With Christmas around the corner, many are scrambling to purchase the perfect gift for their loved ones. Although there is a common notion that all Christmas gifts are amazing and loved universally, the reality is quite different. While items like scented candles and lanterns are usually well-received, certain other gifts can miss the mark, becoming unused or unrecognized. Such gifts may not resonate with the recipient due to their impracticality or lack of visual appeal. Cash envelopes Giving kids money during Christmas is a decent idea; however, one should avoid gifting cash envelopes to one’s adult friends or family members during festive occasions like Christmas. Handing someone cash as a gift creates a feeling that the individual has not put much thought into the gift. For occasions like Christmas, many individuals prefer personalized gifts, such as something tailored for the recipient, after much contemplation on the gifter’s end. Personal hygiene products Razors, mouthwash bottles, toothbrushes, and soap bottles are among the worst items to gift someone during Christmas. These products are fairly basic, meaning that almost everyone might have them in their bathrooms. Personal hygiene products are also particularly cost-efficient to buy. Since these items are common in most households, they are perceived as gifts that are less thoughtful or lacking in personalization, especially during events such as Christmas.

When one does not feel like stepping out, online shopping can also be therapeutic. Many online retail platforms offer coupon codes to users, helping them save up while shopping. These codes may be seasonal or apply if the items in one’s cart total a certain amount. Sometimes, those shopping from a website for the first time may also be eligible for coupon codes. Here are some common coupon codes brands use: WELCOME The “WELCOME” code is for customers shopping on an ecommerce site for the first time. This code has many variations, such as WELCOME + year (e.g., WELCOME2024) or WELCOME + the discount percentage (e.g., WELCOME20). Coupon codes for occasions Websites may also offer discounts for occasions like Easter and Christmas, with a coupon code for each. “NEWYEAR,” “CHRISTMAS,” and “EASTER” are some of these coupon codes for occasions. Sometimes, brands get creative with these codes, like having the code “JINGLE” for Christmas. Shopping season codes Shopping seasons like Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer huge discounts to shoppers. Discount codes for these seasons are the cherries on the cake. Besides the general “BLACKFRIDAY” and “CYBERMONDAY” codes, brands may also have these codes followed by the year (e.g., BLACKFRIDAY2023).

Several guides are available to help one choose the perfect gifts for their mothers on occasions like Mother’s Day. It appears that some people still cling to certain old-fashioned (and frankly, frustrating) gift options. Some of these gifts often fail to convey the essence of the present. Mother’s Day is an important day to make moms feel extra loved and appreciated through thoughtful gestures and gifts. Consider exploring innovative yet practical presents that she’ll love. Cleaning supplies Mothers have enough on their hands already, and reminding them of their house chores is probably not the nicest thing to do on Mother’s Day. It’s better to skip the cleaning supplies like gloves and detergents. Instead, consider making her work easier by getting her a robot vacuum cleaner so she can truly catch a break. Macaroni art Coming from a toddler, this may seem like an adorable gift. However, anyone over the age of ten should steer clear of macaroni art as a gift for their mother. Try experimenting with a handmade card or baking a cake to surprise her. Cash Nothing screams a last-minute gift quite like some cash. While handing cash to one’s children or grandchildren may seem like an easy solution, don’t try to use the same trick on Mother’s Day.