Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
ohreallyohreallyoh · 04/08/2018 10:53

Oh wow. It’s August and we already have the smug ‘I spend more and put more thought into my gifts’ brigade out and slagging off anyone who struggles for money or heaven forbid, is buying something that they consider beneath them. Not a thought for the reality of people’s lives or budgets. Personally, I use shower gel that costs 33p in Lidl so any of these thoughtless and tacky gift sets represents a real treat for me and let’s me use products I simply cannot afford. Every year I snap up even bigger bargains at the car boots full of lovely Soap and Glory goodies you ungrateful and unpleasant people reject. And if I give you such an item for Xmas, it’s because I’ve looked at it and thought that the products contained within are something you might like - see, I do think about it, even if it suits your snobby narrative to think otherwise.

I struggle to understand how anyone thinks it’s OK to look down on anyone who gives you a gift.

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 10:57

I'm perfectly capable of deciding which toiletries I need and do not want to receive toiletry sets as gifts. It's just clutter.

BarbaraofSevillle · 04/08/2018 11:01

I'd honestly rather have nothing than a toiletry set, especially if the person who bought it is short of money.

They're horrendously overpriced even on offer and the excess packaging is a disgusting waste of resources. Wrapping supermarket toiletries in excess packaging does not make a nice gift and all it achieves is depriving me of the chance to choose my own toiletries

I want to go and browse and pick something new to try, not pull out of the many Dove, Nivea or Soap and Fucking Glory bottles of crap that I'm bring bought faster than I can use it, it sometimes seems.

SoyDora · 04/08/2018 11:06

And if I give you such an item for Xmas, it’s because I’ve looked at it and thought that the products contained within are something you might like - see, I do think about it, even if it suits your snobby narrative to think otherwise

If someone has bought me something because they genuinely think I’ll like it then that’s great. Lovely. I don’t think anyone has an issue with that. It’s the filling the trolley with generic box sets in the sale just because they’re on sale, regardless of whether the recipient will like them or not, that I have a ‘problem’ with (not a genuine problem as it’s not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things).

Bluelady · 04/08/2018 11:10

Barbara, send your Soap and fucking Glory our way. My stepdaughter loves it and for a nursing student it's a real treat.

pasturesgreen · 04/08/2018 11:12

@strawberrry I won't, actually. I genuinely much prefer a card or text over a random thoughtless gift. More than enough plastic crap polluting the world as it is. But do believe what you wish, by all means.

ohreallyohreallyoh · 04/08/2018 11:14

If someone has bought me something because they genuinely think I’ll like it then that’s great. Lovely. I don’t think anyone has an issue with that. It’s the filling the trolley with generic box sets in the sale just because they’re on sale, regardless of whether the recipient will like them or not, that I have a ‘problem’ with

How do you tell the difference? Seriously? What gives anyone the right to judge whether a gift is given out of genuine kindness or some kind of ‘couldn’t give a shit’ place of frugality not necessity? And even if it’s frugal rather than necessary, why do you have the right to judge that?

And sure, you’d rather have cards or nothing at all if it’s going to cause someone a financial problem buying something ‘better’, but what about the person who turns up to the party with nothing? How do you think that feels?

DontDrinkDontSmoke · 04/08/2018 11:16

I love the soap and glory ones and also sanctuary. I buy them and the Ted baker ones. The Ted baker ones get opened and split into smaller gifts for DD’s friends on their birthdays (may be a different brand next year)

The things I don’t use I flig on eBay ... and make most of my ££ back.

BubblesBubblesBubbles · 04/08/2018 11:23

I don’t normally buy those sets as gifts for Christmas. I did get my sister some make up brushes for £4 which I will give as a side present along with a bigger one. She loves make up.

However my mum likes the Laura Ashley ones, so if I see them reduced I will try and pick one up.

I get some bit and pieces in the sale, so I got some fab hair bits is accessorise for 70% off for my dd stocking. I’ve picked up Lego that’s been reduced in Tesco for stockings. Most of the kids stockings are bits and pieces I have picked up throughout the year in the sales. If I don’t Christmas gets too expensive.

ScattyCharly · 04/08/2018 11:28

It’s not about being frugal IMO. If you cannot afford to exchange presents, then do not exchange presents. These are adults, not 5yos waiting for Father Christmas.

Everything about these sets is wasteful. Overpackaged and most recipients don’t want or need them so the stuff gets wasted and takes up space. I’d be offended to receive one, although I’d be perfectly happy for the giver to say they couldn’t afford presents and let’s not exchange them.

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 11:37

If you know the recipient will like it they're fine but buying x number of gift sets as a generic male or female present is a bit crap.

claireblueskies · 04/08/2018 11:48

I would find it hard to be thankful for a Sanctuary gift set.

If you really want to buy me toiletries, buy me a bottle of Pantene aimed at my hair type. I'll actually use it, and you'll have had to spend 5 seconds mulling over which type would be most appropriate for me.

I like gifts with thought. There's no thought in those awful gift sets from Boots, full price or not. I think it's the "3 for 2" which makes it worse - it encourages people to bulk buy thoughtless things.

If you're poor, don't get me anything. I don't care. I'd rather nothing than you spend money you can't afford on something I don't want.

Or, if you really must give me a present... bake me some cookies. You can make them cheaply, and you can personalise them by baking something I will want to eat and that won't kill me. I will appreciate the time you spent.

Leesa65 · 04/08/2018 12:08

Giving toiletries as presents is tacky and cheap.

SOME people can not afford more

Its the THOUGHT that counts or did nobody teach you that ?!

Leesa65 · 04/08/2018 12:08

Fucking Hell .

Tacky and Cheap !?! Will have to tell my little niece the set she bought so proudly for Mum, with her pocket money, was tacky and cheap !

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 12:10

How much THOUGHT goes into buying a 3 for 2 sale toiletry set?

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 04/08/2018 12:12

Don't listen to the haters, Sanctuary! I still love you! And anyone who gives you to me!

I hope threads like this don't put people off giving me these sets. Also, anyone who is being upset by a deluge of Sanctuary or Badedas or Fenjal sets should send it to me.

TroysMammy · 04/08/2018 12:14

I hate being given toiletry set gifts. I spend too much time on MN before work I haven't got time to cream up my body. Quick shower, dry hair, bowl of cornflakes, mascara and lippy and I'm off.

bellsbuss · 04/08/2018 12:15

Well I buy them every year for my daughters and nieces as stocking fillers which they all love

BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 04/08/2018 12:25

There is no thought or effort in a 3 for 2 set nor buying the leftovers in the Boxing Day sales for the most part. Different if buying a piece of jewellery, scarves etc that you know a person will love.

A present doesn't have to be expensive to be thoughtful.

Mammyloveswine · 04/08/2018 13:06

Somebody would be OFFENDED to receive one of these gift sets? Overreaction much!

Butteredparsn1ps · 04/08/2018 13:10

See now I would be a bit disappointed with Pantene shampoo.

It's a bit too everyday. Nice shower gel as an alternative to my usual whatever the supermarket has on offer, feels like a treat.

Each to their own I guess.

Butteredparsn1ps · 04/08/2018 13:13

And it's not thoughtless. MIL likes royal jelly, DD likes soap & glory, sil likes Ted Baker.

If you know someone likes something, why on earth wouldn't you buy it when it's on offer?

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 13:23

It's the knowing that they like it.
If you have eczema and are given a bog standard toletries set, it shows that the giver hasn't thought about it.

CarrotandSwede · 04/08/2018 13:24

I don't know why people are so sneery about toiletries, surely just about any shower gel's OK for every day use?

I guess there’s nothing special about it. Everyone uses shower gel, yes it’s useful but no thought has been put in to it. Unless you love gift sets. Generally it’s products I don’t really use.

I could buy you a pack of Elastoplast and some nice sliced bread. You use those everyday?

BarbaraofSevillle · 04/08/2018 13:30

Exactly. Buying shower gel is no different to buying washing up liquid or toothpaste.