40 People Share The Absolute Worst Gifts They’ve Ever Received

Giving someone a gift isn’t just a nice thing to do—it has a tangible positive effect on the givers, too. The American Psychological Association points out that gift-giving activates key reward pathways in our brains. Especially if the recipient is someone who we’re close to!

To put it bluntly: when you spend money on people other than yourself, you boost your own overall happiness. Broadly speaking, the more generous and kind we are toward others, the better we feel. Ironically, there are very selfish reasons to be altruistic.

“Oftentimes, people refer to it as the ‘warm glow,’ this intrinsic delight in doing something for someone else. But part of the uniqueness of the reward activation around gift-giving compared to something like receiving an award or winning money is that because it is social, it also activates pathways in the brain that release oxytocin, which is a neuropeptide that signals trust, safety, and connection. It’s often referred to as the ‘cuddle hormone,’” Emiliana Simon-Thomas, PhD, science director at the Greater Good Science Center, explains.

According to her, giving and receiving a gift have more or less the same powerful effect, so long as both people care about each other.

However, this doesn’t mean that gift-giving is stress-free. Many people are worried about getting the ‘perfect’ gift for their loved ones. Meanwhile, others hope that their presents are going to leave a positive impression. All of this anxiety can dampen the winter holiday mood.

Ideally, we’d all match the presents to other people’s personalities, passions, and current needs. But after a while, it can be tough to come up with something considerate and creative. In these moments, it can help to take a step back and reframe the pressure you’re placing on your shoulders.

Yes, the quality of the gift itself isn’t something to ignore. However, it’s all the effort that you put in, as well as the act of giving, that is more important. It’s not the amount of money that you spend, it’s your kindness and thoughtfulness that has to shine through. 

So if you feel like your imagination has been completely wrung out of any remaining creative juices, why not keep things simple? Talk to your loved ones, explain the situation, and ask what they’d like for Xmas this year. 

Alternatively, sit down and think about what they love the most in life. Maybe they’ve recently picked up a new hobby that they’re always gushing about. Or maybe you remember them complaining about how they can’t find any decent scented candles anywhere. Your gift doesn’t have to be ‘perfect,’ so long as you do your best to show how much you care for the other person. Don’t just buy something at the gas station because you’re desperate!

Meanwhile, if your budget is too tight to splurge on anything big, consider making something using your skills. Though some might find it slightly cheesy, we think that poems, songs, and arts-and-crafts projects can be a ton of fun when done with a lot of cheer and plenty of smiles.