I hate getting books for Christmas in general because I’m such a mood reader, and I’ve plastered a fake smile on my face many a time and repeated internally ‘Its the thought that counts.’ as I unwrap a book I will not read.
But the worst one by far, given to me by my own Mother , who I know loves me, when I was fourteen years old! was >!Men are from Mars Women are from Venus.!< I am sitting there horrified thinking what is she trying to tell me? As my sisters are flat on the floor laughing to the point of puking. We eventually came to the conclusion she just saw an attractive cover on a bestseller table and grabbed it. Love to know your terrible gift stories.
One time, when I was in a book group, we did a Secret Santa exchange, and my gifter sent me her copy of the previous month’s discussion book. The author of whom was one I don’t like - I think it was Jennifer Crusie, but I couldn’t tell you what the book was - so I didn’t participate in the discussion. It was lazy to the point of insulting. Don’t sign up for a gift exchange if you’re going to put less than zero effort into it.
Ugh. I love doing gift exchanges and I go all in on getting my person the right things. I’m like you, can’t stand people that don’t care or try to even do the minimum.