I believe that more or less all of us at some point in our lives, either as adults or as children, have received a bad Christmas gift. And when we opened it, I really don't know what was worse: the disappointment or the awkward and fake "thank you" to avoid seeming rude. 

It is indeed subjective what each of us considers a "bad" gift, nevertheless, there is a common denominator: The lack of empathy. From the moment you know who the gift is intended for, obviously you give them something based on their tastes or needs, and not your own. And if you don't know them very well, you make sure to learn at least some information about the other person, even if it's approximate.

So, here is the list!

5. Socks

The fifth place on our list is claimed by a classic gift that, over the years, never seems to stop being given during the holidays. And okay, there are some amazing socks that someone might give you as a gift, but let's not kid ourselves.

Usually, when someone older gives you socks as a gift, 99% of the time they are from the market. And unfortunately, they have nothing interesting, no color, no pattern, nothing to make them stand out, so they just end up in the drawer and stay there until doomsday. Or until you run out of socks!

I have an alternative suggestion for you, so in case you absolutely must give socks as a gift, try something more special. The recipient might enjoy them a bit more! :)

4. Christmas Sweater

Ah, how nice, since it's Christmas, I'll give as a gift a sweater with Santa Claus, the 9 reindeer, a Christmas tree, penguins, elves, bells, the whole shebang.

If you want to give it for a laugh, or because you know the other person likes to wear it, okay, I get it. If not, what could be more useless than a sweater that will be worn for 5 out of the 365 days of the year.

It's better to buy a simple sweater, and include a gift receipt inside, it's more likely to be worn!

3. Frame (empty)

Wow, what a nice and original gift! An EMPTY picture frame. Why give such an impersonal gift to someone you love? Why not put inside a photo of the two of you together, so they can look at it and think of you? Or if you don’t want a photo, it could be a beautiful image, a popular work of art; think about the other person’s taste and choose a matching theme.

2. Store Gift Card

For a name, 1000 times give me the money. Straight to the hand, not even in an envelope! The gift card to a store that someone else chose for you is the worst thing after stuffed vegetables with raisins. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point. I will have to spend that money uselessly, on something I probably don't need, just so it doesn't expire.

Except, of course, if you offer a Skroutz gift card. There, the recipient of the gift doesn't have to choose from just one store, nor are they limited by product categories. It has everything. Literally.

1. Nothing

I think the winner is the absolute nothing. Especially if it comes with gifts for those around you, and for some reason you don’t even get a piece of gum. And the opposite is always true as well, right? For example, you’re invited to someone’s house, you buy gifts for some people and to others you just say a plain "Happy Holidays".

The gift you receive or give during the holidays doesn’t have to be something expensive, something rare, something useless, or just something to get it over with. A Christmas gift is a lovely gesture to someone you like or love, especially when you give it with love to the other person, and they know you chose it just for them.

And if your mind has run out of ideas, check out Christmas gift suggestions for everyone! Happy holidays!