12 Gifts You Should Stop Buying As Christmas Presents
The art of giving is just that - an art. In order to make that all-important impact, to make your giftee’s eyes light up with joy, and to give Christmas presents which warm the heart and provide last memories… Well, it takes some skill and a little planning.
At Maison 21G, we’ve put together a fantastic array of festive gifts and perfume gift packages this year, specifically designed to elevate the art of giving with a decidedly luxurious bespoke flair. From opulent Home Scents to personalised perfumes and scented items, there’s truly something for everyone at our chic boutiques and online store! With a bit of forethought and care, we can say goodbye to bad Christmas gifts for good.
Of course, not everyone is blessed with the artistry inherent to perfect gift-giving, and we’ve all been subject to the kind of bad Christmas gift ideas that land with a dull thud on Christmas morning (of course, we all smile politely and say our ‘thank yous’... but you know exactly what we’re talking about!). Which gifts, however, are the worst of the bunch? Which are the gifts you should never give for Christmas? And which worst Christmas gifts have just passed their sell-by date, and should be consigned to the big bin of history?
Let’s take a closer look!
DVDs, CDs and other obsolete formats
It doesn’t seem so long ago that CDs and DVDs topped many of our Christmas lists. We all love music and movies, but do any of us still own workable devices on which to play these formats?
The same can’t be said, of course, for vinyl records, which are having quite a renaissance at the moment. However, if your giftee doesn’t own a vinyl player, then that wouldn’t make the most exciting gift, either. Simply put, these obsolete formats have dropped down our wishlists to become some of the worst Christmas presents there are.
Workout equipment
Unless your giftee is a die-hard gym bunny who loves nothing more than pumping iron, it’s probably best to steer clear from anything resembling fitness equipment at Christmas time.
A lot of us have the tendency to overindulge at this time of year, and we don’t want to be reminded of the weight we’ve put on. Workout gear definitely sends the wrong message, and unless you’re a master of tact, they’re the worst gifts to get for Christmas.
Anti-aging cream
In a similar vein to the previous entry, anti-aging cream, wrinkle cream, and other specifically anti-aging beauty products aren’t really imbued with the spirit of love and kindness, and can come across as a little judgemental. What’s more, most of us have a finely-tuned skincare routine, and we know exactly what works best for our skin.
Despite all the best intentions, anti-aging creams and other skincare products are actually terrible Christmas gifts. Avoid at all costs!
Cleaning supplies
We find it hard to believe that anyone actually gives cleaning supplies and household chores equipment as a Christmas present, but apparently it isn’t as uncommon as it should be. Just… no. Nobody wants to give bad Santa gifts, and cleaning supplies definitely deserve their place on this list.
‘Ugly’ Christmas sweaters
Yes, they’ve been a bit of a trend over the past few years, and the ironic Christmas jumper - with its garish patterns and colours that sting the eyes and turn the stomach - have become a Christmas party staple.
However, the trend has definitely run its course, and it’s time to put this particular fad to bed. Besides, what’s the use of an item of clothing you’re only likely to wear for one day per year? Make no mistake, unattractive Christmas sweaters are, in 2022, truly bad Santa Christmas gift ideas!
Pets
It almost seems redundant to make this point, but pets aren’t presents, and are most certainly not just for Christmas. Indeed, giving a pet as a gift in 2022 is beyond being a bad taste Christmas gift, and is nothing short of irresponsible.
Living, breathing animals deserve lasting love and respect, and that requires a whole lot of planning and preparation to ensure they have the best possible quality of life.
Any cosmetics tested on animals
Most of us love receiving cosmetics at Christmas time, as well as perfumes, scented bath time items, and other such lovely gifts. However, the public are quite rightly calling time on the ugly side of the beauty industry and have sky-high expectations when it comes to ethical production methods. There’s simply no excuse for cosmetic animal testing in the 21st century, and we’ve all got a responsibility to stop supporting brands that don’t meet these criteria.
Cash
Unless your giftee is a child or teenager who’s saving their pocket money for a big purchase, cash money doesn’t make for an appropriate gift. It’s lazy, lacks forethought, and comes across as a little strange. Take the time to choose a thoughtful present they’ll cherish, and don’t fall into the trap of giving what is, in reality, one of the worst Xmas gifts!
Joke gifts
OK - some novelty joke gifts can be genuinely funny… but for how long? The humour quickly wears off such items, and they end up being forgotten about by the end of the day and left with all the wrapping paper strewn around the room. Thoughtfulness and sincerity lasts a lot longer than a cheap laugh, and makes a far bigger impact.
Pyjamas and Nightwear
A controversial choice for this list perhaps but hear us out. What we choose to wear to bed is a pretty personal choice, and nobody knows better than ourselves what makes us feel comfortable, safe, or seductive in the bedroom! Buying someone pyjamas is a little bit like taking control of someone’s most intimate moments, and it’s unlikely to go to plan. Lingerie can make for a romantic gift for a partner or spouse… but let’s be realistic, it should never be given to anyone else. Ever.
Hoverboards
Remember these? Hoverboards were a must-have gift a couple of years ago, and you couldn’t take a stroll in the park without someone whizzing by as balanced precariously on one. It wasn’t long, of course, before the ridiculous number of accidents they caused saw them banned in many places, or indeed before the fad faded and they became passé. Let’s not bring this particular trend back anytime soon.
Non-Bespoke Perfume
Your giftee is an individual, with their own sense of style, their own personality, and their own way of feeling confident and seductive. Why, then, would they be satisfied with an off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all perfume?
When it comes to expressing all the wonderful things that make each of us unique, nothing hits the high notes quite like a bespoke perfume, crafted with care from haute-couture essences and ingredients. At Maison 21G, we believe in bringing the ancient art of perfumery to everyone’s fingertips - why not delight your giftee with a customised scent this Christmas, and give them a gift to truly cherish throughout the year?
Typical Mistakes When Buying Christmas Gifts
It’s surprisingly easy to buy bad Christmas gifts, without necessarily even realising it. The festive period can be stressful - the closer we get to the big day, the busier and more pressurised the whole situation becomes… and that’s when mistakes begin to arise.
The most typical mistakes, however, involve a lack of real thought into what the giftee actually would like to receive. Everybody wants to receive something special for Christmas - something selected just for them, rather than a generic gift without any personalisation. That’s why at Maison 21G, all of our Christmas gift ideas involve an element of bespoke luxury, and an opportunity to tailor your gifts specially for the lucky recipient’s delight.
What To Do If You Don’t Know What To Get Someone For Christmas?
We all know somebody for whom it feels almost impossible to buy the perfect Christmas present - the kind of person who never knows what they want, and seems to already have everything they could possibly desire!
The answer to this festive conundrum is a surprisingly simple one: buy them a present that’s tailor-made for them, and can’t be bought off the shelf at a high street store! With bespoke scented gifts, like create own candle, you’re able to delight your giftee’s senses and bring them a present that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else.
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