Tubs of chocolate & toiletries gift sets - show no thought

The chocolates in those tubs are perfectly fine.
If you want fancy chocolates then buy them.

I would be pleased to receive either of those.

Bottles of wine are a thoughtless gift and go in next raffle

Great point. I mainly try to give gifts that can be used or experienced (nice olive oil, day trip) I don’t really like trinkets in my house how many post vases or jewellery trays does one person need???

Hygiene stuff is a no from me, because I have incredibly sensitive skin and will react to most things.
But there are quite a few brands of posh chocolates which I love but can't justify buying for myself. I love those gifts.
I also love an amazon gift card so I can by practical things. Or a steam/nintendo card so I have to buy myself something fun.

On the fence.

In this day and age, I’m grateful for anyone that can afford to spend money on me even if it’s a £5 gift set or box of chocolates. I’m happy to receive these. With rising cost of bills etc I think for someone to grab me something like that and spend their money on me is really kind.

But I do add these gift sets or box of chocolates as a quick gift, don’t have to think too much about it. Kind of like the oh better quickly grab something to take to friends parents for having me over for dinner near Christmas time or buying something for a colleague etc. So I’m on the fence, yes they are less thought gift but appreciated at the same time?

Don't buy them then.
Donate and gifted and unopened ones to foodbanks or women's aid etc.

When I lived under the poverty line these toiletry sets were a godsend. I wouldn’t have to buy basic toiletries for months.
however, I can see that they show a lack of closeness with the recipient. I also think we need to get out of this habit of buying presents out of obligation for anyone and everyone.
overconsumption is crazy

Chocolates annoy me because I can't eat a lot of them. Before you give an edible gift, think, do I really know if this person has any allergies? Because I think people assume they would know but unless you've catered for me you wouldn't. And lots of people do know I can't have gluten but don't consider that barley and wheat are in loads of chocolates so give me things I can't have anyway.

I’d much rather have consumables like this than more stuff I feel I’ve got to keep. There’s always someone that’ll happily take the bits I won’t use. Saying that, I’m grateful for anything that comes my way.

I don’t buy them, but the gift sets are easier to wrap

I absolutely love smellies, booze or chocolates... but only fancy ones :)
I cant remember the last time i bought shower gel but at £20+ a pop that's why i like it for prezzies, equally drinks ( Patron tequila if you're offering) or Booja Booja chocs - none of them cheap but all my absolute favourites and VERY gratefully received!!

Depends who you buy them for.
I buy my brothers the tubs of chocolates because we agreed years ago that we would just do token edible gifts for adults.

I buy my DH and my DC the boxes of toiletries, because I only get them on offer when they are cheaper than buying the elements separately, and they are good for (and I know they will be used) as stocking fillers.

In line with virtually everyone I know I don't buy many presents for adults these days, so these wouldn't be "main" proper gifts.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

And what is unthoughtful in chocolate?

I'd rather that than many "thoughtful" gifts

Just give me the chocolate

I guess a lot of people like chocolate ?

I quite like the gift sets. I generally only buy own brand shower gel etc. and it saves me having to remember to buy some. Also think they’re quite cute.

Have to say. I quite like a rub of chocolates and toffee pennys are the best

I an always happy for chocolate as a gift. And I LOVE the eclairs. But buying gifts for the sake of it is a waste regardless, doesn’t matter what the gift is!

Sometimes there's a requirement/desire to buy gifts for people you don't know very well or have limited interaction with. Think work colleagues, secret Santa groups, that neighbour that helped you out once, the old lady down the road who always smiles at the kids, kids teachers and sports coaches. In those cases I think chocolate tubs or toiletry gift boxes are fine. You don't know them but it's a token of appreciation. Agree, if you're buying them for close relatives or friends it is a bit shit.

YABU. People can buy me them any time and anything from L'Occitane, Molton Brown or Hotel Chocolat will be gratefully received and used/eaten.

If it's something I don't care for then I'll just donate it to charity.

I do agree that some gifts are unnecessary at Christmas though and it can get a bit mad. I stopped a lot of it ten+ years ago. Just nice to catch up with friends and we don't need to exchange gifts.

I always like receiving these type of gifts , it means someone thought of me and even a little thought and a small gift is still something to be grateful for. I’ll eat any type of chocolate though 😂😂😂

To be fair the £6 dove gift set is usually so you can buy it in a month “half price” and feel you get a bargain.

Doesn't mean they're particularly thoughtful or exciting presents to open on Christmas Day

But how many gifts really are? I'd rather get dull but useful than something that is aiming to be thoughtful or exciting that isn't.

Here's an example. My sister has great taste. She bought me a set of three beautiful vases for my birthday last year, I really like them. However I already have 10 vases that I like just as much that I have either bought myself or have been gifted over my 30 odd years as an adult. I don't want or need more vases. So what do I do? A bunch of flowers or box of chocolates or set of smelly soaps is much better. TBH with 3DC a box of loo roll would be fab!

Not everybody has someone to buy them a thoughtful gift though. Lots of people will receive a generic gift like these from a charity. And it might be their only gift. Don't buy them if you don't want to, but they're a decent/practical option for many