Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

NEWS ABOUT: Christmas gifts

Wrapping Paper Sales on a Tear

Strong figures early indication of shopping rebound

(Newser) - Just how lucrative will this holiday season turn out to be for retailers? If wrapping paper sales are any indication, pretty darn good. Both shop owners and the public are awaiting holiday shopping statistics as a clue to American confidence and an economic rebound. An early sign is wrapping paper... More »

'Tis the Season to ... Pinch $1.84B Worth of Stuff?

Retail theft in 4 weeks before Christmas expected to be 6% higher than 2010

(Newser) - In the four weeks before Christmas, shoppers will steal an estimated $1.84 billion in merchandise—a 6% spike over the same timeframe last year, according to a survey of retailers around the globe. The bump in shoplifting may be explained by dipping wages and high unemployment, reports the AP... More »

15 Worst Gifts on Amazon

Includes wolf urine, ladybugs, and uranium ore

(Newser) - Sure, shopping on Amazon saves you from braving wintry winds and annoying customer lineups. But beware the bizarro products that Amazon peddles on its digital superstore. CNNMoney lists 15: More »

Thoughtful, Pricey Gifts Are a Waste of Time

For recipients, it just doesn't matter, say researchers

(Newser) - Are you the kind of person who spends hours fretting over the perfect holiday gift? Or who tries to impress by spending big? Don't bother, because it's not helping your cause, writes John Tierney in the New York Times . In fact, price matters a lot more to the... More »

11 Insanely Expensive Gift Ideas

A trip to outer space will run you only $200K

(Newser) - 'Tis the season for giving, and what better way to show your appreciation for someone then to bestow them with an absurdly lavish gift, presuming you are nestled high up into the 1%. Here are 11 of the most ludicrously expensive gift ideas, courtesy of Time :
  • Pacifier, $17,000:
... More »

Hot Christmas Gifts: Ferrari, $45K Ping-Pong Table

Fantasy gifts for 2011 unveiled in 'Christmas Book'

(Newser) - It’s that time of year again: time for Neiman Marcus to say, “Recession? What recession?” and urge you to purchase a $250,000 mahogany speedboat for your beloved this Christmas. Yes, the Christmas Book was unveiled yesterday. To really get into the holiday spirit, read on for the... More »

Amazon Strategy Will Block Lousy Gifts Before They Hit Mail

Patent would allow gift filtering, automatic exchanges

(Newser) - Tired of getting strange, useless gifts from bizarro relatives each year? Now Amazon.com is working on an online solution to the annual holiday headache, patenting a tool to ban lousy gifts and gift-givers, and give you a head start on cashing in on bad presents before they are ever... More »

5 Things to Buy Your Cat for Christmas

What cat wouldn't want a $118 cat scratcher?

(Newser) - A recent survey found that dog owners are more likely to give their pet a Christmas present than cat owners, and that made Brittny Drye sad. On The Stir , she lists five gifts you should consider for your kitty companion this year:
  • Cat Genie: The litter box is "self-flushing
... More »

Why Lousy Gifts Are Good

Opinion: They're downright good for humanity

(Newser) - Amazon plans to unveil a "gift conversion" gizmo designed to protect people from getting bad gifts. If the website detects a stinker coming your way (based on how you set up your profile) it converts that neon orange necktie into a gift certificate, with the sender being none the... More »

You'll Never Use That Fancy Waffle Maker

Gift desires dissolve when confronted with complicated gizmos

(Newser) - Hard as it may be to believe, many people ask for fancy holiday gifts and then barely use them, a shocking new study reveals. “Sometimes the reality of owning an object doesn’t quite measure up to our expectations,” explains a psychologist. Some 59% of gifts in the... More »

Prepare Your Kids for Disappointing Presents

Keep the inner spoiled brat at bay with these tips

(Newser) - With buildup for the holiday season at fever pitch by Halloween, it’s easy to see how kids are set up for disappointment when it comes time to open gifts. From Julie King and Joanna Faber , some tips to keep the inner spoiled brat at bay, not to mention avoid... More »

21 Kinky (and Gross) Christmas Gifts

From Santa dildos to boobie ornaments, these gifts are truly disturbing

(Newser) - Ah, the holidays: A time for family, a time for eggnog and roasting chestnuts, a time for…reindeer thongs? Simcha Whitehill selects the 21 most disturbing "sexy" gifts on The Frisky —check out a few, above, or click here for the complete list. More »

12 Stories
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment