5 previously sucky gifts that have had a serious comeback

No six words can generate more panic at this time of year than the question, "How is your Christmas shopping going?" For most of us, choosing the right gift can be quite stressful.

But there are some simple ways to reduce the pain. Start by stalking the social media of your recipient — it's a great place to find clues. Even if you just find a theme around their interests and then brainstorm like crazy, it'll give you some direction instead of wandering the shops aimlessly.

If you're worried about resorting to something that's usually seen as a cop-out, don't be. Some gifts once considered daggy are having a comeback. Here are five that have gone from lame to love-to-have.

Socks

The fashion press has officially decreed that socks are having a moment. For women, they're paired with brogues, kitten heels and even stilettos, for some runway attitude. Old-school designs like lace, ruffles and florals are all making a return. It's the same for menswear. Sockettes, be gone! Neon or kooky-patterned ankle socks are now de rigueur with your low-rise trainers and loafers.

Robot vacuum

Yep, you read that right. With appliances these days quickly becoming covetable pieces of tech, a robot vacuum is a great get. These little pieces of sci-fi home help have reclaimed the vacuum's status as a desired pressie. Take, for example, Eureka's E10s. This quiet-achieving Amazon exclusive uses lasers to survey your interiors, is voice activated via Siri or Google Home, filters the air around it while it vacuums, empties itself without using wasteful bags, and can be programmed via an app. It also functions as a mop (even raising its wet bristles when done to avoid wetting the carpet. Cute much?). This is Jetsons-level cleaning.

Gift card

Yes, your aunt's favourite is more popular than ever, and with good reason. With the cost of living continuing to challenge us, we are doing away with our little splurges like video games, lipsticks, books or that nice bottle of whiskey. Pick one with the recipient's interests in mind or get one that can be used across retailers or brands. Still want to be festive? Wrap it in an oversized box for a laugh. Or gift it with a cool pair of socks (see above).

Water bottle

These used to be purely stocking stuffers, but that was before the great water container trend of the 2020s hit, and larger-than-life water carriers have become bigger than Taylor Swift. It doesn't matter if you can't get the Stanley Cup Quencher that has dominated the globe, go for something extra big and bold, and chances are it'll be a hit.

Hot sauce

Again, due to watching our budget, we're less likely to indulge in our favourite pantry items. One of the biggest food trends since last year is the rise of gourmet hot sauces (ranging in strength from meh-it's-mild to a tears-and-snot inducing level of heat). They are being added to everything from pasta sauce to pizza and even sweet dishes (it's a thing), so trust us, these days, some top-shelf Sriracha can be more valued than a Cab Sav.

The previously thoughtless gifts sure to put you on your recipient's naughty list have had a serious makeover and have gone from sucky to sought-after.

This product is exclusive to Amazon in Australia; buy it here.