Five Holiday Gifts for Which You're Wasting Money
With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning for gift-giving. With a budget and some bargain hunting, you can easily keep the holiday season affordable. However, you will also want to make sure the gifts you buy are ones that people will use and appreciate. No one wants to waste money on gifts your recipients will just throw away or stuff into the back of the closet.
So, what gifts should you avoid giving? Here’s a look at five that are usually not worth buying.
1. Bath Products
Everyone bathes, and bath products smell nice, which may lead you to believe they are an easy and versatile gift. Unfortunately, many bath items simply end up in the trash, either immediately or after they have been in someone’s cupboard for five years. A scent you enjoy may not appeal to your recipient. Also, many people already use specific bath products that work well for their skin and hair, and they may not want to experiment with gifted products.
2. Gag Gifts
Gag gifts, like pills for gray hair or a button that makes a fart noise when you push it, may give your recipients a few seconds of laughter. But ultimately, these gag gifts end up forgotten and in the trash because their humor does not last.
3. Home Decor
Giving someone a centerpiece, some holiday lights, or window clings may seem like a nice gesture. These items will help decorate their home, right? However, everyone has a different taste when it comes to decor, and your gift may not truly fit your recipient’s style. They may also pack it away, planning to display it next year — only to forget about it in storage.
4. Pajamas
Giving someone a set of warm, fuzzy pajamas seems nice, but there are too many unknowns involved with this gift. Some people do not like sleeping in fuzzy PJs; they wear much lighter clothing. The pajamas may be too long, too short, too big, or too small — the sizing is often inconsistent, so finding the right size for your recipient may be tough. PJs that aren’t “just right” tend to get shoved to the back of the drawer, so buying them is wasting money.
5. Single-Task Kitchen Gadgets
A banana slicer, microwave egg maker, or specialized butter spreader may seem cool, but these single-task kitchen gadgets tend to be used only once or twice. Once the novelty has worn off (and it wears off fast,) your recipient will probably go back to slicing bananas with a knife or making eggs the standard way — in a pan. Unless you know for a fact your recipient needs a certain kitchen gadget, these gifts typically just add clutter to the junk drawer.
To avoid wasting money this holiday season, steer clear of non-useful gifts. There are better, more suitable options at all prices.
If you’re on a tight budget, a tasty consumable, like a bottle of wine or gourmet chocolate, is sure to be enjoyed. For a somewhat larger budget, tickets to a show or a gift card to a store you know your recipient already shops are both nice ideas. A subscription to an e-reader service is a great gift for anyone who reads. They can choose titles to suit their own preferences.
Ultimately, gift-giving is about finding something that fits your loved one’s unique tastes and says, “I’m thankful for you.” This season, avoid wasting money. Buy gifts that will truly put a smile on their faces.
Equal Housing Lender