To wish I had fewer but nicer christmas gifts?

[qauren]

My family are very generous, therefore I’m very lucky, and appreciative.

The issue is, they buy lots and lots and lots of “smaller” things. Whilst lovely, clutter up my limited space and must cost a lot of money. They refuse to buy “big” items.

Personally I’d rather have fewer gifts in number, but have nicer ones per se? Rather than three pairs of tesco pyjamas, i’d rather one really nice laura ashley pair etc. Or perhaps rather than small bits and bobs that in total cost a heck of a lot, I’d rather a silver bracelet.

AIBU?

It’s been easier for me since the advent of amazon wishlists tbh, I know some don’t like them but for me, I live abroad and most family and friends are still in the UK, the lists are lifesavers with zero unwanted smellies or charity-shop destined tat. I know everything on the list is something family and friends actually want and mine’s the same for them.

I am on the fence too. I got lots of stuff I neither wanted or needed it. I got FIVE boxes of Milk tray. I will give it a few days and hand 4 of them to the food bank... along with some other stuff left over from Christmas.

Also got four 'shower gel' and 'bath' sets off people.

Sounds ungrateful to say anything. So I won't

We agreed ‘no presents’ for adults this year and it was so much better, enjoyed our day together, lovely meal, drinks, watching a film, a walk and board games - a really lovely day. In previous years the ‘present ceremony’ has taken forever and we all get random tat (although as I manage a charity shop all random donations welcome please ).

I agree I got two box sets of toiletries off my mil and extra large sock slippers, it was disappointing because I got her a lovely Yankee candle set, photo calendar for the grandkids and I really put thought and effort into the presents. I would have rather one nice presents then a load of stuff I just won’t use.

Mil bought me a lovely Chanel candle andvreed diffuser. 1 lovely present. My mum gave me a pile of shite, i’d Rather she gave me one thing and spent a few more ££

Some of my ex's family used to give the kids piles and piles of utter rubbish. I used to get so (secretly) upset at the waste, the litter and the clutter. But I knew that collectively all of it probably cost a lot - maybe 50 pounds worth of about 30 cheap, plastic presents. Then we'd have to find somewhere to put it all.

When we split up I remember feeling so pleased I'd not have to deal with it all again, until the children got given it all in plastic bags to bring back to mum's!

Not seen it for a couple of years now though so maybe they've changed their present giving ways!

Totally agree. I hate receiving things like novelty books or gifts that I’ll never do anything with. Even for secret Santa I try to buy something meaningful or useful that I know the person will like rather than something funny or stupid.

Next year all the givers put names in a hat, organise a Kris Kindle 50 each so you get one decent present.

YANBU. My MIL has been volunteering in a charity shop for the last few years and that’s been reflected in my Christmas gifts from them. This year I got a purse that I’d told DH I’d like, a little bath set (brand that I like) and a chocolate orange, which would have been perfect, but I also got: a strange shabby chic lidded box with an @ symbol on, a bright pink and turquoise floral mini storage box (the fabric/cardboard kind that Ikea do, but tiny, labelled as a craft storage box, but I don’t do any crafts), a floral/butterfly themed slightly battered birthday and address book and a pair of men’s socks. None of it to my taste or of any use. I’m the only one that gets these sorts of gifts so I think MIL looks at piles of gifts they have for other family members and feels the need to top mine up so it looks more even. I love them to bits but I actually find the randomly grabbed extra things a bit hurtful. Just the couple of small gifts chosen with me in mind would make me feel much less excluded. I can’t say anything without sounding ungrateful or rude. Does seem silly that she gets things from a charity shop, wraps them, gives them to me and then I unwrap them and return them to a charity shop