Some gifts may as well come with a card saying "I didn't put much thought into this." When that's the case, it's often a better idea to, when the pandemic allows, spend time with someone and show your appreciation for them, rather than waste money on something that sends the wrong message or leaves the recipient feeling unappreciated.
Try This Instead: 50 Christmas Gifts for $50 or Less
Just don't. We all know scented candles come from the bargain aisle at discount stores, and most don't even smell good. Scented candles are subjective enough that people should be picking out their own anyway if they really want them. As gifts, they are destined for the back of a junk drawer, the charity box — or the regifting pile.
Try This Instead: 101 Christmas Gifts for $25 or Less
If you think they're the kind of person who would like a mug, they probably already have their fair share. Most people have enough mugs and then some. If you insist on gifting glassware, go for something that speaks to their interest in beverages, which could be for something other than coffee.
Try This Instead: 50 Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Him Under $50
For more great gift guides and shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
This is not really a gift; this is a utility item. Hand-knitted booties can be a cute thing to make for someone, but store-bought socks are hard to get excited about.
Try This Instead: Unusual Gifts They'll Never See Coming
Anything that has to do with personal care or hygiene is also not a gift. These are useful items that are necessary, and gifting a necessity basically sends a message that all the recipient deserve is a nicer version of a necessity, rather than luxury or fun.
Try This Instead: 50 Unique Holiday Gifts for Her Under $50
Nobody needs more keychains — the bulky pocket cloggers given away for free as promotional materials all the time. Even a "nice" keychain might be presumptuous, since it is expected to be carried all the time.
Try This Instead: Thoughtful and Easy DIY Holiday Gifts That Will Save You Money
This passes when it's a gift from a young child, but adults shouldn't give picture frames to each other. While it's not exactly a necessity, it isn't a luxury either. The giver can't guarantee it matches the recipient's other frames and style, or if there's even a picture to put in it. (If you’re interested in photo opportunities for your own home, so to speak, check out these 11 Cheap Ways to Print and Display Your Photos.)
Try This Instead: Best Gift Ideas for Photographers from Newbies to Pros
Holiday sweaters are not useful all year-round, are bulky, and also usually ugly. Even the hand-knitted sweater from grandma ends up in the back of the drawer or a charity pile sooner or later. Also, how many sweaters can one person have?
Try This Instead: 30 Holiday Gifts to Buy Early
Even if the recipient is obsessed with their "fur babies," a gift for a pet is not a gift for them. If you want to get a gift for their pet, that is generous — just don't confuse that as the gift for their owners, who deserve their own treat.
Try This Instead: 20 Gifts for Dog-Obsessed Humans
Most people have more than enough T-shirts to last a few lifetimes, and adding to someone's clutter isn't really thoughtful. Clothing in general can be tricky, but something as basic as a T-shirt is one of the worst offenders, since it is so commonplace.
Related: Cool Gifts That Are Made in America
Anything with this concept — a mug, sweatshirt, bumper sticker — is off the table. It's cute for about two seconds, but is more meaningful written in a card, with thoughts about how the recipient has been the world's greatest whatever.
Try This Instead: Christmas Gifts Under $25 for Grandma and Grandpa
Pets are amazing, but not as gifts. Giving someone anything that needs to be taken care of is more of a burden than a gift, even when it's an plant. A puppy, kitten, bird, or other pet are a cute idea that can cause a lot of tension, stress, and expense.
Try This Instead: Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids
Even if the recipient is a fitness buff, exercise gear and equipment can be touchy. It is easy to misinterpret the gift as a message that improvement is needed. If that's the message you're trying to send, don't do it under the guise of a holiday gift. Also, don't be so judgmental.
Try This Instead: 70 Hottest Gifts From Amazon
Calendars are office supplies, not fun presents. They can also be highly personal, including what size, theme, or layout works best. More often than not, novelty calendar gifts are laughed at for their images once or twice and set aside until it's too late to be used.
Try This Instead: Perk 'Em Up With These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers
We live in a world full of unnecessary stuff, and most people's homes could use a good decluttering — not more clutter. Resist the urge to buy useless things and use that money to buy the same person a drink during some one-on-one time.
Try This Instead: Last-Minute Gifts You Can Pick Up at the Drugstore
These "gifts" are generally well intentioned, but giving someone a self-help book is a not-so-subtle way of telling someone you don't think they are in a good place. A gift should be exciting and uplifting, not a commentary on how you view their lifestyle and choices.
Try This Instead: Gifts for Couples That'll Make Them Both Happy
There was a time when a good DVD or CD was an excellent gift, but technology moves fast and these gifts are now stuck in the past. The recipient may be known to resist technological advancement and still use them, but do you really want to encourage that? Maybe a streaming service would be a better option.
Try This Instead: Cool Secret Santa Gifts You'd Buy for Yourself
Most people would love a little extra cash, but it is a tacky gift. It's so impersonal coming from a friend or family member, and some amounts can send the wrong message. Maybe you don't know what gifts to buy. But instead of cash, think of how to spend that money on an experience that will give both of you a priceless memory.
Try This Instead: The Best Heartfelt and Hilarious Personalized Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Certain cookbooks, food products, and supplements — literally anything that has to do with dieting is a big mistake as a gift. For those concerned about their diets, the holidays bring enough stress, and they don't need someone else's judgment masquerading as a gift. Even if it could be of use, this often comes off as hurtful.
Try This Instead: Thoughtful Gifts for Sisters
Cleaning is not fun, and cleaning supplies are not a gift. Similarly, booking a professional cleaner to give someone the day off is a nice gesture, but not a real gift.
Try This Instead: Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Green Thumbs
There's a reason these products are being sold to sleep-deprived people at odd hours of the morning. (And, FYI, it's not a great look for holiday shopping to be done at 4 a.m.) These items also have a reputation of not only being cheap in price, but cheap in quality.
Try This Instead: Show Some Brotherly Love With These Great Gifts for Brothers
A small selection of special chocolate, fine. An oversized box of candy bars, not so much. While bigger can seem like it conveys more love and appreciation, quality over quantity is key when gifting sweets. Too much sugar is not a nice thing to give to anyone, especially during a season already so heavy on treats.
Try This Instead: 25 Gifts Under $25 for Food Lovers
It doesn't matter what shape it is, how it smells, or if it's made from special foreign ingredients. Soap is something we use to wash our hands — a necessity, not a luxury. Soap is something you get for free at motels, not something to get excited about unwrapping.
Try This Instead: Best Friend Gifts Perfect For Your Sister From Another Mister
It's easy to get swept up in the holiday spirit and gravitate toward that theme, but anything that stays in a box 10 months out of the year is not a great gift option. Opt instead for something that can remind the recipient of your relationship the entire year.
Try This Instead: 25 Ideas for Filling a Christmas Gift Basket on a Budget
It's tempting to give men a tie and women a scarf, but there's such a thing as too many scarves and ties. If the recipient wears these items, they have plenty; if they don't, they probably don't need them. Especially bad is giving novelty ties or scarves and expecting them to be worn with pride.
Try This Instead: Holiday Gifts You Can Get at the Dollar Store
A pen is used for work, paying bills, and addressing letters. Even if the recipient did think of you every time they used it, would you really want to be associated with such humdrum tasks?
Try This Instead: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers
