It’s that time of year again—time to start thinking about what to get your friends and family! But before you go shopping, it might be a good idea to take a moment and think about the gifts you should avoid this holiday season.
Gifts that are too expensive
For people who are on a budget, there are some great gifts that are too expensive to purchase. Some of these gifts can be avoided altogether by shopping for them early. Others may be able to be found cheaper if purchased later in the year.
Avoid costly gift items such as high-end watches, vacations, and cars. These can easily cost over $100 or more and can quickly add up if given multiple times over the course of the year. If you absolutely must buy a gift for someone that is expensive, consider choosing something small, such as a nice piece of jewelry or a new book.
Another option is to give money instead of a gift. This can be especially helpful for people who don’t have much money to spare and want to give something special to their loved ones. Money can be given in different forms, such as cash or gift cards. This way, the recipient knows exactly what they’re getting and doesn’t have to worry about it taking up space in their home indefinitely.
Gifts that are too personal
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that also means it’s the busiest time of the year. Between shopping for everyone on your list, wrapping gifts, and putting up decorations, it can be hard to find the time to get something for yourself. But don’t worry! Here are six Christmas gifts you should avoid this holiday season.
1. A gift card. This might be a popular choice this year, but gift cards can come across as impersonal or lazy. If someone you know likes getting things in bulk or items that are specific to a certain genre of music or movie, a gift card is probably not going to fit that bill.
2. A decoration. We’re all familiar with those tacky Christmas trees in people’s front yards that look like they could collapse at any second and decorations made out of plastic balls and fake snowflakes. Sure, they might add some holiday cheer, but they’re definitely not the best option if you want to make someone happy this year.
3. Something sentimental/personalized/unique. You don’t have to spend a fortune to make someone feel special on Christmas Day – all you need is a little creativity! There are plenty of unique and personalized gifts out there that won’t set you back too much money (or require too much effort).
4. Gifts from your own closet/wardrobe/etc. Just because we’re all trying to save money this season doesn’t mean we have to skimp on the quality of our gifts. If you’re worried someone might not like something you give them, consider waiting until after Christmas to give it to them.
5. A present that is too large or bulky. It’s always fun to get something big and exciting – but if the gift is too large or bulky, it’s going to be difficult to wrap and store. Try to think about what kind of gift someone might actually want and go from there.
6. Presents that are too small or insignificant. The last thing anyone wants on Christmas Day is a bored or unenthused recipient. Make sure your gifts are memorable and special – something that will make the recipient feel appreciated and loved.
Gifts that are too promotional
When it comes to Christmas gifts, you want to make sure that the item you give is something your loved one will appreciate, but also something that won’t be too promotional. Here are six gifts that are too promotional for Christmas:
- A gift certificate to a nearby department store. This could be seen as an insult given the current economic climate.
- A gift card to a restaurant or retailer that your loved one has never been to before. Unless they’re huge foodies, this type of gift is likely going to go unused.
- A luxury item like a new watch, necklace or bracelet. Yes, these items can be beautiful and may be just what your loved one needs, but they’re not really holiday-appropriate.
- Something homemade like scented soaps or candy canes wrapped in festive paper. These gifts feel more personal and would likely be appreciated more if given on another occasion such as Valentine’s Day instead of during the busiest shopping time of the year for many people.
- A gift basket filled with over-the-top holiday foods like piñatas or gourmet chocolates (unless your loved ones are hardcore foodies). These types of baskets can easily become overwhelming and take up way too much space in the fridge once opened – not to mention there’s usually very little edible content inside.
- A giant novelty Christmas ornament featuring a character from a movie or TV show (e.g.Frozen’s Elsa or The Simpsons’ Santa). Unless your loved one is a die-hard fan of that particular show or movie, this type of ornament is likely going to gather dust on the tree.
Gifts that are not timely
If you’re looking for a gift that is both unique and timely, then you should avoid gifts related to the holidays. While there are definitely some great gifts out there, many of them are either too late or not specific enough to really be useful. For example, a gift certificate for a holiday dinner may be appreciated by the recipient, but it will likely expire within a few months. Similarly, a gift basket filled with sweets and chocolates is likely going to be ignored.
Instead, consider giving something that can be used immediately. A mug filled with hot coffee or tea is perfect for someone who is always running late. Or, give someone a book they can start reading right away – whether it’s about Christmas traditions or something new and different. There are plenty of thoughtful gifts out there that are both timely and unique – just make sure to choose wisely.
Gifts that are not practical
There are some gifts that just aren’t practical this holiday season. For example, a gift of flowers is nice, but they will die after a few days. A sweater isn’t going to keep you warm in winter weather. And finally, a gift certificate for a night out doesn’t exactly make the most desirable present. Here are five other unappetizing Christmas gifts:
1) A gift card to a restaurant or bar
Many people don’t have money set aside specifically for Christmas gifts, so giving them a gift card to somewhere they already want to go can be frustrating. Not to mention, eating out can add up quickly!
2) A fitness tracking device
This might seem like a great idea at first – but if the person you’re buying it for doesn’t have any interest in fitness or tracking their progress, they’re not going to use it. Plus, there are plenty of other tech-related gifts available that are more practical and appreciated.
3) Candy canes
Candy canes are always nice (or at least they used to be!), but they’re not really practical this year. Most people don’t eat them all before the holidays and then have leftover candy hanging around leading up to New Year’s Day. Better options include treats like gum or chocolate bars.
4) A subscription to a magazine or online service
These days, many people get their entertainment online instead of from magazines or online services. If the person you’re buying the gift for is a magazine or online junkie, they’re not likely to appreciate a subscription to one of these services.
5) A gift card to a department store
Department stores are struggling right now, so many people aren’t going to be interested in receiving a gift card there. Plus, most people don’t have enough money saved up to spend $100 or more on a gift. There are lots of other, more practical gifts available this season that will be appreciated.
Conclusion
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any potential gift buying nightmares out there. If you’re looking to avoid any potential headaches this holiday season, make sure to check out our list of recommended gifts that you should avoid this season. Whether it’s something you’ve been eyeing or something your friends and family have been begging for, these are definitely not the gifts you want to be giving this year. Thanks for reading.