By prof

December 2, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Just a general word of advice: Do not give objects of art to an artist. They already have too many. And they also have more refined tastes than you do.

By Jillian

December 2, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

My grandmother gave me bright purple shoelaces that didn’t actually tie. They were bunched up so you didn’t have to tie them. I was a teenager when I received this gift. Are you kidding me?

By Peta

December 2, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

A “Scratch Off Lotto” ticket.. Ridiculous.. If you don’t win a prize, you technically got “nothing”.

By DisappointedDiver

December 2, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I love to scuba dive, so one Christmas, I asked for various pieces of scuba gear. My husband’s mother does not think scuba diving is an appropriate hobby for women. She thinks we should only cook and keep a house. So she gave me a sweater (too small) and measuring spoons (I don’t cook).

By The Unworthy DIL

December 2, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

I received a Tomato Fairy from my MIL. Bless her heart, I understand it’s a collector’s item… (hideous, but a collectors item none the less) I must keep it where I can easily produce it. Failing to do so would be unforgiveable. Everything gifted by MIL must be kept forever and easily accessible to produce on demand.

By Jess

December 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Last Christmas my MIL gave me a blazer that was furniture quality tapestry fabric that had cats all over it. She gave it to me because I like cats. (As a pet, not to wear.) I’m 30, not 80. I don’t wear t-shirts with prints on them and I hardly ever wear blazers. Luckily I have a great relationship with her and could be honest about not liking it.

By kk

December 2, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

That would be the magazine subscription for Readers Digest from my step dad. What was he thinking? Oh yeah, who can forget the boxed fruitcake and chocolate covered cherries from great grandma. I can’t believe they still make that crap.

By R.H. Forrester

December 2, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing how our pecertion changes with time.My widowed Granny had lived a hard life as a farm wife and told me of the great depression in my childhood which she called “Hoover Day’s”. When I was 12 years old my Granny sent me a cheap looking Xmas card in a plain envelope. In the card was a check and a scribbled note that said simply: “Here’s you a little money son. Buy you something purdy.” The check was written for two dollars. I was very dissapointed and almost threw it in the trash. That was 45 years ago. I still have both the card and check and now consider them both prized possessions.

By Noelle

December 2, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

A family friend once gave me and my sister each a horrible plastic windchime thing from the dollar store. I know she didn’t have much money to spend, and of course I accepted gracefully, but she’s a talented artist; why not give us a little sketch or painting? She could have knocked something out in no time for almost no cost, and we would’ve been thrilled.

By reservoirDAWG

December 2, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

My Mom always puts deodorant in my stocking. I know it’s useful, but what the h3ll?

By For shame

December 2, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

I have loved every gift ever given to me, no matter how cheap or tacky. It means someone thought enough of me to take the time (and money) to find something for me.

We need to be thankful for what we have.

You people need to re-prioritize your lives. These comments are truly sad. Greed will kill you.

Ever wonder if a gift you gave caused these feelings to the receiver?

By RealityKing

December 2, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

The ones that don’t say ‘Made in America’..

By RCH

December 2, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

I received a Georgia sweatshirt from my soon to be wife”s parents. I went to Georgia Tech. I still debate if the did it to be cruel or they just didn’t know any better.

By steve

December 2, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I don’t really care about getting gifts so whatever is fine with me, just don’t spend a bunch of money.

BUT, I am the WORST gift giver ever. I NEVER get it right. One year I bought my girlfriend a handbag. I thought it was cool. It was called the Wonder Book and it had 32 pockets, an organizer, calculator, and all sorts of gadgets. Apparently, women want a hand bag that is pleasing to the eye, not just incredibly useful.

She is now my wife and she has a collection of crap that I bought her that she didn’t like.

These days, I just ask her what she wants and then get her exactly what she asked for. It took all the fun out, but at least I don’t get it wrong.

I honestly wish that no one would buy me anything ever. I don’t like getting gifts. The pressure of opening them is too much. I don’t want the person to feel badly about it, but I can’t get excited over objects so they see that I am unenthusiastic. I practice saying in my mind “I love it” over and over, but how can I actually “Love” a possession?

By Alorinna

December 2, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Noelle, probably because she, like so many artists, are terrified that a family member will reject their art. To be rejected by strangers, that’s expected. Rejected by family? Oh, that’s devastating!

Luckily, my family loves my metalsmithing and has said so, and now I invite them to give me hints about what they would like me to fabricate for them.

That way, they get what they want, and it’s made with love. In return, they band together and give me supplies or a tool :) It’s a win-win situation.

Cate

By illuminusluna

December 2, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

When I was about 17 my dear Granny handed me a huge box on Christmas. I was so excited that I tore into it in a frenzy only to discover a giant, dirty, yellow crochete pillow with a matching dog sewn on top—and it kind of smelled funny. My sister thought it was so funny that we actually took it to a party that night and got drunk and could not stop laughing at this hideouse gift.

That was to be the last gift I ever got from Granny as she died just a few months later. I still have that dog pillow and it sits atop an equally ugly matching chair. It sits in my office and I still chuckle when I look at it.

At the time I thought it a terrible gift but now it is one of my most precious gifts and I am keeping it to give to my Grandchild one day…

By emjay

December 2, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

For Shame, I agree, we do need to be thankful for what we have. But in some cases, where you are given a crappy gift for the sole purpose of pointing out how insignificant you are to someone, it’s hard to rise above it.

Case in point, my dad’s sister never took any interest in me, and has treated me like a 2nd rate citizen my whole life. When I was 13, she made a huge production over the nice, expensive gifts she gave to her son and my other cousin. When it came time for me to open my gift from her, I was the gracious recipient of a $1 hairbow from the dollar store with the tag still attached. I’m not being sarcastic when I say I was a gracious recipient - I was raised to be kind and grateful to those who gift you with something. But I will always remember that as the worst gift I ever received, because it truly is the thought that counts and she reinforced what she thought about me with that gift.

By lovelyliz

December 2, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

I have asthma and an allergy to nickel. Although this isn’t part of my every conversation, it’s common knowleadge to those in my gift exchange circle. In the last 5 years, I’ve gotten popourri and umpteen pairs of regular earrings. The first year I exchanged the jewelry and found out that it’s not worth time, effort and gas to return them. Now they go straight to Goodwill.

By lovelyliz

December 2, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I had a couple of spinster aunts who segregated gifts by gender only. All their nieces would get the same gift and yet another to all their nephews no matter what the age. Unfortunately, what makes for a great gift for the favored 25 year old niece is not the same for the 7 year old. I remember getting a piece from Lenox and of course it ended up broken to my aunt’s disappointment. When I was 13 she gave out artisinal breads.

As an adult, I can appreciate what she did back then, but as a child I couldn’t imagine what she was thinking giving nice but in many cases totally inappropriate gift.

By singinsirengirl

December 2, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

My mother is notorious for being a bad gift giver. The problem is she doesn’t care enough about the person’s interests to give an appropriate gift and then, if she feels a certain way she bases the gifts on her own wants. For instance, she doesn’t like the way my sister cleans her house…so she gave her a toilet brush for Christmas. She thinks her husband needs to dress better….so she gave him a hideous peach colored blazer two sizes too big. She gave me a set of six dollar store candles shaped like snowmen heads. I guess I need more light in my house.
The other thing that bothers me is that she will ask what we want and we tell her she doesn’t have to give us anything and she argues that she wants to. So, we say why don’t you just give us a gift card to be easy on herself. Nooo, that isn’t good enough because she wants the joy of having LOTS OF GIFTS under HER tree. As you see, it is not about the gift or even the recipient. It is about her! I don’t know why she even bothers! Yes, I am frustrated with her obviously and since she is 72 years old you think she would know better.

By atllaw191

December 2, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

My son’s in-laws gave me a “nesting set of tin cans” with instant coffee/tea in them” which wasn’t the problem - the problem was that one of the tea “pods” was opened, which only meant it was a “re-gift”, which they’d done the year before, actually when they sent me a broken blue ceramic teapot. Something about them and tea? I’ve specifically told them “no gifts, please!”

By Ann

December 2, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

My husband’s grandmother gave us a combined gift one year for Christmas. Heavy red velvet curtains, valences, and matching king sized bedspread. They would have been appropriate in any house of ill-repute or horror movie. She handmade them in the early 70’s and used them for several years before packing them away in her attic. Did I mention that we have a queen bed?

By finally

December 2, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

It was always very insulting and painful to receive gifts from my uncle. He was a batchelor, and he was the cheapest human being I have ever met in my life. I received mouthwash, bag of oranges, giant candycane, NOTHING a preteen girl would want. When I finally got a “sportscar” around 1984 (1972 Opel GT) he gave me one quart of Castrol. Not enough for an oil change, just the one quart. The kicker was that my uncle would laugh like a buffoon when he saw how p** I would get. When we were moving my husband who is a car guy saw it on a back shelf-the car was long gone thanks to an elderly Cadillac driver-and he wanted it because it was a collectors item to have a “can” instead of a plastic bottle. So I do actually still have it. Ahhhhhhhhhh Holiday Memories!

By The Unworthy DIL

December 2, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

For the record, Hubby and I have been requesting “no gifts” for YEARS. The time we spend with our family is much more valuable to us than any THING. So much of what is given is out of a sense of obligation to give a gift. I would much rather have a meal together with our family members at home, put up the Christmas tree while watching a holiday program, and reminisce over all the hand-made ornaments we have accumulated over the years. Time together with our family is very precious, as we are spread to the four winds now, and there is no better gift. Our parents are aging, others have serious health issues, and The Kid is a young professional out of the nest and finding her own way. I don’t want any THINGS. I do appreciate “it’s the thought that counts”, but save your money. Send me an e-mail or call me. I want time with my family. That is the best gift anyone could give me.

By I would say Jesus, but I'm afraid someone would get offended

December 2, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

My birthday is on Christmas, and I love opening presents. I’m sure I was disappointed that I didn’t get something one year, or got something I didn’t like another year, but I’ve always been genuine in my enthusiasm for opening gifts. Seriously, I always thanked my grandmothers or great aunts, but I always especially thanked my parents for telling the older relatives what I would enjoy. Packing both Christmas and birthday into one day doesn’t really leave room for disappointment. As for giving gifts, I enjoy trying to think of something that a person would enjoy, use and keep for as long as possible; when you can get all three in one gift, the recipient will never be disappointed.

By Becky

December 2, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

I am very thankful for every gift that I get regardless if I like it or not, it’s the way that I was brought up..To all that are grumbling about gifts from Grandparents, at least you had Grandparents, mine died when I was about 2 or 3…As for shame said, we should all be more grateful of things that we have..Also as Steve said, it doesn’t bother me if others don’t give me a gift at all..

Hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas..Or Happy Holidays, or whatever you celebrate..

By reservoirDAWG

December 2, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

My family would always open one gift Christmas Eve. One year when I was 8 or 9 there was a big box under the tree with my name on it. Thinking it waould be something great I tore into the box only to find an electric blanket. I was thankful for it though, as my parents would not let the heat run all night.

By skeeter

December 2, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

I can relate to Steve’s comments above; I find the whole gift giving/receiving thing very stressful. I tend to agonize over whether the recipient will like the gift I chose. I would much prefer to skip the time, expense, and emotional effort put into gifts and just enjoy my friends/family.

For years, my well-meaning father gave all his children fruitcakes for Christmas. Now I like fruitcake pretty well - as long as it doesn’t have too much citron in it - but after a few years, it was more than obvious that Dad either couldn’t think of anything personal to give us, and didn’t want to be bothered. I finally told him to skip the whole thing, and he seemed just as fine with that. Thereafter, I think none of us got anything from him….which was okay, too.

By lovelyliz

December 2, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

It’s really the thought put into the gift rather than the $$ and quality that matters. Grannie is 97 years old, lives on a fixed income and has been widowed half her life. We tell her not to give us gifts, but it’s a source of pride especially since most of us are generous with her.

Grannie knows I like tea pots. I am specific in that I love English tea sets. Last year she gave me a decorative teapot she found in a dollar store. it was made in China, gaudy as gaudy could be with a chipped lid nad a broken handle. I accepted it graciously and took it home where it sits in its original box in my closet.

The thought really does matter and often that’s all that matters.

By KS

December 2, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

My brother-in-law gave my 2yr old a play gun, grenade, machine gun set! I put it in the laundry room until I could throw it in the garbage! Idiot!

By Terri

December 2, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

My mom, though she means well, gives horrible gifts. Turtleneck shirts, with flowers on them (I don’t where those or anything with flowers. The itchiest sweaters, from K-mart, or ALWAYS a “Little House on the Praire” nightgown, look-alike. Every year, she’d wrap toothepaste and put it in our stockings. She’d also put a pound of walnuts (unshelled), in there, (I don’t like nuts). Now, she gives me a little money, and I’m a bargain shopper, and I love to tell her all that I got with it. She also gives me money for my daughter, and I put her name on it. I finally told her, years ago, to NEVER buy me anthing to wear, and just wanted a gift card.

By Terri

December 2, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

My mom, though she means well, gives horrible gifts. Turtleneck shirts, with flowers on them (I don’t where those or anything with flowers. The itchiest sweaters, from K-mart, or ALWAYS a “Little House on the Praire” nightgown, look-alike. Every year, she’d wrap toothepaste and put it in our stockings. She’d also put a pound of walnuts (unshelled), in there, (I don’t like nuts). Now, she gives me a little money, and I’m a bargain shopper, and I love to tell her all that I got with it. She also gives me money for my daughter, and I put her name on it. I finally told her, years ago, to NEVER buy me anthing to wear, and just wanted a gift card.

By Texas Pete

December 2, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

My Uncle was notorious for giving me guns and knives when I was a kid. I would never get rid of them because he was my favorite and passed away a few years ago, but I had to explain to my wife why I have have an arsenal. It didn’t help that she is from a blue state.

By Noelle

December 2, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Alorinna, she gave us art gifts before and after that Christmas. That’s part of why that year so bad! We were thankful that she thought of us, but baffled at her choice.

By Mike

December 2, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

I had a cheap uncle - he wouldn’t spend money on himself or much on anyone else. But he was a good person and his gifts were enjoyed and appreciated.

The WORST gift I ever got was in a secret santa event at work. One of the managers decided to take over the process of coordinating the event, and volunteered to take care of bringing a gift for a co-worker who was based in another city.

Then she didn’t show up for the exchange! After the fact, the two of us who didn’t get a gift at the party found out what the two gifts were - a bargain bin CD of classical music (with the huge price sticker still attached) and a ten dollar bill wrapped up in a piece of paper, not even in an envelope!

By Mike D

December 2, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

I once gave a girlfriend a baby for Christmas. It turns out she really didn’t want to be pregnant at 17 so she went to the clinic and sent it back.

By Dino

December 2, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

last year, we drew names of relatives to give gifts to, and some relative gave me a re-gift of some “butter melter’ that didn’t even work! You are supposed to put a stick of butter in this device and it melts the butter for some unknown use—a piece of junk. Apparently, it didn’t work for this relative either, and he just passed it on. What a jerk!

By bosseswife

December 2, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

A Nasty Cheese Cake from an online bakery!

By barbi

December 2, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

My mother-in-law bought me the ugliest orange purse and wrapped it in Hanukah paper (We’re Catholic.)

By somepeople

December 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

No matter what the article topic is, there is always 3 of the same type of comments. There is the majority which is honest opinions. Then, there are the “holier-than-thou” jerks.(shame on YOU) Last, by not least, is the &ssholes, with their HILARIOUS juvenile and vulgar comments. It must be nice to preach the gospel in the comments section or better yet, get a break from the online porn.

By chankagirl

December 2, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

A few years ago my department was run by a senior supervisor who clearly had her favorites and I was not one of them. For the gift exchange she gave me a red shirt with a quarter sized stain on the collar. If it was the thought that counts I knew exactly what she thought of me!

By Dave

December 2, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

My eldest son regifted me with a plug into the cigarette lighter cooler for my car. It had been retaped into the box twice and had no instructions. I kept looking for an empty beer can or cig butt…

By andy

December 2, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

Worst gift was a sticky notepad and pen for the car.

Given by a boss that I liked and respected very much which made the gift that much worse.

I still like and admire the boss despite the gift and I no longer work for him.

Happy Holidays Atlanta!

By Kimmy P

December 2, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

My grandmother regifted me a book I gave her the year before. The worst part was I had regifted it to her! Karma bit all of our arses that day!

By Kristy

December 2, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

A cemetery plot… for three. I was 24 and single. The last thing on my mind then, and now, 16 years later, is where I am will be buried. I’ll be dead - I don’t care.

By 70

December 2, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

For all you people that “throw away” the gifts you don’t want…..ever heard of Goodwill? What a bunch of whiners.

By Super Dad

December 2, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

My wife went to an adult toy party a few years ago, when she got home I was all excited to see and try what she bought until I saw it. Apparently she wanted to try role reversal - worst thing ever.

By Dixie

December 2, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

I’m a sweatshirt/jeans girl. My cheap neighbor gave me a red velvet blazer that had been packed in her attic for at least 5 years before I met her. Way too small in the bust and short. She was 5 foot tall and flat chested. I’m 5’10” and a D! And - PeeYooo! Old insulation stink. She was really excited though. I gave her a $50 Longhorns certificate.

By Mike In Woodstock

December 3, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

Worst gift ever????

Easy. A Brut gift pack.

UGH! And the worst part is having to smile and act appreciative for receiving it.

By SP

December 3, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

Worst gift: A $15 iTunes gift card to my deaf grandmother.

Yule Log: Congratulations! You received a gift that keeps on giving!

By kyle

December 3, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

granny panties. 4 sizes too large.

from my husband.

this will NEVER be over.

By peanuts

December 3, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

I have been blessed in so many ways and I KNOW how fortunate I am. However,this blog is about the worst give you’ve ever recieved so all you self-righteous people need to go find another blog on which to preach.. Okay - now for the worst gifts - a family friend likes to buy stuff ahead of time, wrap it up and give it away without always knowing what is in it. She has given me a bank that looked like a slot machine, an American history textbook,(she teaches history and it was a sample from the company),a plastic colander and a picture frame with ” my precious children” written on it when I didn’t have any kids,and other things too goofy to remember. She has given my son a Barney drinking straw (he was 12 at the time) and a Barbie puzzle (he was 10). I agree it’s the thought that counts, so THINK people.

By TM

December 3, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

My ex-mother-in-law one year gave me a stadium umbrella with footballs all over it (I hate sports) and gave my ex-husband a jewelry box (the only piece of jewelry he owned was a single tie-pin). But, I kind of think it was payback for the notoriously crappy presents my ex-husband and his brothers gave her when they were kids - like the year they took the money they were supposed to buy a present for her with and bought candy and played video games, then only had about a dollar left and bought her an acrylic ashtray with a starfish in it. ;)

By lovelyliz

December 3, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

My aunt (father’s siter) gave my mother who has been a diabetic for 40 years a box of regular cordial cherries. Auntie has seen Mom give herself insulin injection but gave here that high fructose corn syrup laden confection to a woman who has been off carbs and sugar for decades.

By Artist

December 3, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Hey Noelle, You say you are baffled by the most recent gifts from your artist “friend of the family” who, as you later indicate, gave you gifts of her art in the past.

Knocking something out in no time? Are you kidding? This mis-perception keeps many excellent artists suffering to give gifts beyond most anyone’s ability. These artists give gifts valued from hundreds to thousands of dollars, to people who have no real appreciation for what they are getting, such as yourself, as indicated by your comment. I have done just that for many years, and have come to realize that, for more reasons than can be explained here, giving away my art is not wise.

On the other hand, amateur artists often give bad art, thus putting the receiver in the uncomfortable position of taking care of art they honestly do not want to own, and constitute the worst gifts I’ve ever received. From your description, Noelle, your artist friend is not of this caliber.

I have gone to giving good bottles of wine, boxes of nice teas, and such, (tailored to the recipient’s tastes as best as I can), well presented. This is a way to show appreciation to them without harm to me or to my work. By giving you and your sister “each a horrible plastic windchime thing from the dollar store,” perhaps your artist friend was making a statement about your past ingratitude.

By Marjorie

December 8, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Our kids are in college now, so we don’t have the wrapping paper flying gift opening frenzy that we had when they were little. We also give fewer, but more meaningful, thoughtful gifts. So, to create a little Christmas morning drama, we now hand out one gift at a time with everyone else watching and ooohing and aaahing over each treasure.
Last Christmas, I invited my 48-year old sister and our mother to join us in this tradition. They live far away and usually celebrate with no ceremony but to go out for a restaurant holiday brunch, so I went all out and prepared a lovely breakfast and sumptuous Christmas feast. So, there I am with all my loved ones watching while I open my present from my sister to find a collection of “Walk Away the Pounds” dvds. Oh, the horror and humiliation!!

I laughed it off as best I could but was terribly hurt. I immediately retreated to the kitchen under the pretext of getting dinner started and proceeded to drown my feelings in a bottle of port(I almost never drink, by the way, so you can imagine how it hit me) At one point, my husband noticed I was getting royally sloshed so he brought me a chair to sit on while I gave instructions to the rest of my family on how to finish the standing rib roast…my daughter’s boyfriend captured the event on his cellphone video.

Is it possible to divorce one’s own sister???

By russhend

December 11, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

my former boss gave all 4 of us in his dept. a $1 box of peanuts because his wife told him to get us gifts. good thing i wasn’t a nfl lineman. i would have let him get hit hard.

By Matt

December 11, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

But this one is plain rude.

So one christmas and I’m 11!!, i saved up so much money from having a job that i got like 1000 $. My mom was dieing for new jewelery and i decided to help her with it. I bought the biggest,best diamond ever! She thanked me and thanked me… and in turn my older brother got a laptop, my 4 year old got an X-box. You heard me. 4 your old with X-box. And i got “Genta, the lovable teddy bear!” and it didn’t do anything. Worst gift every D=

By Joy

December 24, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

A used potholder from my mother. No, she wasn’t senile. Just mean. Sad, huh?

By Susan

December 26, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

My mother-in-law for the past 3 years now, have given my children, ages 11 & 16, trinkets from around her house that belonged to her deceased husband. For instance, a crocheted kleenex box cover, an old emery board, an extremely old chapstick from Avon. My husband refuses to address this issue with her. What do I do?