by 36 people |
Worst Gifts and How To Avoid Giving One!
Welcome to my lens, thank you for stopping by!
Okay. So far I have been suggesting helpful hints on what to give for that special someone, friend or family member in your life. Well, this time...I'm taking a different approach. Have you ever received a horrible gift (like a bathroom scale for instance) but didn't want to say anything? Well you are not alone! You will get to read about all the awful, horrible gifts that have been given to people everywhere.
If you have given a bad gift you probably didn't know it, so I will give you some helpful suggestions so you don't make the same mistake again.
Then please don't be afraid to add your story about the doozy of a present you received from Aunt Maude!! We are dying to hear about it!!
Okay. So far I have been suggesting helpful hints on what to give for that special someone, friend or family member in your life. Well, this time...I'm taking a different approach. Have you ever received a horrible gift (like a bathroom scale for instance) but didn't want to say anything? Well you are not alone! You will get to read about all the awful, horrible gifts that have been given to people everywhere.
If you have given a bad gift you probably didn't know it, so I will give you some helpful suggestions so you don't make the same mistake again.
Then please don't be afraid to add your story about the doozy of a present you received from Aunt Maude!! We are dying to hear about it!!
Gifts To Avoid!
A Religious Magazine Subscription
Imagine, opening a card to find out you are the proud recipient of 12 months of a religious magazine that's not even for your religion and on top of that you're not even particularly spiritual! Blatantly shows how little the gift giver knew about the recipient!TIP: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS A SPIRITUAL PERSON, AND WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FOR THEM, FIND OUT THEIR RELIGION FIRST BEFORE YOU MAKE THE PURCHASE!
A Cactus
Ladies, how upset would you be if you received a cactus from your boyfriend? Well, after months of dropping hints for an expensive bottle of perfume one holiday season, an acquaintance received a cactus from her boyfriend! If that wasn't bad enough, the not so bright guy, wrapped the cactus in paper so that she received cuts on her hands as she unwrapped this stupid gift!TIP: IF YOUR GIRLFRIEND (OR WIFE) WANTS PERFUME...GET HER PERFUME.
If by chance she DOES WANT A CACTUS... please wrap it up in a box, then use wrapping paper. You can also leave it in the nice pot it came in with a big bow on it.
Framed Picture of Someone Else's Baby
Unless you are giving the gift to the child's grandparent or other family member, it's safe to say that no one wants a huge, framed photograph of your baby or child. Can you believe that a co-worker I once knew gave her boss an 8x10 framed picture of her newborn baby? The worst part was that her boss didn't know what to do and felt obligated to display the gift!TIP: SORRY MOM'S. WE KNOW YOUR BABY IS ADORABLE, BUT STICK TO FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY.
A BETTER IDEA!
Instead of giving a normal framed photograph of your newborn TO YOUR FAMILY, you probably would like something special to give or include to celebrate that special day right?Well not only is a personalized magazine cover special, it is a a unique one-of-a kind gift that your loved one, friend, or family member will truly appreciate. Visit www.YourCover.com to get a better feel of how it might work. It is really easy! Just open a free account, upload your photos, and use the free design system to make every headline be specifically about the person you are trying to impress. The site offers suggestions of things to say (in case you get a case of writer's block), plus you can change the fonts and colors. It also can be used as a party favor, invitation or table centerpiece.
Hand Knitted Sweater
Even if knitting is your passion, no one wants to receive a homemade sweater with a tacky saying like 'friends are the best presents'. Don't laugh, an acquaintance recently received a sweater that obviously took much time and effort to create, but with the schmaltzy saying, she just can't bring herself to wear it in public.TIP: IF YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT YOUR FRIEND WILL WEAR SWEATERS LIKE THESE...BY ALL MEANS...KNIT AWAY! Otherwise, please refrain from giving the following types of knitted sweaters: Holiday, Silly Sayings, and bright patterned colors...unless it's a gag gift.
Initial Items That Are The Wrong Initials
Here's another thoughtless gift - a friend received a 'B' pin from her mother-in-law when her initials are L.C.! Is Mom getting passive-aggressive with her daughter-in-law? Uh-oh!TIP: I'M SURE YOU KNOW THE PERSON'S INITIALS...SO GET THEM RIGHT. If you have a personal issue, deal with it some other way. The joke ends up being on you because your money was spent on a gift that is now going to collect dust!
A Garage Door Opener
I had read somewhere that someone received a garage door opener from her fiance on their first Christmas together. I don't know about you, but I would be pretty upset if that was shoved in my stocking.TIP: UNLESS IT'S ON THE CHRISTMAS LIST AND IS ASKED FOR, IT'S OKAY. Otherwise, lets try to be creative and think of something that they might REALLY want.
A Regifted Book
Sharing books is a wonderful thing to do. I often give books that I have enjoyed to my friends and family so that they too can enjoy them. However, SHARING and GIFT-giving are two different things. Giving a used book to someone as a gift is tacky (sharing a used book is not).In this case, the original book buyer had written a note in the book to the original recipient. That recipient then crossed out the note with one line and regifted the book to a friend for his birthday! How tacky!
TIP: IF YOU ARE GOING TO REGIFT A BOOK, MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO NOTES, PENMARKS, UNDERLINES ON ANY OF THE PAGES. MAKE SURE IT LOOKS AS GOOD AS NEW!! I.E.: crisp pages, the spine isn't worn, etc. OR just be a good friend and share the book or buy them a different gift (or a new book).
QUICK SUM UP:
1) Do research on the recipient's likes and dislikes prior to buying the gift
2) If your significant other asks for something for their birthday or the holidays, try to get it for them. If you can't afford it, be creative. I.E. Make a scrapbook of your time together!
3) NO wrong initials, bad re-gifts, or silly sweaters...unless...it's a gag gift or you know for a fact the person won't mind it.
Don't Be Shy...What Is The Worst Gift You Have Ever Received?
sh02 wrote...
Hahaha, really funny lens. Love the Cactus, this is my grandmother standard fall back gift haha. If you get a chance check out my Boyfriend Gift Ideas blog
Posted December 11, 2008
sandyspider wrote...
I think I received some of these. LOL Great lens! Thanks for visiting my College Textbook lens. I had just updated it when you seen it.
Posted November 18, 2008
GrowWear wrote...
The phrase, "It's the thought that counts" should be reworded to "It's the thoughtful that counts." Very nice lens and really good advice!
Posted October 22, 2008
Aaron_Howard wrote...
I once received a Christmas Gift that had my name misspelled - at first I thought it just a mistake - until I got their hand written Christmas card spelled the same way.
Posted October 21, 2008
by YourCover_Mama
Hello Everyone! And welcome to my lens. I hope to have a whole bunch of lenses about a lot of different topics but the overriding theme will be "how t... (more)
