#1
If you have ever had trouble choosing a gift, you are not alone. These things can get tricky and time-consuming, but Jane might have a solution for you.“We often rush buying gifts during those time-poor occasions, such as Christmas and the holidays. You spend your well-earned cash on gifts that leave the recipients disappointed. A good idea is to buy gifts throughout the year and place post-it notes on them. Keep them ready in a bottom drawer. Gifts don’t have to be valuable, but it’s important to think about the recipient when buying.”
#2
#3
She told me about her plans to buy an expensive NFL team jacket for my brother's birthday... Something he and my father had both admired.
She said she was ordering a size medium. He wore an XXL. She said she refused to buy a larger size "so he'll get off his lazy butt and do something about his weight."
I told her she was psychotic and cruel and that she shouldn't bother buying it since neither of us would be coming home for any more celebrations.
She told me I was disgusting and selfish and an embarrassment.
Nice, huh?
We all have been in a place where re-gifting might have been the best option. Whether you went with it or not, gift wrapping is also part of a gift, and it might change how the recipient will perceive your gift.“The whole point of gifting is to make the recipient feel valued and special so the gift is as important as the wrapping. If you do re-gift items, it’s crucial that you make a note so you aren’t giving the gift back. If you received a gift that’s not likely to be appreciated, you may be better off selling it on an online marketplace, such as eBay, and buying something you or they want with the proceeds.
The other suggestion is to gift something completely unsuitable as a joke, and then take the recipient out for coffee and cake in their favorite café.
If you are re-gifting anything, the wrapping can look amazing, which heightens the senses, only for the recipient to be disappointed at the final stage. When re-gifting anything, choose carefully who it goes to,” wrote Jane.
#4
#5
If you happen to always struggle with gift-giving and worry about choosing a bad gift, here is what Jane suggests to you.
“It’s always a good idea to find out and note down anything your friends and family like. It’s easy to engage in conversation to find out what they love, what their hobbies are and what is their favorite color, etc.
The best place to get feedback is to go on a shopping trip with that person as you quickly hear their desires and feedback. (I have often run back to the shop to buy something when a friend has commented how gorgeous a particular item is and not bought it!)
Anything personalized or with some humor is always well received… for instance, you could have a T-shirt made up with ‘Gardening Guru’ if they are green-fingered, or subscribe to a magazine they are likely to enjoy reading with a box of their favorite tea. This makes their leisure time enjoyable throughout the year, and it’s the thought that counts.
Although I’m not a personal shopper, I love to take my time buying gifts and always put a lot of thought into the process. As we are so busy with our gift-wrapping service at Christmas, it’s vital that I buy early and be organized. Gifts do not need to be valuable, but it’s the thought and first impressions that count, and presentation is everything.”
#6
#7
Whether you are experienced with gift wrapping or not, Jane runs an online gift wrapping course “Wrap with Jane” where you can learn or improve your skills. Luckily for you, dear Pandas, this course is now 20% off with promo code BOREDPANDA.
And here is just one of the tips Jane has for you today on difficult gifts to wrap. “Usually, this depends on the size and shape. For instance, if you’re trying to wrap something huge like a bicycle, a roll of paper won’t be wide enough and will not mold around the item well. For extra-large items that are a weird shape, I always opt for a paper tablecloth or some fabric. It is larger in size and can mold easily around the gift.”
“We recently gift-wrapped a drum kit for a well-known celebrity with 32 meters of fabric!”
#8
#9
#10
For me, it wasn't the worst birthday present, but the worst birthday "day".
#11
Six months later my best friend pulled it off the shelf and started flipping through it, reading passages ironically, and found $20 bills tucked into the pages randomly.
Like. They were trying to pay me to convert? It was pretty funny at the time. We shook the cash out and spent it on pizza. That part of the present was great actually. But the book, not so much.
In hindsight, I laugh about it. I thought this list could use a laugh, a lot of these are sad.
#12
"Your uncle died today, happy birthday".
#13
#14
(I was hit by a car when I was walking while pregnant, so I put on a lot of weight from bed rest and just haven't been able to lose it.) And when she wasn't making me feel self-conscious, she was talking down to her partner and generally treating him badly.
She's also a hoarder who lives on attending and doing yard sales. Lives. For. It.
Inside? A rusted angel ornament.
"I hope you like it, I couldn't sell it at the yard sale for a nickel."
#15
#16
There is a lesson I learned from this - never treat people like that. Get a proper gift. A flower or some fresh fruits are rather cheap and will always be better than your personal trash. And if you still decide to give personal items, make sure they have some value (such as a useful book, a jewel, or an old painting).
