I hate getting books for Christmas in general because I'm such a mood reader, and I've plastered a fake smile on my face many a time and repeated internally 'Its the thought that counts.' as I unwrap a book I will not read.
But the worst one by far, given to me by my own Mother , who I know loves me, when I was fourteen years old! was >!Men are from Mars Women are from Venus.!< I am sitting there horrified thinking what is she trying to tell me? As my sisters are flat on the floor laughing to the point of puking. We eventually came to the conclusion she just saw an attractive cover on a bestseller table and grabbed it. Love to know your terrible gift stories.
A large, ornate family bible.
It's not even a book you can regift to someone when you're done reading it. It will remain in a drawer forever, because I also can't bring myself to throw it away.
David Mitchell has a rant on WILTY about receiving a gift and putting it away somewhere for someone else to deal with after you're dead.