As much as we hate to admit it, we've all been victims of a fad at some point in our lives. From Tamagotchis to scratch-and-sniff T-shirts, there's a whole range of terrible gifts that have found their way into our lives (and for the most part, soon into the bin). Instead of presenting your loved ones with a shell suit or a tickle-me Elmo, think how much more they would have enjoyed a gift experience. This list features some of the most ludicrous and poorly thought-out gift ideas that have been popular over the years -- and how these disasters could have been avoided with modern ideas.

Pet Rock

A novel approach to keeping a pet, the pet rock was a simple stroke of genius that the whole world embraced. Embraced, that is, until they came to the realisation that they had essentially just bought a rock in a box. Aside from this obvious flaw, one of the main problems with the pet rock was that it didn't (and couldn't) move, and as everyone knows, things that don't move are rarely any fun. What does move, though, is a supercar. And it moves fast. With a supercar driving experience gift, your loved one could have commanded a high-speed racing machine around a top track. From the Ferrari to the Lamborghini, a unique driving experience definitely beats trying to feed an inanimate object.

Knitted Toilet Roll Covers

One of those gift ideas that was, in hindsight, just plain weird, knitted toilet roll covers were supposed to be the height of modern domestic luxury. As charming and useful as they were though, you can't help but think that there are a lot better ways to enjoy luxury -- a pampering experience, for example. With a spa day or pamper gift your loved one could have enjoyed a real relaxing treat. A great gift for her and for him, they would have been delighted as they indulged in a range of revitalising massages and makeovers.

Pogo Sticks

An extreme sport for kids, pogo sticks were not only difficult to use, but they also made you look ridiculous when you stepped onto them. Arguably the least flattering fun you'll ever (try to) enjoy, the pogo stick was not so much of an adrenaline rush as it was a massive disappointment. It's fair to say that real adrenaline-junkies would have much preferred an exciting experience gift. From skydiving to bungee-jumping, white-water rafting to sphereing, there's now a wide variety of exhilarating experience days and adrenaline-pumping unique gifts available.

Big Mouth Billy Bass

Sold as a 'turn of the century' piece of playful technology, this mis-judged gift idea featured a mounted toy fish with an affectation for singing at unsuspecting passers-by. A well-known interrupter of conversations and secret midnight missions to the fridge, the only thing worse than a Big Mouth Billy Bass at full volume was one with low batteries; creating a truly hideous and painful-sounding warbling. If you really wanted to surprise a music lover, you could have treated them to an all-singing, all-dancing experience gift. Whether recording their favourite song in a professional studio or being given expert dance lessons, your loved one would have had an experience they'd never forget, rather than a gift they wish they could.

Unless the next fad is a time-machine, you obviously can't go back and exchange these awful presents for experience gifts. However, next time a special occasion rolls around, bear in mind the mistakes of the past and treat your loved one to something they'll really appreciate-- an experience gift.

Keywords: gift experience, driving experiences, driving days, experiences

About the Author
Michael Berry,
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Michael Berry is a freelance author writes article on various topic. For, gift experiences and gift vouchers he recommends you to visit: http://www.buyagift.co.uk/ .

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