Gifts not to give

[B-flat]

There are certain things you just don't give at Christmas, so put it down here.  I'll start with a few I would not give (or want to receive, either):
 
1.  Chest type freezer.  (Right Larry?)
2.  More cologne or perfume
3.  Vac cleaner (means more work)
4.  Tacky looking cheap jewelry
5.  Fruitcake (the dried up commercial kind)
6.  A trip to "Neverland"
7.  Book by Martha Stewart on Decorating Your Cell

[OC Campers]

One year my husbands sister gave him a clapper and a Chia pet.  What a waste of hard earned money!!

 
Jacqui
A Chia pet and a Clapper. One year my husband's sister gave him both of these items.
 
Jacqui

[wiininkwe]

If you have small children, you don't want them to have drums or toys with sirens.  

years ago my DH used to buy me hunting supplies and gear.   I finally started hunting, just so I could use the 30/30, the skinning knife, the orange hat and vest.   You get the idea.  He was getting me whatever he needed for hunting, then he would 'borrow it' and when I started to hunt he had to get his own.
 
Don't get the 'little lady' exercise equipment
 
or things like irons, or mops or other household tools
 
Do not get the guys in your family the Hunter Dan action figure from Cabela's, as they will not see the humor in it.   (don't even ask)
T

[birol]

Do not get one of those pipe cleaning tools for your non-smoking wife  :J  :W  :XMas

[Michicampers]

If you have small children, you don't want them to have drums or toys with sirens.  

So true! My sister used to love giving my kids noisy toys when they were little - now her kids get our hand-me-downs   .

If you plan to buy CDs for someone, make sure you know what they like - my MIL gave me a Zamfir (yes, the pan-flute guy from K-Tel fame) tape one year because she knew I loved classical music, then she wanted to know how I liked it   . She also used to send me control-top pantyhose, usually in navy blue (guess she thought I needed some help  :rolleyes: ), every year - I didn't have the heart to tell her I didn't wear them.

DH's family used to do a gift exchange with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles - we got some pretty interesting but useless gifts. Glad we stopped doing that.  

We get some pretty odd things from my odd aunt - usually cheap trinkets she collects on her vacations, along with long descriptions of why she chose them for us. At least she was thinking of us.

I try to get people things they can return - I'll send a gift receipt with most gifts, so they can return it if they can't use it. Or I'll get candles or scented lotions and things like that - stuff that can be easily re-gifted  :eek: . No matter what we get my in-laws, most of it still ends up on the top shelf of their closet. Lately we've been putting together photo albums of the boys for them, since we know they'll appreciate that.

[luvourjayco]

I have long given up on the useless gift thing. I now make theme baskets and everyone seems to enjoy them. Movie night or pasta night are a couple of my favourites to make. Dry mixes to make cookies or brownies and a pan or cookie cutters are fun too. Look at who you are giving to and make a basket for them they will love. No sense giving Aunt________ a cookie basket if she is always dieting try a puzzle basket instead.  I have recieved a few of the UH??? gifts in my day and it was partly my fault. I make dh and the kiddos a specific list with model numbers included, always add more so they get to decide which I really want though .  
For some reason though, although I don't like to recieve things for the kitchen dh loves to get power tools  

[brainpause]

Books, like

"How to Win Friends," by Uday and Qusay Hussein.

Larry

[NightOwl]

Along with drums, sirens, horns, etc. Do not EVER let anyone give your little girl a Cabbage Patch Doll Flushing Toilet.  A few years ago, my  cousin visited with her 4 year DGD and we took her  to visit nearby BabyLand General Hospital where all the wretched little Cabbage Patch creatures come from.  Laurren's souvenier of choice was this little doll toilet that made flushing sounds.  My cousin  tucked Laurren and the toilet in the back seat and headed home.  For FIVE LONG HOURS, the kid flushed the damn toilet.  it never missed a beat and now  when I want to see my cousin, I have to visit her in a mental institution.

[brainpause]

Along with drums, sirens, horns, etc. Do not EVER let anyone give your little girl a Cabbage Patch Doll Flushing Toilet.  A few years ago, my  cousin visited with her 4 year DGD and we took her  to visit nearby BabyLand General Hospital where all the wretched little Cabbage Patch creatures come from.  Laurren's souvenier of choice was this little doll toilet that made flushing sounds.  My cousin  tucked Laurren and the toilet in the back seat and headed home.  For FIVE LONG HOURS, the kid flushed the damn toilet.  it never missed a beat and now  when I want to see my cousin, I have to visit her in a mental institution.

Elisa, I'm not sure if you meant this funny or not, but I got a good belly laugh out of it!

Larry

[NightOwl]

Larry, so glad it  brought you a smile.  The best part is, it is all TRUE (except for the part of my cousin being in a mental institution.)  Having recovered completely from the 5 hour "flush" she remained  perfectly sane and  continued  living her  happy, productive life.  But it was the last time she ever bought a kid a gift that makes noise!  

(And, can you believe it ----the Cabbage Patch Toilet has been passed on to some other little girls in the family and the dang thing (14 years old now)  STILL flushes loudly.   I Guess they must have crossed  a W.C. with the Energizer Bunny to produce this thing!  Ha, ha---"...still going...!";(  (please forgive the terrible pun--just couldnt help myself.)

And yes, I kind of thought the story  was funny--we can all use a laugh now and then; one reason I shared it.

(And as a medical professional, I KNOW you are aware of the health benefits of laughter.)  (Isnt that partly why you started this "gotcha" in the first place?)

[Gone-Camping]

If you have small children, you don't want them to have drums or toys with sirens.

Ummmm, well that depends on who's kids you're giving gifts too! I can think of a few parents that I would be glad to provide their kids with those types of toys!!!

[B-flat]

Yep....and I bet I can think of a few in the campground to give 'em to when they are leaving.

[angelsmom10]

Ummmm, well that depends on who's kids you're giving gifts too! I can think of a few parents that I would be glad to provide their kids with those types of toys!!!

As a grandparent, pass on the tradition -- give noisy presents, and ones with a billion pieces.  Isnt' that what grandparents are for:J
 
Although, when our kids got gifts like that, my reply was "we really need to leave some toys at grandma's so you have something to play with" - it was the last of those presents that were given to our kids.

[NightOwl]

As a grandparent, pass on the tradition -- give noisy presents, and ones with a billion pieces.  Isnt' that what grandparents are for:J
 
 when our kids got gifts like that, my reply was "we really need to leave some toys at grandma's so you have something to play with" - it was the last of those presents that were given to our kids.

Ahhhh, Nancy, you are a dadgummed genius!

[B-flat]

Ah NighteyOwl and Angelsmom, I was telling my DD of my plans to give a small electronic Casio keyboard for the grandkids to learn to play. She sayss......No, nothing that makes a noise!  Can you imagine the grandkids not learning to play the piano....like, well, they need to be encouraged to take it up.  So I tell the DS of what was said.  He says go ahead and give it to them anyway.   After all, it was his keyboard originally and doggone it, he should have some say so in this matter. Right?   Now that I have access to BF's Roland and Korg versions, I just don't need the little one.