Top five gifts for people you hate

December 4, 3:48 PMGadgets ExaminerDan Appleman

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They'll have to thank you for these gifts
whether they like it or not

You know the people I’m talking about – the ones you have to pretend to like. The obligatory gift that has to look sincere and thoughtful, but you don’t actually want the recipient to get any pleasure out of it.

The gifts that follow aren’t necessarily bad products, in fact most of them are just fine – but they all have a wicked little twist about them that qualifies them for this list. So join me, keeping tongue firmly in cheek, as we review the top five gifts for people you hate.

Simba Drum Set – this cheap and poorly rated set will either help the kids drive their parents to distraction, or will break, and the resulting crying and whining will drive their parents to distraction until they go out and buy a better set. Either way, you win.

Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009 with GPS - Everybody wants a GPS this holiday season. But what they want is a GPS with a built-in screen that mounts on a dash. This GPS is a small USB device that requires a laptop. Have you ever tried driving while juggling a laptop? I’ve seen someone do it. It’s not pretty.

XM-Radio receiver - There’s nothing like a gift that keeps on taking. Here’s a gift that’s as useless as a brick until the recipient signs up for a monthly subscription of $8 to $17/month. Sweet!

Bayou Classic 3066A 30-Quart Outdoor Turkey Fryer Kit - How often do most people fry turkeys. I don’t know – I’ve never tried it myself. But I figure for most people it might be once or maybe twice a year. The rest of the year they have to find a place to store this thing – almost a yard high by 16 inches square. That will tie up some precious cabinet space.

A Compact Photo Printer – Standard size ink-jet printers handle 4x6 photos just fine. These 4x6 photo printers are nicely limiting and will drink up costly ink if used, and take up valuable desk or closet space if not.

Do you have any “favorite” gifts with hidden zingers? Post a comment or drop me a line at gadgetexaminer@gmail.com..