~::Simple thoughts::~

CHRISTMAS is the season of gift giving -- and for some people, it seems, any kind of gift will do.So year in and year out, the same unimaginative stuff find their way into your gift bag-to your eternal but helpless irritation, as it is considered bad manners to refuse, recycle or, much worse, dis a gift you received.Here are 10 items you should think twice about wrapping up and sending to your family and friends. Mind you, this isn't a baseless list; we asked around for people's ideas about dreaded Christmas gifts, and these are what we got. Now, survey says...

Pens

Pens are cute gifts... for corporate giveaways, that is. Unless there's something extraordinary about your pen, chances are the recipient would find it a predictable type of gift.

Candles

Lilac, lavender, mint, rose, citrus... hello, haven't we had enough of these scented horde? Like any other gasgas trend, inveterate candle-giving has to end. Let's leave it to the serious collectors, to Halloween and to another candle lighting rally in EDSA.

Mugs

Yes, three out of five Filipinos drink coffee and use mugs, but no one ever uses two mugs in one coffee-sipping session. So if your intended recipient has one already, think of something else to give him or her.

Christmas décor

They're handy, all right, ready for use during the holidays, but for how long? Supposing you open your gift on December 24, that leaves you only two weeks to flaunt the decor, and wait for a whole year to pass before you can take it out again.

Picture frames or photo albums

Very much a classic gift in kris kringle activities. They do keep our pictures organized and well preserved, but for sheer top-of-mind, they are better given to hardcore photo addicts and card collectors.

Figurines

Enough of ceramic ornaments, please! This is not a wedding, and you are not giving away souvenirs. You don't want to make the impression that you're just recycling a cute but useless gift given to you two Christmases ago, do you?

Deodorants

Deodorants and soaps may be hygienically significant, but giving these is definitely rude. It's not good to remind someone that he or she stinks right on Christmas day.

Organizer

This is probably a hint that your life is a total wreck and you need some order. Or, the giver was just being lazy and bought the first thing he saw upon entering National Bookstore. In any case, if you hate receiving cheap leather-cased organizers, don't give one as well.

Key chains

Key chains are way too impersonal and ordinary, unless they're gold-plated or encrusted with jewels. Then again, do you think your loved one would stick his or her grubby keys in a key chain that could invite a street mugging? Surely he'd keep it under lock and key, which means your gift won't serve its purpose.

Yes, when it comes to gift-giving, it's the thought that really counts. So do put a bit of thought into your presents.