The first part of disguising a present you intend to give to someone else is to remove all signs that this object was ever given in the first place. In other words, take off the gift tags, remove any name tags, or anything else that made it personal. You may have to use a solvent to remove the glue layer.

Second, wipe down the present. If it has been sitting around awhile, it probably has a dust layer. While you are doing this, also check for cracks, damage, or fading. If it is in too bad a shape or requires a lot of repair, just throw it away.

Depending on what the object is determines your next step.

If you can apply a different color of paint, consider painting it. Neutralize any odd color schemes with a more neutral palette. The trick is to keep the paint smoothly, so it doesn’t show lines. Make sure to cover the entire object, including the bottom.

If it can’t be painted, change the accessories on the item. Things such as changing the color of a ribbon or a piece fabric can make a big difference. Remember to stick to changing items that are easily removed.

Adding a few extra decorative items is also a good way to disguise the gift in question. Decorate with buttons, ribbons, or anything you have on hand. Just make sure they are securely attached and dry before trying to package the present.

To avoid any harsh feelings, do not give the present back to the person you got it from originally. Even with some minor disguising, it might still get recognized. You want to pick someone you absolutely know will have a use for it, and who will appreciate it. This way, once it is gone, it won’t be coming back.

Wrong Size

The wrong size has tripped up many unsuspecting gift givers. The problem here is that the person receiving the gift believes there is a hidden message instead of a simple mistake. A size too small implies that the person should lose weight. A size too large implies that they may be too skinny or ignoring the efforts of a recent weight loss plan. But don’t count on the closet to give you the right size either. Many closets contain a number of different sizes to choose from. If you want to give clothing, get the gift card. It will save you a lot of grief.

Wrong Color

The grimace says it all. Color is difficult to get exactly right. There are so many shades. Even if you know their absolute favorite, you have to ask the question of whether the gift itself in that color will work with everything else. For example, a purple candle might seem like a good idea; however, their living room might be green, and purple candles won’t be appreciated quite as much as a green candle. The answer to this is to stick to the neutral – white or beige. The exception to this rule is the color choices for sports teams. All that can be said about this is to make certain you get the right colors for the favored team.

Duplicates

This is perhaps one of the hardest traps to avoid. Duplicates are usually unwelcome. These are also the presents most likely to be re-gifted down the road. Even die-hard collectors don’t really like having more than one unless it is really rare. The main problem is that you have to know what someone has in order to determine whether it is a duplicate or not.

Practical Items

Practical items such as hangers, blenders, or even vacuum cleaners are often unwelcome gifts. These gifts also imply certain things. The way to avoid any type of issues is to find out the brand name and the specific appliance on the person’s wish list. Those who want appliances as gifts are very specific in their requests.

Food Items

Giving food as a gift is becoming much trickier. Between the dislikes and the allergies, it is almost impossible to guess what foods should be avoided. The gift basket might be easy, but it is certainly not appreciated if it contains food items that are hazardous to individuals. You absolutely need to know what a person’s food allergies are before giving anything food related.

Presents do have hidden traps. Avoid these potential pitfalls for a more welcome reception to your gift.

Vacuum Cleaner

Unless the recipient tells you specifically they want a vacuum cleaner, don’t give one as a gift! It never comes off across as nice, but it says the recipient has a dirty place, or doesn’t know how to clean.

Self-Help Books 

You may love self-help books, but not everybody does. And even if they do, they’ll never admit they like reading it, and they will mostly like order it online so no one ever sees them buying it. When you give self-help books as gifts, they’ll give the book away to charity or the library, or they’ll sell it or return it.

Recycled Gifts

Speaking of re-gifting, recycled gifts are the worst, especially when they were the ones who gave it to you in the first place. But I get it, sometimes that’s what you have to do. If you really have to recycle gifts, make a conscious effort to note who gave you the gift, so there’s no danger of giving the gift back to the person who gave it to you.

Christmas Tree Ornaments

It may be Christmas, but it doesn’t mean Christmas tree ornaments are perfect gifts. After all, by the time you’ve given the ornaments as gifts, they’ve set up their Christmas tree, or they’ve decided not to set one up at all. Besides, a lot of people are sensitive when it comes to ornaments. Receiving ornaments as gifts will only relegate it to the basement or attic, depending on what room they use for storage.

Joke Items

It may be funny to you, but not everybody performs practical jokes on their family and friends.

Toothbrush and Dental Floss

This is just telling them they’ve got bad breath/stained teeth, or don’t practice good dental hygiene. Even if they don’t, it’s still not the best gift, unless you’re super close to them or their bad dental hygiene is affecting your relationship with them.

The Same Gift Again

This is different from recycled gifts. This is giving them literally the same gift again and again. It could be giving your dad a scarf for four years in a row. Or giving your best friend the same book every year. This only works if they’re collecting the item, and if you give them the same item in different styles or designs.

“Unique” Clothes

This is always a bad idea and will always, always wind up in the charity bin.

Fruitcake

The classic holiday gift – fruitcake. It maybe the most popular gift during holidays, but you might be surprised to know that not everybody likes or eats it.

What are the worst holiday gifts you ever received? What did you do with it? Share your stories below!

Younger kids are naturally fascinated by bubbles. This fascination doesn’t end until they are well into middle school. Bubbles are readily available, and they don’t carry a high price tag. There is one product you do want to avoid. The Crayola Color Bubbles set is one brand name that you should not gift. Its tendency to stain will not be appreciated by parents. Stick with the cheaper bubble brands. You will get more for the money. The entertainment value is still the same, whether they have color or not.

Another easy gift to pick up for toddlers is puzzles. Puzzles are essentially a tool to help toddlers learn their alphabet or the names of animals. It is also helps with brain stimulation. The puzzles at this age are on the cheaper side. But you want to choose durability and strength for toddlers. The wood puzzles can be a bit more, but children love them.

Balls are also a great gift idea for this age group. The bigger balls are better options for toddlers. Stick to colors or themes that they like. You do want to avoid those little rubber balls, due to the fact they can get put into mouths. Young kids love chasing the ball around.

Plastic sporting sets can be a good option. Bowling sets, golf sets, baseball/football sets, and tennis sets are made to withstand being left outdoors for long periods of time. The kids can have a lot of fun playing with these with their friends. The sets themselves aren’t that expensive, but they can be a little tricky when trying to wrap.

When in doubt, you can always go with the standby gift card to a well-known store. This makes it very easy for a child to pick out the toys they really like. It can save a lot of hassle for you and the parents. An ideal gift amount for a young child is around ten dollars.

These gifts are easy on the budget, and they are easy to find at most stores. If you have to shop for a last minute item, any of these will provide much entertainment for a toddler. Finally, grab a gift bag to make wrapping easy.

For some reason, fathers are harder to find gifts for. While the tie and the t-shirt are typical presents, the best loved ones come from outside the box. You can spice up Father’s day or their birthday by exploring these unusual gift ideas.

The number one request on most father’s list is the Xbox 360 game system. This is the ultimate gaming system for dads. No, it is not the Wii. The Wii doesn’t have the game titles of the Xbox. Accompany it with a few very good game titles such as Assassin’s Creed or Grand Theft Auto and you have a hit a home run for a Father’s Day gift or a birthday gift. Just don’t let your kids get their hands on those games.

Another unusual present idea for fathers who are collectors is antique toys. To be even more specific, antique Matchbox cars in the original boxes are items that will make an impression. Not only does this add to their collection, it will show that you have an interest in their hobby as well.

Fathers who are passionate about the military will love an order of MREs or meals ready to eat. This speaks to the pure military side of your father. Add a few other pieces of military paraphernalia, and you have a complete package that your father will love.

If your father’s into fishing, give him the gift of bait or at least a gift certificate to purchase bait. This avoids any conflict with the type of fishing lures, rods, or anything else they maybe especially keen on. This way they can enjoy fishing without having to worry about the bait.

Fathers who love racing would love a trip to watch a race. This doesn’t have to be as expensive as it sounds. Locate a local racetrack and take them on an outing there. It might not be NASCAR, but at least they will get a thrill of seeing cars going fast.

Fathers who love their beer will find a challenge in brewing it themselves. A home brewing kit is a gift idea that will at least get tried. Even if the beer is less than successful, they will be proud they actually made the stuff.

Finding unusual presents for fathers isn’t as hard as it sounds. The biggest thing is to tap into their interests. It may not seem obvious what exactly they like. Sometimes, you may just have to ask them what their favorite hobby is and go from there.

Supplies:

A flat piece of cardboard from a big box, scissors, white construction paper, coloring supplies, tape, glue, photographs, laminating paper, and ribbon.

Directions:

1. Draw a basic tie shape on the piece of construction paper, and cut it out. Use a real tie as a guide, but make the bottom part of the tie much bigger so that it has space to showcase your child’s creativity.

2. Take your construction paper pattern, and draw it on the cardboard. Parents might need to assist children with cutting the cardboard.

3. Gather pictures of the kids, and cut them to a size that will fit on the tie.

4. Have your child decorate the cut out tie.

5. Let the artwork dry before placing their individual pictures on the tie. Allow them to help with deciding the exact placement of the picture. You can use glue or tape. If you use glue, let the glue dry before proceeding to the next step.

6. Laminate the front of the tie to protect the surface. (It is not necessary to do this step before giving the gift, but this will keep the glitter and other pieces from falling off. It will also ensure that the tie can be kept for a longer period of time).

7. Attach the piece of ribbon to the back of the tie with glue or staples.

Finally, the children should present the tie on Father’s Day. The hardest part of this project is having the children keep their surprise a secret!

A simple note drawn by your child is a way to say thank you without spending any money. It is a way your child can deliver a personal thank you to their teachers. They will enjoy the project, and the look on their teacher’s face is priceless.

A gift card is also a good gift. A five or ten dollar gift card to spend at a local store is very appreciated by teachers. They can use it to buy something they like for themselves.

If you can find out what type of candy or flower they like, you can put it in a little basket with a thank you note. It will be well remembered after the treat is gone. The thought is more important than the treat.

You don’t have to be so specific. If you aren’t certain what their favorite things are, a gift of a few school supplies is always welcome. They can be stockpiled for use next year. Things like paper, crayons, scissors, and other items will say thank you without having to ask direct questions and possibly giving away the surprise.

If you feel comfortable with the other parents and aren’t imposing too much, you can ask for a donation for a gift. Don’t pressure anyone to give, especially if they can’t afford it in these hard times. But don’t leave them out either. Adjust the price of the gift according to what you can collect. Pick something hat means something to the teachers and has a connection with the students.

Teachers are an important part of your child’s life. When the school year ends, it is a good time to say thank you. It can be a very rewarding experience for you, your child, and his or her teacher.

Personalized Placemat

Construction paper (12″ x 18″)

Crayons, markers, etc

1.  Have your child draw pictures of what they think “mom” is to them, a great memory of mom, what their favorite thing to do with mom is, etc.
2.  Have them write (if they can) their name, a message, and make sure to date it, too.
3.  Then take it to a printing shop and have the drawing laminated.

-Cindy Sawyer, founder of Towelocs

Flowers for Mom

Flowers

Vase, drinking glass, etc.

With the help of dad or an older sibling, any child can create a pretty and very inexpensive Mother’s Day gift. Simply fill a vase, drinking glass, bowl or other suitable substitute with water. Then clip off a few fresh blooms from the garden to make a lovely arrangement that has that unique, personal touch.

-Mike Sikes, horticulturist, Gardener’s Confidence Collection

Homemade Card

Paper- photocopy, construction, etc.

Crayons, markers

If you only have a handful of minutes and are short on supplies, there’s nothing quite like a card.  Depending on the child’s age, have him or her write a message (or write it for the child). Add a picture, and it’s ready!

Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother’s Day, had harsh things to say about customary gifts: “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. ” Still, most mothers would rather receive a mass-produced card and a box of candy than nothing at all – or worse, a gift (like the mop) that says, “housework is your life.”

So you may be surprised when I advise you look for a Mother’s Day gift at the hardware store.  A hardware store has one huge advantage; it won’t be over-run with Mother’s Day shoppers. If you’re driven away by the crowds at the candy store or the florist’s, this is the place for you. It also has more gifts for mom than you might think, even if she’s not the handy woman type. How about some flowering plants for her garden? Maybe a table fountain or a framed art print?

You may think a gift card is impersonal, but it will probably be welcome. Where should you buy one? Lots of the good places that are quiet on Christmas Eve (restaurants, theaters, etc.) may be busier around Mother’s Day, as people take their moms for an outing (not a bad gift idea, by the way).  Also consider gift shops and specialty food stores. But if your mom’s the bargain hunting kind, think of stopping by a thrift store and buying her a gift certificate there. A gift card from a spa or salon may be good, too.

Your public library may sell gifts like note cards, mugs, and books. Don’t forget your computer; you can buy and print gift certificates or even print out e-books without leaving home.

So you can avoid the crowds of shoppers this year and still make your mother happy.

However, way too often it seems that you can buy a better version of the same thing for less than you would spend making it — without giving up any of your time. I thought of this yesterday as I spent $5 on materials for placemats. In the same store, for the same money, I could’ve bought five mats that looked just as good as — okay, better than — my paper and plastic creations, and would probably wear better.

Even those of us who can cook or bake pretty well can’t compete with the stylish-looking dishes we can buy at any supermarket. Our homemade food is probably better-tasting and healthier, but sight is what makes the first impression. Although, in this case, you can probably make the dish from scratch for less, there’s still your time to consider.

And yet . . . maybe Trinny and Susannah are right, when you compare homemade gifts with the obvious alternatives. A set of dollar-store or Ikea placemats isn’t much of a gift, except maybe to someone who’s eating off paper towels. A set of homemade placemats is a unique work of folk art. A readymade cake or casserole seems slightly like a donation to the food bank; a homemade one is more like having someone to your house for dinner, even if you don’t eat it together. There will be more of yourself in the gift.

For the really craft-impaired, who still don’t want to give up on homemade gifts, I can recommend a helpful book – Gifts for the Family: Over 120 Projects to Make for Those You Love in Under 30 Minutes. This is written by a team of authors and published by Readers Digest. Though you shouldn’t take that time limit too seriously, it is full of easy and useful crafts, all with several quicker and easier alternatives.

It’s where I got the idea for the placemats that started this whole thing.