The general rule for gift-shopping is to get your loved ones something they’ve always wanted or items they can use daily. But there’s always a chance you might miss disappoint them.
No, we’re not talking about giving socks or a mug to someone. We’re mostly pertaining to items that can offend your friends and family. It can be anything that’s directed at their appearances or any product that sends a insensitive message.
To give you an example: Exercise equipment brand Peloton received backlash for airing an ad where a husband gifted his wife a stationary bike. Netizens called the brand out for alleged sexism because it seemed like the husbands was suggesting that the wife needed to work out and conform to society’s idea of beauty. Although many have argued that a stationary bike isn’t a bad gift, it’s hard to ignore the idea that there’s an underlying body-shaming message.
Whether you’re doing last-minute Christmas shopping or planning to buy gifts for other occasions, here are the things you shouldn’t add to your cart.
“Fit tea”
Actress Jameela Jamil has been vocal about influencers promoting diet teas on Instagram. She said the ads create an impossible standard for women and young girls by making them believe that they can achieve their idols’ bodies by drinking this tea. Thanks to Jamil’s following and her advocacy against this product, Instagram started restricting posts for weight loss products and cosmetic procedures to users under 18 years old.
That said, gifting someone a box of diet tea is like telling them to lose weight, which is obviously rude. Remember that weight loss shouldn’t be used as a basis of improving one’s self-worth.
Bathroom scale
As with diet teas, giving someone a bathroom scale is like low-key telling them they need to lose weight. So, no, don’t do it.
Anti-aging cream
Fashionista justifies that only best friends and moms are allowed to give anti-aging cream, but we still think it might send the wrong message. We believe aging is a natural process and anti-aging products give the impression that wrinkles and fine lines are unappealing.
If you’re someone who doesn’t like fine lines, you do you. But don’t impose that preference onto someone else.
Gift certificate for a waxing salon
Repeat after us: Body hair should be normalized!
If your loved one didn’t directly ask for a gift certificate, then you have no business telling them to go get waxed.
Self-help book
This one is a hit or miss. Self-help books are meant to guide people through things like work and finances. However, it can be insensitive to assume that your loved ones need a self-help book because they might feel judged. Again, if they didn’t put it on their wish lists, then you shouldn’t get them one.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
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