1) Socks - Unless you're a grandparent, and you really really hate your grandchild, do not buy anyone socks. I don't care how adorable they are, or if they are neat little toe socks (which are one of the creepiest things ever made), do not buy them! To a lesser extent, the same applies for ties and sweaters.

2) Cologne/Perfume - Everyone loves a different scent so don't assume that just because you like the smell of a specific perfume that the recipient will like it just as much. Unless you know without a doubt that that is their favorite bottle, steer clear of perfume. And if you think buying your guy a bottle of your favorite cologne is a great idea, think again. Do you have any idea how long it takes to go through a bottle of cologne? Or how many bottles we accumulate over time? I have enough cologne (that I have received as gifts) to last another 10 years, and that's without receiving a bottle in the last two.

3) Waffle Iron - I love waffles as much as the next guy, I really do, but what the heck am I supposed to do with a waffle iron? I love the idea of owning a device capable of making waffles anytime I want them, but I'm not in love with the idea of having to make them myself (that's what Denny's is for). If you buy someone a waffle iron it had better be include a handwritten note stating that you will be making the waffles, too.

4) Dresses - First of all, who buys a dress for the woman in their life? Secondly, even if by some twist of fate you have the love of your life tell you she really wants a dress (and she even points out the specific one she wants), do not, under any circumstances, buy her one. If there's one thing I know about women (and there may only be one thing) it's that you do not want to guess wrong on their weight. Buy a dress that's too big and suddenly you think she's fat. Buy one that's too small and she's going to assume that you're implying that she needs to lose a few pounds. Unless you're buying a scarf, stay away from women's clothing when it comes to gifts.

5) Animals - Pets make great companions, but they make for horrible gifts. Even if you know someone is in the market for a dog, resist the temptation to buy one as a present. Pets are big commitments, and you can't just throw one at someone and hope that it will work out. There's got to be a bond, and if little Fido's personality doesn't match the recipient's, then it's likely your gift may be re-gifted (to the pound).

6) Music CDs - So you just found out that your friend is a huge Bon Jovi fan; "Great," you think, "I'll buy him the album Slippery When Wet." Far too often people make the mistake of buying a gift without doing their research first. If someone is a fan of a specific artist, then it's likely that they have every CD by that artist already (and most likely their every song on MP3 as well). CDs of bands you think your friend will like might work on occasion, but again, each person's tastes is different, so you may be buying a dud that will be re-gifted or never listened to more than once. An iTunes gift card may be the best bet if you must give the gift of music.

7) Bad Gift Cards - I typically view gift cards as the gift without much thought behind them. But honestly, I enjoy receiving them when they're for the right store. Gift cards give me the flexibility to buy something that I am sure to like without having to pretend that I do ("Yay, more cologne and socks!"). But, and this is really important, make sure the gift card is the right one. Don't purchase a gift card for Starbuck's if the recipient hates coffee, and don't purchase a $20 gift card from a store where nothing they sell is less than $50. There's nothing worse than having to use a gift card for a "cheap" present at a store that is way out of your price range, just so that you can say were able to use it.