Avoid These Gift Fails: What Not to Buy This Year

As professional organizers, we get an inside look at what people actually keep and what ends up collecting dust or getting donated. To be clear, we’re not anti-gift (or even anti-physical gifts!). We simply want to help you choose items your loved ones will truly use and enjoy. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most common gifts we see left unused or given away during our organizing sessions to save you time and money this holiday season.

Mugs

Mugs are probably one of the most donated items on our organizing jobs. Everyone has too many, and most people feel guilty getting rid of them when they were gifted, even if they don’t like the mug or never use it. On top of that, so many brands and companies gift mugs throughout the year, creating additional surplus in cabinets. Save your loved one the trouble and clutter and opt for something a little more thoughtful like a gift card to their favorite coffee shop, or a bag of their favorite coffee beans/pods.

Specialty Gadgets & Appliances

Many of our clients come to us with a drawer stuffed full of gadgets they never use. These are often one-use items that are frequently looked over in the heat of food prep. Avocado slicers, herb strippers, garlic plates, hot dog and bun toasters, corn strippers, crinkle cutters, egg cookers, and kitchy items like singing floating pasta timers, softshell ice cream balls, family size electric breakfast cooking stations, and more. The kitchen tends to be one of the most crowded places in a home, and adding these specialty items can clog up already stuffed cabinets and drawers.  A good rule of thumb when it comes to appliances or kitchen gadgets is: unless you know they need it- don’t gift it. 

Clothing

Purchasing clothing is a very personal experience that can be stressful even when you’re just buying for yourself. It can be easy to unknowingly offend someone when picking a size you assume will work for them. Even things like fabric choice can cause allergic reactions, general itchiness, or discomfort. If you know someone loves a specific store, opt for a gift card instead!

Calendars & Planners

Calendars and planners might seem like great practical gifts, but they’re actually one of the trickiest to buy for someone else. Everyone has their own way of organizing life, and with so many layouts and styles, finding one that fits another person’s brain is almost impossible. A gift card to their favorite office supply store or bookstore lets them pick out something that really works for them.

Notebooks

Notebooks are one of those things most people already have too many of, and they’re surprisingly personal! Page feel, line spacing, and size all matter more than you’d think. We often find stacks of barely used notebooks during organizing jobs because people start one and then quickly move on. Better to opt for a gift they’ll really love and use more than once.

Customized Items

Personalized gifts like monogrammed towels or etched cutting boards might seem thoughtful, but they can easily miss the mark. Everyone’s taste is different, and once an item has someone’s initials or name on it, it’s nearly impossible to rehome. We see these donated often, and they rarely get picked up again. Plus, people feel guilty getting rid of them, so they hand on to clutter that doesn’t fit their space or their needs. Unless you’re absolutely sure it’s their style, it’s best to skip the custom gifts.

Perfume

Fragrance is another deeply personal category. Scents smell different to everyone and not just in the bottle. Each person’s individual body chemistry can completely change how a perfume or cologne wears. Because of this, gifting fragrance is almost always a gamble. Unless you know your loved one already wears and loves a specific scent, it’s best to skip perfume as a gift.

Picture Frames

Picture frames sound like a thoughtful, easy gift, but they can be surprisingly tricky to get right. Everyone’s home has its own style, and it’s hard to know what size, color, or finish will actually fit. We often find piles of unused frames during organizing jobs because people don’t know where to put them. It’s best to skip generic frames when shopping this holiday season.

Wall Art & Signs

Wall art is incredibly personal. What feels inspiring to one person might not suit another’s taste or home decor. On top of that, many people simply don’t have the wall space for additional pieces, so these gifts often end up stored away, collecting dust, or donated. Unless you know a specific piece your loved one really wants, it’s best to skip wall art and let them choose pieces that truly reflect their style and home.

Gag Gifts

We’re not here to ruin anyone’s fun, but gag gifts almost always end up in the trash. While they might get a quick laugh, they rarely serve a purpose beyond that moment and often create unnecessary waste. If you want to give something lighthearted, consider a small treat or experience that brings joy without adding clutter.

What To Gift

The best way to give your loved one what they want this holiday season is simply to ask them! Ask for a list of items they want and share yours as well. This way you’re still picking out a personal favorite that you know they will use and love. Still looking for gift ideas that won’t end up in the re-gifting pile? Check out our latest blog, 10 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas for tips and tricks on how to get the best bang for your buck this holiday season! And if you really want to give them a gift that will last, reach out to find out more about giving the gift of organizing this season! We offer both in-person and virtual organizing sessions to fit your loved ones needs.

For more information on all things Horderly- including lots of great tips, tricks, and other #HorderlyHabits- check out our blog or reach out for more information!