Present danger: The 8 gifts you should never give, according to a stylist

Ever been the unlucky recipient of a truly bad present? Whether it is cleaning products, wrinkle cream (is that a hint?) or a tourist tee featuring a destination you have never been to, a present can say a lot about a person and how they perceive you.

The experts advise us what’s not to give, and why.

1. Practical appliance

No matter how vital owning a good vacuum is, no one is hoping to receive one for their birthday. “It’s never a good idea,” says Sara Lennox from Greenhouse Interiors. “The gift you choose should make them feel good, and be something they wouldn’t buy for themselves.”

The solution:

If gifting a household item ensure it is artisanal or beautiful. “Instead of a boring broom, treat them to a glamorous Scandinavian feather duster,” says stylist Rebecca Johnson from BirdLifestyle. “Suddenly cleaning is chic!”

No one is hoping to receive a vacuum for their birthday. Photo: iStock

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2. Socks, jocks and lavender soap

If soap is the first idea that springs to mind on grandma’s birthday, it’s time to rethink your approach to gifting. “Often we think of what they ‘need’ instead of what they may ‘want’ or ‘like’,” says Lennox. “The choice then is often safe, which is why mums end up with appliances, dads receive socks and jocks, and granddad is given hankies!”

The solution:

A safe choice can be fine – if it’s luxurious. “There are household items you can never have enough of,” says curator Jane Moffat from Jordan Baker. “Just keep it chic. A French candle, hand soap, or lotion, or a cool hard-to-find magazine with a boutique chocolate tucked inside.”

Johnson agrees. “Underwear can be a great gift as long as you didn’t pick it up in a supermarket aisle. My favourite is Stonemen. It’s the coolest underwear on the planet.”

Keep your gifts chic, like a French candle​. Photo: iStock

3. Service station flowers

Nothing says “I don’t care” like a lank bunch of gerberas with a sprig of baby breath. “There is nothing uglier,” says Johnson. “It is obvious you have quickly grabbed them when stopping for fuel. They are an after-thought. If garage flowers are your only option, give nothing at all.”

The solution:

“If you routinely buy something on the way to the party, you will always end up with the wrong gifts,” says interior designer Kara Shanahan from Design Snack. “Invest thought ahead of time, consider your budget, and choose something you believe represents the recipient.”

Not that flowers should be struck from the list. “You can’t go past a beautiful fresh bunch,” says Lennox. “Just keep them relaxed and pick them straight from the garden, or just a nice mix of leaves.” 

For a gift with longevity, upgrade and present in a unique vessel. “I love vases by Marmoset Found and Keep Resin. There my go-to for birthdays,” she says.

You can’t go wrong with flowers… unless you buy them from a servo. Photo: Stocksy

4. Mundane mug

“There is nothing worse than a careless gift,” says Johnson. “The random mug is my least favourite. It reflects little thought and won’t go with anything else they own, so will never be used. It screams “I don’t know you” and is guaranteed to be binned. It’s not even worth re-gifting!”

The solution:

Put yourself in the recipient’s shoes. “If you don’t know them well, find out if they are a boater, reader, walker or entertainer?” says Moffat. “I love giving my dinner-party friends cute paper napkins with quotes as a hostess gift. It’s small but relevant and they always appreciate the thought.”

Are you buying for a reader? Take the time to choose them a good book. Photo: Stocksy

5. Souvenir

“A tea towel advertising Newcastle just doesn’t cut it,” says Johnson. “Neither does a souvenir spoon, fridge magnet or tourist T-shirt. It shows no imagination whatsoever. If anything, it’s a boast gift that will make your recipient jealous they have never been to Newcastle!”

The Solution:

If you must give a souvenir, make it a stylish one. “I was given beautiful tea towels from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London that are worth framing,” says Lennox. “It’s all in the choosing.”

Fridge magnets of places they’ve never been to is a no go. Photo: iStock

6. Gift card

“The gift card has become such an easy option,” says Johnson. “You can buy them anywhere now – even at the post office! It is a super generic choice.”  

The solution:

Tracy LeFroy from Cranmore Home says if you are struggling to choose, come up with a more tangible way to spoil the recipient. “For a busy person, a Matcha Tea Kit would be perfect. It’s something that gives them space to sit quietly and enjoy the ritual.”

A great gift idea for a busy bee. Photo: T2

7. Umbrella

“A collapsible umbrella is tragic, no matter how soggy the weather,” says Johnson. “If they don’t bin it immediately, it is sure to be left behind somewhere. It is the most disposable and boring gift imaginable!”  

The solution:

“Anything beach-related gets the big tick,” says Lefroy.  “I’m currently eyeing off a beach umbrella from Sunday Supply Co to keep myself from burning to a crisp as summer burns on!”

Don’t let a bad gift rain on their parade. Photo: Sunday Supply Co

8. Romance novels

“Believe it or not, most of us don’t have a stack of cheap romance novels waiting by the bed,” says Johnson. “To assume we do, is to admit you don’t know your friend at all. Plus it feels inappropriate!”

The solution:

A beautiful glossy coffee table book is always appreciated. “Big beautiful books are a classic crowd pleaser, for males or females,” Moffat says. “I always write a note inside them, and when my friend goes to a dinner party, in lieu of a hostess gift she brings a book for each of the host’s children. A cool gift indeed.”

If all else failes, get them a glossy coffee table book. Photo: Rob Mills Architecture