The Most Returned Christmas Gifts (and What to Buy Instead!)

When it comes to beauty and cosmetic products, you have to know the person really well in order to buy them the right items. Even if you buy your cousin a cute lipstick sampler pack from Sephora, she may not wear lipstick, so your gift is useless. Perfumes have become a popular gift choice but tread carefully because something that smells amazing to you may smell like garbage to your recipient.

Okay, okay. we know we said that you shouldn’t buy beauty and cosmetics, but there is an exception. Anti-aging skincare. Unless you’re buying for a teenager, anti-aging skincare reigns supreme. Studies from GiftNow showed that anti-aging skincare was one of the least returned gifts for both women and men. Yes, men, too!

Kitchen and bath items are the classic “I have no idea what to get you” gifts for your aunts, cousins, in-laws, and other relatives. These items usually end up being generic candles, soaps, toasters, coffee makers and the like, and from my personal experience, it’s pretty rare that the recipient actually likes the item. Most people have their own personal taste when it comes to kitchen and bath items so there’s a pretty good chance that your coffee bean grinder is headed back to the store.

Your loved one has specific tastes, but who doesn’t love good food? If they loved coffee, get them gourmet coffee at a local place. Look at the brand they drink and ask the coffee shop for a recommendation. Alternatively, gourmet food is always a great choice. Just make sure you know their dietary restrictions. Don’t get a vegan gourmet sausage!

When it comes to consumables, tons of people run toward the candy aisle. A box of chocolates is a great gift, right? Think again. Many people, women and men, return this item. Maybe because they spent the holidays gnawing on it and their waistline is starting to suffer? We’re not sure, but it’s a huge return risk.

Fruit is delicious, healthy, and can be just as luxurious as sweets. One option is to purchase a fruit arrangement, but there are other options, too. Some companies offer exotic fruit boxes or fruit subscriptions. This is a gift that keeps on giving.

You wouldn’t think that the tech lover in your family would want to return the new Xbox that you bought, but if the recipient had an eye on the Playstation instead, chances are it's going back to the store. Brands aren't the only obstacle to buying electronics; features can be problematic too. You may think that an iPhone is a simpler, better option, but if you buy a 16-GB phone instead of the 32 GB your loved one wanted, you’re going to run into the exact same problem.

There’s still a bit of a taboo associated with giving gift cards for Christmas, but why? If you don’t know exactly what electronic item your loved one wants, you're just wasting time and money by going out and buying something that they'll later return. A much more efficient way is to give them a gift card. Then they can choose whatever they want to buy and be completely satisfied with it. 

There are a ton of huge titles out there, so it can be pretty tough knowing exactly what type of game to get them. Then, there’s the issue of whether they play on console or desktop. One popular title, God of War, sold 3.1 million copies in the first three days of its launch, but after the first month, only 1.9 million units sold. The message? If a gamer wants something, they’re gonna buy it at launch.

Figure out what they play on. Is it an Xbox, Playstation, Switch, or PC? Once you figure that out, you know your options. If it’s a console, controllers are always good options. They break pretty quick, and any store associate can help you figure out which one to buy. If it’s a PC, things get a little harder. A good set of headphones is a fantastic option, just make sure it has a mic. Even if they already have one, a backup is always necessary for when it goes out. When all else fails, get a gift card!

Everyone has a distinct personal style, so unless you’re buying a dress for your twin sister who has the same fashion sense as you, don’t bother buying clothes or shoes as gifts. If you don’t know someone that well (or even if you do), you’ll likely end up buying the wrong size, a color they hate, or a style they would never wear.

Accessories are far easier to buy because there are many out there that are universally liked, and you don’t have to worry about sizes. Studies from gifts now found that the gift least returned for women is watches, fine necklaces, and pendants. For men, ties and wallets are top-dogs.

Just like clothing, people have personal choices. You may think that elephant figure is absolutely perfect, but the recipient? Not so much. When you get down to it, no one wants someone else decorating their house. People are picky with home décor, and who can blame them? They have to see it all the time.

When in doubt, cozy it out. For most places, cold weather hits hard, and it’s impossible to have too many blankets. There are tons of options for throw blankets. Go for a neutral color that goes with any color scheme. Also, touch it! If you enjoy the touch and feel of it, chances are, the recipient will enjoy it, too.

Unless tools are specifically requested, avoid them like the plague. Tools are a popular gift for men, but a guy can only use so many multi-purpose screwdrivers, ya know? Another big reason to avoid tools is that they’re not all made the same. Some tools are higher quality than others, so a drill isn’t just a drill.

One of the best gifts you can give anyone, man or woman, is experiences. It doesn’t have to be extravagant either. It could be tickets to a movie they’ve wanted to see, a museum membership, tickets to concerts, etc. Of course, if you wanted to get your loved ones an all-inclusive trip to Fiji, they won’t be disappointed.

If you’re still purchasing DVDs, you’re behind in the times. People don’t buy plain ol’ DVDs anymore. Many people exclusively stream their content, partially because it takes up a lot less space than bulky cases. While some people still buy physical stuff, younger generations prefer to go all-digital.

They make gift cards for streaming services! Whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, or another streaming service, you can get a card that’ll pay for a couple of months. If you’re really generous, you can pay for a full year upfront. The gift cards also get rid of the worry of the subscription auto-renewing using your card. Another service you can get a gift card for is RedBox. That way, they can see the newest movies before they hit streaming services.

Similar to perfume, people don’t want others to decide what their home will smell like. Sage may smell amazing to you, but the other person may not be able to stand the scent. Not to mention, candles aren’t a unique gift. They’re super popular, but they’re often returned.

You want the person to enjoy the smell of their home, but you’re not sure what scent to choose. Good news! Diffusers and wax melters take all the work out of choosing what to get. Instead, the recipient can choose their own scents whether they prefer bakery-fresh goods or the smell of nature!

Toddler clothing may seem like a given, but it’s actually one of the most returned gifts on the list. The reason? Children’s sizes change often, and kids outgrow clothing before getting a chance to wear it. As far as baby gifts go, this is probably one of the worst things to get.

You’re getting a gift for a new mom, and you know what she could use the most? A pampering session. Whether it’s a facial or getting her hair done, a new mom could use a little R&R. Plus, there’s something to be said about a little break for a couple of hours.

A unique piece of art may seem like a great gift, but it’s best to steer clear of this gift idea. Unless it’s handmade specifically for them (and even that’s touchy), giving a loved one art forces them to choose between hanging something they may hate or returning it and hurting your feelings. It’s not a great position to be in.

Back to experiences! It’s one of the least-returned gifts out there for a reason. If they love art and want to decorate their home, get them art classes. We obviously don’t mean university classes. Instead, there are one-off classes where a person can learn to paint something amazing. Then, there are the ones where drinking is involved. We suggest the latter if they’re into that!

T-shirts with “cute” little sayings are so 2005. Now, they’re super tacky, and few people enjoy waltzing around with a sassy saying. In 2016, shirts with corny sayings like “Blink if You Think I’m Awesome” were by far one of the most returned pieces of clothing. What you think is funny may not be the same for your loved one.

This one is hit or miss. Some sources say that dress shirts are one of the most returned gifts during the holiday season. Another says that it’s one of the least-returned. Our suggestion? Take them shopping! You can go with them and foot the bill!

Your nephew wants something, and he’s been eyeing that new Lego set. First thought is to buy it, right? Think again. Any parent knows that picking up hundreds of tiny Lego bricks is the worst. Actually, scratch that. What’s worse is when they step on that little piece they forgot to grab. 

Parents will adore you if you buy literally any other toy. It’s easy to research what the top toy is for their age. When in doubt, take the kiddo to the store for the afternoon and buy whatever they pick out, with the parents’ permission, of course. 

Jewelry is a go-to, especially the expensive, fancy stuff. The thought is that the more expensive it is, the more you love the person. The thing is, the person may not know when to wear it. The fanciness may also not be their style. Even if they love jewelry, avoid the stuff that’s a bit too much bling and dazzle.

Jewelry is tricky. You really have to know the person. Some love plain chains, while others love larger pendants. Before you go buy, think about the jewelry the person wears regularly. Is the pendant small? Are the stones in the ring large? At that point, you can explain it to the jeweler, and they should direct you to the right piece. When in doubt, an 18K gold (or white gold!) chain is always a fantastic option, mostly since it’s so versatile.