Every year there is a list of what to (or what not to) give for the holidays. Those lists are too general to matter, but overall I think there are some common sense points to consider before you break the rules.
This year it’s recommended* that you not give candles or anything with a particular scent, because those tend to not match a person’s taste and more likely to be re-gifted, unless you actually know that the person wears that scent or likes the aroma of pine in a flaming pillar. There is also the issue of allergies to contend with: there’s nothing like opening a gift and going into hacking or sneezing fits which effectively put an end to the present opening for the day. I followed this one.
Also, don’t give men leather goods, because if a steer can wear his hide for years, your man isn’t likely to plow through another wallet after only a few months. Besides, the softer that thing gets against his bony buttock, the less likely it is to annoy his backbone from having to sit crooked all his life. I pity men, so I give pens (they go in the breast pocket).
Calendars are also considered a no-no, along with picture frames and holiday decorations. Again with the personal preference thing. Your photo frame may clash with the complete set your friend spent months putting together to make their picture wall in the great room worthy of a magazine cover photo shoot. Besides, those generic photos inside are creepy.
Finally, don’t give a hat and scarf/glove set. These kinds of items are best designed for one to buy for themselves. Or, if you must, avoid the pompoms and funny color schemes, or don’t expect to see them walk around one day in your gift items. They’re more likely to go to the donation bin.
So I broke some of these rules, and I’m not ashamed to tell you that I have. Folks are going to see some of the forbidden items when the present swaps go on in a week or so. I did take the time to pick things with particular individuals in mind, and it is the thought that counts. That is the true key to gift shopping: consider the person, along with your wallet.
*http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/01/pf/bad-holiday-gift-ideas/
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