Christmas gifts can be divided into three groups, according to their after-Christmas fates. For example, some Christmas gifts are welcome and used. Whether an expensive cashmere sweater, a dishwasher, an interesting book, or a jogging suit, such gifts are perfect for their recipients. They are used as soon as possible, and everyone appreciates them. The second type of gifts falls halfway between being hated and being loved. Here the thought counts but the gift doesn't suit the recipient. These gifts include ties that do not match the recipients' suits, blouses that are too big, woolen socks that cause itchy feet, and chocolate truffles that spoil diets. The ties and blouses and socks are consigned to the back of shelves and closets; the candy is hidden behind the low-calorie salad dressing on the cupboard shelf until it hardens too much to be eaten. Finally, certain gifts fit the category of instant banishment. On December 26, these gifts go back to the department store or into the trashcan. For example, shiny purple parachute-cloth pants from Aunt Elsie and Uncle Ernie immediately become dust cloths. Lamps shaped like apples go to a corner of the attic, and monogrammed toilet paper fuels the Christmas week fire. Most people want the first type of gift, resignedly appreciate the second type of gift, and appropriately disdain the third type of gift. Collectively, these gifts show the diversity of Christmas giving. Topic Sentence: Categories: The principle of classification: