Depends on the situation, and the socks. I regularly give my sons new socks and underwear at Christmas, because I know they’d rather receive them as a gift than go out shopping for them themselves. Of course, that’s not all I give them——I also give them more interesting and more personal gifts as well.

Socks can be a great gift if there’s a specific reason you know the person would like to receive them. For example, a person on a fixed income might be very pleased to get support socks, and/or socks in a hard-to-find size, that are medically recommended but too expensive to go out and buy.

A hiker would probably appreciate a pair of high quality socks that wick moisture away from the feet. Someone who’s always cold might well enjoy a pair of really warm wool socks.

And quirky socks (especially those matched to someone’s particular interests) are fun to receive if the recipient likes to wear unusual accessories.

As a nurse who’s on my feet much of the time, I would be very pleased to be given a pair of support socks that coordinate with my scrubs:

The key, I think, is that the present (socks or otherwise) should say, “I went looking for just the right gift for you, and I know this is something you would use and appreciate.” It should not say, “I didn’t take the time to shop for you, but what the heck? Everyone can use socks, I guess, so I picked these up for you.”