You know, when my then-wife and I were about to have our first child, a family member threw a baby shower for us. Among all the gifts of cute outfits and mobiles and toys, one cousin (who already had children) gave us a laundry basket. The laundry basket was filled to bursting with newborn necessities from the local mega-mart, such as: Q-tips; Vaseline; rubbing alcohol; fragrance-free wipes; a 12-pack of soft washcloths; and infant bath soap. At the time of the shower, we thought, “Huh.” I remember thinking it was a little tacky. Three weeks after the baby was born, we were incredibly grateful. It was the thought that went into it, and the presence of mind to get us what we needed, that was touching as well has helpful.
One vote for tacky. How does your mum know anything about your husband’s underwear, such as style, color, or size?
Yeah, it depends. A 10-pack of white gym socks? Eh. Socks with cool patterns? Awesome! (I have several pair with skulls-and-crossboneses that I wear when I teach). I’ve also gotten a pair of hand-knitted socks from a friend that I’m wearing right now. I love 'em.
When I was recovering from back surgery, a friend of mine came over, helped me wash my hair (still had gunk in it from the electrodes), and gave me a bag full of office supplies. It cheered me up a lot.
My family does something similar. We have a normal gift exchange, but we also stuff each others’ stockings full of toiletries, underwear, socks, etc. It’s become a family tradition. We all enjoy it an laugh like hyenas at some of the stocking stuffers!
A pair of hand-knitted wool socks from my aunt was one of my favorite gifts ever! They are so comfy and warm! Plus they’re darned cute!
Completely different situation – a shower is supposed to be about providing useful gifts.
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Being Jewish, I was incorporated to the Christmas traditions of my wife’s family, which is interested in maximizing the number of presents under the tree without over-spending. Socks and underwear always show up, the socks often packaged one pair to a box. Travel size shaving cream and toothpaste also go in. Only giving necessities would be tacky, I agree. On the other hand necessities can be cool also. Last year I found some knee sox for my wife that are the best she has ever worn, and she’s still talking about how much she likes them.
The price is definitely not the most important factor - good thrift shop gifts are much appreciated and not disguised.
There was a feature article in the N.Y. Times yesterday about people who give ecologically conscious (“green”) gifts for the holidays.
One person gave each member of her family a compact fluorescent lightbulb.
Another recycled old CDs and salvaged electronic components and made clocks out of them for gifts.
I’m thinking of exchanging carbon credits with my siblings this year. :dubious:
My father, who passed away in 1996, was apparently the Official Purchaser of Underwear for my mother (and we’re not talking crotchless lace or leather thongs; I mean waist-high, flowered granny panties). For about 6 or 7 years after he died, she didn’t buy herself any underwear, because he always did it, and I guess she hadn’t made the adjustment. Finally, she complained to me about needing new underwear because all of her drawers were raggedy and nobody had bought her any, so I started buying it for her.
I get her the leather thongs, though.
Just kidding! 
Count me in as another vote for “it depends”.
I am not, however, a fan of assuming that any person belonging to a specific demographic (men, women, teenagers, dog lovers, etc.) would like a certain kind of (practical) gift. For example, once my mother talked me into getting each of the men in my (small) office a little gift set containing a set of work gloves, a flashlight, and a fancy screwdriver.
I cringe to think of it now.
Similarly, if one more person gives me a damn scented candle or smelly bath set just because I have lady parts . . .
No, they are not.
Well, they are all (except the blanket) great stocking stuffers, but the rules for someone stuffing your stocking are different. (Tea-towels, kettles, coffee mugs, decanters, and placemats are suitable.)
But most of us get items like that from our parents or spouses or children every year to bulk up the gift pile, so we are fond of them.
I guess the rule is anyone who knows what size underwear you wear can give you underwear as a gift.
Anyone whose socks you regularly borrow can give you socks. Anyone whose pens you regularly steal can give you pens. Anyone who shares a blanket with you can give you a blanket.
No one can ever give you a thin bath towel.
This is one of about a dozen reasons why I no longer exchange gifts.
I do exchange gifts with my mother and my sister. I do give them practical, usable gifts. They actually do the same with me.
Now…if I give soap, for example, it’s the really nice, fancy kind. I love to give kitchen utensils, and I always buy the best. I wouldn’t wrap up a bar of Zest or a roll of paper towels.
A gift is a gift. Yeah, some gifts would obviously be tacky, but not necessities. (Maybe I’m confusing “necessities” with “utilitarian” items.)
BTW, I’d love a new blender.
What is tacky is giving me something I don’t want and can’t use. I have enough tacky picture frames, Christmas ornaments, planters and candles to set up a small tacky gift shop.
Give me a necessity - please. I’m a practical person.
There are no rules.
I have SO much useless junk in my apartment, that I don’t want trinkets. All of the electronic gizmos I could ever want are too expensive to ask someone to buy for me for Christmas, so I love practical things. I’ve asked for socks on my Christmas list for the last some years running. If my mommy got me a big basket full of laundry detergent/toilet paper/paper towels/body wash/toothpaste, etc., I’d be ecstatic. As it is, she’s going to go spend a lot of money on more useless junk that I’ll either throw away or regift. :o
Why? That’s a great gift, very practical and all gifted up in a nice box. Nearly everyone can use a gift like that.
Oh. You gave the women a set of tea, tea biscuits, and tea towels, didn’t you?
There seems a general consensus here. Parents, spouse, and children can give strickly utilitarian gifts; practical gifts, like blenders and pans and towels are fine, but should be of good quality; and everyone seems to love gift giving traditions.
And every gift should come with a gift receipt.
I prefer necessities as gifts. Then, I can spend any of my ‘extra’ money on something else I’d like for myself.
Money has been somewhat tight the last several years in my family, so we give each other generally some simple necessities or ‘thoughtful’ gifts, have a dinner together, and call it a holiday.
I’d much rather have something that will see lots of practical use than something that will sit on a shelf or in a box forever. Practical also depends on the person. Someone who does a lot of writing will consider a nice journal and pretty pen a practical gift, where someone else might not.
I’d agree with those who say it depends. I fondly recall the Christmas when my aunt and uncle gave me a set of kitchen canisters, and each was filled with the appropriate foodstuff (rice, spaghetti, sugar, flour, etc). We were living on next to nothing at the time so it was an incredibly welcome gift.
I love getting towels as gifts (I don’t think you can have too many, and sometimes a quality towel is a luxury you mightn’t buy for yourself but you appreciate every time you use it) but I didn’t warm to receiving a quilt cover one year. It simply wasn’t my taste, and a quilt cover makes such a large impact on a bedroom. A blanket would have been different IMO.
Oh! ETA: My Grandfather gave some great gifts when he was still with us. I still have the fire extinguisher and fire blanket that he gave me for Christmas one year (something I would always say I should get but would never have managed to buy for myself, I’m sure), and I believe my parents have a First Aid kit that he gave them one year. Things we hope never to use, but if we ever need them you can bet we’ll be sending up a word of thanks to the old man 
Depends on context and intent. When I’m running low on cash, I’d really rather have something practical, especially if it’s something I specifically need. My mom typically will pay some bill like auto insurance instead of a conventional Christmas gift. I wouldn’t give anything practical to a kid, they are really expecting a fun gift - if a kid needs something practical that badly, it’s better to give it to the parents outside of a gift giving occasion. If the person likes clothes and you can guarantee you are able to buy something they’ll like that will fit that’s fine. Some guys will like things like BBQ accessories or tools that are technically practical. In general, houseware gifts are better suited for things like housewarmings and weddings. I would tread very carefully on Valentine’s day… 
That said, gifts are… gifts! If someone gives me something for free I have no right to complain about it. The companion to which is, what I do with the gift is my own business.
She rang me and asked.
Heck, my female cousins used to get tampons in their Christmas stockings. And IIRC, one aunt who worked for James River (paper-products company) gave out huge boxes of paper towels, toilet paper, etc. one year. It was great! I was really sad when the paper boats (like you get for hot dogs and french fries) ran out; they were great for separating out chopped veggies for stir-fry.
I say as long as it’s something that’ll be used and appreciated, knock yourself out. I used to ask for assorted knee socks (and I think I have socks on my SDMB Secret Santa request list).