Worst Christmas Gifts for Your Family: Avoid Drugstores, Cliche Items

I have been at the receiving end and the giving end of the some of the worst Christmas gifts you can give to family members. It's one thing to give a bad or cheesy gift to co-workers or neighbors when you don't know that much about them, but to give a family member something they don't want or need is even worse. Here's some suggestions on what you should never get the relatives.

Your Parents - This is a tricky one since your parents, especially Dad, is usually the most difficult person to buy something for when Christmas rolls around. Your parents usually have everything they need and want and they usually don't want much, if anything, from their kids. The main thing is to never give them something that's a waste of money just to be able to give them something. I would say the one thing I have made the mistake of giving is anything that falls in the "As Seen On TV" category. It seems most of these things perplexed my parents over the years, maybe it was just their generation, but these items really don't interest them. They don't care to get any silly gadgets that are on the market, so don't waste your money on dryer balls, foot pads or so-called miracle items such as chamois, putty and the like. These kinds of gifts scream of "I don't know what to get so I'll just get this." Parents would much rather have something from the heart.

Your Siblings - If you're dealing with adult brothers or sisters (this also includes in-laws) I would suggest staying away from the typical "baskets" of gifts. Though the thought of a nice basket of wine and cheeses or something of the like sounds nice, I don't think these have ever gone over that well. This is the sort of gift that you get that fake "thank you" for and you can tell by the look on their faces that they know you didn't put much thought into it. Even if they do like to drink wine, the quality of the wine and more so, the quality of the food products, if not worth the money and reeks of last minute gift ideas. I seriously doubt that anyone really cares for the cheese balls and funky mustard that usually accompany a wine basket. Put more thought into your gift.

For both of the above, as well as your mother-in-law, don't bother with another set of beautiful candle holders. I think I have about ten sets of taper candle holders given to me over the last few years. Yes they can be very pretty, but unless someone specifically requests taper candle holders, don't bother. First off, everyone usually have a pair or two and that's all they need. Second of all, I rarely see anyone who uses taper candles anymore. Please, no more fancy taper candle holders.

Your Nieces or Younger Female Siblings - I learned this one the hard way. Be very careful to find out exactly what these kids want. One year I went for the fake make-up kits which were met with disgust. I guess I didn't realize how much quicker they grow up these days and it's apparently very insulting to give something like this to girls who are already wearing real make-up and nail polish. I would also suggest never trying to buy them clothes. It doesn't matter what you get, they're going to hate it and I think that's mainly just because they didn't pick it out.

Your Nephews or Younger Male Siblings - If you don't know whether or not they like sports and exactly what sport they like, don't go buying footballs or baseballs. Many kids these days spend more time in from of their television playing Nintendo or on their computer. You just don't see them outdoors like we use to before video games and the Internet. Also, this is another group to stay away from clothing items. Just like the girls, if they don't pick it out themselves they will probably turn their nose up at it as it's going to make them look geeky. If you can show me one parent who ever understood the fad of wearing jeans down below your butt so your undershorts showed, then that's when I'll show you a parent who can shop for kids clothes.

Your Wife - Take this piece of advice from personal experience. Don't buy your wife anything that you can get at the drugstore. Seems I always end up with something dumb and wasteful. It also doesn't help if you wait until the very last minute because that's when we end up with gifts such as foot massager's (if we didn't ask for it - don't get it), a basket of bath and body lotions (we know the scents we like and don't and men will always get that wrong) or cheap drugstore perfume. Most of us really don't care for the cheap smell of perfume that can be purchased at any discount or drugstore. These would be perfumes that Britney Spears or Celine Dion created and they are, by all accounts, bad cheap perfume. Last, but not least, if we don't ask for it, do not buy us anything that goes in the kitchen. That just never works and is a purchase suited for any normal day, not Christmas (or birthdays or anniversaries). I think you understand where I'm going with this.

Your Husband - Take the same advice as above. I really doubt that there are too many men out there that would like to be introduced to the finer odors of drugstore cologne. I personally have never met a man who wants a bottle of Stetson or Old Spice for Christmas. I also suggest that you never try to buy tools, unless your husband showed you exactly what he wants. Believe me, you are either going to buy the wrong make or model or it won't have the gadgets he wants. Tools are a very personal purchase for the man who wants them and no need to clutter the garage with a jigsaw if the man really needs a circular saw. If you don't know exactly what he wants, don't bother trying to guess because he'll just be more aggravated when he has to return it to the store.

I hope some of these suggestions keep you from making bad choices on gifts this holiday season so that the recipients of whatever you purchase are pleased and happy with what you do get for them.