To think that there's so much tat out there

[NuttierThanSquirrelShit]

Just beginning my Xmas shopping and I don't know if I'm old and jaded now but there is just tons and tons of utter shite out there. Why does anything thats a gift have to be so pointless. Plastic junk like Emoji selfie lights, personalised junk, unicorn barf (WTF), in fact unicorn everything, flamingo everything, pineapple everything, gin everything, crap little speakers that sound like you're playing music through a straw, etc etc. I've been on Not On The High Street, Prezzybox, Present Finder etc Most of it just gets chucked out anyway, because actually no-one ever wants a wine bottle sized glass or sandal socks.

Are there any websites that sell stuff that people might actually want? I've got teenagers of both sexes to buy for and quite frankly gift tokens are looking like the way forward.

I couldn’t agree more, all these gives that will end up in landfill a month later

Gifts even!

Ask people what they want rather than just buying crap for the sake of it. Even if they don't give you an answer give an experience gift rather than a thing, theatre/cinema tickets, afternoon tea etc.

I don't buy 'gifts'. I hate all of those types of things. Apart from boots because I like all the makeup and fragrance box sets for myself

Yes I agree completely.

I hate even walking past Tiger and seeing the tat through the window which has all been mined out of the earth and will no doubt end up in landfill in a few months. How many habitats and ecosystems were razed and poisoned in the process of making all this crap, WHICH NO ONE ACTUALLY WANTS ANYWAY

Don't get me started on Tiger.

I'd be very interested to learn about their corporate responsibility policy in terms of environmental impact.

Dont any of the teenagers have hobby's?
I gave a fishing mad relative a voucher for a fishing tackle shop and attached it to a 'fishing net' of chocolate sardines

My teenage nieces are getting
Storage baskets (should biodegrade).
Soap and solid shampoo
Probably hat or mittens made from an old jumper.

Totally agree about tides of crap tat.

For Christmas gifts I usually go on John Lewis website and look at their gifts according to price/ age/ him/ her. At least the products are good quality.

Agree. We don't need toys in the heels of shoes, or inside a confectionary sweet, or with our McDonalds.

Are you me? 😂😂😂 I couldn't agree more!

I love Christmas, but I hate the tat.

I think I'm an accidental minimalist.

Pressed post too soon!

When I was a child there were no Christmas Eve boxes, no fancy advent calendars, no elf on the bloody shelf. My parents got me one thing that I really wanted, not hundreds of bits of cheap tat all wrapped up. And I loved Christmas! It was still magical!

God, I sound like such an old fart 😂

Agree with you all in spades.

Can I join the less tat/old fart club? Sometimes I think I could quite happily take some things out of my kids room and wrap them up and put them under the tree and they would be none the wiser

Etsy!

At least everything on there is handmade and you can find some real gems. There is some really different things if you spend some time looking.

Obviously they still have the tat (why is there so much fucking glitter everywhere!) but I’ve found they also have more ‘unique’ (for want of a better word) things. I’ve brought DH a handmade wooden bedside phone/watch/junk stand and charger, it wasn’t cheap but the person carved his name and it’s something that is handy.

In fairness to the likes of Not On The Highstreet, they’re more like a marketplace that hosts different stalls- some will be (expensive) crap, but others will sell great quality presents that will be loved and used for years.

I think he big problem is feeling the need to buy for people who you don’t actually know that well or who don’t need anything.
Not having a clue what to get them means that they’re families panic-buy poo emoji cushions or yet another Boots 3-for-2 cosmetic set that won’t get used, instead of having an honest conversation about gift-giving.

I go round boot sales at this time of year. I look for stocking fillers - new stuff that people have been bought last year and haven't been opened. Anything I think the kids will be interested in. Preferably arts and crafty but also science related stuff and games. I get them loads and feel no guilt as I am saving stuff from going in landfill and not actually buying anything that hasn't been sold once already. Plus usually pay £1 for most items.

I agree with the experience presents, but for extended family those kind of gifts are out of my price range.

Why do people buy the tat? it isn't compulsory. Buy nice things that you would want. If a recipient has no hobbies or interests you can buy for then get then some nice socks or food/drink as everybody has feet and needs to eat.

Just saw these..

WTF

shudder

Aargh it didn’t attach..
let me try again

Couldn’t agree more!

Why do people buy the tat? it isn't compulsory.

Because marketing strategies over the last 30/40 years have been telling us as a society that A Gift = Love.

I honestly don’t need anything- my inlaws think I am hard to buy for which means that I usually end up with a joke present or a mixed bag of Primark crap in the hope that one of the items is suitable.

I’d honestly really rather they just gave me a nice card, or made a very small donation to charity.

Well I do think giving and receiving gifts is lovely but the gifts really don't have to be useless tat. Penny, you are surely a prime example of somebody who should be given food/drink/socks unless you make it really clear to all of your loved ones that you want a charity donation instead.

Completely agree. It’s ridiculous.

The advent calendar market seems to have exploded this year too. Even the chocolate ones. There seems to be loads more.

I had the M&S beauty advent calendar the last couple of years and really enjoyed opening it every morning but am not getting one this year. I still have stuff unused from the others. I’m going to get one good full size product and treat myself to a facial.

Instead if a whiskey one for DH I’m getting him a bottle of whiskey.

Not bothering for DS at all this year.

And I never buy any beauty gift sets. The amount of packaging makes me shudder.

And yes there is so much utter crap just made for people to buy something. I’d rather have a book token.