To request no more of certain items?

[itsnosoap]

Only if asked what I want for future birthday/Christmas presents of course!

This Christmas I got three sets of Soap & Glory stuff (which I used to like but now makes me feel a bit queasy), two sets of 'cute animal' socks and two lots of Hotel Chocolat, of which I am not a fan. All gifts given by close family members.

WIBU to say I don't need anymore of these items, if asked what I would like in future? I will be donating it all to Women's Aid or a food bank, so it won't go to waste, and of course I was very grateful and thankful for the gifts. I just seem to get these items every year and it seems a bit daft to let it carry on.

I have enough hand cream to last the next 10 years at least. I do use it, but still had several unopened ones from last year and got a load more this year too.

Casually mentioned I'd heard Aldi were doing good dupe Jo Malone candles.

I got 4 for Christmas.

@MrsGrindah I got so much handcream last Christmas I haven't finished using it yet! It saved me money and I was grateful, but none of them were scents I'd have picked!

Oh I feel so ungrateful when I think like this but I'm so fed up with my home being filled with tutt! If I suggest not doing gifts, I'm a grinch. I always get a million bloody candles.

Do you know how spoilt you all sound?
I have a suggestion: stop buying pointless crap for other people and ask them to do the same.
Also, maybe be thankful you have all these people around you to buy/exchange gifts with. Maybe they all think your gifts were rubbish too?

Did a secret santa with family this year. It was heaven! Next year going to try for no gifts at all - even more heavenly!

A few years ago I was given Evelyn & Crabtree hand wash pump and hand lotion pump, they look lovely in the bathroom.I

Ever since I have topped them up with gifted bath wash and body lotion. Must have been doing this for about ten years. It's a great way to use it up.

Almost every year we decide to give each other edible gifts (adults only, children get normal gifts). This year DM decided to announce that ‘you have decided on silly edible gifts again, but I do not want any chocolate, biscuits, sweets or alcohol’. So I got her lovely set of Christmas baubles, very realistically depicting various fruit. Uncharacteristicly, she was happy with that.

YANBU it's so annoying that things bought for you go to waste. But it's hard because people think they've done something nice for you & it's a tricky situation to navigate without sounding ungrateful.

I love candles, however I massively dislike Yankee Candles. Mother in law buys me them every birthday & Christmas without fail. I've made passing comments in the past about other brands etc but fall entirely on deaf ears or it's just easier to buy a Yankee one because they're more widely available. It's no biggie in the greater scheme of things as I just regift them or pass along to DM who's a fan.

We said no gifts on one side of the family this year as we’re going away next year together so spent extra on an upgrade to accommodation.

Come xmas day and we get a little bit (mostly nonsense that we don’t want - mugs when cupboard is bursting with mugs etc). SIL, who was also part of the ‘no buying’ deal got kids and had bought kids for her parents. Made us look right mugs.

We’re now pushing for presents for kids only and maybe a SS among the adults (if we have to)

It was the best thing we ever did ;to stop buying for adults. Christmas is less stressful and actually loads cheaper.

Does anyone actually really like smelly sets?

As suggested up thread a nice shampoo and conditioner would be more preferred. I would use this over hand cream.

I always wondered who used bath bombs , they seem pointless to me but I see upthread someone does like them. I have loads. I hate them.

For the last few years, I’ve said no more to:

Bad quality jewellery from one particular place.

No more organisers (Filofax style) - never ever used one.

No more pen sets. I got a gimmicky one this Christmas that looks really cheap and nasty, but I’m expected to love it, as the pens have ‘real gemstone chips in them,’ and a ‘rubber piece at the end to tap your smartphone with.’ I mean for fuck’s sake, why wouldn’t I just use my fingers and thumbs like everyone else?! What a twat I’d look, sitting there with my imitation Filofax, tapping at my Smartphone with gimmicky pens in 2018!!!

No more handbags (unless there’s one in particular that I tell you I’d like).

No more scarves (same as for handbags).

Should’ve said that all of my requests have been ignored, and each year I continue to receive the same things as above. So infuriating!

@Freshprincess - I wonder

This year I reluctantly caved in to pressure from dh’s family to stop doing adult presents. My own family don’t bother - they turn up with chocolates and nibbles for everyone instead.

I felt rather sad on Christmas Day when there was nothing under the tree for me to open except a joke present from dh (he’s already bought me tickets to a concert). I’d have rather liked a Baylis and Harding gift set or something! Anything really. Next year I think I’m going to wrap up a chocolate orange for myself and shove it under there.

Baylis and Harding is actually given as a gift? I usually buy their handwash when it's on sale at Sainsbury's for a £1!

How about just nothing? We’ve all got so much crap anyway. It’s all horrendous for the environment and all you lot are doing is moaning

I’ve just started being really specific. I used to feel a bit uncomfortable about this... until I had a similar Christmas gift experience to you. I take so much time to really think about and source presents, taking into account what the other person’s interests are and I quickly realised that some people just aren’t that arsed. Or are too busy. One of those. And so I’ve just had the best Christmas cos I asked for what I wanted

YANBU. I like nice toiletries but this year said no more please, I haven’t used all (or any) of last years yet simply because I was given so many
This year my DC and DH gave me great presents eg garden stuff and gig tickets. I was really happy and if I’m honest more grateful than I perhaps was for some previous gifts.

I encourage everyone to create an amazon wishlist and make sure rhey have access to mine, which has potential gifts in different price brackets.

Would just declare " isn't it about time we stopped all these Christmas gifts to one another". Just like stopping the Christmas card sending, would much prefer to make donations charity. Perhaps post receipt/acknowledgement from charity on FB to convince folk you are serious about no gifts for adults.

Lego. I replied to the last enquiry from my poor brother looking for something to buy my boy: “NO MORE FUCKING LEGO IN MY HOUSE!”

Got them all to do experiences this year which cut down on the tat destined for charity shops. DC had vouchers, money and offer of day to go clay pigeon shooting and a days go karting with him. They got red letter day experiences which hopefully they will all enjoy.

I was in refuge on my birthday, this year. They gave me a set of body butters and some rose flavoured hand cream.
So, a belated thank you, kind MNers :)