an year. A better option is to give ties, which are playful but not cheesy. Same goes for scarves, most women usually have enough of them and certainly, don’t want another one!
Regifts
Do not pass on the gifts that you don’t like to someone else. Chances are, they won’t like it too. And if you have forgotten who the gift was from, you might give them the gift they gave you! Imagine the embarrassment – so NEVER regift, please.
Perfumes
You’d think an expensive perfume would be appreciated but think again. Like toiletries, perfumes are a very personal choice, and unless you give a favorite perfume you know they are running out of, stay clear of perfumes too.
Exercise gear
Exercise gear or gift vouchers for a gym or weight management class can be viewed as a personal comment on fitness, (in a negative way). You would be indirectly calling them unfit or overweight, and unless you want to lose a friend, exercise gear too is something which no one wants for Christmas.
Toiletries
You may be enamored by the electric toothbrush or the soap basket or even the electric shaver, but the person you’re giving it to may consider it as a comment on their personal hygiene. Besides, people are very particular about their toiletries and do not want anything which they don’t use cluttering up the bathroom closet.
Christmas is the time to spread cheer and happiness, and Christmas gifts are really special. Show everyone that you care by choosing some thoughtful gifts and avoiding these gifts, which will not give you any credit, and might, in fact, portray you in a bad light.