Skip to main content

Make Kris Kringle cringe with 5 absurd holiday gifts that are downright cruel

Sometimes there’s just too much pressure to give everyone the gifts, and sometimes the naughty ones simply don’t deserve it. More likely, if you made it to this post you’re the trickster in the family, the jokester who genuinely just loves giving people bad gifts. Coal has been too played out over the years, and c’mon, it’s 2015! There’s got to be something better at being bad by now.

We found them. If you’re looking for the worst gifts 2015 has to offer, have no fear. Take a look at the top five worst gifts of 2015 in the quick video above for the naughty ones on your list.

Recommended Videos

Air fresheners

Air fresheners
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nothing says “Happy holidays, thanks for me having over today!” better than a nice bottle of air freshener. What better way to say thanks to your hosts than giving them the ability to make their house smell like cinnamon, or maybe even gingerbread? Sure, they just might think you’re trying to tell them their house stinks, or maybe that they do, but the point is that you tried. It’s the thought that counts.

Obnoxiously oversized box of chocolate

Whitman-Sampler
Image used with permission by copyright holder

I’ve seen boxes like the Whitman Sampler around for years, but have I ever had a piece of chocolate from one? Of course not. Nobody actually eats from these things. They’ll sit on the table until next year’s holiday comes back around, when you’ll give them a fresh box.

Video game mishap

games-wrong-system
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This next one is so cruel it’s awesome. Have a gamer in your life that really wants a certain game badly? Here’s how to really get them: Buy it for a system they don’t own. They’ll feel the rush of the game they’ve been dreaming of under the wrapping paper, and then the immediate crush of realizing they can’t play it. For an extra punch, get them really going by telling them you’ve lost the receipt.

Fruitcake

fruitcake
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Now for a classic. Give a gift that nobody has wanted for years upon years, yet it’s still a staple for the season: a nice fruitcake. I don’t know who came up with the sick idea for this monstrosity, but I do know it makes for great paperweights, hilarious faces when you force your guests to eat it, and much more great fun. Plus you never have to worry that they’ll be out of stock.

Gift disguise

iphone-6s-box
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Caution: Results may vary. You may crush dreams.

I’m still hurt by this final gift idea. My parents have pulled this on me so many times it pains me to this very day. Here’s something from my family to yours. Put a decent gift like socks in an incredible box, like from an iPhone or PS4. You’ll grant all their holiday dreams and wishes at one moment, then smash them as they open the box. It’s all worth it when you get to enjoy seeing them pull off the fakest smile of all-time. Careful, you honestly may feel a little bad when they start crying. But hey it’s the holidays. It’s funny right?

Joshua Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Just another not so ordinary kid living this thing we like to call life.
Your Google TV can now control smart home devices
The Home Panel on Google TV Streamer.

In late September, Google announced a new feature for Google TV called the Home Panel that would make it easier to control all of your (compatible) smart home devices from a single location. The feature first appeared on the Google TV Streamer and then later on Chromecast, but it has now rolled out to Google TVs from other companies including Hisense, TCL, and others.

The Home Panel offers a lot of utility. It shows your lights' current brightness level, the volume level of speakers, and even live streams from security cameras. The demo video Google has on its blog shows that the user can even adjust the thermostat. All of this is done through the remote, so you don't even have to get up off the couch.

Read more
Ring Battery Doorbell vs. Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen): What’s new with the latest model?
The Ring Battery Doorbell installed near a front door.

The Ring Battery Doorbell is the successor to the popular Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen). Both offer many of the same features -- and if you’re a current owner of the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen), you’re probably wondering if upgrading to the Ring Battery Doorbell is worthwhile. Here’s a look at the two video doorbells to help you decide which is best for your home.
Design

The new Ring Battery Doorbell and old Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) look very similar. They feature a rectangular chassis with a black upper portion (housing the camera) and a silver lower portion (housing the doorbell button). Around this doorbell button is Ring's iconic glowing blue circle. They both look great, and upgrading to the Ring Battery Doorbell won’t change the appearance of your front door.

Read more
Get two Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras for only $99, but hurry!
The Blink Outdoor Camera 4 mounted on a brick wall.

Every home would be a bit safer with security cameras installed. If you haven't bought some yet, you should take advantage of Best Buy's $81 discount for a two-pack of the Blink Outdoor 4 wireless security camera. From the bundle's original price of $180, it's down to only $99, but the savings aren't going to last long. There are only a few hours left before the deal ends, so if you want to get these security cameras for much cheaper than usual, you're going to have to hurry with your purchase.

Why you should buy the Blink Outdoor 4 wireless security camera
The Blink Outdoor 4 is extremely easy to install -- just follow the instructions on the Blink app that you can download to your smartphone. You'll be using the same app to look at the live feed through the security camera, and to access advanced features such as setting up motion zones. The security camera takes videos at 1080p HD resolution, and you'll be able to see in the dark with its infrared night vision. You can use the Blink Outdoor 4's two-way audio to communicate with visitors and delivery people, and it works with devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa for easier integration in your smart home system.

Read more