11 People Weigh In On The Christmas Gift You Shouldn’t Waste Your Money Buying Anyone This Year

I know that it’s the ~thought that counts~, but to be honest, I’m getting to a point financially where I’m wondering whether or not some gift purchases are worth the money. Sometimes around the holidays, it feels like I’m really stretching for a gift idea for some people (like, the people whom I know I’m supposed to buy gifts for, but don’t really know much about personally, and therefore have no idea what to get them).

I decided to round up some horror stories (well, I’m being dramatic — they’re not horror stories, they’re basically just regular stories) of the worst gifts they’ve ever received, and what specific things they believe are a waste of money to get as gifts for people. Here’s what they had to say.

1. “Socks… I know it is like, a traditional holiday joke to get someone socks, and then they’re like ‘Awww, socks, thank you!’ and then grandma is like aye don’t mention it. And then you grow older and you’re like, I could totally always use some extra socks, that’s a great gift to get someone. Wrong. Socks are so subjective. No one likes the same type, everyone has specific sock-preferences. Same with underwear. These are personal choices.” – David

2. “Last year my sister got my parents and myself a bunch of lottery tickets. She got really mad at us for some trivial reason on Christmas Eve, scratched them all and still gave them to us after we made up, on Christmas morning.” – Maggie

3. “Anything from Spencer’s Gifts.” – Andrew

4. “There’s a tradition of buying women scented bath products. I kind of like it — when I was younger especially, I did really love to receive a set from Bath & Body Works. But as you grow up, or maybe it is just me, you kind of settle into a routine and a set of products that works for your skin, your life, etc. So when I get a set of like Sweet Pea body splash and shower gel, I’m like, okay — my husband will hate that scent, I kind of hate that scent, those lotions are pricey but not at all moisturizing. Etc. I kind of feel that it is a thoughtless gift. Like oh, she’s a girl, she probably likes pink lotion.” – Carrie Ann

5. “Little tchotchkes, only because people I think only like very specific types of tchotchkes. For example, I received a little ceramic frog last year, which was cute, but I have very themed décor in my home and it has a neutral color palette, usually not involving the color green or amphibians of any kind. Unless you know the person super well and know that the little thing will fit in with their life and they’ll really like it, it is most likely a waste of money that they’ll end up re-gifting or donating.” – Katie

6. “Worst gift to get are like, gag gifts. I know they are meant to be cute and humorous. I’m not a fan.” – Ben

7. “There have been a lot of neutral gifts that I just never used. I guess the worst gifts are ones that show the giver knows nothing about the receiver but they give a gift anyway. Because then it shows its more about the obligation than the person.” – Thomas

8. “People probably shouldn’t waste their money buying video games anymore. They are not worth the high price, I’ve actually stopped playing games due to their prices.” – Mike

9. “I literally got a box of granola bars once from a family member because I told them I liked granola bars. It was cute but like, obviously I buy those for myself. That is more of an obligation to buy me a gift while not knowing anything about me besides the fact that I enjoy granola.” – Audrey

10. “Gift cards tend to be a shitty Christmas gift unless specifically requested. At that point it seems like maybe you shouldn’t be getting them a gift.” – Anthony

11. “I hate getting ties so so so so so much. Get me something that excites me, not a corporate noose hanging from my neck.” – Ryan

Mary writes every day for TFD, and tweets every day for her own personal fulfillment. Talk to her about money and life at mary@thefinancialdiet.com!

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