Did someone just drop the C Bomb? On this day, in this month, in this economy?!
Yes, that was us. And after a early slew of round-ups and gift lists about ‘unique’, ‘distinctive’ and ‘personal’ presents this year, we’re a little concerned that a cherished domestic Christmas tradition could soon be forgotten. That is, the type of bromidic, banal gift that elicits a groan of disappointment but ends up getting used more than any other present that was sat under the tree.
So, in the spirit of the functional and the mundane, here are 8 cliched Christmas gifts that always go down well.
A Good Quality Pair Of Socks
Giving and receiving socks as a gift is as much a part of Christmas as the pigs in blankets and the Queen’s speech. We know, they have a bad rep as a boring and oh so predictable gift. As such, they have become their own festive punchline; “another pair of socks”, Grandpa sighed. And so on…
When you were little, socks were one of the worst presents you could receive; they weren’t funny, they weren’t cool, and they certainly weren’t something you could play with (pretending it was a sock puppet doesn’t count!). However, now you’re an adult, no doubt you’ve come to appreciate the pleasure of socks as a Christmas present and why they make such a great gift.
It’s simple – we all have feet and we all need socks. Well, duh! Socks are a staple in everyone’s wardrobe, and you can never have too many, as socks wear out faster than any other item of clothing. So, why not give the gift of functionality this year with a lovely pair of socks.
Some Festive Chutneys
A classic selection of Christmas chutneys is guaranteed to be a welcome present, even if it’s all a little bit ‘Women’s Institute’. Homemade chutneys make inexpensive and surprisingly personal presents. What’s more, they last for ages as long as they’ve been sealed and preserved properly, making them a sustainable gift, too.
While that may not be the most romantic incentive, chutneys are a useful present that will always get used, be it after Christmas dinner with a cheeseboard, on Boxing Day with leftovers, or six months later to spice up a sandwich!
Read: A Christmas recipe for apple and cranberry chutney
A Pair Of Flannel Pajamas
It’s a beautiful tableau that plays out in living rooms across the land on Christmas morning; the family gathered on the sofa, perhaps a little bleary eyed, all wearing the new flannel pajamas they’ve just received from Santa.
It’s a cliched scene for a reason; pyjamas are reliably comfortable and resolutely useful, and particularly at times like these. In fact, the humble PJ has had a rather busy few years, becoming a uniform of sorts for the many Brits who worked at home during the various lockdowns, and continuing to be worn with gusto now the world is very much ‘open’ again.
And let’s not forget the timeless appeal of flannel PJs during those inevitable post-Christmas food comas. When you’re stuffed with turkey and pudding, sprawled on the sofa watching the fourth festive film of the day, there’s nothing quite like being enveloped in soft, warm flannel. They’re also the perfect attire for that peculiar period between Christmas and New Year when time loses all meaning and nobody quite knows what day it is.
Besides, in an age where energy bills continue to soar, a cozy pair of flannel pajamas might just be the most practical gift of all – they’re essentially a wearable radiator that doesn’t add to the monthly bills!
A Classic Hot Water Bottle
Nothing says ‘practical present’ quite like a hot water bottle. Yes, it might elicit the same eye-roll as those Christmas socks, but in these energy-conscious times, who wouldn’t appreciate a cosy bed warmer that doesn’t add pounds to the electricity bill? It’s the kind of gift that proves its worth on those frigid January nights when the heating’s been turned down and the frost is creeping up the windows.
Moreover, hot water bottles have had something of a style renaissance lately, with trendy knitted covers and designer patterns making them less utilitarian and more fashion-forward. They’re also surprisingly versatile – use them to ease aching muscles after a day of Christmas shopping, or pop one on your lap while working from home during those chilly morning meetings.
A Practical Toiletries Set
Ah, the traditional toiletries gift set – that steadfast stalwart of Christmas giving that’s been gracing bathroom cabinets since time immemorial. While it might not win any awards for originality, there’s an undeniable logic to gifting something that will actually get used. After all, everyone needs shower gel, and that fancy bottle of hand cream will certainly come in handy during the harsh winter months.
The beauty of toiletry sets lies in their inevitability – like death, taxes, and Brussels sprouts at Christmas dinner, you can count on eventually using every last drop. Unlike that novelty kitchen gadget or that well-intentioned but ill-fated hobby starter kit, these practical potions will never end up gathering dust in the back of a cupboard.
A Plain Black Umbrella
In Britain, where rain is less a weather condition and more a way of life, a sturdy umbrella might just be the most practical gift of all. Sure, it’s not the most exciting present to unwrap on Christmas morning, but fast forward to that blustery February morning when your recipient is caught in an unexpected downpour, and suddenly you’re the most thoughtful gift-giver of all.
The key here is to opt for quality over novelty – forget the flimsy fold-up versions that turn inside out at the slightest breeze. A proper full-length umbrella with a solid wooden handle and robust frame will last for years, making it the kind of present that keeps on giving, shower after shower.
It might not be the most glamorous gift under the tree (and certainly one that’s easily guess-able), but like all the best practical presents, it’s one that will be quietly appreciated long after the Christmas decorations have been packed away.
Money, Money, Money
Is money a lazy option for a Christmas day gift? In a sense, yes. However, in another sense, money is the most generous gift you can bestow. The advantage of gifting a note or two is that it eliminates the disappointment of receiving an irrelevant present, and instead, you’re giving the gift of personal choice and self-determination.
What’s more, gifting money reduces waste, cutting down on unwanted presents and wrapping paper. And if that wasn’t enough, then surprise, surprise; it turns out that people actually want money for Christmas. Indeed, a YouGov poll showed that money is one of the top Christmas presents that adults are hoping to receive this year.
Isn’t giving a gift card more thoughtful, we hear you ask? Maybe not. As reported by the Independent, consumers have been warned to “think twice” by consumer choice experts Which? “before buying gift cards this Christmas after almost one in 10 received a voucher over the last year for a retailer that has gone bust.’’ A little caution might be needed, here, it seems.
A Christmas Jumper
No matter how cliched a Christmas jumper is, they always go down well. They are useful gifts; there will always be a Christmas Jumper Party to attend, or a Wear-Your-Christmas-Jumper-To-Work-Day to raise money for charity to be had. Moreover, they are ideal to wear on the big day itself. Indeed, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one festive jumper making an appearance.
A Charitable Donation
A gift of good karma this Christmas, instead of an item destined to gather dust in the attic, sounds like just the ticket, don’t you think? Often the post-festive accumulation of ‘stuff’ is a curse more than a blessing, but a charitable donation will bring positivity all round and improve the lives of those who need it most.
Kind souls, then, will love to receive a gift of a donation to their favourite charity, or if they’re an animal lover, why not sponsor an endangered animal? The world of philanthropy is vast, so get involved!
The Bottom Line
The holidays are the perfect time to remind those around you of the love and appreciation you have for them. And sometimes, giving the gift of functionality is the most welcome gift of all. Happy Christmas!