ADVERTISEMENT

The holiday season is about many things. Spending quality time with loved ones, eating cozy meals around the fireplace, watching your favorite seasonal films, and enjoying a break from work can all make this time feel extra special. But another way many of us choose to show love and appreciation for others during the holiday season is by giving gifts.

There’s no need to spend an exorbitant amount of money on Christmas presents, as a homemade yet heartfelt gift might mean even more than something expensive. But apparently, a present that clearly didn’t take any thought can be even more insulting than receiving nothing. Below, you'll find a list that Bored Panda has compiled from around the internet of the most disappointing Christmas gifts people have ever received. Enjoy scrolling through these shocking stories, and be sure to upvote the ones that would have inspired you to turn into a grinch!

#1

Watercolor paint set and handmade holiday cards featuring Christmas trees and ornaments, crafting ideas for holiday gifts.

My brother gave me a hand turkey that he drew minutes earlier for Christmas. This would have been ok if he was 5 or something... He was 21 years old. I framed it and gifted it back to him the next year.

reddit.com , Jonathan Borba Report

LizzieBoredom
Community Member
1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Send him a picture of a female turkey. They're shaped like this: L.

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Red cinnamon scented candle and tied cinnamon sticks on red background representing horrible gifts for Christmas.

    My husband once gifted me a bicycle ....I was 8 months pregnant and had recently fallen and cracked my tailbone.

    My mom regularly gifted me Reeses-themed sweets and things with cinnamon, like scented candles, etc. While they could be great for the right person, I'm highly allergic to both cinnamon and peanut butter.

    I'm now divorced and no contact with both parties.

    Level_Fun1610 , Leeloo The First Report

    Lukas (he/him, it/its)
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This entry was in a list posted 2 says ago. It's currently in the number one spot.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Two people in red outfits sitting on a couch, holding wrapped Christmas gifts that they seem hesitant to open.

    When I was 21 my mum wanted a new jewellery box. She asked if I wanted a new jewellery box. I said no, because I don't wear jewellery. She bought "me" a huge wooden jewellery box for Christmas and then threw in "if you don't want it, I'll have it" when I said "we already talked about this". I took it because she always does this, and I wanted to screw her out of the thing she clearly bought for herself. I never used it, and donated it 2 years later.

    S_Defenestration , Karola G Report

    LizzieBoredom
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here's how I stopped awful relatives from ruining every Christmas: I outlived them.

    View more comments
    #4

    Person wearing a festive sweater holding a card with the word joy, highlighting holiday gifts and Christmas gift ideas.

    My brother-in-law is a pretentious and spoiled prick from a wealthy family. He was snobby, so I didn't like him at all. He didn't like me either. So, one Christmas, we accidentally got each other the same present. Ugly $2.00 clearance sweaters from KMart.

    EmmelineTx , Brigitte Tohm Report

    QuincyForrest
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Sending hateful wishes your way. Have a miserable holiday and a decrepit New Year."

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Wine glasses hanging upside down in a bar setting, illustrating some of the horrible gifts people say they'd rather not receive.

    A bar set with very nice glasses from someone who knows I quit drinking after 30 years of alcohol, fatty liver disease diagnosis. It was my mom. My family just cannot process the idea of not consuming liquor every day.

    My_browsing , Boys in Bristol Photography Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Braided hair tied with a black ribbon surrounded by shampoo bottles and a round hairbrush, illustrating horrible gift ideas.

    My cousin lost her hair during cancer treatment, and still, her parents got her hair products for her birthday.

    ParticularBrush8162 , Nataliya Vaitkevich Report

    #7

    Young man looking disappointed resting head on arms at table with horrible Christmas gifts and holiday decor.

    I was in a Secret Santa gift exchange at work. We did 4 days of little, inexpensive gifts. I received NOTHING but an insincere apology on the last day from the person who was supposed to be my Secret Santa. It kinda [hurt] because it was my first Christmas away from home, and my family punished me for not coming home for the holiday by ignoring my existence for a few days. Not a gift, not a card, not a phone call.

    jedikelb , RDNE Stock project Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    Man receiving beard trimming with electric clippers, illustrating one of the horrible gifts people dislike at Christmas.

    I had mentioned to my uncle one year that I wished I could grow a beard like his. Come Christmas time, my uncle hands me the present he got me. I unwrap it and what do you know...It's his beard in a Ziploc bag.

    ainen , Pavel Danilyuk Report

    #9

    Person holding two pink plastic hair curlers, illustrating examples of horrible gifts people prefer not to receive for Christmas.

    My uncle gave me soap and a razor as a Christmas present when I was 13. Not the best message from my weird uncle to a young girl starting puberty.

    mangoesonaplane , Pavel Danilyuk Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Woman wearing a Christmas sweater holding a Merry Christmas sign with festive nail art and holiday lights in the background.

    When my wife and I first got married, her parents hated me. One year, they got me a woman's sweater. It was very obviously a woman's sweater, too. The next Christmas I wore it over, and my MIL asked my wife why I was wearing a woman's sweater.

    reddit.com , Valeria Boltneva Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd wear the hell out of it just to annoy them too.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Bookshelf filled with various books in a dimly lit library, illustrating the concept of horrible gifts people dislike.

    My sister gave me library books for Christmas and told me I would need to return them or renew them in two days.

    Sgt_Quarterback , Polina Zimmerman Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't bother taking them back let the sister pay the fine.

    View more comments
    #12

    Person with red hair dispensing liquid from a bottle into their hand, illustrating horrible gifts people say they dislike.

    My stepdad's dad and his much younger wife always give us used presents at Christmas.

    One year, I got a tube of body wash (already a cop out), only to find some crusted product on the squeezy hole.

    Another year (13 at the time), I got a pair of Aldi women’s lacy underwear with the size scribbled out (they were XL). The woman came over to me after the present time and said, "I got them for myself, but they were too big, I just blacked that out so you didn’t feel embarrassed".

    I’d rather not get anything than have to say thank you for that.

    Life-You9887 , Beyzanur K. Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Group of people exchanging gifts at a holiday party, highlighting the theme of horrible gifts to avoid this Christmas.

    My boss regifted me a book that she’d never read. I had given it to her last year for Christmas.

    janedane72 , RDNE Stock project Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Hand holding a lotto ticket inside a car, highlighting the concept of horrible gifts people prefer to avoid.

    Recovering from gambling, thankfully, I managed to kick the habit before it totally ruined my life. This year, I got a bunch of lottery scratch-off cards. Had my wife do the honors with them, and the joke is on my family, they actually won a decent amount of money. Nothing life-changing, but will definitely pay for some bills we knew were on the way.

    Yes, they knew about my problems. They still have gotten me Texas hold-em poker sets when those were en vogue, and other gambling-related stuff over the years. Despite my continued insistence they not, and pointing out that some of these would be like giving a recovering alcoholic a gift card to the liquor store.

    Other_SQEX , Erik Mclean Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Empty notebook with pen beside Christmas decorations and pinecones representing horrible gifts concept.

    From my sister-in-law, a nice pen with her initials engraved on it. I mean, I know you re-gift, Susan, but at least check that it wasn't personalized for you before you send it to someone else.

    YVRJon , hasan kurt Report

    G A
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's so you remember who gave it to you...

    View more comments
    #16

    Boxes of popcorn with red stripes, illustrating examples of horrible gifts people would rather not receive for Christmas.

    One Christmas, as my wife and I visited her dad and step-mom, I was amazed at the gifts bestowed upon her younger half sisters by her folks: new MacBooks and iPhones were among the presents under the tree. As we were leaving, they handed us a gift, which we opened when we got home. What treasure awaited us?

    A decorative tin from Costco containing flavored popcorn, which had expired two years prior.

    Fleemo17 , Pixabay Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wild stab here - step-mom picked out the presents.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Person wearing white sneakers sweeping wooden floor with broom and dustpan, illustrating horrible gifts concept.

    I gave my girlfriend $300+ in jewelry, she gave me $10 cleaning supplies, and said “I know you like to clean, so here”.

    omepo , cottonbro studio Report

    G A
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Relationship ended. Jewellery returned?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Stack of red wrapped presents in front of a decorated Christmas tree symbolizing horrible Christmas gifts.

    I watched a friend's sister gift her an already scratched off scratch off ticket for he birthday. When asked why, she replied, "Well, I didn't want to give it up if you won a bunch of money." I laughed out loud, and when I got an icy stare, I realized she was serious.

    kinghodjii , Negative Space Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That comment makes it hilarious as a joke gift (and the real gift hidden behind your back). But very weird for this to be the actual gift, who does that? 😄

    View more comments
    #19

    Gold train ornament surrounded by colorful Christmas baubles representing horrible gifts for the holiday season.

    One year, my mom got mad at me for not cleaning up my toys, so she took them all away. For Christmas, she gave them back to me and nothing else. My sister got a new bike.

    Pikersmor , Eugene Golovesov Report

    Touhou Youyoumu
    Community Member
    Premium
    22 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favourite Christmas present. British Airways travel magazine for kids, but wait all the activities were all filled in already. What a Christmas that was, gotta love foster care.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #20

    Person wearing a yellow jacket holding a red object with clips, illustrating horrible gifts people prefer not receiving for Christmas.

    My ex-mother-in-law gave me a used, broken tape dispenser for Christmas one year. My kids even remember this. Another year, she gave me a very oversized, deep purple sweater. Dragged my now ex-husband and made him wait in line to return/exchange it. Waited over an hour in line to find out it was a clearance item and only worth $1.75. Even he was a bit taken back at the time.

    Meanwhile, sisters in law would get $100 gift cards, luxury items, and actual items off their lists we gave her for ideas. The woman is an awful human being, not because of her poor gifting of said items. Those are just minuscule examples of her poor demeanor.

    Jenhaaow546 , Kowal Tyler Report

    Kid Murray
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is it always the mother in law? Why do so many women go insane when their kid marries?

    View more comments
    #21

    Assorted gift boxes and bags with jewelry displayed on a wooden floor, highlighting horrible gifts people avoid.

    My Dad gave me earrings several years in a row.

    I don't have pierced ears.

    Subject-Ad-5249 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many useless ties does he have in his closet?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Older woman holding multiple Christmas gifts in an elegant room, highlighting the concept of horrible holiday gifts.

    The time I realized my ex-MIL hated me. She told me all the things the family wanted for Christmas, and I spent about a hundred dollars on everyone individually. I woke up Christmas morning to see all the presents already opened, and breakfast was eaten. One present was under the tree for me: a dog mug. I'm a cat person.
    Also, I was involved with the family/with her son for 5 years.

    Neekyf215 , Anastasia Shuraeva Report

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Instead of gifting her a lump of coal, you should have put used cat litter in her shoes, p**p and all

    View more comments
    #23

    Stack of books and cardboard boxes on a roadside table representing people’s dislike for horrible Christmas gifts.

    True story. I was storing some boxes of things I didn't want anymore in a shed at my boyfriend's house. I was going to put it all in a yard sale eventually. I went to his parents' house for their family Christmas later that year. Every person who opened a gift from him were items from my yard sale stuff. To say I was humiliated would be an understatement.

    Fast_Pain9951 , Soul Winners For Christ Report

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why was OP humiliated? They were gifts from boyfriend and he was the one who did it. I could understand being upset, annoyed or angry at the boyfriend but surely nobody knew or thought the presents were anything to do with OP?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    Woman wearing a Santa hat and festive sweater reading a book, highlighting the concept of horrible Christmas gifts.

    My sister got a book from my grandmother titled “Proper Etiquette.” She proceeded to tell her in front of the whole family that “She’ll be more likely to make the boys stay after reading it!” My sister just smiled and carried on.

    Crotch_rot02 , Julia Larson Report

    JB
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Grandma, if you ever wonder why you're in a home and no one visits, this is why."

    View more comments
    #25

    Person holding dumbbells on wooden floor, illustrating horrible gifts people say they'd rather not receive.

    The relative gave his wife a gym membership for Christmas after she put on weight. Tears and violence.

    JohnRedcornMassage , cottonbro studio Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Person in a dark jacket holding a rolled certificate tied with a red ribbon, symbolizing unwanted or horrible gifts.

    My mom gave me her high school diploma one year for Christmas when I was 24.

    Buscuitknees , Gül Işık Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    Child using a yellow and red stapler on a magazine, illustrating some of the worst Christmas gifts people regret receiving.

    Not me, but my mom. Of all 6 grandkids (my mom and her 5 siblings), my great-grandma absolutely hated my mom in particular, even in early childhood. My mom looked, and I guess had a personality most similar to my grandma, and my great-grandma HATED my grandma.

    One year for Christmas, my great-grandma got presents for all the kids except my mom. This made my grandma furious, obviously. After they had a screaming match about it. My great-grandma picked up a magazine and cut out some pictures of models. She gave them to my mom and called them "paper dolls".

    dumbandconcerned , Anastasia Shuraeva Report

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And then they wonder why the kids don't call. 🙄

    View more comments
    #28

    Person tying ribbon on a striped Christmas gift, illustrating the concept of horrible gifts people’d rather not receive.

    My grandparents gave my parents a framed picture of a random little boy, and nobody knows who it is. (No, it’s not the one that came with the frame).

    iamnotahermitcrab , Karola G Report

    brittany
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my mom got an antique frame at a flea market once. it came with a picture. she would tell people who came over it was her great great grandmother. it was not.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Festive holiday mug with marshmallows surrounded by Christmas decorations and cozy knitwear on a white table.

    A mug with my name spelled wrong from a family member who has known me my entire life.

    DefinitionLocal4261 , Sedanur Kunuk Report

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A box of chocolates filled with a variety of alcohols from my aunt. I don't drink, ever, and never have (matter of taste). She's known me for all my life. I'm also the designated driver at every family gathering for precisely that reason.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Family gathered around a festive Christmas dinner table with warm lights, reflecting on disappointing holiday gifts.

    My aunt (retired teacher) was visiting over Christmas. She spent Christmas Day with us. My wife and I spent $50 on a gift basket for her. It had mugs, cheeses, crackers, spreads, teas, and other assorted stuff.

    The next day, we went to visit my grandfather (my aunt's dad). She was there as well. When my grandfather opened his gift, lo and behold, it was the gift basket with about 1/3rd of the stuff removed. So she kept what she liked and regifted the basket to her father in front of my wife and me. This also means she didn't spend one cent on her father for Christmas. My wife and I were both looking at each other with our jaws dropped, but we were too polite to say anything.

    crujones43 , Nicole Michalou Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tacky, even though when you say "retired teacher" you're often saying "someone without a lot of spending money".

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #31

    Man wearing floral shirt sits outdoors looking at himself in an ornate mirror surrounded by flowers and greenery, reflecting holiday gifts.

    This guy I dated in college got me a framed photo of himself for Christmas. I thought it was a joke. It was very much not.

    LilaFowler88 , Mental Health America (MHA) Report

    G A
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When your ego writes cheques your body can't cash.

    View more comments
    #32

    Modern kitchen countertop with kettle, coffee machine, and blender, illustrating typical household gifts people find horrible.

    I keep getting kitchen appliances every year, despite making it very well known that I don't have a square inch of countertop space to spare in my kitchen.

    Legendary_Lamb2020 , Jakub Zerdzicki Report

    #33

    Couple posing near a framed photo in a home, illustrating reaction to horrible gifts during Christmas gift exchange.

    Sister and her husband gave everyone a sweatshirt with a print of their wedding picture on it for CHRISTMAS.

    Riverscapegirl , RDNE Stock project Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They took "All I want for Christmas is you" a bit too seriously 😉

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    Man in black sweater sitting at a chessboard looking stressed, reflecting on horrible gifts during Christmas time.

    My mother has given me the same cheap boxed crystal chess set 3 times for Christmas over the last 12 years.

    I have no idea why, but apparently she keeps buying them every time Target or Macy's puts them out on display at Christmas.

    KnocDown , Vlada Karpovich Report

    #35

    Family gathered around a candlelit table having dinner, illustrating reactions to horrible Christmas gifts.

    My in-laws usually give us a gift card to my favorite restaurants (a group with a seafood place, an Italian place, a BBQ place, etc) and a note that they'll babysit the kids so we can have a date night. I look forward to it every year.

    This year, they gave us a certificate to go to a religious couples retreat. We are not at all religious.

    RagingAardvark , cottonbro studio Report

    JL
    Community Member
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ask if the religious retreat has a bottomless pasta bowl or a shrimpfest.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #36

    Three people wearing festive holiday outfits and hats, reacting to horrible Christmas gifts during a gathering.

    My office was absolutely positive that she was pregnant. She wasn’t. They all got her a car seat. She laughed it off like a pro, and has a niece on the way that she needed a seat for.

    fonetik , RDNE Stock project Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ouch! I hope they though it because she wasn't drinking alcohol at the last office party, and not because she gained weight or something, because that would be so painful for her!

    View more comments
    #37

    Burger King round hanging sign attached to a building exterior with decorative iron bracket in daylight.

    I got a gift card to Burger King while working at Burger King from a manager who drew my name for Secret Santa. It was literally useless because none of us actually paid for food in the first place.

    Mrkilla2cool , SHOX art Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Mother and child with towels on heads by a decorated Christmas tree and wrapped presents during holiday gift time.

    I towel with another family member's name on it.

    flexibleearther , Gustavo Fring Report

    Nota Robot
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like an honest mistake while wrapping. I'd be interested what the relative got 👀

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #39

    Blonde woman outside with hair blowing in the wind, illustrating people saying they’d rather not get horrible gifts.

    My step-mother bought me a shirt that said, "blondes have more fun." I have always been a brunette.

    Traditional_Self_658 , ClickerHappy Report

    #40

    Three people in Christmas sweaters standing at a decorated doorway during holiday gift exchange.

    I asked for a Ring doorbell and received the cheap version that is a "decoy" ring doorbell. It doesn't function in anyway except hang out by the door. Next year I'm buying what I want for myself and wrapping it up and putting it under the tree.

    Glittering-Flight-26 , RDNE Stock project Report

    Nota Robot
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like it! Make it a nice, seemingly thoughtful gift that costs a lot of money and watch the carnage when everyone gets jealous.

    View more comments
    #41

    Person wearing red Christmas socks with Santa decorations near wrapped gifts under a decorated Christmas tree.

    A shoe size measuring tool. Like a full-on metal one that you’d see at a shoe store.

    bodhiboppa , cottonbro studio Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Check to see if it was autographed by Al Bundy. It may be valuable.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Couple exchanging wrapped Christmas gift near tree, highlighting the idea of horrible holiday presents to avoid.

    A guy I knew in college wanted to get his girlfriend something he knew she'd use, so he looked in her bathroom, saw what kind of shampoo she used, and bought her 10 bottles of it!

    He was really sweet and was actually trying to get a good gift, but the execution was poorly done. The gift was not appreciated way he thought it would be.

    NotsoOldFisherman , Anna Shvets Report

    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The chick is wearing socks with shoes in which you'd typically go without socks, and the guy is without socks in shoes I definitely would wear with socks...this is bothering me more than it should

    View more comments