Now that the streets are filled with snow and ice, we ought to think of each other for the holidays. But with such a different variety of people to gift for, what gifts would they want and what gifts should you avoid? Here are some important gifts to avoid for those you appreciate.
#5: Candles
Candles are a very common holiday gift; however, they do not have any inherent uses that are helpful to anyone. You could say they provide light, but, you know, electricity. Besides, everyone has tons of candles in their houses already, so gifting a candle is just taking up more space in their garage. Candles are likely to be re-gifted if not given to the right person and are a risky gift if you don’t know whether or not the giftee wants them. On top of that, if you are unaware of the person’s scent preferences you might accidentally give them a candle that will be left unused.
#4: Socks
Socks, or just most types of clothes, are not great gifts for someone, especially if you do not already know their foot size. People go to stores to try on clothes for a good reason: to find something that will fit their bodies comfortably. Therefore, if socks are bought in the wrong size, they are useless. Additionally, clothing style and sock colors are very subjective factors that can really only be considered by the person who is going to wear them.
#3: Self-Improvement Books
Although books are usually great holiday gifts, this does not include self-improvement books like “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo. However genuine or kind-hearted you initially were when buying the book, it would only look offensive and critical the moment your friend sees the gift you bring to them. You may get lucky and happen to buy the right book that they have been looking for or didn’t know they needed, but the chance of this is slim to none. It is best to avoid giving self-improvement books as it can be insulting to the person and implies that you don’t see the person the way that they see themselves.
#2: Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supplies can go both ways because for some people it can be the worst gift, while for others it could be a useful gift. We would recommend asking the person whether or not they would like a cleaning gift, and what exactly they would want, because when looking for a cleaning gift you don’t want to do it halfway. Also, cleaning supplies are so practical that it’s almost like buying a person groceries for the holidays. Plus, when you give cleaning supplies, it can send a message that you didn’t plan on, like, “you’re a mess” or, “you need to clean the house. Now.”
#1: Deodorant
Deodorant is an especially bad choice, arguably the worst choice, when it comes to choosing a present for someone. It may be alright to give perfumes/colognes or room refreshers as they are intended to be adding good smell instead of covering up bad odor. Giving a person deodorant is basically the equivalent of telling them they smell bad, and it is certainly a great way to end a relationship. Unless being used as a prank on your closest friend or siblings, it is highly inappropriate to give someone deodorant.
