It’s the season of giving, and for most people, that means the season of buying presents for loved ones. And while most people love getting gifts, buying them is one of the most stressful aspects of the holiday season. If you’re perpetually worried about getting the wrong thing, we’ve got you covered.
Read below for the 10 worst gifts to get anyone this holiday season — and what you should give instead.
Alcohol can be a tricky gift. While it’s often seen as a good idea to get people consumable presents, alcohol isn’t the best choice nowadays.
Today, a lot of people are sober curious or just trying to drink less. Plus, many people don’t advertise the fact that they’re not drinking as much anymore. And even those who aren’t sober 24/7 may participate in Dry January, which also involves not drinking for the month. If you still think the person you’re getting a gift for loves alcohol, you could consider a gift card to a high-end distillery or bottle shop.
Buying plants for someone can feel like a thoughtful gift. However, they’re one of the most unwanted gifts to get. If the person you’re buying for isn’t a plant lover, then you could be buying them something that feels more like work and less like a present. This same advice applies if you’re buying a pot — it’s better to let them pick it out themselves.
And if they do have a green thumb, they may have their own preferences on what kind of plants to buy. You’re better off getting them a gift card to a plant store or nursery so they can pick out exactly what they want.
Unless someone has explicitly asked you for beauty products, steer clear of buying makeup or skincare as a holiday gift.
Finding the right shade for someone can be tricky, even if you know them well. Also, you never know what kind of skincare or beauty concerns the person has that could render your gift useless.
Instead of buying a specific beauty product, you can give them a generous gift card to a store that sells their favorite items. That way, they can pick out exactly what they want.
Buying a book for someone can seem like an ideal gift, especially if they’re a bookworm. But it can actually backfire. A person’s taste in books, just like food, is specific, individual, and almost impossible to predict.
Plus, buying a book creates a sense of pressure for the gift recipient. They'll feel like they have to finish the book even if they hate it, just in case you ask them about it later. Also, you’ll never know if they’ve already read it.
Unless the person you’re buying clothes for has asked for a specific piece of apparel, clothes aren’t the best idea. First, picking someone’s size can be tough, even if you’ve looked at what they’re wearing. Clothing sizes can differ greatly between brands, especially for women.
If you insist on buying clothes, shoes, or other accessories, always include a gift receipt and shop from a store with a generous return policy. And for heaven’s sake, never ask them why you haven’t seen them wear the item. Also, try to avoid clothing or accessories with funny sayings on them. It’s almost impossible to nail the right tone.
Have a friend or family member who recently moved into a new space? You might think that buying a vase, painting or other piece of home decor is a good idea, especially if their walls are still bare.
But this might be one of the worst gifts to get. You never know what kind of decor fits someone’s taste or if they even have a spot for it in their home. Plus, many people end up changing their decor style when they move, so what you buy might be different from what they had in mind.
During the stress of the holidays, everyone could use a laugh. So what better way to do that than to buy a gag gift?
Buying a humorous gift for someone can come back to haunt you. The joke could be lost on them or, worse, offend them. Then you’ll be spending Christmas apologizing to someone instead of enjoying their reaction to your present.
Instead of buying a gag gift, take a picture of whatever you find and send it to someone who would really appreciate it.
Unless the person you’re shopping for has a particular appreciation for sustainability, buying used gifts can make it seem like you’re a cheapskate. Also, most used items can’t be returned after buying them, so it creates an awkward situation for the recipient.
Note: There’s a difference between buying a vintage item or rare antique and buying something from a thrift store. Getting a fashion-loving friend the first copy of “Vogue” ever published is different than buying them a well-loved purse.
If you search for tips on how to save money on Christmas gifts, some people will suggest making something from scratch.
However, homemade gifts can often feel like a letdown unless you’re an expert at knitting sweaters or making quilts. If you do insist on making homemade gifts, stick to something you can’t screw up too badly, like festive cookies. If you're an expert in a particular craft, then that may also be an acceptable gift. But don’t try to make a homemade gift if you’re a beginner.
The worst kind of gift is one you can’t return. And you can’t return anything that is personalized, customized, or engraved. Try to steer clear of those gifts unless they’re specifically on someone’s wish list.
If you want to buy something personalized, you can consider buying the gift and then including a separate gift card so they can get it customized themselves later. This gives the owner the option to either keep the gift or return it; either way, they’ll be happier.