By Rita R. Robison
Like everyone, I’ve done my share of worrying about what to get the special people on my Christmas list. My problem is thinking about what the person would like rather than something that pleases me.
In my family, everyone makes a list of the items they’d like to receive, including sizes and colors. This helps avoid making big mistakes.
However, there are certain gifts that often don’t please. Try to avoid the following:
- Gifts that remind people about their age: nose trimmer, scar eraser, tray that makes denture-shaped ice cubes, or spot remover for the skin.
- Food and beverage items they don’t like: fruitcake, alcohol for people who don’t drink, or chocolates for those who are dieting.
- Books, movies, and CDs: unless you know which ones they might enjoy.
- Fitness and wellness items: gym membership, weight-loss program, diet food, soap, deodorant, how to improve your sex life tips, or low-carb cookbook.
- Clothes and shoes: sexy underwear, Christmas sweater, or socks. Skip clothes and shoes unless you know the person’s style and size.
- Gender-related gifts: blender, toaster, weed whacker, cleaning product, or vacuum cleaner. Don’t give these unless they’ve been requested.
- Regifted or used items: coffee-stained book, clothes, or figurine. Be careful with regifting things because you could give the present back to the person who gave it to you.
- Pets: dog, cat, turtle, or piglet. Yes, one woman’s husband bought her two piglets for Christmas, even though they lived in the city where farm animals weren’t allowed. If you give a pet for a gift, you need to realize you’re giving years of responsibility and financial obligations.
- Useless gadgets: golf ball cleaner, walk along melon cooler, coin counter, all-in-one TV remote, or decorative cell phone cases.
- Joke items: whoopee cushion; items that give a shock such as a calculator, pen, lighter, cell phone, or TV remote; fart machine; rubber chocolates; toilet mug; or dog poo calendar.
Gift giving is all about knowing the tastes of the recipient. Unlike many, I love fruitcake and think socks are a great present. I’ve even put socks on my Christmas wish list.
Instead of the above gifts, which can be bad choices, some popular items for holiday gifts can be jewelry, televisions, electronics, gift cards, and gift baskets. If you give gift cards, remember to read the fine print about fees that may be charged. You also need to keep the receipt and give it to the recipient in case the card is lost or stolen. See “BBB: Do Research Before Purchasing a Gift Card” for more information.
Best wishes with your holiday gift giving. I hope opening presents is fun for you and those you’ve given gifts to.
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