Christmas gifts that make you look bad

Sometimes, it’s not the thought that counts – some gifts are just plain awful and should not be given even as a last resort. Christmas provides many opportunities for less than perfect gifts to be shared, such as Secret Santas and restricting price limits. But don’t let this be an excuse to wrap up any old thing; what you give reflects on you, and no one wants to be remembered for their bad taste. Follow these tips for gift-giving glory.

Socks, socks and more socks
Yes, we all need socks – just as much as we need toilet tissue and teabags. But surely, we can manage to buy them ourselves when we need them? Unless there is going to be a sock shortage in 2012 then there really is no need to adorn your friends and family with toe warmers every Christmas. Be a bit more creative and treat your sock suffering friends with foot friendly treats instead. Give the gift of fabulous feet (much needed after the Christmas shopping and parties) with a foot spa. Or for a more purse-friendly option try a Feet Kit from Marks & Spencer for £5, including foot scrub, lotion and feet fizzers for the perfect festive feet.

Cheap isn’t always cheerful
Christmas is a time for giving and, despite being short of cash, you can still make your shopping funds stretch to bag some really great gifts. Being a Scrooge can sometimes leave friends feeling a little unloved so going for the cheapest option isn’t always a good idea at Christmas, especially if they’ve forked out on a lavish gift for you. So instead of heading for the cheap and tacky discount retailers, opt instead for bidding sites or vintage shops – that way you’re getting quality without having to splurge. You can find some real gems in these places, such as jewellery, picture frames, books and antiques. You’ll get that quirky vintage feel, or even a genuine bargain if you find a brand new item. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

Read More...