Every year I try to figure out what one gift to get someone on my holiday gift list that is different.  Since this chore is getting harder and harder to do each year I thought I would put together a list of the Top Ten Gifts you probably would not give anyone, but is fun, interesting and entertaining to think about the fact that someone probably actually has given these gifts as Holiday Gifts.

Number Ten

Airline Tickets

Now this would be a great gift for someone who travels or into being pat-down by a stranger.  Seriously however, most of the time airline ticket gifting during the holidays has so many travel limitations  the ticket could be worthless to the receiver.  Now, if you know the person is going on a trip or know they are looking to go on a trip during a time period, then it is perfect.  Just don’t give out an airline ticket thinking it would be a cool gift..which it is..but could be just a waste if it is not used.

Number Nine

Computers

I always get into this every year on how someone on the holiday list is needing a computer so they can connected thru the internet to the rest of the family (and world) all year long.  However, here is something to realize when you choose to gift someone a computer.

Do they know how to use one?  Most of the time the reason someone today does not have a computer is due to not having a access to a computer or a have never used a computer other than at work to key in data.  Yes, believe it, there are still millions of people, many of which are probably within your circle of relatives and friends, who still have not experienced the world of computers.  OH, they have seen them and, like I said, have used them for some limited reason, but have no idea how to do anything with a computer.

So this means, you would have to also gift them a ton of time to show them how to use it.  Depending on their app to learning could take up to a year or even more.  So, think about this before sending someone a computer that would end up sitting in the box and never used since they don’t even know how to set it up.

Number Eight

Home Furnishings

Really!?! This would be cool and exciting if it is wanted, needed and thought out.  Giving them the actually item is also better than handing them a Gift Certificate, but you have to realize giving furniture to someone is iffy.

A friend told me about his brother-in-law telling him about how his sister-in-law, who owned a furniture manufacture, gave all of the family a designer sofa for the Holidays.  Yaw…he has three sisters and two brothers and his sister-in-law, being a drama queen, had all 6 sofas delivered to his parents house on Christmas Day.  Now, needless to say, this was a very impacting holiday spectacle with a large tractor-trailer rig pulling down a residential street on Christmas Day to unload large, all the Same Style, brand New, Christmas Wrapped, sofas, at his parents house..which none of them owned a vehicle to haul the sofa home.  I told him to blog that story so I will link it when that happens.

I have heard of people getting a leather recliner for the Holidays which is totally cool…but think about the logistics of giving a Home Furnishing item for a Holiday Gift before you gift it to them.

Number Seven

Unlocked iPhone

This gift rocks and will put the sparkle in anyone’s eyes. That is until they find the iPhone is not the 4G and is ‘locked’ to a plan with a five year service contract with monthly payments close to the house mortgage.  If you are going to ‘Power Gift’ someone a Smartphone at least pay the first year’s service or go online and get an unlocked version so they can get their own service provider.

Number Six

Underwear

Yes, seems practical gift giving has gone overboard.  Getting underwear when you were 10 years old was funny and probably practical but after that you are out to damage someone’s emotional state.  Even the specialty underwear like Happy Holiday special can be really send a message you may not intend to send.  This could be the perfect gift, but probably to a very limited group of people.

Number Five

Over the Top Tech Gadgets

I got an email from a friend who is a Tech Gadget Addict who got a The King Idea Ear Wax Camera for Christmas.  At first I thought he had gotten a gag gift from someone in the office, but ..no, it was from a relative who felt he really needed it.  Alllllllrighty then!!!! Cool techy gadgets are really cool and novelty gadgets can sometimes turn into a great toy to take to the office.  Just make sure the gadget is cool.

Number Four

Personalize Stationary

WOW..nothing says Happy Holidays better than a box of 500 envelopes and organic made writing paper.  Especially when all 500 of the Envelops are preaddressed to YOU.  Come on!!!  Oh well, the least you could do is provide the stamps.

Number Three

Gift Certificate for an Intimate Dinner for Two at a 5 Star Restaurant

This sounds innocent enough until you read the fine print. The dinner is after you sit through a 90 minute pitch for a timeshare condo in Dubai.  I guess this would be a good way to get rid of your junk mail, but ..come on…re-gifting a gift certificate to a sales pitch for a Holiday Gift..geez.  Yes, this has happened.

Don’t get me wrong..dinner gift certificates to a restaurant you have never (or would never) go to really rings with most people.  And they are easy to wrap..:-)

Number Two

Lottery Scratch Offs

I have gotten these before for my Birthday..usually about 20 of them all bundled together from one person who forgot it was my BD and wanted to play in my BD Golf Tournament..for that it is OK.  But to get one friggin Lottery Scratch put in your stocking…Really!?!?  This could make for a very cool gift if the lottery scratch off ticket is one you have scratched and won something.  What did it cost you?..a Buck.  But hey..I know of a few people that maybe this would be the perfect gift..like people who owe me money. 🙂

Number ONE

Autographed Copy of Sarah Palin’s ‘Going Rogue’

Now normally this would not even be on my list of possible Holiday Gifts.  The reason it is has to do with Who Autographed it..Barbara Bush.  If this book actually existed it would not only be something to hand out to the many misguided overly political people of the world, but it also would be…Priceless.  The kind of gift that really will be remembered is the gift you want to give.

Look for that unique gift that fits the person and their interest to the tee.  Happy Holidays!