Worst Christmas Gift Ideas for a Single Parent

Let's face it; there are plenty of single parents out there. Rather the status of the parent is due to death of the spouse, divorce, an unwed mother or whatever the case may be this parent is doing his or her best to raise a happy and healthy child. The following gifts will not be the best choices for a single parent or the child.

Worst Gift for a Single Parent No.1 - Toys Requiring Multiple Sizes of Batteries

An electronic toy that requires multiple batteries is not the best Christmas gift idea for a single parent or the child. Money is usually very tight in this situation. Often there is but one income coming into the house and those battery eating electronic gadgets are a nightmare. Some dolls take multiple D batteries that rundown after the recipient has fallen asleep with her doll babies' switch still in the on position. And those big remote controlled monster trucks or flying helicopter gadgets usually take batteries for both the toy and the remote, usually different types also. Unless you plan on supplying extra batteries for these items they are NOT the best gift choice for a single parent. They are an added expense for the parent as the child will constantly be asking for new batteries. If you still want to give this type of gift consider including rechargeable batteries and a charger.

Worst Gift Idea for a Single Parent No.2 - Vacuum Cleaners Requiring Bag Replacements

Do you have any idea how much those vacuum cleaner bags cost? A new vacuum cleaner, if needed, would be welcomed by any single parent as this is usually an unexpected expense. Sure you can buy a cheap vacuum cleaner at the dollar store but let's be honest here they do not usually last very long before the motors burn out. If it's the type of vacuum that requires removing and replacing the bags whenever they get full you are giving the recipient an added expense. Those vacuum cleaner bags not only can get expensive but they are often not interchangeable, one brand vacuum cleaner bag won't necessarily fit another brands vacuum cleaner. A bagless vacuum cleaner with a removable canister to empty is a much better choice; especially if the recipient lives in a desert area where sand seems to get in even if the house is closed up tight. If the single parent has a house full of children that vacuum cleaner will get plenty of daily use. Don't give a vacuum cleaner as a Christmas gift that will add a regular cost to the already tight budget of your loved one.

Worst Gift Idea for a Single Parent No. 3 - Movie Tickets for Two

Okay, I'll admit it, not everyone will agree with me on this one. Please just hear me out. As a single parent I was the recipient of movie passes for two. There were three people in my family. I was on a very tight budget and knew I would not be able to afford the cost of snacks. With even higher prices at movie theaters now and the standing rule of not being allowed to bring in food or drink a movie pass for two was not the ideal gift. I did appreciate the thought; however, this gift was passed on to another person as I could not afford the cost of a babysitter to leave one child at home. The cost to pay for that child to enter the movie was also not in my budget. If you decide to treat a single parent to a night out consider offering to baby-sit or to include a gift certificate with the cost of popcorn and a soda added. Don't just assume the single parent will be able to afford this extra expense as the odds are he or she won't be able to. If the single parent has two teenage children a way to make this worst gift a good one would be to offer to take both children to a movie all expenses paid while mom or dad stays home with a few hours to him or herself.

Worst Gift Idea for a Single Parent No. 4 - Membership to a Fitness Club

One might think gifting a membership to a fitness club would be a good gift for a single parent but I think not. A single parent doesn't have the time to attend the local fitness club. With working full time (and probably over-time), household chores, preparing meals, after school activities, etc. a trip to the fitness club may be a welcome distraction but probably would not be used more than once or twice. Plus if the single parent does find the time to attend you've got that let down when the membership expires and the recipient cannot afford to pay the required fees to continue attending the fitness center.

Worst Gift Idea for a Single Parent No. 5 - A Live Animal (Pet)

Your gift recipient may love your cat or always talk about that cute puppy next door but gifting a live animal to a single parent is no gift. If the single parent's children are too young to care for the animal properly you are just giving the gift recipient one more thing to care for. And then there is the added cost of food, litter, veterinarian bills and on and on. The idea of seeing your grandchild, niece, nephew or a friend's child's' eyes widen when he or she sees that fluffy bunny under the Christmas tree is the worst shock you could give to a single parent. A pet not only deserves to be loved and cared for but also to be in a home that can afford that love and care. Never gift a pet to a single parent or his or her children without discussing the matter with the person first.

There you have it; my ideas on the Five Worst Christmas Gifts for a Single Parent. I wish you all happy hunting for those perfect gifts for all your loved ones. Merry Christmas!