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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think buying toiletry gifts in the Boxing Day sales for next Christmas is tacky?

202 replies

crinkle8 · 03/08/2018 20:05

So today I was talking to a colleague about Christmas, and how quickly this year is going. She then said she's done all her xmas shopping Shock I said you must be very organised! She said she did it all in the Boxing Day sales.

She then said she broughttoiletry sets from Boots for all the women in her family when they were 90% off. Is it just me who thinks this is a little TOO cheap? I'm all for a bargain if it's something that can keep, but I'm not convinced toiletry products can lost that long. I've had toiletries I've left unopen for a year, and when I open them they've either lost their scent or really runny.

Also, anyone who shops at Boots will know the packaging is from last year, and know the person got it at 90% off a year ago.

OP posts:
SoyDora · 03/08/2018 20:07

I have boxes and boxes of boots 3 for 2 toiletry gift sets I’ve been given over the years (usually by my mum!). They feel like such an impersonal and thoughtless gift to me, unless you know someone really likes a particular brand/product.

ExecutiveDiamondBossBabeHun · 03/08/2018 20:09

Seems frugal and sensible to me... Although I don't like toiletry sets and only ever use the bubble bath so would still be wasted on me. I do agree that often they are things people buy for people they either don't know well or who are impossible to buy for. My nan for example never wants anything, never uses anything you get her and so I would buy her something like that just so she had something to open 😁

HunterHearstHelmsley · 03/08/2018 20:13

I know a few people who do this. Pisses me off as we have a 'budget' and they think of it as the full price. I just adjust theirs too. Usually to the 75% off price!

yellowpaper · 03/08/2018 20:14

Once got a dove shower set like this for a secret Santa. Two actual shower gels and a loofah/poof thing. Hmm

EmUntitled · 03/08/2018 20:15

Why is it tacky? She could buy them a present for £5 in January or buy exactly the same gift in November for £50. The receiver gets the same gift, it doesn't matter to them that it was bought at a cheaper price. OR it means the receiver gets a bigger or better present which the giver otherwise couldn't afford.

It sounds sensible to me.

I bought my daughter's christmas present in the January sales for 80% off. I wouldn't have bought it full price so this way she gets a great Christmas present which she wouldn't have otherwise.

Ethylred · 03/08/2018 20:15

My god that's organized. If I had a superpower it would be being organized.

Original poster
crinkle8 · 03/08/2018 20:17

@EmUntitled Because toiletries don't stay nice and scented for a year.

OP posts:
anotherangel2 · 03/08/2018 20:17

I don’t think buy in the sales is tacky. I think buying impersonal gifts is thoughtless.

greendale17 · 03/08/2018 20:17

Giving toiletries as presents is tacky and cheap.

PinkBuffalo · 03/08/2018 20:18

I can't afford fancy shower stuff the rest of the year (use tesco value or poundland) so when someone gives it to me for Xmas or bday I'm really pleased. It really wouldn't worry me if they'd got it in the sale.
But that's just me.

Sparklingbrook · 03/08/2018 20:22

Makes you wonder if any of the lotions and potions may have congealed or solidified by now. Some of them have Use by Dates.

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/08/2018 20:25

I thought similar when I saw people loading whole trolleys full of the crap last new year.
How impersonal. An ex-best friend bought me a bath set once. Bubble bath etc. Didn't even own a bath tub! shows how much thought she put in!

annandale · 03/08/2018 20:30

Those sets are horrible - always shower gel and body lotion if you're lucky and I'm not crazy about either. But if you are from a family where it's important to give something however impersonal, then she has saved herself a lot of money and stress, so job done I guess.

Mari50 · 03/08/2018 20:35

I don't understand mn, someone was emptying her kitchen cupboards earlier and stuffing it in a canvas bag and was told by plenty of posters that was a lovely gift but someone else being organised and buying things in the sale is being tacky and cheap?

Giraffey1 · 03/08/2018 20:43

Surely it depends entirely on whether the recipient likes the gifts? I’m not a fan of toiletries but some people really like the sets. If people want to save money by buying in the sales and the the gifts are enjoyed I can’t see any issue.

Clairetree1 · 03/08/2018 20:43

I don't like toiletries, but some people do, perfectly fine to buy at cheap rates, if they are going to someone who will like them.

I buy for Christmas as cheaply as possible, that way I can give more gifts to more people

birdonawire1 · 03/08/2018 20:44

Unopened the fragrance stays the same after a year. If I was more organised I would do the same. As it is I hate Christmas shopping and end up buying toiletries anyway at full price because I never know what people like or want

DesignStatement · 03/08/2018 20:44

If buying gift sets of toiletries for people is 'tacky', there must be a lot of tacky people about as the shops are full of them!

LeftRightCentre · 03/08/2018 20:45

I actually like those sets. Blush

happypoobum · 03/08/2018 20:46

I can't see the problem myself.

I love receiving that kind of gift Smile

SilverPartyShoes · 03/08/2018 20:46

My best friend bought me a M&S Party book one year for Christmas, unfortunately she’d bought 3 of them in the previous years sale for 50p each, because the receipt was stuck in some pages at the bottom....ooops.
Terrible book too, I’ve never even had a formal dinner party to need advice on hosting one, and all this did really was advertise M&S goods, it wasnt really practical, but it was very thick with a hard cover, so it looked good !

strawberrry · 03/08/2018 20:48

I think you are very rude OP. Some people have to live very frugally. Be thankful people have thought of you, even if it is a 'cheap set' - they might not be able to afford more.

ChuffinHell · 03/08/2018 20:48

I hate getting toiletry sets. Plus it’s no thought to the gift.

AnExcellentUsername · 03/08/2018 20:49

I buy things in the sales for presents, but only if it's something that I like they will like. I bought my friend gucci perfume in the sales at a fraction of the price... I will give it to her for her birthday next week!

Loyaultemelie · 03/08/2018 20:49

I'm not a fan of toiletries (can't have scents with migraines) so tend not to buy them for others but I do have 90% of my Christmas shopping done in sales throughout the year. The most I've paid is 60% off, I just can't afford not too