13 Awful Christmas gifts that nobody wants to get

Similar to how gifting fitness paraphernalia is a bit problematic, having someone unwrap a nice parcel only to see Taking Control of Your Depression or How to Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating is only going to signal to the recipient that you think something’s wrong with them. Trust us, if someone is truly in need of help, they probably already know it. Save it for a deep truth sesh in a safe space among friends, not during a festive celebration.

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Keys are already an annoyance in themselves, and we don’t think anyone needs yet another useless bit of plastic or metal weighing down their bags – let alone one they didn’t even choose for themselves. It’s more than likely the keychain will just see the back of a junk drawer or end up donated to a charity shop in your friend’s yearly spring cleaning.

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Unless you’re a primary school kid who’s just made an ugly-cute art project with macaroni and spray paint, don’t give people photo frames, especially if there isn’t even a photo included. It’s largely believed that empty picture frames are bad luck as the space invites negative energy, so the least you can do is fill it with a nice, soothing print. Besides, if you’re close enough to a person to give them something for Christmas, then you’ll likely have photos of or with them – use them!

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Cantonese speakers will know that clocks make for particularly inauspicious gifts – in fact, some see them as downright ominous as the Chinese word for clock, ‘zhong’ (鐘), sounds exactly the same as the word for death. Giving someone a clock as a present therefore symbolically means sending them off on their final journey towards the afterlife, which just isn’t a very Christmassy thought.

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A gleeful child pulling out a puppy from a ribboned box under a Christmas tree is only romantic on a Hallmark card. In real life, suddenly having a whole living being on your hands is not so cute. Even if it’s something as small as a guppy, getting a pet is a personal decision that you just can’t make for someone else. By all means, give someone plush animals or even gifts for their pets, but not an actual, living animal.

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Another mug, how original. This one’s even got an inspiring statement on it saying 'Do all things with love'. It'll go great in the back of the cupboard sitting along with 20 other mugs that either say 'It's actually wine in here' or 'Don't talk to me before I finish my coffee'. Come on buddy, nobody needs another mug.

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Let’s admit it, we’ve all done it. Regifting is a common practice and it does help to reduce waste. But those who overtly proclaim that they ‘got this gift just for you’ and forgot that the recipient was around when you originally got the present, well, that's just distasteful. May your stockings be filled with lumps of coal this Christmas.

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While gift cards can be a practical gift in many ways – who would turn down an iTunes coupon or a free meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant? – sometimes, it's just obvious that not a lot of thought was put into the present. For instance, getting gift cards to cake shops when the giftee is known to be on a diet or flower arrangement classes for someone who’s allergic to pollen might not exactly be a good idea. 

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Chocolates are often the way to go when it comes to Christmas presents. Most of us love a sugary festive treat. But forgive us for expecting something from La Maison du Chocolat or even good old Ferrero Rocher over some dubious brand no one’s ever heard of or seen in a supermarket. But yes, let’s break it open now and have a taste now, shall we?

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Yes, everyone wears socks – but we're pretty sure that everyone has enough socks as well. Even if they don't, socks are just something that's best to buy for yourself considering they have to be the right size, style, and colour. Gift a pair that's too small or colourful and they're pretty much rendered unwearable. And don't even get us started on festive socks or ones with cartoons on them. 

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Sure, it’s probably incredibly funny and entertaining for the first couple of hours once you’ve opened the present, but every novelty gift quickly becomes an eyesore for the rest of the year. Really, how likely are you to use that bum bag with a man’s hairy belly printed on it or a golf set designed to be played while you’re doing your business on the bog? 

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Think you're being thoughtful by getting someone workout equipment? Think again. Unless you're buying a gift for a fitness fanatic – even then it's still a bit risky – it's never a good idea to give anything exercise or diet-related. Instead of a 'thank you', you're more likely to get a "what are you trying to say?" reaction. 

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One of the worst offences are people who shamelessly don’t hide the fact that they didn’t bother getting a gift at all. Instead, they come in, smug as can be and state that they’re the gift. Er, no. Just don't.

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