Shitty homemade Christmas Gifts

[justilou1]

I’m really loving the homemade Christmas gifts thread, and am watching it for inspiration. Can we start one for ideas for things to avoid - ie glitter-encrusted his&hers champagne flutes.

As I said on the other thread, I love crafting and really appreciate the effort someone has made for me. Unfortunately I just don't like hand made gifts. I like knitting myself but I don't actually like knitted things, I have an eating disorder so won't eat things people make, I have sensitive skin so won't risk using bath products, I don't like candles, I don't want a quilt, etc, etc.

To stress again, I do really appreciate the effort and it makes me feel loved. I still won't use the gift so it will either be binned or sent to charity as there's no point storing it in the loft for my children to bin when I die.

I feel a bit sad. For a couple of years when DC were small, new mortgage etc, we were really struggling. I made homemade presents for close family, which were cheap but took time and effort to make. They all had the decency to be polite and our dignity was upheld.

I was thinking how do you get the cake out of the bean tin as the ring pull leaves a kind of rim at the top but I suppose you tin opener the bottom.

ReanimatedSGB
A self-published book of your own fucking awful poetry or short stories. yes I'm looking at you, dear niece.

Of course! Because you can't just say 'er thanks', you have to comment on the variously terrible prose within. 'I really like that one about your feelings . . . which left you reelings . . . or the one about the bowl that reminded you of your soul.' Etc.

Sagging

'I really like that one about your feelings . . . which left you reelings . . . or the one about the bowl that reminded you of your soul.'

A necklace made from lots and lots of buttons!! So awkward to wear - I did wear it once and was reminded that I was still wearing it whilst out shopping - it looked like a button collection. That's where I put it - with my button collection!!

I was given a button necklace too! And my SIL got one (same giver). It was really uncomfortable.

It 'accidentally' came undone and I put the buttons in my button jar.

I had to look up baked bean tin cakes... lol, apparently you can also mak Valentines / Easter versions too.. to be totally fair, this looks to me like a lovely way to make something special as a small gift that isn't going to cost the earth ( we are on the tiniest of budgets all year, let alone Xmas!)

www.eatsamazing.co.uk/family-friendly-recipes/dessert-sweet-treat-recipes/tin-can-mini-christmas-cakes

Only edibles and drinkables would be welcome imo.

Worse than homemade gifts is homemade cards. All that work and into the recycling they go after a few days!

My worst ever gift was a unwanted tin of chocolate. Money is always appropriate. I love gift cards however. Whenever I receive a unwanted gift I politely send a thank you card to the person who kindly bothered to make the effort but that it’s not appropriate. Then I kindly donate it to a charity shop.

Oh, the season of tat is upon us ( I include 'Hallospleen' in this). Why, just why do people buy this shit? Wouldn't people just rather spend actual time ( with nice food and drink) with their families and loved ones?
Why can't we have an MN uprising about not buying this tat. Mothers are the chief spenders in this economy - come on, let's not do it this year!

I really think that we should stop lining the pockets of the ghastly gifts fraternity - garden centres that sell absolutely everything that is of no use whatsoever but put on a Christmas display for those amongst us who have no clue whatsoever to give as gifts to their friends or relatives! "Oh that looks nice - that would be a good present for ***! NO! It would not!
If something is home made - with the best intentions and an obvious thought to the recipient - thank you!! The pretend home made stuff - please - don't waste your money !!

Whenever I receive a unwanted gift I politely send a thank you card to the person who kindly bothered to make the effort but that it’s not appropriate.

You actually put that in the card?

I like certain handmade stuff. Love shopping on Etsy. I do actually make things for the family at Christmas, usually sweets and cakes, to go along side whatever I buy.

Depends what it is.
Good food / drink stuff - mince pies, fudge, sloe gin, limoncello - yes, please
Mum-In-Law used to crochet brilliant blankets, ponchos and scarves - professional standard and very, very welcome here. But I'm not a very conventional person.
I would absolutely love a patchwork quilt - they cost a bloody fortune to buy and I don't have the time to make one myself.

For me, “shitty homemade Christmas gift” is an oxymoron. I’d love almost anything from this thread and even if it’s poorly made, I’d appreciate the effort and charm. I also love the idea that the person enjoyed making it- that adds to the gift, it doesn’t detract from it.

MrsFionaCharming but what about for the Autumn or Winter periods? 😂🤣🤣

Clothing for pets, very naff.

Gift sets of very smelly LUSH products - horrid overpriced and rubbish

Biscuits

Well none of my pets hates are actually home made but such dreadful presents that I just had to add to the list

I love this thread!!! 2 years ago we got a Serrano ham slicing thing complete with a mini leg. It was off when we opened it a week later. Not that we had actually planned on eating it, But thought it would fun to have a go. It went straight in the bin. We nearly vomited. Last year my daughter got a little suitcase and when we got it home, we realised that it had already been used, and quite a lot. The wheels really scuffed, the bottom piping was damaged and ripped. And we always get those f*ing stupid pots with soil and seeds...and we often get those stupid ‘funky vegetable’ kits. We don’t even have a blinking garden or patio!!! We lived in an apartment.

I honestly can't think of a single handmade item that I would describe as a shitty present - other than, perhaps, anything encrusted with glitter or made of lolly sticks.

But if there was a thread of shop bought tat I would have a long list.

Melanippe

If everyone who hates homemade stuff could just put themselves on a list somewhere, that would be a kindness. It would save me making delicious jam, well baked baked bean tin cakes, quilts, blankets and shawls for people who are so utterly dishonest with me that they fake delight when I give them to them. I'd rather make things for people who aren't so two faced.

Oh please don't think this. My DSIL made me a quilt for a significant birthday and it is perfect - beautifully made, perfect colours, charming motifs, I adore it and it takes pride of place in my bedroom. I couldn't have been happier to receive it (now hoping for a baked bean tin cake)

@supersop60

Don't feel sad about your homemade gifts. The majority of people (who probably don't even know about Mumsnet, let alone post on it) are touched and delighted with homemade gifts.

My DD and partner have very little money (minimum wage jobs) but they made some beautiful gifts for everyone last Christmas - no doubt posters on here would sneer at the handmade soaps/picture frames with collage of family photos/dried sloes and juniper berries in a make-your-own gin kit/patchwork cushions/crocheted blankets/cross stitch family tree but me and my family were overwhelmed with the time and effort that had gone into making such personal gifts. I would never bin anything or send it to a charity shop. Sometimes people astonish me with how ungrateful they are.

glitter i hate glitter be it on cards gifts anything. damn stuff gets everywhere all over the carpet the dog dh you name it it ends up with flamin glitter on it