Is that Christmas gift for a loved one, really a new toy for yourself?

Thinking about the most disappointing gift that I ever received, set the old brain working overtime. How many times have people received gifts that are totally alien to them? In fact, how many times has the gift been more something that the person giving would love to receive?

Sometimes these gifts will have been given with the best of intentions but, if you have not put the right amount of thought into choosing the gift, you may as well throw your money down the drain.

Many of us have unwanted gifts hidden at the bottom of drawers. These will never see the light of day, unless we decide to pass them on or sell them.

So, as the Christmas season approaches, if you want to spend your money wisely, and spread some welcome cheer, it is important that you get your gift giving right.

So, if you can, turn you mind back quite a few years. It is 1963 and I am not yet a teenager but a bit more than just a child. I have started to love some of the modern music available. With my Dad's and Brother's love of music, the house is always full of various sounds. Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll and Pop. My Dad has an old radiogram that he has adapted. It now has extra speakers and belts out music when required.

Christmas is approaching and I know what I have my heart set on.

A sewing machine. At this time I attend a local school for Arts and Crafts and I love all things artsy and crafty. I am so very sure that a sewing machine will be my main gift..

The Christmas Day in Question

Christmas Day arrives and my brother receives just what he wants. A portable record payer. At a couple of years older than me, his main hobby is music. This passion has remained over the years and spilled over into his working life. To this day he still works in the music industry.

His bright red record player is one that closes into its own case and can be carried around, taken to friends and the like. He is one happy bunny.

With excited hands I open my gift to find a tape recorder much like the one shown above.

Tape recorders were expensive back then and many kids would have given their eye teeth for one, but not me. I hate to admit it but I sulked and was generally miserable that Christmas. Of course, this was made worse as I was not allowed to touch the thing, until my Dad and Brother had faffed around and understood how it worked.

I heard my Mum say to Dad, "I told she would not want it", and how true this statement was.

Over the years I occasionally used it but it mainly gathered dust. Unless of course others in the house were using it, which they did.

Isn't it strange that, 46 years later, just writing this hub brings back such a wealth of memories and sadness? Christmas Day was ruined for me, and perhaps for the rest of my family. At least now that I am older I know it was just one of those things.

However, I write this hub to share my experiences and to try and help you to avoid making the same mistake. It is so easy to shop for gifts, see something that you really like and imagine that someone else will feel the same.

When you are buying Christmas gifts, unless you know exactly what someone wants, try to:-

• Think about the person
• Reflect on their hobbies and interests
• Make sure that you know their taste in clothes, music or what you will. For example, are they aging hippies or straight laced individuals.

Christmas is about more than just the gifts, but, especially when you are young, the gifts can be central to your overall Christmas experience.