Etiquette specialist shares the top inappropriate gifts you should always avoid giving to women

As the holiday season approaches, it can be difficult to know exactly what to buy the women in your life. 

Whether you’re shopping for an office Secret Santa, a significant other, or your mother, there are certain gifts that scream insulting and rude. 

In Texas, a specialist in gift-giving highlighted the three items that should not be given to women. These items include household cleaning supplies, scales, and anti-aging skincare products.

Content creator Leah, who makes videos as Leah’s Gift Guide, previously posted a TikTok explaining why ‘these items can be seen as offensive or send the wrong message.’ 

Many commenters agreed with her, with one writing, ‘If you don’t know whether they’d like it, just don’t buy it. Better to be safe than paying for a divorce right after Christmas.’ 

To find out other gifts that could be seen as wildly offensive for women this holiday season, FEMAIL reached out to etiquette expert Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette and co-founder of the Plaza Hotel’s Finishing Program.

Myka, based in New York City, told DailyMail.com she believes ‘gifting should not make someone feel criticized.’ 

The etiquette coach detailed all the worst possible gifts men could give women this holiday season, from gifting a colleague lingerie to giving a girlfriend a gym membership they didn’t ask for. 

Whether you’re shopping for an office Secret Santa, a significant other, or your mother, there are certain gifts that scream insulting and rude (stock image) 

To find out other gifts that could be seen as wildly offensive for women this holiday season, FEMAIL reached out to etiquette expert Myka Meier

An office Secret Santa can be extremely difficult to gift for, especially if you don’t know the person you’re buying for.

Female employees regularly go viral for sharing nightmare gifts they receive from their colleagues, from empty beer bottles to a two-week notice.   

If you’re looking for a present for an office Secret Santa, the Business Etiquette Made Easy author suggested avoiding ‘intimate or overly personal items like lingerie or anything sexual.’ 

Myka said it’s also best to skip weight loss products, anything mood related like stress balls, clothing in specific sizing, or skincare targeting specific concerns.

Instead, the etiquette pro encouraged sticking ‘to neutral, professional gifts that are appreciated by all’ to avoid any awkward moments around the water cooler. 

For those looking for the perfect gift for their significant other, Myka said it’s best to steer clear of ‘anything impersonal or thoughtless’ – or any item that’s chore-based or screams self-help. 

So put down that vacuum and don’t even think about a gym membership – unless the woman in your life specifically requested one – because Myka warned that these ‘can feel offensive.’

If you’re a man who thinks your girlfriend might be expecting or hoping for an engagement ring, Myka said, ‘Avoid gifting a jewelry box of any kind if she’s expecting a proposal and is not getting one.’ 

If you’re looking for a gift for an office Secret Santa, the Modern Etiquette Made Easy author suggested avoiding ‘intimate or overly personal items like lingerie or anything sexual’ (stock image) 

For those looking for the perfect gift for their significant other, Myka said it’s best to steer clear of items that are chore-based, like vacuums (stock image) 

For men who are already married and visiting their mother-in-law, Myka said to ‘avoid overly intimate or impersonal gifts,’ even if they’re joke presents. 

Unfortunately, it’s possible other people won’t be laughing around the Christmas tree when you unveil an inside joke that’s not quite as funny as it seemed previously.  

‘Avoid undergarments, sized clothing, even perfume unless you know her signature scent or she asked for that, self-help books or cash,’ the Modern Etiquette Made Easy author added. 

As for what men should buy their own mother, Myka recommended skipping ‘lazy or thoughtless gifts like a generic gift card.’ 

Instead of giving gifts that could be construed as rude, Myka proposed picking ‘something heartfelt that shows appreciation and love or something very personal to her.’