As if the pressure of buying gifts for everyone you know in between attending parties and events isn’t enough, consumer surveys recently revealed the list of the worst presents people hate to receive. The worse thing is, even if they hated your gift, your recipients will be too polite to tell you frankly that it sucked. According to a survey taken by Western Union, 75 percent of those surveyed (in US, but we’re quite sure the numbers aren’t too far for Filipino consumers) admitted to “loving” about liking a gift they didn’t really like.
via giphy
So if you aren’t done with your Christmas shopping yet, you might want to consider crossing out the following items from your shopping lists.
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Clothing
With the many iterations to consider: size, color, style, brand, it’s almost impossible to buy clothing that will really please another person, especially if you’re not that close.
Possible exceptions to the rule: You’re a stylist or you are giving clothes to your twin sister, BFF, or a charity group.
Home Items (e.g. living room, kitchen, and bath supplies)
Giving these gifts is quite difficult to ace because of two reasons: your intended recipient might already have those (who needs four microwave ovens?) or the items that you’ll be picking don’t really go well with everything that’s already in place. And since they also fall under this category as well, let it be said here that we should all stop giving out mugs and picture frames already.
Possible exceptions to the rule: Newlyweds, maybe? Or someone who’s getting a place of his/her own for the first time. Well, again, that’s a maybe.
Perfume
Unless you’re sure that your gift recipient uses that particular perfume, don’t gamble on buying one that you “feel” he or she will like because it is unlikely that they would.
Possible exceptions to the rule: people you secretly hate
Diet Stuff
Books, gym memberships, and other things that refer to dieting might be taken as a passive-aggressive way of saying “You need to lose weight.” Steer clear of these especially if you're not that close with your intended recipient.
Possible exceptions to the rule: Those who specifically asked for them.
Flowers and House Plants
"Oh yay! What a lovely little cactus!" – said no one ever.
Possible exceptions to the rule: Your in-laws (who you secretly hate)
Unattractive Socks
It’s also another way of saying, “hey, I almost forgot to get you anything. Here’s a pair I’ve picked up on my way out of the store.”
Possible exceptions to the rule: House-elves
Handkerchief
No. Personalizing it with a name won’t help.
Possible exceptions to the rule: None. Just don’t.
Scented Items (e.g. bubble bath, candles, or potpourri)
Possible exceptions to the rule: Those who specifically asked for them.
Fruit Cake
You know that Pinoy urban legend that there’s only one fruitcake that’s just being re-gifted and passed around during the holiday season because no one really eats them? (Cue: Eraserheads singing “There’s A fruitcake for EVERYBODY.”) Well, that’s probably not true. But just to be safe, avoid giving out fruitcakes so you won’t get accused of re-gifting.
Possible exceptions to the rule: Those who specifically asked for them, if, you could find one.
Calendars
Chances are someone already beat you into giving him/her a calendar. Your gift would be the nth one they’ll be getting so they'll most likely be shelved and/or re-gifted. Besides, who needs calendars when we can keep track of our daily schedule on our smartphone and computers.
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This list is based the consolidated surveys and consumer reports of PR-inside, Market Tools, Highstreetvouchers.com, Colmar Brunton poll, Canstar Blue, and Consumer Reports. The fruit cake, admittedly, was our contribution.
Do you agree to this list? What are some of the worst gifts you've received? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
