The Worst Gifts You Can Give or Receive!
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At sometime in your life you must have been given a gift that was the last thing on earth you wanted to receive, and yet you still had to try and sound pleased with it to avoid hurting feelings. I have been doing a little bit of research into this, and have compiled a list of the worst gifts you can either be given, or give, and hope that you will be able to add to this list with your own worst gift experiences.
Worst Gifts List
Grow Your Own Loofah Kit. Now for those of you who don't know what a loofah is, well, it is a bit like a long sponge that you can use in the bath or for washing dishes etc. Most people assume a loofah comes from the sea, but they are incorrect, as this is actually a plant that can be grown to maturity, peeled, bleached and dried before being used.
A Ouija Board. Yes, my loving sister did actually give me a Ouija Board one year as part of my Christmas present, although this one came with the name an 'Angel Board', so had nice artistic pictures of angels all over it. In every other respect it was the same as a Ouija Board though, so I never used it, and ultimately gave it back to her as I was too scared to chance trying it.
Any Household Appliance. My Dad made this mistake one year when he had been going on and on about how he wanted a coffee maker, even though my Mum didn't really feel we needed one. At Christmas he bought her not only a coffee maker, but also a new vacuum cleaner. She was not impressed.
'Old Spice' Aftershave. This stuff is so cacky smelling, and was last used back in the 1980's (with any real following). It is still for sale today, but I guarantee that if you buy it for anyone they will dump it during their next home clearout.
Home Knitted Jumpers. If Granny thoughtfully decides to knit you jumper after jumper, every year throughout your life, you should grit your teeth and look grateful. Okay, they won't fit, will be completely out of fashion, and in horrendous colours, and yes, you will have to wear them whenever Granny comes to visit, but you wouldn't want to hurt Granny's feelings now, would you?
A Cravat. Those scarf type things men wear around their necks if they are 'posh' and tend to wear blazers or waistcoats a lot. They make you look as if you have a sore throat!
A Foot Spa. These sound like such a good idea when you buy them, but in reality end up shoved under the bed or in the wardrobe after being used just once.
A Pet. Any pet is a bad idea as a gift, as if the person doesn't really want it they will no doubt not look after it properly, or get rid of it in haste, possibly to an unsuitable home. At the very least establish if that person really does want a pet of the kind you are thinking of giving them before you turn up with it, as many pets are a 15 year plus commitment.
Nasal Hair Trimmers. Not the message you want to send to your man, and even less your girlfriend or wife, (unless you want a black eye!), 'Your nasal hair is out of control so here's the solution'.
A Penis Extension. Nothing is guaranteed to go down worse than this gift, and I mean that pretty literally. Don't buy it, no matter how tempted you are, (or desperate!).
A Piles (Hemorrhoids) Ring. Not romantic no matter how considerate you think you are being to your loved one. Yes it will make them more comfortable, but they should buy this kind of thing for themselves.
Cosmetic Surgery. Well, at least not as a surprise gift, especially for a woman. You may as well say 'I don't like your body so I am going to do something about it'. A quick way to make her either dump you, or make the next five years or more of your life unbearable!!
Perfume. This one will probably come as a bit of a surprise to most people, but unless you know what perfume the lady wears you should not buy any for her. The reason behind this is that perfume smells different on different people, (all to do with skin, sweat, skin type etc). It may smell great on you, or on the shop assistant, but that doesn't mean it will smell great on the person you are buying it for, so avoid this unless they specifically wear one brand of perfume.
Colonic Irrigation/Hydrotherapy Treatment Voucher. Can you begin to imagine the thoughts that would go through your head if you received this gift? 'What is he/she trying to say, I am leaving stains in my underwear or something!'
Cuddly Toys. Well, not for over 16 year olds unless you know they avidly collect them. These soon become clutter otherwise, no matter how cute they are on the day, and mine have usually ended up being given away to children.
Clothes. Another tricky one as people all have their own taste and style, and it is too easy to get it wrong, as often their tastes change, and your idea of what would suit them is not always theirs.
Ornaments. Again, as your idea of a beautiful ornament may not be theirs unless you know their tastes, and space available, really well.
Books or DVD's. I have put these two together for several reasons. One is that again, unless you know the person's tastes it is really hard to choose either of these, especially if you don't know for sure whether they have already read the book or seen the film, secondly because they tend to be gifts that are pretty boring to unwrap, (especially for children), and thirdly, it is a short lived gift, as most people only watch a DVD once or maybe twice, and read a book much the same amount of times unless it is a text book they will refer back to.
Tacky Versions of an Item a Person Collects. To list an example of this as I did in another of my recent Hubs, my Sister collects Ancient Egyptian type ornaments, pictures, furnishings etc. A few years ago our Mother bought her a 'Tutankhamen Sarcophagus' CD holder, which my Sister recently said reminded her of an 'Oompa Loompa' from the 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' film. The main problem with it was that the body was all out of proportion, with legs that would have been a third the size of the body had it been an actual sized coffin. She even had my Mum in fits of laughter as she described the problem with it.
Book Tokens. I loved reading as a child, but found it so dull to receive a book token as a gift. No exciting parcel to shake under the Christmas Tree, and no choice as to the kind of gift I could get. To be honest I would have preferred cash if the person buying me a gift had no idea what to buy me. Quite often I would sell them on to family or friends so I could choose something I really wanted.
Gift Vouchers for Specific Shops. Same reasons as above, plus you are cornered into only having one store to choose from, which is not much good if what you really want to spend the voucher on is in the store three doors up.
Socks and Pants. The obvious 'no no' for any age group. Yes they are practical, but they are also soul destroyingly boring to receive and a very last resort, (along with handkerchiefs with your initials on).
I don't want this hub to sound ungrateful, as yes, I know it is the 'thought that counts', but honestly, quite often, the receiver would rather you had kept your money for yourself than give them something they are simply going to give away again, or are going to have to feign excitement about receiving. So please, think carefully before you buy your next gift, and if you can't find the time to do that, then best just send them a card with a cheque enclosed. Still not much fun, but better than them getting something they really don't want!
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Comments
this is a great hub!! i always get people gift cards, only because it's the easiest thing BUT you do have to be careful fi you don't know the person well. to be honest, the best gift cards to get someone you don't know well are for movies or restaurants or those visa/mastercard gift cards [except for the stupid part where you have to keep track of how much is on it].
Thabks for commenting Madison, a vacuum cleaner would be a pretty depressing gift to receive wouldn't it! For women jewellery is usually a fairly safe bet so long as it is expensive :)
Hi Starrkissed, thanks for popping by. I prefer the idea of a gift card for restaurants or movies to the ones you spend in shops. I did actually buy my Step-Dad a voucher for a fast boat trip around the Channel Islands last year on a rib, but I knew how much he loved these kinds of trips, so it was a safe present to buy him. :)
Very funny. I warned my husband before we married NEVER ever to give me house appliances as presents but I think I should forward him this hub to avoid the foot spa type of present as I've already got a face massager that I've only used once!
Hi Princessa, thanks for commenting. I think all Husbands should be sent a copy of this hub. Actually some women too. What is he trying to say giving you a face massager anyway!
Am I looking that old? ahhhhhhhhhhggggggggg!!!! next will be the cosmetic surgery vacation package :-/
God, I would kill my Husband if he booked me on one of those :)
*grins*
I'm a sad sort...I actually like my kitchen toys! For Christmas i got a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker one year and a whole new set of professional pots and pans the year before. Not cheap stuff...and I really loved them.
I guess it's all about knowing the person that you are gifting. My youngest sister is easiest. If I want one...then she would want one too and vice versa. We always love Christmas' where we have each other's names.
tips just in time for Christmas
lol cracked me up too!
Thanks both Spryte for admitting you truly are a sad case if you like household appliances as gifts:)
and pcjunkychick for commenting that this made you laugh :)
LOL but ma'am, I still use Old Spice :O
Oh, and your hair trimmer looks more like a battery operated nose picker :P
Actually after reading this whole list I asked myself - is there anything this woman accepts as a present but a diamond jewelry? I guess not :)
Hi Misha, OMG you don't still use that stuff do you????
Good point about women accept as gifts, but to give you ideas, my Hubby bought me a Camcorder last Christmas, and frequently buys me fishing tackle he knows I want or need. Hope this may help :)
Another good one, Misty.
I think I have given a few of these. I actually like the smell of Old Spice, too-- but then, I'm Old.
No I am dead serious, I can send you a pic of me hugging my favorite deodorant if you wish :)
And your husband is lucky you are not THAT high maintenance :D
Hi Rochelle, actually my Mum likes the smell of it too, even though we bicker about it. :)
Misha, a scary thought of a picture of you armed with Old Spice, I think I'll pass this time. Can't you try Kouros or something instead? :)
Off to bed now, will check in again tomorrow, yawns :0 :0
No Old Spice for me either, but if anyone wants to get me Baby Spice, I've always had a thing for her.
Great hub!
LOL - I started giving my dad Old Spice every year for Christmas when I was a child. I still do, though we both know now it's a gag gift...his wife doesn't like it at all!
Funny hub! Although I have to say that I like it when people buy me socks because it is such a boring thing to shop for on my own.
A friend of mine once bought his girl luggage. Bad idea. The almost broke up over it. :)
Funny!!! I have gotten at least three of these items in my lifetime. Needless to say they were never used and given to the Goodwill.
I rest my case tourmaline2777, thanks for stopping by and proving my point :) :)
Ahahahaa ... it is really makes me laugh :d i am agree with all worst gifts except Home Knitted Jumper.
laflat7, did you look at the home knitted jumper picture above? Would you honestly wear this? Scary!!! Thanks for commenting :)
I know this sounds 'eventful' and a bit time-consuming but I choose to make a favorite dish of theirs before the next big holiday following the new year. If I can't feasibly prepare it I will not order out but rather give them my recipe, my version, of their favorite dish and if they want to follow and taste something freer, I have enlightened them gifting them with 'expansion of their horizons . . .'
sharing the light,
Miss Erica Hidvegi
Good idea, thanks for commenting enlightenedpsych2 :)
This is very impressive and comprehensive hub. Really very funny! Thanks for such a nice hub.
Thanks for the compliment sherlynavia, glad you enjoyed it :)
Nice hub for a good laugh. My worst gift? My husband proudly came home with a jewelry box -- in it were the two ivory teeth he'd harvested from an elk he shot -- proud as a peacock he wanted to have them made into earrings for me. My eleven year old granddaughter took them to "show and tell" in grade school to enlighten the little boys on what "not" to give girls as presents.
Great hub!! I can't count the number of times I have gotten some strange outfit from a relative, usually a grandmother, and wondered what they were thinking when they picked it out. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face. I needed it today!!
Jerilee, that is so funny, I would not only want to shoot my Husband for shooting the elk in the first place, but would probably want his testicles made into earrings to show him how I felt about the gift. I love the idea of your granddaughter taking them in to the "show and tell" :)
Hi Anna, Thanks for commenting. I used to have an Auntie who knitted me a jumper for every special occasion. They were always basic, and went right up to the armpits (even in the days batwing jumpers were in fashion). I so hated wearing them, but was made to by my Mother. Both my Mother and Sister have bought me all kinds of strange outfits I would never wear. In the old days my Mum could always pick me out great clothes, but as I have got older I now find my tastes do not come even close to matching hers :)
When I got my first serious boyfriend, he spent christmas with my family. He was 21 years olf and my grandmother baught him the hankercheif with the initials on...
After me asking several times he insisted he actually loved them...
Just under five years later he finally admited to hating them!
This gave me a great laugh, thanks so much! :-)
Thanks J_Eds, glad it made you laugh and brought back some memories. :)
Very cute hub.
I think that most of our husbands could benefit from reading it.
Thanks Karen, I reckon you may be right, although my own Husband isn't too bad at picking presents I have to admit :)
Haha, I must admit.. a few of these have been given out by me on Birthdays and Christmas!
Hi ninja87, ahhhhh, but you know better than to do it again now don't you!! :)
For me I love getting boring but necessary things as gifts - I like to spend my own money on fun stuff! :)
Hi liamp, thanks for commenting. I suppose it is a functional gift, but not very excitng to open, and hard to show enthusiasm for to the person who bought it for you.
alex09, thanks for stopping in and commenting. I reckon a gift basket is a pretty good idea too :)
Hi, this is very interesting and funny hub. While reading this I am so much laughed. I nevr recieved this types of gifts. This is a nice hub.
I always tell my children to buy me brushes for Christmas and birthdays. I paint in acrylics mostly, and am always glad of new brushes. When a friend quizzed my daughter about what mummy wanted for her birthday, she assured him that I could never have enough brushes. The day arrived, and my face must have been a picture when I unwrapped his gift - a set of four hairbrushes!
Funny hub Misty, and very timely as we're drawing closer to Christmas.
Thanks sharonsarah, glad it made you laugh :)
Hi Amanda, thanks for commenting. I love the idea of you being given the set of hairbrushes instead of paint brushes. Hilarious :)
Another GREAT Hub Misty!!
Blessings always, Earth Angel!!
Thanks Earth Angel, so glad you enjoyed it :)
Hilarious....will definitely remember to reference this plethora of hugely important information as the holidays draw closer! So helpful!
Thanks desert blondie, I hope helps you to make wise choices of gifts this Christmas. :)
Per the request of my wife, I am no longer an Old Spice user. I would have to agree that socks are a rather disappointing gift. I really love the creative gifts that you can tell the person put some thought into.
Hi Rodney, thanks for commenting. So glad your wife talked you out of wearing the Old Spice. I agree, creative gifts are always the best :)
Great hub! I have a cupboard full of glass bowls from different people and i am soo tempted to pass them on... but I know that the person i gifted them to would know that i had chosen the gift!
I used to hate making anyone feel bad about the gifts they gave me and would even wear clothes (which i would never have bought myself) however ugly they were. Now I just say thank you and hide them at the back of my wardrobe!
Thanks for commenting Minilady, I tend to keep these kinds of gifts for a decent amount of time, (say 6 months), and then gift them to the charity shop :)
One time I was given a pair of thermal underwear by my new step sister. Not sure why she did it, I didn't wear them, they were really tacky, but I did get to practice my diplomacy. LOL
Great hub, giving gifts is not as easy as it sounds, and you gave a great list of ideas here!! I love gift cards, books, and spa cards. =))
Way to go Misty!! This hub is a good gift to "givers and receivers alike!!"
Hi marisuewrites. thanks so much for stopping by. Thermal underwear !!!!! I would really not be impressed, and what is 'tacky' thermal underwear like?? Yes, gift giving is hard, and thanks for commenting :)
great hub, funny stuff. While you would think most of this is common sense, so many people make these mistakes.
I totally agree pcdriverupdate, they are common mistakes that are so easily avoidable. Thanks for passing by and commenting :)
Enjoyed it! Though I have to say that I've received several of those items and really enjoyed them but as you pointed out - you should really know the person (my dog last year was the best gift my husband every bought me). I've gotten very frustrated buying gifts because (especially at Christmas) it seems that we are giving for the sake of giving and the whole point of it all is being missed. So I've begun something new. I've found a charity that the person loves or has a sentimental attachment to and I donate to them in their name. Everyone has loved it because it has really meant a lot to them.
Thanks for commenting RGraf. My half sister does the Charity thing now, which I think is a pretty good idea, only problem is that she decides the charity, when, like you, I think it would be nicer if the person receiving the 'gift' chose the charity, or you knew it was one they supported.
I would be happy to receive a Coffee Maker or Vacuum Cleaner especially for my up n coming..ish birthday:) I'm not hinting at all!
Misty, I can imagine your family and friends reading this right now thinking DOhH!! lol and we know what you WONT be getting in future as a gift so this is a very handy hub!
I await your next hub "The Best Gifts You Can Give or Receive"! For us and your family and friends reading this right now!:)
:)
Hey, I might just write that one, sounds like fun :) Thanks for commenting compu-smart
lol, great list! I would have to say if it's a great coffee maker, it might be a good gift though :)
Hi Johnny1555. thanks for commenting, but even I wouldn't want a coffee maker, no matter how good it is LOL :)
The only safe gift is cash, and that's boring. Gift giving is a risk. All that said, I pretty much agree with you on every one of these except "book tokens." Please feel free to give me book store gift certificates/cards/tokens whenever you want to. Send me the ones you get and don't want. :P
Hi Shades, cash is usually a boring but safe bet I agree. Book Tokens are an iffy one, as once you read a novel you rarely ever pick it up again. Perhaps they would be okay for reference books etc, but nowadays my family know better than to buy me book tokens and if I really want a good book to read I can always get one out from the library. :)
For me - a fruit cake. Yuck! I do not like how fruit cakes taste. It LOOKED beautiful but the taste - no thanks!
However, I appreciate any gift I get as I think they start in the heart and that's what makes a gift good - regardless of what it is or how I like it.
Denise Hubbing It Up!
Hi Denise, thanks for your comment. I hate fruit cake too so with you on that one. :)
How well you know the person matters when giving a gift ? You have to be sensitive and tactful when buying a gift for any occassion. The best gift is to give a gift voucher obtained from the person's favorite shopping franchise and he or she have the choice of choosing a gift he or she liked to have.Too troublesome for a person to shop, cash or check is the best gift.
Thanks for commenting Infinity, yes it does help to at least know what shop the person likes to shop at before risking a gift voucher. :)
Underwear is such a stupid gift :( OK, how about bird cages - the ones you have to build from like a thousand tiny sticks, all in a kit. Right. THen what DO you do with it, pray tell???
Good hub! http://www.gift-gallery.us
Excellent point, a little bit like those scratch off foil pictures, as they never really look like something you want on your wall, the same applies to painting by numbers :) Thanks for commenting esocial :)
This is very impressive and comprehensive hub. Really very funny! Thanks for such a nice hub.
Thanks janiste, glad it made you laugh and you enjoyed it :)
I was just checking to see if there was anyone who was giving away unwanted Coffee machines! :D
Worst gift, I think would be A heart shaped Baloon. If it pops just after it is presented. Or a flower bouquet with bumble bee in it. Realy Great hub! enjoyed it
compu-smart, you just missed the last one, should have got here sooner :)
Sara, thanks for stopping by, love the thought of a bouquet of flowers with a bee in it, plus the flowers are dead within a week or so, another shortlived gift :)
I guess the best present is what the person actaully wants..... Yay!
Too right Jorge, but knowing what that is may be the problem most of us face :)
I suppose you have covered it all . So the whole idea is give nothing for there is nothing left to give. Please do a hub on the best gifts to give.
Working on it now Juliet :)
There is plenty left to give if you use your knowledge of the person. Take a look at my new hub when I publish it tomrrow evening :)
quite an impressive list you got there! I'm sure we've all been down this street before, not so sure about the extension though! Hands up who's given this one!
Doh!!!
lol
Well put. As for me, I've found the perfect gift and this is the first year I'm going to use it. My gift is the following phone call: "Dear <insert family member, friend, loved one's name here>. I just wanted to let you know that my gift to you is letting you off the hook from buying a gift from me. I don't expect one, and to ensure you don't feel at all bad about it, I don't plan on buying one for you either. The reason is not because I'm cheap or selfish; it's simply because the Xmas season is supposed to be a time of joy and I've spent more years than I can count being anxious on what to buy everyone...only to buy them gifts that they neither needed, wanted or appreciated. No more! I'd just as soon give you cash. But then, if you were to follow my example, you'd only hand me back the same wad of cash. So let's just save the middleman, shall we? I'll keep my cash, you keep your cash, we'll celebrate together with love and joy and remember that the holiday season is about bringing love and joy to others, and this manifests itself in how we express ourselves to each other; not in the extravagance of the gifts we buy. So, please use the time you would've spent shopping for me, and have a drink with me instead. It'll give me an opportunity to give you back the Chia-Pet I received from you last year. Thank you and happy holidays!"
Jasper, thanks for commenting, and what a great idea, although the retailers will hate you for it :) :) :)
Very enlightening and humorous piece. I do agree with the dining, shows & such for vouchers. Takes the stress out of shopping & you do know places they like to go. Loved Jasper's comment also...
Thanks for your comment Denise, I reckon Jasper has the right idea too :)
Check out 'cangaggifts.com'Tin cans with funny labels on them!Look for 'Granny's Hugs and Kisses'Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.cangaggifts.com
I want Ouija board and a penis extension :) I just be playingOuija online http://www.shopoflittlehorrors.com/Ouija%20board%2scary stuff, no online penus extension though :(
Madison Parker says:
13 months ago
This was REALLY funny! I love to read good humor, this made me laugh--a lot!
I have to say, though, I'm at the point in life where a little nip and tuck would be a good idea! If my husband decided to give me a "procedure" for my birthday, I wouldn't know which end to start at, would be the only problem!
My Late Mother-in-Law, one of my favorite and most funny people, said that once her husband gave her a vacuum for Christmas! She was mortally wounded! Girls like pretty things, especially when you've been caring for a house full of kids all year, a pretty piece of jewelery says "you deserve to be treated with pretty things." A vacuum, however says, "I'm a total, uncaring, unfeeling idiot and if I had a brain in my head and had thought this through at all, I could have come up with something that says, "I love you," instead of, "clean the house, wench!"
Great and very funny hub!
Madison