It is the most wonderful time of the year...not only the Holidays, but shopping season. People typically kick off this blissful time with Black Friday. As people stumble through the doors of Walmart and Best Buy gasping for air and assaulting their fellow shoppers, the jolly time of gift giving officially begins. Although shopping in the month of December involves the literal blood, sweat, and tears of your loved ones, the task of trying to find the perfect gift may be the most painful task of them all.
Many people cannot fathom the idea of telling people what they would actually like for Christmas. The "Oh, it's okay you don't need to get me anything" statement becomes all too real. People do not want to pressure their family/friends/significant others into buying something that may be too specific or expensive. However, in the process of trying to act frugal, you lose out on a gift that doesn't make you cringe and fake a hug of happiness and gratitude.
I admit to being the person that never creates a Christmas list. I act nonchalant as people ask me what I would like and shrug off anything they say that may cost over $20. The holiday party arrives, and I graciously accept some colorful figurines with a smile and figure I should probably start dropping hints a little earlier next year.
However, as a person who loves buying gifts for others, I despise the general shrug of faked disinterest when asking people what they would like for a present. As I spend days upon days wandering through the aisles of every department store trying to read people's minds, my tired self pleads that somebody will simply tell me what they actually want for Christmas this year.
Although the age of gift honesty may not arrive for awhile, we can at least teach each other the absolute no-no's when it comes to gift buying. Here is a list of 9 items that no one wants.
1. Facebook Points
Yes, Candy Crush used to be great. And people actually did pay money for it! But Facebook Points are never a fun time and are usually given to you buy the distant cousin that won't stop with the FarmVille invites.
2. Fish
When I was little I was given a huge fish aquarium. I enjoyed it immensely, but just a few fish in a bag? That's a Christmas death sentence right off the bat.
3. Socks
We all lose socks, they go to the same place bobby pins go to die. But opening up a nice package of socks kills the Christmas spirit faster than finding out your mom and dad were Santa all along.
4. "Fun Socks"
Putting some polka dots on the socks doesn't make up for your dad eating all the cookies and claiming it was a reindeer.
4. Family Pictures
We get it, your photographer really made your eyes pop. But trying to rush around to put the picture of your face out the next time you come over is not worth the sweating and raised heart-rates.
5. Family Picture Calendars
Multiple instances of photoshop touch-ups for the next 12-months doesn't make anyone any more happy than one picture.
6. A Savings Bond
This one is tricky, cause it's great in a few years when you want to buy a car. But little Jimmy would rather have a puzzle, trust me.
7. The Passive-Aggressive "Helpful" Gift
A nice and playful gift of Spanx is not a nice way to inform someone to go on a diet.
8. Re-gifted Gift
Didn't you get this for your birthday last year?
9. Underwear/ Bra
No thanks grandma, I think I'll pass.
