Let's be honest. We all enjoy the kind gesture of gift-giving–especially when you're on the receiving end.
Sometimes the gift you receive symbolizes friendships, or something simple that acknowledges how special you are from a work colleague.
Even gag gifts are fun. After all, the gift-giver has taken the time to look for an item that will trigger a hilarious response, knowing you might get a kick out of it, perhaps due to an inside joke.
After all, it's the thought that counts, right?
Occasionally, however, you might receive a gift that will make you want to hide an ungrateful expression on your face as people are watching.
What could those be?
Strangers online had a few ideas after Redditor magdalene_kk asked:
"What's the most useless gift you've ever gotten?"
Intentions behind these gifts were questioned.
Wrong Size
" Clothes that were too small. Intentionally small."
"I’m a size 4 (I’m short). My aunt got me some really nice tops in a size 0 because 'you looked so good last summer when you got all svelte.'”
"I had bronchitis and lost 10lbs."
– Dramiotic
Reading Material
"My former MIL used to 'gift' me all the owners manuals from her small appliances purchased in last year as an actual Christmas gift. The first year this happened I was very perplexed. She of course explained 'I read of these things'. For stuff I actually owned but for her electric knife sharpener or (my favorite) the garbage disposal they had installed lol"
– Mundane-Cabinet9883
Not A Win-Win
"I was in college across the country but went to visit my mother. For Christmas she gave me a stack of board games (trivial pursuit, Life...) but when I want to leave she said they had to stay there. We never played [board] games but she wanted an excuse to buy them for herself. Thanks.... merry Christmas I guess."
– azorianmilk
Sometimes, the gift-giver is a little presumptuous thinking the recipient would actually use and appreciate the gift.
Niche Appliance
"A quesadilla maker. I know their heart was in the right place, but it was HUGE, impossible to clean, and doesn't do anything that I can't already do with a normal non-stick frying pan. One of quickest gifts I've ever gotten rid of after taking it home. It was literally too big for any of our cupboards."
– DevinBelow
The Dullest Cut
"That's such a mood. Got a set of knives from my parents a couple years back. I do a lot of cooking, they thought it would be a nice gift. The knives themselves were trash, I can stand the chefs knife point first on the back of my hand and it won't break the skin. And the block they came in couldn't be cleaned, so that's not much use either. I don't want to be ungrateful, but holy hell."
– CheesusAlmighty
Not For Every Occasion
"My wife got me a travel lint roller for Christmas. Granted I was on my way to Iraq...so technically I was about to travel, but lint was the least of my worries."
– GOAT0352
Out Of Tune
"A Harmonica from my mother one Christmas."
"She said it was something musical and cost her €30, I was convinced it was the Red Hot Chili Pepper DVD I kept mentioning and really wanted."
"I was really into playing guitar at the time, but had zero interest in a harmonica in some random off key."
– PatTheLogicalLiar
And these just might be the absolute worst, "Are you kidding me?" type gifts.
Ye Olde Log
"My MIL regifted me a Christmas gift she never even opened. It was a loaf of homemade sourdough bread that had undergone a year of anaerobic decomposition."
– zenos_dog
No Value
"An expired gift card…"
– Chaitoshi
"I've gotten those too. They're usually just gift cards someone else has gotten, but never got around to using."
– JackFisherBooks
Sugar Rush
"Cheap sweets from my in laws. Like off brand cookies, donuts, etc. After the conversation about being diabetic. Also after a conversation about my parents being pastry chefs. I didn't take them with me when I left their house."
– cardinal1977
Imposter
"A cheap knock-off Barbie doll. It was a secret Santa gift the girl who gave it to me said it could be my girlfriend. I just gave it to my niece who wasn't so thrilled about it either."
– Beneficial-Jelly5746
You don't have to spend a lot of money to delight someone with a gift.
But if you're going to spend a few bucks on the cheapest knock-off brand treats from the dollar store, make sure you remember the person for whom it's intended isn't a diabetic.
Also, don't dump your unwanted Christmas presents from last year under the guise of a goodwill gesture.
That's just unacceptable.
