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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Come on then, which gifts are going to the charity shop?

164 replies

lemonsherberts6 · 25/12/2025 23:09

2 soap and glory gift sets. My skin is sensitive, so I can’t use anything like that.
Baylis and Harding hand set - same deal.
A candle - never use them.
Pink gin - don’t like and never drink it.

It’s always the same people, no thought put into it. I think they just grab random bits from the 3 for 2 at Boots. I’d never say anything, of course, but it’s the same stuff every year and it gets a bit disappointing as I always make an effort to buy gifts that people actually enjoy or will use. Honestly, I’d prefer if they just saved their money.

What has everyone else had?

OP posts:
Coffeeishot · 26/12/2025 08:32

Needmorelego · 26/12/2025 08:30

If they are still sealed they can go in a Food Bank drop off point.

Thanks I will do that i wasn't sure if they would take them.

Parker231 · 26/12/2025 08:31

Coffeeishot · 26/12/2025 08:13

I have chocolates that i don't like, I can't even charity shop those,

The food bank collections will appreciate them

Needmorelego · 26/12/2025 08:30

Coffeeishot · 26/12/2025 08:13

I have chocolates that i don't like, I can't even charity shop those,

If they are still sealed they can go in a Food Bank drop off point.

EchoedSilence · 26/12/2025 08:30

Nothing, I love any bath and shower gel sets. They go in the bathroom and all get used.

Do you think none of your oh so thoughtful gifts don't end up in the Charity shop?

malificent7 · 26/12/2025 08:29

I got given more cheese than I can eat %and a whole Vhristmas cake. All very lovely but I watch what I eat and im on a dier come new year. Suspect dsm wants to fatten us up!

VintageKnittingPattern · 26/12/2025 08:28

A glittery scarf with bees on it - not my thing at all.

As a charity shop volunteer - please no food. Many are not allowed to sell food, even if packaged. Stick it in a food bank donation place instead. Same with alcohol - you need a licence.

SendTheNextOneIn · 26/12/2025 08:21

A very ugly set of four or five LED ‘flame less’ candles from the in-laws, plus enough AA batteries to power them into the next decade. I’ll keep the batteries though 🤣

FourChimneys · 26/12/2025 08:18

Everything from family was perfect. We keep things minimal and our DC are very thoughtful gift givers. We long ago stopped presents with wider family or friends.

I have two boxes of chocolates and a tin of biscuits ready to go to the food bank. They are from clients who have no idea that I am vegan as I have no reason to tell them. I am very grateful and they can easily be passed on. DH consumes some of my gifts but there is a limit.

Newsenmum · 26/12/2025 08:15

TheTowerAtMidnight · 26/12/2025 07:51

An ornament shaped like a bird and some fake flowers (from different people). I hate fake flowers!

Fake flowers is an odd one!

Cel77 · 26/12/2025 08:14

I love a paper diary!

Newsenmum · 26/12/2025 08:14

I understand you are unable to use these so feel for you.

But I would love these! Can stock up my bathroom cupboards with nice things to wash with and I always want new socks!

Rosti1981 · 26/12/2025 08:13

I love all my gifts this year though I may regift the Pukka herbal teas. I like them but don't drink them very often, and still have some from last year- it's a nice gift as I do use and enjoy them, just very slowly!

Coffeeishot · 26/12/2025 08:13

I have chocolates that i don't like, I can't even charity shop those,

Coffeeishot · 26/12/2025 08:12

Cando6 · 26/12/2025 06:23

Just a flavoured gin that will sit there until one of the DC wants a bottle to take to a party! Why do people think people who like the occasional G&T think those people want some sweet Rhubarb and Raspberries or whatever concoction?

My Dh got 3 flavoured vodkas that he will never drink, we re gifted 1 from last year,

Rosti1981 · 26/12/2025 08:11

LakieLady · 25/12/2025 23:19

Would a charity shop appreciate a National Trust diary?

MIL gets me one every year, despite me mentioning how fab it is to have a diary on my phone at every opportunity. I have no use whatsoever for a paper diary.

Absolutely! I love a paper diary and no one got me one this year (and I do also use google calendar AND a work diary, but I like having the paper version in front of me each week to see it all laid out).

NerrSnerr · 26/12/2025 08:11

I always stock up on bubble bath and bath bombs in the charity shops after Christmas. I don’t think we have anything we don’t want this year. We’ll see my mum tomorrow which might be interesting as she has lots of memory and health problems (I’m mainly concerned that earlier in the week she said she had presents for one child and the other’s hasn’t arrived yet).

Needmorelego · 26/12/2025 08:09

@lemonsherberts6 I just don't understand why you wouldn't say anything.
Toiletries that affect your skin badly is a perfectly good reason to say you wouldn't want them.
Why on earth can't people just be honest with each other?

menopausalmare · 26/12/2025 07:58

Most of our presents come from elderly relatives who no longer drive, don't shop online and can only walk to the local shops. Every year we get calendars, amaryllis, hats, mugs and lots of food items. Kind but a bit boring. I'll be donating a calendar as I already have one.

TheTowerAtMidnight · 26/12/2025 07:51

An ornament shaped like a bird and some fake flowers (from different people). I hate fake flowers!

Maryberrysbouffant · 26/12/2025 07:46

My mother in law gets us crap gifts every year, I think she gets them from the charity shop in the first place so they’ll be going back there.

To be clear, I’d be happy with charity shop gifts if they had any thought put into them, but she gets us random shit when we’d rather have a bottle of wine. Doubly annoying as she has plenty of money so it’s not a finance issue, just a can’t be arsed issue.

coolcahuna · 26/12/2025 07:44

Super lucky that all my gifts are great and usable. Only one Bayliss & Harding gift set but I think the contents are OK so I'll use it.

Bleachedjeans · 26/12/2025 07:43

HK04 · 26/12/2025 05:09

  1. Book I’ve already got/read.
  2. Bizarre perfume set unknown brand.
  3. Jewellery box (allegedly) - silver/pewter from Amazon. Weighs a ton and hideous/garish design.
  4. Necklace - never wear them.
  5. Swear mug.
  6. Loo roll!

Loo roll always useful! 😀

paradisecircus · 26/12/2025 07:40

I've been given some nice stuff but am not averse to a bit of regifting (with full acknowledgement to the recipient that it IS a regift) if I think I won't use the thing but someone else will. Candles and diffusers would fall into this category for me.

hattie43 · 26/12/2025 07:35

I was gifted a ‘ wellbeing ‘ hamper . Read samples and pound shop stuff . Not to charity shop but straight to the bin .

WhatDaHell · 26/12/2025 07:33

A huge body wash set (definitely from temu)
A pair of pjs that are 3 sizes too large from mil

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