What's worse, getting a really horrible gift that does not fit you at all, or not getting anything at all from a close friend?

That;s a tough one. I guess it depends on the person giving the horrible gift lol

I'd rather nothing than a gift I can't use.

I feel bad when someone gets me a gift I don't use, so I'd rather get nothing or just a card.

I'd rather get a really crappy gift because it shows that I was still on their mind, they just don't know what I like! My boyfriend's grandmother got me the. Most. Horrifying. Pajamas. Ever. Last year. They looked like these but they were just a pull-over-your-head style and had a very tight neck and smaller, more busy spots link
I tried to smile through it!

No gift is better than horrible gift. Saves time and money on both parties, plus (most importantly) embarrassment or hurt feelings that could result from said horrible gift.

I actually experienced this for this years birthday. But it wasn't a best friend. It was my family.

I am (and was) living in a city that isn't where my mother lives (my hometown) but IS where basically all of my extended family lives. A grandmother, an Aunt and Uncle, two cousins. This past summer was the first I'd ever spent here. My mom got me a wonderful selection of Lush products that I'd been totally obsessed with. The rest of the family? Nothing. I think I might have gotten a text message from one of the cousins. It was the first time that had ever happened.

A few months later, one of the cousins had a birthday and his girlfriend through him a big party in my aunt's backyard and my mom came to town and some of his friends flew across the country to be there and basically everyone and their cat showed up and there was all this talk like "Of COURSE we're doing awesome stuff for your birthday, we LOVE you!" and frankly it made me feel really ignored and dejected. Honestly, I'm still a but pissy about it.

At least when someone gets you a terrible gift it involved bothering to get a gift at all.

i've had friends totally skip out on me for years. it's kind of a bummer.

I picked horrible gifts. That's one of the reasons why I don't like to receive gifts, getting something that I don't like, and I still have to give something back.

I'd rather not get a gift. I've gotten a lot of bad gifts from one family member in particular and it's always awkward because I can't get rid of them because she will get offended.

I think a terrible gift is better than nothing, at least it shows they remembered you and tried!

No gift is better, getting something you hate shows that they don't know you at all and since the question specifies a "close friend", I'd be sad if my close friends barely knew me.

I would rather get a crappy gift than none at all, because I am grateful if someone thinks of me enough to give me anything in the first place. Still, if it's a close friend or someone I think should "know me" enough to get me something I could enjoy, and they get me something that clearly shows there was no thought put into it, I might get my feelings a little hurt. I would accept it graciously and never say anything to them, but it still annoys me. That being said, I'm a big "re-gifter" so I'm sure some people get annoyed at me too. I never re-gift to people I am close to, unless it's something I know they will really like. I use the "re-gifts" for people like my man's aunt that I don't know very well, etc. This year I have a gorgeous Christmas Platter with matching salt and pepper shakers and a set of matching hand soap and lotion in a scent I don't care for, both from last year, that I'm going to re-gift.

Sometimes I find really good uses for gifts that are "horrible" on first impression.

I have been given earrings though I don't have pierced ears, gift certificates for tanning sessions though I am milky white, and the worst - scented items though I am highly allergic. Do these people know me at all?

I have gotten a few gifts that I would never use. Some of items on my mantle make up for it. I look at them. But would never touch them.

I'd rather get nothing than a terrible gift. I'm practical, I like practical gifts.

I love things I can use, clothes, bath and body care products, cleaning supplies, household appliances (like a blender).

I'm really weird, I don't really like jewelry and I don't really care much for frivolous.

I'd rather have someone call and make sure I'm doing alright, then give me a gift anyway.

I would like to say nothing at all, but sometimes I find interesting uses for things or you can always regift it! Lol

I don;'t like when someone gets me something seemingly just to get me something. It seems so totally impersonal, and feels worse when it is a friend or close family. Then I feel obligated to keep it because sometimes they ask about it later whatever it may be, and then if you don't have it anymore or don't use it they sometimes get offended! Horrible gifts can makes everyone feel bad, and just take up space, I would much prefer to get nothing. I can understand that and don't even question it 99% of the time, since financial standing usually has more to do with it than anything else.

Even if a gift is cheap or inexpensive it can still be great. My favorite is a card that my boyfriend made me for my birthday one year that is really adorable.