Who hasn’t been disappointed when opening one of their Christmas presents? A disappointment to which is often added incomprehension, because said present does not correspond at all to our tastes. The editorial staff of Journal des Femmes shares with you the worst Christmas gifts given by their loved ones. And there are nuggets!
You’ve probably already been embarrassed by receiving a Christmas gift that you totally didn’t expect. In your memories, it is even part of the worst Christmas present you were given. Most French people are also afraid of receiving certain types of gifts, like a vacuum cleaner for example… We reassure you, you are not the only ones. At the editorial office of the Journal des Femmes, some of our journalists have anecdotes that deserve to be shared. Grab a tea or coffee, some biscuits and hold on tight.
Underwear as a gift?
“I never thought I would ever receive such a gift. It was last year, I was celebrating Christmas at my in-laws’ house. Everyone was unwrapping their presents when my partner started turning red . He shows all the guests the contents of the gift he had just opened. A blank comes over, because he seems to be holding a pair of black swimming trunks in his hands. You know, the classic model, which puts the emphasis on masculine attributes. His aunt bursts out laughing and clarifies ‘but no it’s not for you, it’s for Emma, it’s… menstrual panties that I made myself‘. My face at that moment must be epic because I’m so embarrassed. Everyone laughs, I keep my face as best I can and then I see the size of the panties, XL. Second shock, my heart was not ready for that,” Emma*, 26, tells us.
A puzzle as boring as a rainy Sunday
“When I was 13, my great aunt gave me a 1,000-piece puzzle of the Loire castles. I didn’t expect anything from her, because she was always a little lacking in the gift ideas, but I was still disappointed. Already because this type of toy never pleased me, for me, it was boring! The worst thing was that the colors of the puzzle were in black and white, impossible to do except for fans of 1000 piece puzzles! Result: I was absolutely not motivated and I never used it. Today, he sleeps with my grandparents in the cellar” , Charlotte, 32, revealed to us.
A shopping cart like grandma
“I received a gift that was surprising to say the least, during a Christmas with my family. I was giving gifts to my loved ones when my brother-in-law handed me a rather imposing accessory, on which had been placed a big red bow. I scan the gift with my eyes and I say out loud ‘Who is this shopping cart for?‘. Because yes, it was indeed a shopping cart on wheels, which we use to do our shopping or go to market. My big sister glared at me, a little embarrassed, and she said, ‘It’s for you, it’s a gift!‘What a gift indeed. Since then, I have hidden it in a cupboard,” Emma confessed to us.
A possibly uncomfortable cup
“A few years ago, at Christmas, my mother gave me, among other gifts, a particularly ugly mug. I didn’t even know if it was a joke or serious. It was white and vaguely represented a cartoon face. But the whole thing was cheap and borderline awkward. I never used it, I brought it back to the office, then it disappeared in conditions that I don’t know…”, he admitted to us Benoît, 33 years old.
A kitsch necklace as you wish
“I was 18 years old when my boyfriend at the time gave me, in my opinion, the worst gift. We had organized a little Christmas between us and the time came to exchange our gifts. the packaging, I guess it’s a piece of jewelry and for me, it was going to be a nice surprise. Except that wasn’t the case, I got a necklace with a pendant in the shape of half a heart . And as if that wasn’t enough, there was also an ‘I love you’ engraved on it. There, we had reached the height of ugliness, it was impossible for me to put it on. I was even ashamed to show it to my friends, that’s to say. I also thought that my boyfriend didn’t know me that well. Maybe it was a sign, because a few months later, we met is separated,” Olivia, 34, told us.
Let’s remember of course that it’s the attention that counts, but sometimes, while some of these gifts may please, they are not suitable for everyone. It is better to choose gifts based on the expectations and tastes of those who receive them. If you are “disappointed” with your Christmas gifts, there is one last solution: resell them on online sales sites.
*First names have been changed.