After writing a list of 8 gifts that I try to avoid when I'm gifting a friend or colleague, Simply Stated reader Marlono added what I think should be the ninth no-no, clothing! There is nothing worse than when someone gives you a garment larger than what you wear. This happened to me once and it left me blue for several days. Why? It was a gift from a very best friend who gave me lingerie for my bridal shower that was three sizes larger. Not one. Not two. THREE. I remember holding up the sexy ensemble for all to see thinking, "Is this a practical joke?" though I could tell as she looked on fondly at my new frilly piece with a face that read nothing but warmth and sincere joy that she was dead serious. She really, sincerely thought I wore that size. I went to the bathroom and cried and never wore it — it went to charity.

When it comes to clothing as gifts I'm with Marlono — opt for giving hats, gloves, accessories and things that don't have a tag bearing a size on it. Even a size 2 friend would be offended if you gifted her with a size 4 — I didn't think that would be the case until I made the mistake of doing it once.