Are Socks A Bad Gift?

I was having a conversation with a friend and she said that socks were a crappy present. But, I didn’t think so! Sure, if that’s the only present, they may be a little disappointing but are socks really a bad gift.

A plain pair of socks alone could be a bad gift, but the right pair of socks as a component of an overall gift could be a fantastic gift.  There are also some novelty socks that could be great individual gifts.

Let’s take a look at this question in more detail because the answer to whether or not socks are a good gift really depends!

One of my favorite brands of socks is Darn Tough. After reading through the ideas in this article, make sure you read about the best Darn Tough Sock gift ideas here.

Gifting Socks

When we are in the process of choosing a gift for someone, it’s important to think about the person who will receive the gift.  My daughter loves fuzzy socks.  She really loves “fuzzy" everything. 

Fuzzy Warm Slipper Socks Women Super Soft Microfiber Cozy Sleeping Socks
Compare price & check availability...
Amazon vs. Shein vs. Zappos
(I've noticed price & selection can differ between these 3 sites, and if you check all 3 you will definitely what you are looking for!)

If I gave her a pair of fuzzy socks, she would be really pleased.  She would love that gift.  In fact, last Christmas, one of her gifts from me was fuzzy socks!

Some socks can be fun to give.  I recently found some novelty socks that were a hoot! They let me upload a picture (I chose my face) and then send socks with my friend with my face all over the socks! 

Custom Novelty Personalized Socks Funny Print for Women and Men
Check price & selection...
Amazon vs. Sock It To Me vs. Zappos

When he opened his present from me we laughed for 20 minutes!

5 Reasons Socks Are A Bad Gift

The idea of giving socks as a gift could be a great source of fun or it could be a terrible idea indeed.

Now, I’m not saying that socks are the worst gift ever.  A friend recently gave his wife, what I thought was in fact the worst gift!

A few years ago, my friend said that his wife didn’t appreciate the gift he gave her for her birthday.  He has spent hundreds of dollars on this gift.  I asked him what he bought her.

Well, he explained that she was always complaining about their vacuum at home her vacuum just wouldn’t pick up their pet hair and she had to spend so much time vacuuming.  He thought she would appreciate a new Dyson Vacuum that “really sucked”.  She thought it “sucked” alright!

Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Check price & availability...
Amazon or Dyson

I laughed so hard!  A vacuum is the worst gift for your wife!  Even if you’re giving it with good intentions!

Anyway, let’s get back to socks!

Socks Are Memorable

If you give a nice pair of socks to one of your best friends for her birthday or Christmas, if might be the last present the two of you exchange...

If this is the only gift and she is expecting something more than socks, then she will never forget you. And, not in a good way!

A nice pair of socks might bring you closer together, or might create a nice memory or make your friend laugh, but be sure to give this gift to the right person who will appreciate your sentiment!

Cold Feet, Warm Heart

Have you ever heard the saying, “Cold Feet, Warm Heart?”  Well, maybe the opposite is true.

It might just be better not to warm up the feet of your loved ones at the risk of cooling down their heart! Lol, I jest.

A nice pair thick, soft, and cozy wool socks can be great during a cold winters day. However, your gift receiver may not appreciate you for this as much as you might want them to.

Pack of 5 Womens Vintage Style Cotton Knitting Wool Warm Winter Fall Crew Socks, Mixed Color 1, One Size - fit shoe sizes from 5-10

Vintage Style Women's Wool Socks
Check price & availability...
Amazon vs. Darn Tough vs. Zappos

One way to warm up the heart of your gift receiver when you give the gift of socks is to combine your socks with a promise of activity together.  Perhaps a trip to the local frozen lake or pond to go skating, or a walk along the river on a cold winter’s day.

By combining your gift with an activity, you're letting them know that you are thinking about them and their needs.  This gift won’t seem like a last-minute, “throw up your hands and grab the easiest gift you can get” sort of gift!

Socks Get Holes

A good quality pair of socks can last for years. But, a crap quality pair of socks might get holes after one or two uses.

Don’t buy some crap pair of socks as a gift.  As I mentioned before, people have memories.  Assuming they appreciate the socks you have given, they will remember you if the socks have a hole on the second wear!

People don’t darn their socks anymore. They just throw them out!

Socks are Cheap

It’s all there in the title.  Socks are cheap.  Unless you combine the socks with something else, you are going to look like a cheap SOB who gave a crap gift.

But, you can be creative.  If you don’t have much to spend, then as I discussed in the last section, combine the gift of socks an activity. Give your time as part of the gift.  Take them out for a walk, or go skating or rollerblading.

The gift will become less about the socks and more about you spending quality time together!

Socks Can Reflect Your Personality

Socks can determine your personality.

I’ve gone to professional (lawyers, bankers, etc.) offices and noticed that some men, dressed up in their fancy suits, are wearing socks with interesting designs.

When everyone in the office is wearing the same “blue suit” then it’s nice to be a little different and a pair of paisley socks might do the trick.  But! 

And this is a big “BUT”, you really need to know the personality of the person you are giving a pair of “loud” socks to.  Maybe they won’t wear the socks with your face all over them.  Maybe they will.

To make sure that your gift of socks is appreciated, you really need to know your gift receiver fairly well.

If you know them well and know they will appreciate your gift, then the socks with your face plastered all over them will be accepted with appreciation!

Socks As A Gift – Ideas

Socks as a birthday gift is really awesome. A pair of cute socks can be nice for a birthday present for your friends and family

At a birthday party, this could be a fun idea to give socks as a gift. Well-wrapped socks can make a wonderful surprise for your friend. Here are a couple of ideas...

Gag / Fun Gift! Men's & Women's Novelty Crew Socks

These socks are more of a gag gift.  They are made from polyester and spandex blend.  Which means that they don’t really wick away moisture.  These aren’t likely to be comfortable over the long term.

Funny Socks for Men & Women
(for a wide selection of socks check these three sites below...)
Amazon vs. Sock It To Me vs. Zappos

There are a variety of images to choose from… fruit, fish, sayings, and more.  Check out the whole collection here.

If you want to give something fun, then these are a good choice.

  • 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex
  • Funny designs that can make a great surprise
  • Best-suited gift for all occasions

Give the Gift of Warm Feet

For your friends who always have cold feet, here is the perfect solutions. Heated Socks (for Men & Women). These socks are designed for 3 heat settings and will last up to 10 hours.

Heated Socks for Men/Women - Upgraded Rechargeable Electric Socks
Amazon or Zappos

The downside is that you do need to have a rechargeable battery (included) to keep these socks working, but the battery tucks into the socks and you hardly notice it.

With a 30-day full refund and a one-year product warranty, these are a great gift for your "warm-hearted, cold-footed" friends...

SDBING Women’s Winter Fuzzy Socks

I’ve mentioned this earlier, my daughter loves fuzzy socks.  These are great value, the soft “slipper sock” with anti-slip gel on the bottom.

These aren’t really designed to go inside shoes.  Wear them around the house as a warm fuzzy blanket for your feet!

Heated Socks for Men/Women - Rechargeable Electric Socks
Check... Amazon vs. Zappos

This item can be undoubtedly a good choice for giving the gift. When they are worn you feel like deep clouds surrounding your feet.

  •  50% Polyester, 40% Nylon and 10% Spandex
  • Fleece lined
  • Non-skid gel buttons

Check Amazon for Current Price

EnerWear 4 Pack Women’s Merino Wool Socks

This is also an awesome gift for your active friend.  These socks are made from Merino wool which helps wick the moisture away from your feet.

EnerWear 4 Pack Women's and Men's Merino Wool Outdoor Hiking Trail Crew Sock
For the most choice and selection, check...
Amazon vs. Smart Wool vs. Zappos

Great for keeping your feet warm on a hike, winter or summer.  In my opinion, wool socks are a must-have for every sock drawer!

These socks come in a variety of colors and designs.

  • 86% Merino Wool, 10% Polyester, 3% Nylon, 1% Spandex
  • 4 pairs per package
  • Great value

Check Amazon for Pricing!

Darn Tough Hiker Mirco Crew Cushion Sock for Men

The Darn Tough Brand Merino Wool Socks has a reputation and the quality of their socks speak for themselves.  Darn Tough socks are guaranteed for life, therefore giving these socks as a gift definitely shows you care about your gift receiver.

Men's Merino Wool Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks
For choice and selection, check these retailers...
Amazon vs. Smart Wool vs. Zappos

As I mentioned before, Merino wool which helps wick the moisture away from your feet to keep them warm in your boots.

Great for keeping your feet warm on a hike, winter or summer.  As I said before, wool socks are a must-have for every sock drawer!

These socks come in a variety of colors and designs.

  • 61% Merino Wool, 36% Nylon, 3% Lycra Spandex
  • Made in the Vermont, USA
  • Guaranteed for life!

SDBING Women's Winter Super Soft Warm Cozy Fuzzy Fleece-Lined with Grippers Slipper Socks (Black)

Check Amazon for price and availability

Final Words

Giving socks as a gift is not bad at all. This is an awesome idea for cool boys and girls. Give socks to your nearest and dearest ones. You can buy our recommended items.

They are highly appreciated by hundreds of thousands of buyers across the world.

Related Articles

Find what your were looking for?
Recent  Popular Articles
About Us
At PediDelight, we offer useful, time-saving information and some buying guides for online searchers and shoppers. 

We do research so that you don't have to. If you have a question about shoes or socks or anything related to your feet and we don't have an answer. Connect with us, so that we can provide the best resource for you!

We work hard to sift through thousands of product and brand websites, reach out to products and brands for answers that aren't available on their website. 

We read and collect honest product reviews and feedback so that we can be a one-stop shop for all the answers that you are looking for!

Pedi Delight!

We are all about feet.  Happy feet to be exact.  If you are looking for answers to questions about your foot joy, you've come to  the right place.

We talk about all things that cover your feet, like socks and shoes.  We answer all the questions you've ever asked related to your feet!
Visit Our Home Page

Affiliate Disclosure

PediDelight is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic.

Shop For Birkenstocks
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram