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While all gifts are synonymous with a nice gesture and are meant to uplift our souls, not always do they do that. Sometimes, the very opposite happens.

Remember the last time you received a gift you didn’t want or need, or something that was plain insulting? After all, we are just almost a month after all the winter festivities, meaning we have probably one or two gifted things we’d be much better off without.

So when the Twitter page UberFacts asked people “What's the most messed up gift you've ever received?”, it hit way too close to home for many. The stories that make you laugh, cry and feel bad for these gift receivers (and givers, too!) started rolling and we wrapped up some of the most eyebrow-raising below.

While buying a gift seems pretty straightforward, the task often turns into a headache-inducing mission that yields questionable results. No wonder so many gift givers tend to leave it for the very last minute, or grab something on their way to the party, or be a little too creative with it, or overthink it altogether.

So in order to find out what it takes to pick the right gift for a person and what common mistakes to avoid, Bored Panda reached out to the spokesperson of PartyPlease, a party planning platform where you can book, schedule, and manage chefs, bartenders, DJs, and other entertainment professionals for your party.

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    hi myself, gay weirdo🇺🇦️‍‍
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just imagine being tired and going to pee in the middle of the night and you see this down the hall

    Emie N.
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I must be an odd one out because I feel this kind of adorable.....

    Uncanny
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Crikey, as if my dog doesn’t hate the vacuum enough already. That’d send him to the therapist!

    StumblingThroughLife
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of loo roll ladies. 😂 That would give me a fright if I saw that on my way to the loo in the middle of the night! 136749e718...667804.jpg 136749e718aabf70910ae19f796c2824-63d4f8d667804.jpg

    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I haven’t seen one of those things in years! Something else that was in grandma’s house, along with the dust bunny vacuum cover, the plastic floor runners, and plastic slipcovers.

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    Maltaros
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not great but I am thinking there are worse gifts to receive.

    Paul Werner
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lmao I imagine waking up to use the bathroom and it's dark and you see that silhouette!

    Bonesko
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The gift for someone who likes to clean but doesn't find it terrifying enough

    Mary Beheler
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of the commenters sure scare easily. I like the basic idea of a cover for the vacuum, because I live in a small apartment with no real storage space. That dress just needs some pockets for attachments. Hmmm, a cleaning supply cart that can house and hide the vacuum while pretending to a normal piece of furniture. It doesn't need to be so "cute" or "scary."

    WhydoIneedaname
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NOOO I love those! Haven't seen one for a vacuum but there's a matching pair of them that I have, one goes over spare toilet paper and the other is just a stuffy, they meant everything to me when I was little! Don't insult BunBun and Little BunBun!!

    Cassi Lyris
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can see so many ways to mess with people with this things, but that's just me. 🤣 I can see how others would hate this thing though.

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On the plus side, you now have decor for both easter and halloween.

    Serenity Now!
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So I can wake up in the middle of any night and think I'm seeing some sort of ghost.

    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ugh. Will everyone whose grandmother had one of these creepy f*****g things in her closet please raise their hands? Extra points if she also had the plastic slipcovers on the furniture and plastic runners on the carpet.

    Jodie daubenmire
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My grandma was so excited in 1989, because I was getting married in October, and she found the pattern to make the rabbit cover.. she couldn't wait for me to open the gift, at our reception. She was vibrating with joy, and excitement. I knew about it, from my Mother.. she wanted to prepare myself, as I have a very strange, and abnormal fear, of rabbits.. ok everyone stop laughing. Wasn't known to many. But my sweet grandma worked all summer on her creation.. I was hyped up, and ready.. I squealed a bit, which she took as excitement.. but it was in honestly, the Hoover vac, that came with the cover..both from her. It was very precious to me. She died when my oldest was 3, and he got to know her some. But, my daughter. She found the rabbit, in a airless storage bag, and screamed until I saved the bunny. She was 5, she carried that bunny around, or dragged it.. for 4 years.i resealed it, when she was over it, only to give it to her daughter, 6 years ago.Thank you Gram

    Lee Henderson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother has one of those that looks like a doll. It resides on a vacuum that no longer works...

    Moezzzz
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen these horrific things. It's worse when it's night and this bastard is in the corner of a room you're trying to navigate in the dark.

    LonelyLola
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would scare the s*** out of me if i bumped into it in the dark

    Bleep Bloop
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    but.. I love it? if you're giving it away I'll pay for postage lol

    AlwaysMoreLaundry
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember my grandma had one of these when I was growing up! Imagine it being the same size as you 😂.

    Best Behave
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who wouldn’t want to turn around and for a split second think “aaaah a four foot rabbit in a dress!” a couple of times a day

    Crocodile
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is obviously something for if someone breaks in attach a pole to a roomba and put this on it.

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be honest, I think it’s kind of cute. It’s rather whimsical.

    Littlemiss
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In case you didn't put it away? Poor misguided vacuum cleaner will get a complex.

    king raven
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine this slowly whirring toward you down the hall in the middle of the night

    Shelby
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guys, best christmas gift ever. My dad set it up right outside the bedroom door. Scared mom right into the christmas spirit XD

    Cyndielouwhoo
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You could stand it by the window, slightly in shadow to scare away solicitors and would-be burglars.

    Brian Michael
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh man I forgot about those.....I only ever saw them when I was very little and they went away....wow memory unlocked

    Joel Warner
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s actually cute! Takes a bit of the chore out and adds some quirky fun.

    WishIWasAFlapperGirl
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That'll be a nope from me!! Looks like something that should be on The American Horror Story series!!!

    Aussie Bloke
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is disturbing - imagine this silhouette in the middle of the night.

    Sophie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's cute for when you're not using the vacuum. Especially if you had to store it in an open area.

    weatherwitch
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me or does it look like that character from Star Wars? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤣

    Kai
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ugh my mom buys this kind of stuff...except hers was an angel vacuum cover

    Angel Thebeau
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom made one of these when I was a kid. Normally I would probably think that's weird but she died when I was young and seeing this unlocked a memory thank you for uploading this

    Ches Yamada
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to have one that was a rooster. It's just to make the vacuum look ...well, not like a vacuum if you don't have space to store it in a closet.

    Junebugjump!
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a gift from a MiL, right? From a different era entirely!

    Kevin J. Henning
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How to cure constipation. Wake up at 2am and see this thing staring at you in the dark.

    Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen those. Different animals, or a little old lady. Something that was big in the 1980s

    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like three pigs in a house coat trying to sneak into a R rated movie

    Evi Grimes
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ugh I remember when these were popular. And white geese everywhere.

    Holly Stevens
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh man, so 90s. If you had a blue goose kitchen, you had a bunny vacuum cover

    Chris berkley
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's literally petrifying, like I'm going to see that in my nightmares tonight

    Timbob
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who makes this s**t ? Wait! I don’t really want to know.

    Rebecca Broscombe-Adams
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is possibly the funniest thing this week! Absolutely terrifying, totally kitsch and I'd love one just to scare people.

    Dawn Depietro
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When ever I see one of these out the corner of my eye scares the hell out me

    Donna Trudeau
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jesus! If i ran into that in the dark I would beat the hell out of it!

    Zitronella
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Super cool, I like it ;-) A little bit creepy, but yeah...a big bunny

    Jane Cortez
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just because you can doesn’t mean you should!!! How bizarre and hideous!

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    Oliver
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Expelled. Yeeted. Removed. That is something out of her control and she should not be humiliated for it.

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    There are thousands of mistakes people make when buying a present, but PartyPlease named a few of the most common ones they see. “People not considering the recipient's interests or preferences before buying a present. A great example is the classic ‘regifting’ scenario, where someone receives a gift they don't want and decides to give it to someone else who, ultimately, doesn't like it either.”

    Another faux pas when picking a present is buying something too generic or impersonal. “It's acceptable when playing Yankee Swap, but it is a no-no for a birthday present or, worse, an anniversary. 9 out of 10 couples that give each other socks end up breaking up. That might be a made-up statistic, but seriously, avoid generic and/or impersonal gifts,” PartyPlease explained.

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    Astrius
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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not very bright, but i am pretty sure that is not how gifts work.

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    A typical mistake number three is not considering the occasion or the relationship with the recipient. “I've seen people giving home decor items such as vases, shakers, or even ashtrays at baby showers! Read the room…”

    Last but not least, PartyPlease argues, the most common and worst mistake is buying gifts at the very last minute. “Whenever you do that, you cannot take the recipient's interest into consideration, it won't have any relation to the occasion, nor will it be an appropriate gesture for the relationship between the gifter and the recipient.” In fact, all you will be able to find at the last minute will be generic and impersonal gifts.

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    patricia patricia
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be honest, Santa is not a Christian thing either. Anyway, it's a silly birthday present, especially for a person who does not celebrate Christmas. Perhaps the person didn't try to be offensive. A friend of mine (50) recently "discovered" (I told her) that Jewish people don't celebrate Christmas. Her answer? "...but EVERYBODY celebrates Christmas!"

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    When asked what gift ideas work for most people, PartyPlease said that they have to check the following requirements – to be thoughtful, practical, and timeless. “For example, a nice piece of jewelry (nothing too flashy), a good quality wallet, a set of high-quality kitchen knives, a best-selling book in the recipient's favorite genre or by their favorite author, a luxurious spa or massage gift certificate, and of course, a 21st century original, a subscription to their favorite streaming platform.”

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    When it comes to surprise gifts and parties, they can surely be fun if planned and executed correctly. “The key is ensuring the surprise is well-timed and appropriate for the occasion.

    A surprise birthday party for a close friend or family member can be a great way to show them how much they are loved and appreciated,” PartyPlease told us. However, the details must be appropriate to the occasion and even the weather. “Imagine planning a beach birthday party in the middle of the winter season or near the storm season.”

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    Shark Lady
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mum is very hit and miss with Christmas presents. After 40 years I just go with it.

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    witchling
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get her point. And see her prejudice. You shouldn't by ANYONE...plus or petite... clothing without knowing their size.

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    Another tip from PartyPlease is to always take personal preferences and restrictions as your north star when planning a surprise gift or party. “For example, if you hire a private chef for a surprise anniversary dinner for your SO, make sure you inform the chef about allergies or food restrictions from day 0; if you forget about it and remember 20 hours before the anniversary dinner, there is little to nothing that the chef can do about that.”

    Or, just entrust your party to the professional planners who know what they’re doing while you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your mimosa.

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    king raven
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone gave me a phone case that has liquid and glitter in it, it's very soothing to watch at least

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    BeepBeepBoopBoop
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've always found the conversion tactics very weird. In school I learned the three C's when the Spanish were taking over my state. Colonize, Convert, and Control. They wanted everyone to be Christian, weirdly enough.

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    sally
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love utility driven gifts. They are practical and save me money from having to buy those items. Best kind of gift you could get short of cash.

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    Astrius
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We can see they put up a lot of effort in it. Be sure to remind them of how grateful you are whenever they are in hearing range./s

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    Morphyne
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ummm that's an excellent gift. My sister has one and it's awesome. Especially when its cold in the cold middle of the night .

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    #32

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    LeeAnne B
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had those before. It is what it is. I hope that things improved for your family. I do think that your parents may have wished they could do more for you and at the time, were doing the best they could do.

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    HistoryLover
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually, I would love it if someone gave me that because those are impossible find now in 2023.

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    Alecto76
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I understand where she is coming from, but if you live alone...There is no age limit on falling and hitting your head and things. I don't want one. It would make me feel old. But I want all my people to have one, regardless of age.

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    GoGoPDX
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They could always craft it into a bird nest decoration.........

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    LeeAnne B
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Were they the wooden ones? I got three and made them into tiny photo frames.

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    LeeAnne B
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pick me, pick me! This sounds nice. Brown paper bags here usually come from a farmers market. I'd love some fresh farm fruit.

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    Myst Edenflower
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Little girl sees pretty flowers wants to give them to mom, dad indulges daughter's desire to make mom happy. Nothing at all wrong with this.

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