Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
“What Was The ‘Seriously?’ Gift You Opened This Christmas?” (50 Answers)
Interview
With the holiday season upon us, presents are on top of many people's minds.
When it comes to the receiving end, a survey from November found that 43 percent of Americans would be the happiest if they got money, making it the most desired gift this year.
But not all letters reach Santa in time. A few days ago, Redditor Leading_War_5847 made a post on the platform, asking everyone what's the worst thing they found under the Christmas tree, and it already has nearly 15,000 replies.
From a bottle of shampoo to a case of toilet paper, here are the ones that earned the most upvotes, or sympathy, if you will.
Image credits: Leading_War_5847
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
When my wife and I first got married her parents hated me. One year they got me a woman's sweater. It was very obviously a woman's sweater too. The next Christmas I wore it over and my MIL asked my wife why I was wearing a woman's sweater.
RELATED:
#2
Okay mine was a good "seriously?"
My boyfriend's grandma is getting me a diamond ring. NOT AN ENGAGEMENT RING.
She and I had gotten dinner while he was on a 3 week trip. She had a really unique diamond ring and I complimented the setting. So we got lunch on the 23rd so she could give me my Christmas present. I opened the box and was really confused because it was little plastic rings. I thought it was maybe something craft related (I crochet). Turns out it was for sizing a ring. And a piece of paper under it showing me the ring that was being custom made.
So yeah. She said it's a good "every day diamond". So now I'm apparently a woman who has every day diamonds.
We managed to get in touch with Leading_War_5847, whose real name is Kate, and she was kind enough to have a little chat with us about her now-viral post and the discussion it has started.
"Just before I blasted that question out to the r/AskReddit world, I had pondered this and past years' gifts that had me mentally or verbally stating '...What? Why? Is this real life or did I really just open an avocado as a Christmas gift?' (If you know the meme, you know)," she told Bored Panda.
"I knew I wasn't the only one who had these same thoughts and wanted to hear different strangers' responses!"
#3
I got a positive one that made me say "seriously???" in an excited way. My husband got me a ring with our kids birthstones and it was so unexpected and touching. I also made a comment about the stocking thing going around about mom's having empty stockings. He tries and puts a couple small things in. I mentioned it was such a fond memory having an over-stuffed stocking with a couple small gifts and loads of candy. My stocking was comically stuffed this year with some items even having to sit beside it. Bless this man.
#4
Recovering gambling addict here, thankfully I managed to kick the habit before it totally ruined my life. This year I got a bunch of lottery scratch off cards. Had my wife do the honors with them, and joke is on my family, they actually won a decent amount of money. Nothing life changing but will definitely pay for some bills we knew were on the way.
Yes, they knew about my addiction. They still have gotten me Texas hold-em poker sets when those were en vogue, and other gambling related stuff over the years. Despite my continued insistence they not, and pointing out that some of these would be like giving a recovering alcoholic a gift card to the liquor store.
Ah, the gift of not being heard
#5
$2k. I’m going into the 3rd month of my maternity leave and have exhausted my gov’t aid, PTO, and paid maternity leave hrs. We’re moving in two days to give my little one a new room. Money has been tight. My mom is retired, doesn’t have much, and lives in a other state. She gifted me 2k in cash and I’m still in disbelief. It’s going to help cover so many bills. Parents are amazing!
"Several reoccurring themes amongst the comments seem to be 'Nothing', which is heartbreaking sifting through thousands of comments," the Redditor observed. "Here is a reminder to [think of] your loved ones in your life, even the smallest gesture will evidently be cherished!"
Kate releases poetry and other forms of self-expression on her blog, and whether it's her compassionate nature shining through or not, she doesn't necessarily believe in a "bad" Christmas present.
That being said, "there are well-thought-through, caring gifts, and last-minute, careless gifts. I personally prefer the first group!" she explained.
#6
My dad gave me a hammer and pliers from his extensive tool collection. Wrapped it and everything 🤣
Put it the gift bag with the baking dish he got me( which I wanted).
I was like wtf until I realized the other day I told him I don’t know what happened to my pilers or hammer.
#7
A bar set with very nice glasses from someone who knows I quit drinking after 30 years of alcohol abuse and a fatty liver disease diagnosis. It was my mom. My family just cannot process the idea of not consuming liquor every day.
Jeevesssssss 11 months ago
That's a regift then... And, I'll keep you company by the wall you're currently bashing your head against.
Kate's right. Research into the psychological side of the subject suggests there are two things to consider when giving someone a gift.
The first is to make the recipient happy — that mostly depends on whether the gift is something they want.
The second is to strengthen the relationship between us (the giver) and them (the recipient). This is achieved by giving a thoughtful and memorable gift, one that shows we know the person and can figure out what they want even without directly asking.
So there's no one universal thing for all.
#8
My sister and I bought each other the same orchid Lego set 🤣 it was a good "seriously" moment lmfao
TheDarkestRaven 11 months ago (edited)
Now you can bond over your pretty flowers :D edit; FOOKIN SPELLIN
#9
This was an internal "seriously" that is now a running joke. I love whiskey and Star Wars. A few years ago, my wife got me a really cool Stormtrooper decanter and I absolutely love it! Then a few months later I got a promotion and my old branch gave me the same decanter as a going away gift. Then I got one from secret Santa last year. Now my Brother in Law is 21 and he is excited. He got me the same decanter.
The great part is I love Star Wars and always have room for duplicates. Now I have a stormtrooper army to hold my whiskey. Plus somehow the original my wife got me is a higher quality so I will never mix it up with the others. I love them all but have to laugh at it lol.
Jeevesssssss 11 months ago
Love this so much!!! But be careful when pouring shots - stormtroopers always miss ;-)
According to Adrian R. Camilleri, senior lecturer in marketing at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, the best kind of gift is one both desired by the recipient and is thoughtful.
The worst kind of gift, on the other hand, is neither desired nor thoughtful.
"This is why buying a gift can be so anxiety-inducing. There is a social risk involved," he explained.
"A well-received gift can improve the quality of relationship between giver and recipient by increasing feelings of connection, bonding, and commitment. A poorly received gift can do the opposite."
#10
MIL got me an ugly boxed up purse with the TJMaxx clearance sticker still attached. The box it came in was dusty and damaged.
She got our family of five an expired popcorn assortment and a container of Jolly Rancher lollipops.
Meanwhile, I gave her an engraved bracelet with her late husband's handwriting on it.
Please don't gift just to gift. Put a *little* thought into it or don't give anything.
#11
I got my wife a 375 count pail of Reese Cups. Next year I might get her the 5 gallon bucket of pickles I found on Walmart. I'm still chasing the reaction I got the year I got her the book "How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety: And Abstinence, Drugs, Satanism, and Other Dangers That Threaten Their Nine Lives"
#12
My mom made pineapple upside down cake for dessert because she said she knows it’s my favourite… I’m allergic to pineapple
Jack Smith 11 months ago
Shouldn't your mom KNOW what you're allergic to? like, wow. what a way to display your selective memory, MOM
#13
A company Christmas party at restaurant by the canyon. . Great prime rib dinner and open bar. Only this year the announcement was made at the end of the night that everyone had to pay for their own stuff this year. Seriously, no warning lol.
#14
My boss regifted me a book that she’d never read. I had given it to her last year for Christmas.
#15
My MIL, is very much a theme giver. My husband gets all things WVU because we’re alumni. My son gets everything saxophone related because that is what he plays. My daughter gets gifts with cats be he likes cats. I have been dealing with breast cancer for the past year. My birthday and Mother’s Day gifts were breast cancer related. I told to please not do that for Christmas. Well, she didn’t listen. She got me a breast cancer awareness shirt, Christmas ornament (because nothing screams Christmas like cancer), and a table top snow man decorating a Christmas tree with breast cancer ribbons. 🤦♀️. I was polite and said thank you but inside I wanted to scream ‘are you kidding me!’. I’m not sure if it is all going to good will or the trash.
BarkingSpider 11 months ago (edited)
Nothing like someone acting like your illness is your entire identity to cheer you up. *fixed my typo
#16
3 bottles of wine. Every year for the past eight years I work in to a conversation with this person that I don’t drink. Usually at a dinner or party “can I get you a drink?” Thank you, I’m good with water, I don’t drink alcohol.
Every year I get wine.
#17
Good "...seriously," my husband not only got me tickets to the bowl game of my absolute favorite team, he had a legendary player from said team cameo to tell me. Many tears were had
#18
Cheap bath set I'm allergic to. Every year, twice a year, for 20 years.
#19
My dad got me a fire blanket. And then the next day, my wife's aunt got me... the exact same fire blanket. I can only surmise that there's some conservative lunatic podcaster advertising fire blankets.
#20
my MIL gave us homemade applesauce and strawberry jam. she lives in Seattle, we’re in Boston. the applesauce was in a tupperware and the jam was in jars with wax seals topped with aluminum foil. there was a packet of “blue ice” included, but everything was room temperature by the time we got it. based on the postage label, it was in transit for a week. my husband insists it’s fine to eat.
edits: MIL is 90. She’s preparing to move into a senior living facility in a few months - she’s spry enough for her age, but honestly thought this was a lovely gift. She won’t be doing any cooking once she moves, so this is a one-time thing.
There is no chance the jam was canned in a hot water bath, she told me years ago that she only makes freezer jam.
I’ve put everything in the freezer while my husband insists this is safe to eat. I’m not willing to risk it, but he’s an adult who can make his own gastrointestinal choices.
#21
I asked for a Ring doorbell and received the cheap version that is a "decoy" ring doorbell.
It doesn't function in anyway except hang out by the door.
Next year I'm buying what I want for myself and wrapping it up and putting it under the tree.
#23
I didn’t get a Christmas gift…again. Nothing. Seriously? My husband promised ski lessons last year that never materialized. This year he claimed (on Christmas Day morning) that the new coat I bought on sale two months ago was my gift. Sigh. 😔
#24
I keep getting kitchen appliances every year, despite making it very well known I don't have a square inch of countertop space to spare in my kitchen.
PrettyJoyBird 11 months ago
That is pretty cool despite lack of counter space. I would make fit in cabinets or pantry.
#25
A personalized gift with my name misspelled
Bored something 11 months ago
It's not that unusual to spell it with an 'h'. Also can be Mathilde.
Load More Replies...
TheBlueBitterfly 11 months ago
All my inlaws spell my name wrong. It's not s common name or spelling, so I don't mind. A customer at work made us all personalized travel mugs and tote bags. She also spelled my name wrong. That's okay, Char is short for Charmander/Charmeleon/Charizard anyway, and that's what everybody called me at my last job.
Landithy 11 months ago
Mine insist on using a (misspelled) shortened version of my first name and my husband's surname. This wouldn't be such a problem if they didn't live in a gated community that requires visitors to show ID at the gate.
Load More Replies...
Heather Vandegrift 11 months ago
LOL, my dad got me a Christmas ornament from Etsy last year with "Jason & Helen" on it. My name is HEATHER! He got a replacement, but it was funny
R.A. Haley 11 months ago
My wife got me a t-shirt once that said "I'm hers, no futher offers accepted". If you're a spelling nerd like me, you'll see why I could never wear it.
Patricia Sacco 11 months ago (edited)
My grandmother makes handmade beautiful different quilts. She made a quilted nursery book for the birth of my 2nd daughter. She included her birthday but the name she used was for my eldest who passed away before my 2nd was born. She also mispelt my last name even though this year will be 20 years with my husband. (We are high-school sweet hearts and have been together since we were 14.) Even though it had the wrong information, my 2nd daughter who is now 7 absolutely loves it and refers to it as her AND her sisters book.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
My mum still hasn't bothered to learn how to spell my husband's name. We've been together for over 20 years.
Janet Graham 11 months ago
hahaha, We got 2 engraved Bibles for our wedding, neither had our names spelled correctly.
MacintoshID 11 months ago
At least it was a close version of your name and not a totally different name. Ex MIL was good at giving me c**p presents and then would laugh at me when I opened them up. She was just mean.
Looks like an Angel 11 months ago
I got a customized wine glass, cereal bowl and sweatshirt for Christmas, my name is misspelled on all of them.
HotSaguaro 11 months ago
When we first started dating, my boyfriend's mom asked what I wanted. I sent her a specific design of a camera strap that would be customized with my phone number. I got a different design bc "she liked it better" and my phone number was wrong.
Naomie Moore 11 months ago
An excellent conversation starter. Me? I would love it and cherish something that was meant to please me.
Huddo's sister 11 months ago
Every Christmas and birthday card my sister got from my aunts when we were young had her name misspelled, but as we rarely saw them we didn't bother correcting it. Now they both just send cards to my dad '& family' :)
I heart Boo-BI-es 11 months ago
I love how the picture shows 2 chocolates by the tea cup. Almost like it's paying homage to its namesake Matilda, which is a book as well as a movie.( I love both.)
#27
My in-laws usually give us a gift card to my favorite restaurants (a group with a seafood place, an Italian place, a BBQ place, etc) and a note that they'll babysit the kids so we can have a date night. I look forward to it every year.
This year, they gave us a certificate to go to a religious couples retreat. We are not at all religious.
Velveteen Worm 11 months ago
Id thank them for keeping the kids and tell them that you're going on the retreat, but instead spend that time away together even if "away" has to be in a cheap hotel next town over with a bottle of wine and peace and quite! Create your own retreat!
#28
Not me but my husband... his mom got him a tshirt with an ugly monkey in an army uniform on it, weird but whatever, that is until she told him she got it because she thought it looked like him. 😂
#29
I once got a beard trimmer only to discover that it had been used and put back in the box with curlies!
#30
My sister gave my 15 yo son a flame thrower. 🤨
#31
My sister got a book from my grandmother titled “Proper Etiquette.”
She proceeded to tell her in front of the whole family that “She’ll be more likely to make the boys stay after reading it!”
My sister just smiled and carried on.
TheDarkestRaven 11 months ago (edited)
Dang, cool headed sister. I would have whipped out the dragon daggers for that. Edit; Fooking spelling. Thanks Coco
#32
I got a REALLY nice whiskey set from the MIL. Four tumblers, 12 bullet ice cubes, a decanter, and a high priced bottle of whiskey.
I don't drink.....
PrettyJoyBird 11 months ago
Seems like MIL may be trying to get you off the wagon and have some beef with you.
#33
The same holiday set of s****y body wash I’ve been throwing away since I was like 17
Edit: to stop the notifications the throwing away bit was for dramatic flair- it’s already in the donate bag with some other well-meant but not useful to me gifts that I’ll donate next week.
Tanya Venter 11 months ago
I do not like bath gifts. I do not like some smells, call me fussy but I will not use it.
#35
My grandparents gave my parents a framed picture of a random little boy and nobody knows who it is
Edit: no it’s not the one that came with the frame
Lene 11 months ago (edited)
And now you should start a new Christmas tradition of writing letters from that boy to your grandparents. Every year. Add photoshopped pics of the boy growing up etc. Make them super confused by their own gift. Lol (edit to add: holy macaroni! I have never gotten so many upvotes before. lol!)
#36
My son bought me a gallon of WD40. A gallon! Of WD40!
I looked him straight in the eye and said, “this is the most alpha present I’ve ever received”
#37
A bird house made out of bird seed.
The premise of the gift is for the birds to eat themselves into homelessness?
#38
A couple’s massage from my sister. My divorce is almost finalized and I’m not seeing anyone.
Evelyn Mraz 11 months ago
she might want you to go with her. a couple's massage doesn't have to be w a partner. it's just 2 people.
#39
I asked for a jigsaw puzzle that had 300-1000 pieces.
I received three jigsaw puzzles with 100 pieces each.
#40
My brother gave me a bright orange wallet. Because you like orange so much, he said while flashing the wallet I gave him a few years ago. It's red. He's colour blind.
#41
I have a 6 month old daughter. Brother figured an age appropriate gift would be a skateboard. Go figure
Bored something 11 months ago
You could lie here on it and gently roll her back and forth. She may enjoy it.
#43
Case of toilet paper?
So 2020.
#44
First gift I opened said it was from my mom. There was a small jewelry box which I opened to find FOUR MOLARS.
My sister starts cracking up. They’re her wisdom teeth LMAO. Her husband even found something with my mom’s handwriting on it to make the tag believable.
#45
A shoe size measuring tool. Like a full on metal one that’s you’d see at a shoe store.
riri left bp!!! 11 months ago
Personally I would appreciate that, no longer have to have shy kids take off their sock less shoes to measure in front of the whole shop
#46
Rub on tattoos….I have real tattoos.
Janice Strickland 11 months ago
The only way this is acceptable is if it's from a child. My son gifted me a rub on tat and I'm covered in real ones. But he is 5
#47
My mom still gives me extremely religious books (think straight-up scripture digests) that are “just so good and inspiring” despite the fact that I have been clear for years on the fact that I am simply no longer religious
Even more frustrating is that she gave my partner (he’s Jewish) and I each an identical copy of these scripture books, so not only did she hand us what we would consider totally inert clutter objects, she sent two to the same household.
Off they go to a Little Free Library box, where I genuinely hope they are found by someone who will connect with it…
EDIT: lol no LFL, I won’t clutter them up further
#48
Cheese slicers...didn't have any until now. For some reason my family thought it would be funny to get me FIVE different ones..
Jack Smith 11 months ago
i find it so stupid how some people seem to enjoy getting others "funny" gifts, and, like, 90% of the time, it's not funny in the slightest
#49
Two headbands bought at a craft fair. I'm 35 and have never worn headbands in my life. That was the only thing I got. Which is fine, just confusing. Thanks, mom.
Heather Evans 11 months ago
Mom likes craft fairs, buys things for no particular reason, then has to figure out what to do with them.
#50
I used to give family friends gift cards to Nordstrom or whatever and I always without fail, got the Ghirardelli peppermint bark squares. Now I love those… but like the jumbo bags, the snowman variation and the minis… for years…. Annoying. I stopped giving them gifts lol
michele mbennett101044@yahoo.c 11 months ago
"Hey, here we are at the checkstand at Ross's, TJMAXX, etc, let's get some old , cheap candy for our relative who always gives us really nice gift cards!" Hmmm, wonder why she stopped??
What do you think ?
censorshipsucks 11 months ago
I assume she is in your Will, then... and wants to hurry things along. /jk
Load More Replies...
Lene 11 months ago
My bf's BIL once got a whole cardboard box full of different beers. There may have been 30 different beers. It was from his workplace. They had just helped him financially to get help for his alcoholism a few years prior. And they gave him beer for his work-Christmas present. At least he could offer some very nice beers foe his guests for a while. So that was nice. 😬
Dawn Harris 11 months ago
It's always great to end on a high note😁 It's almost like a "yes dear" or "bless your heart" 😂🤣😆😅🤪
Load More Replies... Vira 11 months ago
Oh yep. I have a list. Preface: I do not drink alcohol, I don't watch movies/TV/Netflix etc. I don't drink coffee. I don't like sports. I don't do loud venues or events. I didn't like popcorn, and I'm not into sweets. I do like a lot of other things, but my (ex)family would consistently buy me cheap stuff related to all of the above, every single year. Could have purchased pens and a notebook, and I would have been happier. No matter how often I tried to engage with them on things I do like, I would still get that tin of caramel corn, a bottle of alcohol, and a gift card to Starbucks, which I would inevitably have no idea what to do with. Even as a kid, my mom would buy me the weirdest c**p. Popcorn, candy, and oddball items. As someone else wrote here "ah, the gift of not being heard."
Mandi T. 11 months ago (edited)
I think that last bit is really what it's all about. People not caring enough to actually pay attention and listen. I'd rather receive nothing, than be an afterthought or have zero thought or care put into the gift. And I'm easy! A Walmart stuffed animal or $3 throw, and I'm thrilled. But I still consistently got given the most random things that looked like a gas station or dollar tree "on the way to meet," special. I'd have been less disappointed if they'd just given nothing at all.
Load More Replies...
Karri Berkowitz 11 months ago
My sister's (now ex) bf of 3yrs got her a bunch of cheap earrings. Her ears have never been pierced.
BreAnn East 11 months ago
My ex bought me expensive gold earrings. I didn’t have my ears pierced and he knew this. He manipulated me into getting them pierced. They were always infected and never healed properly no matter how well I kept them cleaned. We were young and he try liked sucking on my ears for some reason. I was constantly telling him to not do that! I hated it and it infected my ears. He bought me other jewelry. Which I appreciate but it was always yellow gold. I never bought anything yellow gold as it doesn’t look good on me and I just don’t like it.
Load More Replies... Shawnna Clement 11 months ago
I've been preaching for decades that adults buying each other Christmas gifts is simply exchanging your hard-earned money for someone else's. This year, the rest of my family was financially strapped and my wish came true. No dozen trips to the car hauling gifts, no stressing over what to buy, no time wasted wrapping and less Amazon boxes to be recycled. Instead, we helped one of the adults with a needed vehicle down payment and we bought groceries and had them delivered for another family that we'll continue to do for months. I'm blessed to be able to help where it's actually needed. We have the only kids in the family and they are conservative with their lists and they know we will buy the expensive stuff. In total, my youngest wanted an Oculus, a dog (not gotten), a cross necklace and 2 pairs of shoes. My oldest wanted 2 pairs of shoes, keyboard and mouse, Ethernet cable and I talked him into a new $120 office chair. I love their practicality!
Rick Seiden 11 months ago
I told all my kids a few years ago not to buy me any gifts. They all are young adults, so money is tight. I'm difficult to buy for as most of what I want I either just buy for myself or costs several hundred dollars. If they feel they have to buy me something, a card would be nice, but is not required. Just wish me a happy Father's Day, birthday or Christmas, and I'll be happy.
Mandi T. 11 months ago
This is how I am. My kids are young enough, we only give them gifts. We don't exchange ourselves and even my 19 yo, I tell not to get us anything. Just be with us, call, whatever he can do.
Load More Replies...
simfan all day every day 11 months ago
Every year I get shirts every 3 to 6 months I fit in that I have too many, that I am a Large or extra large if the clothes are sweaters and I wear it over my tshirts. I am in the lgbtq community, this year I got a anti lgbtq triple Xl Shirt. I gave it back to my aunt who complains about her expensive gifts she gets like last year she got a dishwasher from the family that she asked for, told her off and that her orange skinned dieity can go to hell. Returning her birthday gift I already bought he for February and won't be buying her a gift next year.
Just_for_this 11 months ago
My father-in-law never fails to disappoint. While my wife and I don't anticipate receiving gifts for ourselves, we make an effort to choose thoughtful presents for him. However, our 4-year-old daughter, his only grandchild he sees regularly whom adores him, is continually let down. Last year, he gave her an old blow-up aeroplane, this year, he 'gifted' her a Plasma Ball he had previously bought for himself. It was dirty, incomplete and came in a mouldy box not even wrapped… So our daughter thinks she got a dollhouse set in addition to the plasma ball (after I’d cleaned and fixed it). He’ll happily flaunt his weekly £10 church donation though.
Dawn Harris 11 months ago
Aww 😥 that is so sad especially because your daughter adores him I assume you two have talked to him about it, but if not, DO IT NOW
Load More Replies...
Alexander 11 months ago
my brother got "a little" financial help with his car from my parents and they decided it would be unfair to only help only one brother out (because I dont have and dont need a car for my job) so they gifted me the same amount money they put in his car for christmas (a few thousands o euros) They did the same a few years earlier when they learned that I chose a full-paid dual study so they dont have to support me while at university. They were very .... generous....
censorshipsucks 11 months ago (edited)
These are mostly pretty sad to see. I mean, if you don't know what someone wants, just ask them. I always get people the right thing because I simply ask them what they want and get precisely that. In my kids' case I take them to choose it and I buy it in front of them and put it away in the closet till xmas/birthday. The purpose then is to teach them impulse control. For myself I always tell people I want nothing because I have everything - my kids and family -. I have a list of books on amazon, but they don't really ship to africa, so I tell people if they ask to just get me sweets (what americans call "candy", but candy is very specifically hard sugar sweets, so it's incorrect to call sweets "candy", for example chocolates are not candy, nor are gummy bears. Mints, xmas candycanes, M&M's, etc., are candy). Also, I have a policy of only giving to my partner and kids. Siblings and parents etc., .. meh. I am old enough to know that it's just more clutter and in your autumn years you do not want more clutter to put into the Will. My partner got a bottle of wine, a book from her favorite author that she'd not read, and a cool shirt she had admired at the shop. All spot on.
Cathy Homan 11 months ago
I have a bunch of lists on Amazon that is shared with my daughter.
Load More Replies...
Amy Stinson 11 months ago
My bio mom gave me, my husband, and both of my kiddos EACH a framed photo, the same photo, of herself because we didn't have any hanging up in our house of her.
Sky Render 11 months ago
I'd say the worst gift I ever got was last year, from my estranged aunt who does not approve of my being gay or transgender. She sent us a card with my wife and I's deadnames on it, and inside was a note saying that she'd made a charitable donation to an organization in our deadnames. I'm pretty sure said charity is homophobic, to boot.
Cathy Homan 11 months ago
I have family like that. I haven't spoken to them in 2 years. It took me a while to realize it's better to be alone and have no friends or support than be around people like that.
Load More Replies...
Giraffy Window 11 months ago (edited)
I love birds. My MIL gifted me a huge metal wall hanging with really weird looking birds on it. The birds had huge painted on white and black cartoon eyes - how a googly eye looks. She and I have pretty similar taste in decor, so she knew it looked weird. My sibling is an absent-minded giver. For nearly ten years I've told them "All I want for my birtday is a renewal on my club discount at the store I like" last year I got an emoji cushion of a monkey covering its eyes.
Aerial (Any pronouns/Canadian/Jewish) 11 months ago
I've fortunately only gotten positive additions to this list, like this year's Arduino from my uncle, or the Bluetooth headphones my parents got me a few years ago. This year my parents got me a ton of art supplies, including replacing my dead Copic markers!
myvloggun [[ he/him ]] 11 months ago
i got a cross necklace, i am not at all christian and i've made it very clear to my family. it's one of the expensive ones from a jewlery store too.
D. Pitbull 11 months ago
Yeah.... I know someone who gives gifts so that she can have her ego stroked... not because the person wants it or anything... it's so she can feel good about herself (which is ... a little painful for the rest of us... as we know this is what she's doing...). ie: she'll gift someone a ... say... scarf that's not fancy/well-made/kind of mediocre/they did not say they wanted a scarf or anything of the sort.... but... she'll make one, foist it on them and expect hiiiigh praises and adulation of "oh, you are so talented!"
Katlyn Sullivan 11 months ago
Hi Rokas! Kate here! Loved this article, thank-you so much for sharing on BoredPanda! 😁🙏🏼
Michael Largey 11 months ago
We just have a present-free Christmas gathering with my siblings and their children. (And at my age, I probably won't get around to using anything you get me.)
Austin A. 11 months ago
Last year I received a single Apple air tag, not in its original box, so I assume it was part of a set. The funny thing is that they know I have eidetic memory and know where all my stuff is. This year however, I received a small label maker without any labels for it. Never have I shown an interest in wanting or needing to label anything
vintage_one 11 months ago
My dad got us 4 lobster tails. I've been allergic to shellfish my entire life (including lobster). At least my husband will enjoy them.
Victoria D 10 months ago
My husband and I received an ornate silver tea service from his grandparents.We opened the box and were positive it was a mistake - nope. We were 22 yrs old living in a small condo. His brothers (and spouses) got practical things like carpeting for their homes. I'm still dumbfounded over this gift.
Dorian Gabriel 11 months ago
When you get alcohol you won't drink, then as long as it doesn't do you harm to keep it in the house (and if you really can't then that's understandable!) it can be a perfect thing to tuck into a cabinet and keep for the next time you're a guest somewhere. Bring it as a guest present if the hosts are alcohol drinkers. Especially the good stuff.
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 11 months ago
2 books of large print word searches from my in laws. I'm 33 with a toddler, a full time job, and no problems with my eyesight.
Susan Bosse 11 months ago
Done reading this. Title is the complete opposite of the submissions.
brittany 11 months ago
good seriously. my husband went to the lego store and bought me the hogwarts 3d lego castle. im not big into lego but i really wanted the castle this year. usually i buy my own presents bc hes NEVER bought me a Christmas or birthday present before. been together 10 years. i realized early on gift giving was not his love language, neither was acts of service. i accepted it and moved on. so i was very surprised when i received my gift this year and will work on putting it together when i can over time
Crow of Approval 11 months ago
The puzzle one would make me cry in time, it stresses me out when I'm working on things and I realize I have ALOT more to work on (severe ADHD btw in case you wanted to know)
CG 11 months ago
I'd say I have two bad gifts ever in my life. The first was some body wash, which and of itself isn't bad in theory, but it was a brand that has a habit of causing breakouts on my skin, as my skin is pretty sensitive to allergens. I'm basically forced to only use Dove body wash or soap only. The other was a gift card for a chain restaurant I didn't like, that was only valid at a location that was at the other end of town, and not any store.
heather7d@yahoo.com 11 months ago
One Christmas my now-ex husband got me an irregular t-shirt from the $2 outlet and a set of fridge magnets from the dollar store. His parents bought me a case of Frosted Flakes. 🤔
LJ Robinson 11 months ago (edited)
I cannot believe the pettiness of some of these. You're allergic to something? DONT EAT IT!!! You get a gift you can't have around, (like booze), dump it down the sink. Your shirt doesn't fit, donate it. Your parents can't remember your allergies? MAKE A LIST, or watch them eat it without complaint or comment. I have the idea that most of the people on this list have never been so poor that they can't afford to give or get gifts. There is a HUGE amount of entitlement in the replies on this post. Use what you can't or don't like to make someone else happy. Jaysus people!
Mandi T. 11 months ago
How about no? Give thoughtful gifts, or *gasp* DON'T GIFT! I'd far rather receive absolutely nothing, than be an afterthought. Likewise, gifting a recovering alcoholic alcohol, is NO different than giving someone who is severely depressed, a loaded shotgun. Many of these gifts were not only highly inappropriate, but also potentially deadly. If you can't, or refuse to, gift thoughtfully, then simply DO NOT GIFT. It's really quite simple. If my 10 yo gave me something not particularly appropriate, I'd still thank her for her love and thought. Then I'd explain why it wasn't a great option and how to pick more appropriate gifts for people in the future. But she's a child. Not a douchecanoe grown azz adult. And no, we aren't well off. My kids have had MANY dollar tree birthdays and Christmases. They didn't care because even if it was cheap gifts, they were at least still things that they were interested in. It's not at all expensive or difficult to not be an azzhat.
Load More Replies...
Alias Fakename 11 months ago
It's more about the thought you put into their gift vs the (lack of) thought they put into yours, or the fact that these gifts are passive-aggressive or even offensive
Load More Replies... censorshipsucks 11 months ago
I assume she is in your Will, then... and wants to hurry things along. /jk
Load More Replies... Lene 11 months ago
My bf's BIL once got a whole cardboard box full of different beers. There may have been 30 different beers. It was from his workplace. They had just helped him financially to get help for his alcoholism a few years prior. And they gave him beer for his work-Christmas present. At least he could offer some very nice beers foe his guests for a while. So that was nice. 😬
Dawn Harris 11 months ago
It's always great to end on a high note😁 It's almost like a "yes dear" or "bless your heart" 😂🤣😆😅🤪
Load More Replies... Vira 11 months ago
Oh yep. I have a list. Preface: I do not drink alcohol, I don't watch movies/TV/Netflix etc. I don't drink coffee. I don't like sports. I don't do loud venues or events. I didn't like popcorn, and I'm not into sweets. I do like a lot of other things, but my (ex)family would consistently buy me cheap stuff related to all of the above, every single year. Could have purchased pens and a notebook, and I would have been happier. No matter how often I tried to engage with them on things I do like, I would still get that tin of caramel corn, a bottle of alcohol, and a gift card to Starbucks, which I would inevitably have no idea what to do with. Even as a kid, my mom would buy me the weirdest c**p. Popcorn, candy, and oddball items. As someone else wrote here "ah, the gift of not being heard."
Mandi T. 11 months ago (edited)
I think that last bit is really what it's all about. People not caring enough to actually pay attention and listen. I'd rather receive nothing, than be an afterthought or have zero thought or care put into the gift. And I'm easy! A Walmart stuffed animal or $3 throw, and I'm thrilled. But I still consistently got given the most random things that looked like a gas station or dollar tree "on the way to meet," special. I'd have been less disappointed if they'd just given nothing at all.
Load More Replies... Karri Berkowitz 11 months ago
My sister's (now ex) bf of 3yrs got her a bunch of cheap earrings. Her ears have never been pierced.
BreAnn East 11 months ago
My ex bought me expensive gold earrings. I didn’t have my ears pierced and he knew this. He manipulated me into getting them pierced. They were always infected and never healed properly no matter how well I kept them cleaned. We were young and he try liked sucking on my ears for some reason. I was constantly telling him to not do that! I hated it and it infected my ears. He bought me other jewelry. Which I appreciate but it was always yellow gold. I never bought anything yellow gold as it doesn’t look good on me and I just don’t like it.
Load More Replies... Shawnna Clement 11 months ago
I've been preaching for decades that adults buying each other Christmas gifts is simply exchanging your hard-earned money for someone else's. This year, the rest of my family was financially strapped and my wish came true. No dozen trips to the car hauling gifts, no stressing over what to buy, no time wasted wrapping and less Amazon boxes to be recycled. Instead, we helped one of the adults with a needed vehicle down payment and we bought groceries and had them delivered for another family that we'll continue to do for months. I'm blessed to be able to help where it's actually needed. We have the only kids in the family and they are conservative with their lists and they know we will buy the expensive stuff. In total, my youngest wanted an Oculus, a dog (not gotten), a cross necklace and 2 pairs of shoes. My oldest wanted 2 pairs of shoes, keyboard and mouse, Ethernet cable and I talked him into a new $120 office chair. I love their practicality!
Rick Seiden 11 months ago
I told all my kids a few years ago not to buy me any gifts. They all are young adults, so money is tight. I'm difficult to buy for as most of what I want I either just buy for myself or costs several hundred dollars. If they feel they have to buy me something, a card would be nice, but is not required. Just wish me a happy Father's Day, birthday or Christmas, and I'll be happy.
Mandi T. 11 months ago
This is how I am. My kids are young enough, we only give them gifts. We don't exchange ourselves and even my 19 yo, I tell not to get us anything. Just be with us, call, whatever he can do.
Load More Replies... simfan all day every day 11 months ago
Every year I get shirts every 3 to 6 months I fit in that I have too many, that I am a Large or extra large if the clothes are sweaters and I wear it over my tshirts. I am in the lgbtq community, this year I got a anti lgbtq triple Xl Shirt. I gave it back to my aunt who complains about her expensive gifts she gets like last year she got a dishwasher from the family that she asked for, told her off and that her orange skinned dieity can go to hell. Returning her birthday gift I already bought he for February and won't be buying her a gift next year.
Just_for_this 11 months ago
My father-in-law never fails to disappoint. While my wife and I don't anticipate receiving gifts for ourselves, we make an effort to choose thoughtful presents for him. However, our 4-year-old daughter, his only grandchild he sees regularly whom adores him, is continually let down. Last year, he gave her an old blow-up aeroplane, this year, he 'gifted' her a Plasma Ball he had previously bought for himself. It was dirty, incomplete and came in a mouldy box not even wrapped… So our daughter thinks she got a dollhouse set in addition to the plasma ball (after I’d cleaned and fixed it). He’ll happily flaunt his weekly £10 church donation though.
Dawn Harris 11 months ago
Aww 😥 that is so sad especially because your daughter adores him I assume you two have talked to him about it, but if not, DO IT NOW
Load More Replies... Alexander 11 months ago
my brother got "a little" financial help with his car from my parents and they decided it would be unfair to only help only one brother out (because I dont have and dont need a car for my job) so they gifted me the same amount money they put in his car for christmas (a few thousands o euros) They did the same a few years earlier when they learned that I chose a full-paid dual study so they dont have to support me while at university. They were very .... generous....
censorshipsucks 11 months ago (edited)
These are mostly pretty sad to see. I mean, if you don't know what someone wants, just ask them. I always get people the right thing because I simply ask them what they want and get precisely that. In my kids' case I take them to choose it and I buy it in front of them and put it away in the closet till xmas/birthday. The purpose then is to teach them impulse control. For myself I always tell people I want nothing because I have everything - my kids and family -. I have a list of books on amazon, but they don't really ship to africa, so I tell people if they ask to just get me sweets (what americans call "candy", but candy is very specifically hard sugar sweets, so it's incorrect to call sweets "candy", for example chocolates are not candy, nor are gummy bears. Mints, xmas candycanes, M&M's, etc., are candy). Also, I have a policy of only giving to my partner and kids. Siblings and parents etc., .. meh. I am old enough to know that it's just more clutter and in your autumn years you do not want more clutter to put into the Will. My partner got a bottle of wine, a book from her favorite author that she'd not read, and a cool shirt she had admired at the shop. All spot on.
Cathy Homan 11 months ago
I have a bunch of lists on Amazon that is shared with my daughter.
Load More Replies... Amy Stinson 11 months ago
My bio mom gave me, my husband, and both of my kiddos EACH a framed photo, the same photo, of herself because we didn't have any hanging up in our house of her.
Sky Render 11 months ago
I'd say the worst gift I ever got was last year, from my estranged aunt who does not approve of my being gay or transgender. She sent us a card with my wife and I's deadnames on it, and inside was a note saying that she'd made a charitable donation to an organization in our deadnames. I'm pretty sure said charity is homophobic, to boot.
Cathy Homan 11 months ago
I have family like that. I haven't spoken to them in 2 years. It took me a while to realize it's better to be alone and have no friends or support than be around people like that.
Load More Replies... Giraffy Window 11 months ago (edited)
I love birds. My MIL gifted me a huge metal wall hanging with really weird looking birds on it. The birds had huge painted on white and black cartoon eyes - how a googly eye looks. She and I have pretty similar taste in decor, so she knew it looked weird. My sibling is an absent-minded giver. For nearly ten years I've told them "All I want for my birtday is a renewal on my club discount at the store I like" last year I got an emoji cushion of a monkey covering its eyes.
Aerial (Any pronouns/Canadian/Jewish) 11 months ago
I've fortunately only gotten positive additions to this list, like this year's Arduino from my uncle, or the Bluetooth headphones my parents got me a few years ago. This year my parents got me a ton of art supplies, including replacing my dead Copic markers!
myvloggun [[ he/him ]] 11 months ago
i got a cross necklace, i am not at all christian and i've made it very clear to my family. it's one of the expensive ones from a jewlery store too.
D. Pitbull 11 months ago
Yeah.... I know someone who gives gifts so that she can have her ego stroked... not because the person wants it or anything... it's so she can feel good about herself (which is ... a little painful for the rest of us... as we know this is what she's doing...). ie: she'll gift someone a ... say... scarf that's not fancy/well-made/kind of mediocre/they did not say they wanted a scarf or anything of the sort.... but... she'll make one, foist it on them and expect hiiiigh praises and adulation of "oh, you are so talented!"
Katlyn Sullivan 11 months ago
Hi Rokas! Kate here! Loved this article, thank-you so much for sharing on BoredPanda! 😁🙏🏼
Michael Largey 11 months ago
We just have a present-free Christmas gathering with my siblings and their children. (And at my age, I probably won't get around to using anything you get me.)
Austin A. 11 months ago
Last year I received a single Apple air tag, not in its original box, so I assume it was part of a set. The funny thing is that they know I have eidetic memory and know where all my stuff is. This year however, I received a small label maker without any labels for it. Never have I shown an interest in wanting or needing to label anything
vintage_one 11 months ago
My dad got us 4 lobster tails. I've been allergic to shellfish my entire life (including lobster). At least my husband will enjoy them.
Victoria D 10 months ago
My husband and I received an ornate silver tea service from his grandparents.We opened the box and were positive it was a mistake - nope. We were 22 yrs old living in a small condo. His brothers (and spouses) got practical things like carpeting for their homes. I'm still dumbfounded over this gift.
Dorian Gabriel 11 months ago
When you get alcohol you won't drink, then as long as it doesn't do you harm to keep it in the house (and if you really can't then that's understandable!) it can be a perfect thing to tuck into a cabinet and keep for the next time you're a guest somewhere. Bring it as a guest present if the hosts are alcohol drinkers. Especially the good stuff.
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 11 months ago
2 books of large print word searches from my in laws. I'm 33 with a toddler, a full time job, and no problems with my eyesight.
Susan Bosse 11 months ago
Done reading this. Title is the complete opposite of the submissions.
brittany 11 months ago
good seriously. my husband went to the lego store and bought me the hogwarts 3d lego castle. im not big into lego but i really wanted the castle this year. usually i buy my own presents bc hes NEVER bought me a Christmas or birthday present before. been together 10 years. i realized early on gift giving was not his love language, neither was acts of service. i accepted it and moved on. so i was very surprised when i received my gift this year and will work on putting it together when i can over time
Crow of Approval 11 months ago
The puzzle one would make me cry in time, it stresses me out when I'm working on things and I realize I have ALOT more to work on (severe ADHD btw in case you wanted to know)
CG 11 months ago
I'd say I have two bad gifts ever in my life. The first was some body wash, which and of itself isn't bad in theory, but it was a brand that has a habit of causing breakouts on my skin, as my skin is pretty sensitive to allergens. I'm basically forced to only use Dove body wash or soap only. The other was a gift card for a chain restaurant I didn't like, that was only valid at a location that was at the other end of town, and not any store.
heather7d@yahoo.com 11 months ago
One Christmas my now-ex husband got me an irregular t-shirt from the $2 outlet and a set of fridge magnets from the dollar store. His parents bought me a case of Frosted Flakes. 🤔
LJ Robinson 11 months ago (edited)
I cannot believe the pettiness of some of these. You're allergic to something? DONT EAT IT!!! You get a gift you can't have around, (like booze), dump it down the sink. Your shirt doesn't fit, donate it. Your parents can't remember your allergies? MAKE A LIST, or watch them eat it without complaint or comment. I have the idea that most of the people on this list have never been so poor that they can't afford to give or get gifts. There is a HUGE amount of entitlement in the replies on this post. Use what you can't or don't like to make someone else happy. Jaysus people!
Mandi T. 11 months ago
How about no? Give thoughtful gifts, or *gasp* DON'T GIFT! I'd far rather receive absolutely nothing, than be an afterthought. Likewise, gifting a recovering alcoholic alcohol, is NO different than giving someone who is severely depressed, a loaded shotgun. Many of these gifts were not only highly inappropriate, but also potentially deadly. If you can't, or refuse to, gift thoughtfully, then simply DO NOT GIFT. It's really quite simple. If my 10 yo gave me something not particularly appropriate, I'd still thank her for her love and thought. Then I'd explain why it wasn't a great option and how to pick more appropriate gifts for people in the future. But she's a child. Not a douchecanoe grown azz adult. And no, we aren't well off. My kids have had MANY dollar tree birthdays and Christmases. They didn't care because even if it was cheap gifts, they were at least still things that they were interested in. It's not at all expensive or difficult to not be an azzhat.
Load More Replies... Alias Fakename 11 months ago
It's more about the thought you put into their gift vs the (lack of) thought they put into yours, or the fact that these gifts are passive-aggressive or even offensive
Load More Replies... You May Like To Pass The Time, Here Are 80 Best Christmas Episodes You Can Watch 81 Traditional Christmas Foods To Feast On 74 Fun Holidays To Partake In If You Need An Excuse To Celebrate
Larysa Perih
Justina Čiapaitė
Žydrūnė Trukanavičiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
