8 Expensive Gifts You Think Your Friends Want (But Shouldn’t Buy)
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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If your holiday budget is robust this year and you’re feeling generous when it comes to purchasing gifts for your friends, you might want to halt before you buy anything expensive.
Even if you have the money, pricey gifts are often not what your friends are looking for, and you might regret buying them down the road.
No matter the number on the price tag, unless you’re absolutely sure that the gift you’re purchasing is a coveted item on your friend’s list, buying expensive items often leads to disappointment and wasted dollars.
Here are eight expensive gifts to hold off on purchasing from some of the most well-known holiday gift guides.
Chanel N°5 Purse Spray Perfume
For $195, the price of a single bottle of Chanel N°5 purse spray, you could buy your friend a whole new purse, a cheaper bottle of perfume, and dinner out.
In other words, that’s a lot of money to spend for perfume that isn’t even intended for the body! While Vogue recommended it, you’re better off opting for something more meaningful or far less pricey.
J. Crew Cashmere Sweater
Cashmere is a delicious fabric, there’s no doubt about it — uniquely soft and cozy in a way that cotton just isn’t. However, if you take Vogue’s suggestion, you’ll pay for the privilege of that feeling with the J. Crew cashmere classic-fit crewneck sweater.
For $128, you could buy your friend this as a gift, or you could get them a gift certificate for half that to somewhere they are likely to shop where they could get more than one item for less.
Kate Spade “Heart of Gold” Bangle
Don’t make the assumption that everyone swoons at the sight of gold jewelry, as Glamour appears to think. There are plenty of people who don’t wear gold, even find it gaudy.
Not to mention bracelets can be a tough purchase when you don’t know someone’s wrist size. Save nearly $50 on this Kate Spade bangle, and instead take your friend out to the movies for a night of camaraderie.
Carousel & Baies Candle Set Diptyque
Even if you want to buy something truly unique for that friend who has everything, you might want to think again when it comes to this Carousel & Baies Candle Set Diptyque.
While the flashy gold star centerpiece that hangs above the candle is certainly eye catching, for $159 there are any number of gifts you could get that would be both practical and pleasing and not a total waste of money.
Anthropologie Botanica Teapot
Making a rich cup of tea can feel luxurious all on its own, so why add unnecessary costs to a simple process?
Glamour may think this Anthropologie Botanica Teapot is worth $68, but for that much money you could probably find several perfectly good China teapots at your local thrift store, with money leftover to burn.
Atanasio Reposado Tequila
Unless your friend is a tequila connoisseur, chances are they’re not going to notice the difference between an affordable bottle you buy at BevMo and this small-batch Atanasio Reposado made from “hand-harvested agave” and “distilled in copper stills.”
The New York Times may think it’s a great gift to get, but save the $84.99 and get them something affordable instead.
Celestial Star Signs Chocolate Gift Box
Astrology and chocolate are two things that do sound charming paired together. At first glance this Celestial Star Signs chocolate gift box sold by GOOP looks like a great gift, until you see the price tag.
At $81 you could probably purchase small keepsakes for your entire friend group.
Himalayan Salt Lamp
It’s hard to say what started the Himalayan salt craze, but somewhere between the charming pink salt crystals you can put on food and this $248 rectangular salt lamp sold by GOOP, the fad has definitely gone off the rails.
It’s hard to imagine the circumstances under which you could justify spending $248 on this item, no matter how cool it looks at night by the bedside.
Save your hard earned money for gifts that show how much you care, not how much you spent.
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