Thursday, December 16, 2010

gifts gone bad

{via}
With Christmas around the corner, and only nine shopping days left before the holiday, seasonal shoppers are still flocking to the stores in hopes of finding that perfect gift for all those on their list. In light of such, numerous gift guides are floating around the internet, debuting on talk shows and being reported on the news. Gift guides of the hottest toys, the best gadgets for your spouse or what to get those hardest to buy for are always handy to have in mind when it comes to holiday shopping. But what about what not to buy? What gifts would be the worst to unwrap come Christmas day? Gift giving can be tough enough if you don’t know ahead of the holidays what you hope to get someone...but when it comes to buying and receiving gifts, there may be several not-so-happy holiday presents that you’d hate to find under your tree. Even though I’d rather not think of a gift as being bad because a gift is a gift and it’s the thought that counts, sometimes you wonder what those thoughts actually were.
I don’t know if I’m just lucky or if it’s because I’m easy to please, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have received many great gifts as I’ve celebrated birthdays and Christmases, with the bad ones few and far between. So maybe I haven’t loved everything I’ve ever received (how many sets of tacky tea towels does one really need?!) but fortunately I don’t have any horror stories about pink pony sweatshirts or already used kitchen gadgets. Although I’ve got to admit that even if it’s not at the top of my Christmas wish list, chances are that I pretended I loved it and have plenty of use for it. On the contrary, my sister is the worst when it comes to faking her delight for gifts gone bad. Growing up, it was never a surprise if she loved your gift or hated it. Her squeals of delight over the good ones have always been in sharp contrast to the ‘oh-you-shouldn’t-have-where’s-the-next-gift’ look of disappointment that she can’t hide when she gets something she’s unimpressed with. Putting the present off to the side like it’s a hot potato and moving on in the hopes of finding something better is a classic LG move that she likely won’t grow out of. I have to keep my fingers crossed that I will not see that reaction any time I give her a gift!

What’s the worst gift you have ever received? What do you not want for Christmas?

PS Thank you so much for all the kind words and well wishes for my friend...she's not back to work yet but she's on the road to recovery.

22 comments:

A Crimson Kiss said...

I dated a boy who bought me a very expensive, very unpleasant smelling candle in a stunning silver canister; I dug the candle out, and still use the canister for holding tweezers and toothbrushes in my bathroom!

Sands said...

Oh man. I do not want clothes... I'm so picky when it comes to them! Haha.

xo
Sealverland

Diana Mieczan said...

Ohh my brother is very much like your sister..Its always a waiting game with him..We never know if he will like the gift or not. I dont think I ever got a gift I didnt like...I always find a good use of the stuff we get:) Btw: Thank you so much for linking my guide:) You are a sweetheat and it totally made my day
Kisses,sweetie

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

My monkeys HATE clothes- maybe if they were girls- I think that first photo is funny- I tell them they will get coal for hanukkah when they are naughty-

jeanette from everton terrace said...

One year my friend gave me a packet of gift certifcates to a movie theatre chain that doesn't actually have any theatres here in Arizona. I was also given a gift card to a very nice steak house - I'm a vegetarian. Like you, I usually get very thoughtful presents.

Kaylia Payne said...

This post has inspired me to scour the net for stories of the worst presents ever. MUCH more entertaining than lists of the best presents! I've been pretty lucky with gifts, mostly because I pick them myself.. The worst I ever got was a bag of timtams (biscuits) from my friend, which I was actually excited about. But she took them back at lunch time because she was hungry. Well it would be either that, or the time my dad got me a hi5 (similar to the wiggles..) calender when I was in year 7 because he thought they were the latest pop band.

iheartkiwi said...

Luckily, I married an amazing gift giver. He always comes up with the best ideas... like our anniversary hot air balloon ride!

My parents however always need me to email them very detailed lists so I don't end up with pajamas every Christmas :)

Unknown said...

Love da blog! And the post! I was once given a wrapped fishbowl with a fish in it... Except when I unwrapped it the fish had... expired. I was a distraught little boy for quite a while...

Cheers,
George
Raised By Wolves

Missy said...

You have never received a leaf blower for Christmas have you?

That Girl in Pearls said...

Oh wow.. unfortunately I happen to get a lot of very very thoughtful but totally off target gifts. I'd rather get a hug and share a cup of coffee than get another piece of tacky pottery. Ya know? The gift of dinner date is always a favorite of mine. Great company is the best :)

Lovely blog! Glad I dropped by :)
B.

Diary of a Young Designer said...

I'm happy she's getting better. I think the worst I've ever received were duck pajamas. Totally uncool, lol. =D

xo
Sophie
PS: Join my LADY VANDERBILT Giveaway!

Lily Riani said...

i forgot to unwrapped before...ahhah by the time i remembered, it has gone bad.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm.... surprisingly nothing is coming to mind. I will have to give it some thought. My sister is the same way! Makes it impossible to buy for her. Thanks for visiting Inspired Design... I am now following you. xo

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Oh well the IRS sent us a really great gift for Christmas - we supposedly forgot to put some bonds that we cashed on our tax info so now we owe them $300. Awesome =-p

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

I guess I've been really fortunate too because I can't think of any real off the charts horrible ones. Hope I didn't just jinx myself for this year :)

OneCraftyFox said...

Today is supposed to be the busies shopping day of the year. But do you know what I will be doing? Sitting in bed with my hot coffee and laptop smiling... cuz all my shopping is done! ;) lol

Rebecca said...

Hi ag! Thanks for visiting me the other day! I feel your pain on getting just the right gift for everyone...thankfully I just have 4 left! Wish me luck :)

Anna @ IHOD said...

SO TRUE! Luckily I have finished all my holiday shopping and can focus on family.

I have received gifts before however where you can TOTALLY tell that they have been re-gifted and slightly worn. Awkward.

:D he he

White Tapestry said...

My stepfathers brother and his wife gave me some kind of animal wrap...I was horrified. Some people may have loved it, but it's hard for me to eat animals let alone wear them!! So happy you stopped by my blog the other day!

Would love you to stop over for a giveaway today:)

Julie xo

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

I can't think of anything off hand that was truly terrible.

Jude said...

Luckily, I've never gotten coal like that first (hilarious) photo, but I did once get a really tacky pair of plastic cherry earrings...and I didn't even have pierced ears. It was a Secret Santa office thing and I guess the person had no idea who I was! :)

Signe said...

Nowadays I am almost always happy with my presents but when I was younger I just hated getting socks! I always got at lease one package of these white tacky tennis socks with a red and blue stripe on that I never wore - what a waste!

Wish you a happy Tuesday and best wirshed to your colleague!