I'm curious about what are some of the worst gifts you've received?

I've gotten some stinkers, but one that comes to mind was a thighmaster....and the companion video...

This when no one even knew of my weight loss aspirations...

My husband was given, last year, a MotoCross belt buckle. He's British. 'nuff said.

When I was 8 my aunt gave me a pair of men's socks....they came up past my knees...

plastic reindeer that pooped brown jelly beans

A turkey, a ham, some sausage. We are vegetarians and have been for 26 years.
Other than those, I have liked all of the gifts I have received. Even though some weren't immediate "hits", they grew on me (jewelry, clothing, bath products).

One year when I was around 12 or 13 my cousin gave me a self-help book for teens written by Dr. Phil's son.

Who gives another person a self-help book? For it really to be self-help doesn't the person need to go out themselves and purchase it?

A matching sweater and leg warmer outfit. It was (of course) the 80's but even so it was hideous. What made it more so was the fact that my stepmonster had asked which one I liked and - being the obnoxiously blunt teenager that I was - I told her they were both horrible. Then she gives me one and my sister the other.

No new stories? Aww... I was really hoping for this thread to take off with lots of zany, horrible gifts!

C'mon, people! Everyone's gotten a really crummy holiday gift at some point! Or maybe a funny regifting story? Share!!!

When I was about 21 or 22 (this was around 1998-1999), my aunt gave me an oversized t-shirt featuring a teddy bear dressed like a gangster (baggy jeans, bandana, etc.). At the top of the shirt, it said "You Go Girl!"

My ex-boyfriend gave me a necklace with a charm that read "Nice ***". He was my boyfriend of 6 years, not a fly by night hookup. What was he thinking...seriously??

This is a general issue I have, but several years ago in-laws asked what my favorite smelly lotion was. I told them. They got me raspberry lotion, definitely not my favorite. Don't ask if you're just going to buy whatever anyway. (The next year they asked what my favorite tea was. If they wanted to get me a gift that would really make me happy, they could have asked what my favorite hot beverage was. I'm not a huge fan of tea, but I love coffee and hot chocolate).

So my general issue with gifts is...just surprise me or only ask what I want if you really want to know.

My grandmother, who at the time was in an advanced stage of alzhimers gave me a open and partially eaten box of fruit loops (she'd even taken out the prize!). She wrapped it up very beautifully and mailed it to me. At the age of 8, it was a pretty crapy gift. Now we just laugh. She also sent my mom some peanut brittle, but had picked out all the peanut pieces, b/c SHE liked the peanuts but not the brittle.

Mine was my own fault. I was home one weekend from college, freshman year (1984), and my mom was browsing through the Lane Bryant catalog, and asked my opinion of a sweat suit she wanted to buy for herself.

OMG, it was the most butt-ugly double knit polyester thing with crocheted applique insets in pastel colors. My mom loved it, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I told her it ws cute and recommended the least disgusting color, a pale blue. Well, what do I get Christmas morning, but the hideous thing, and to make it MUCH worse, mom had bought herself the same outfit in pink. She was so excited to have "mother-daughter" outfits, and I had already said I liked it, so was obligated to to wear it at least once, and I learned that it was not only hideous, it was scratchy and uncomfortable too. Lovely!

Ha, I had a similar experience. My parents bought a Bev Doolittle framed print. They asked me if I liked it. I didn't like it for ME but I told them it was lovely (I have absolutely ZERO interest in western art, I don't even like turquoise jewelry!). Next holiday, I got one too! It's been under my bed for YEARS.

FIL. He gave me a pair of bright teal gloves. Because they were on sale at the commisary for $2. ::sigh::