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AIBU?

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Original poster

Candle presents

40 replies

FourCandlesForkHandles · 12/12/2019 18:43

Now ... I have always been very much a 'its the thought that counts' kind of a person when it comes to presents, and whatever presents I'm given I always feel very thankful no matter what it is :) But there is something which is really bothering me! ...

I have had several jobs on the last 10/20 years, and in pretty much EVERY job for the last 10 years or longer, I am ALWAYS given a candle as a secret santa present! I have also left a few jobs in recent years and was given candles as leaving presents!

Now, I actually quite like candles! But ... No-one else ever gets candles and this year we had a budget of £10 for the secret santa so I thought maybe, for once, I'd have something other than a candle!!

But alas .. I got another candle! Its a very nice one! I thanked everyone in the office as I dont know who it's from, and do like the candle! It smells nice and I will light it over Christmas. But .... What is it about me that people always buy me a candle!!?

Anyone else ever been more than inundated with candles!! Or is it just me?

Who would you buy a candle for? What are people seeing in me that means this is always the preferred gift!?

I don't think I've ever given anyone a candle as a present! :) So I feel I'm missing something here and starting to wonder what is written on my forehead!!

Thanks! :)

OP posts:
Sherrybabyy · 12/12/2019 18:44

To be honest OP I only ever give candles as regifted presents if I don’t like the smell!

Original poster
FourCandlesForkHandles · 12/12/2019 18:45

Oh! So I'm the re-gifter recipient each year then :) fair enough!

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 12/12/2019 18:46

I love candles. I'd be delighted if I kept being given them. Lucky you!

toodlethenoodle · 12/12/2019 18:47

I am so guilty of giving candles where I'm unsure what else to buy that person!

Yankee in the Christmas Eve scent is stocked up in my house this time of year for 'emergency presents'.

Do you think you might be a tricky person to buy for?

Original poster
FourCandlesForkHandles · 12/12/2019 18:47

Well yes hundredmiles! I do like them and I used to feel lucky! But now it's starting to freak me out!!!

OP posts:
LightDrizzle · 12/12/2019 18:51

I’m a bit choosy about candles and don’t like Yankee Candles, so as with perfume, I prefer to buy my own.
However people might think you are a candle person if you dress quite carefully and neatly and seem to get into your home comforts and like nesting.
It’s a cosy, comfortable sort of gift. Unless it’s covered in glitter and tat like some of the monstrosities people flog on faceache.

Original poster
FourCandlesForkHandles · 12/12/2019 18:54

Ok thanks light drizzle! I guess I can live with being perceived as cost and homely! Actually quite like that! :)

OP posts:
BringMeTea · 12/12/2019 18:54

What weird 'I like candles' vibes are you giving out OP? Grin. Love a candle myself but only very nice ones so under a tenner wouldn't cut it. Assuming they are scented. Maybe I would be ok with a nice cathedral type one. It's a mystery for sure but better than a packet of tricolour pasta spirals I got one year...

StillCoughingandLaughing · 12/12/2019 18:54

Set fire to it in protest.

Probablythatone · 12/12/2019 18:54

I love scented candles and very rarely get given any. I buy them for others but no one gets me them.

joCmummy · 12/12/2019 18:55

Depends on the candle. I make handmade beeswax candles that I've gifted before but mostly as part of a hamper or something.

isseywith4vampirecats · 12/12/2019 18:55

I only buy candles at Christmas for one particular person someone I work with as I know she loves her candles and lights loads of them the other lass I have bought her good dark chocolate as I know she prefers dark to milk

Original poster
FourCandlesForkHandles · 12/12/2019 18:56

What weird 'I like candles' vibes are you giving out OP? grin.

That's what I'd like to know!!

OP posts:
BanginChoons · 12/12/2019 19:01

I'd love to recieve nice smelling candles! Can I have some "candles welcome" vibe tips please?

cstaff · 12/12/2019 19:01

Maybe they have sussed that you actually like candles and word has gotten around. With me there is a certain hand cream that I like and I nearly always get a bottle.

yellowellies · 12/12/2019 19:05

Don’t know about candles, but one birthday I got necklaces from my mum, my sister, my godmother, both my SILs and my husband!

BringMeTea · 12/12/2019 19:08

yellowellies did you spend Christmas day looking like a member of Goldie Lookin' Chain? Grin

Mishfit0819 · 13/12/2019 14:16

Vibes wise.. Maybe that you love a cosy night in, or long baths, or are houseproud and like it smelling nice?

However they can also be a bit of a generic gift for someone who's hard to buy for or that you don't know that well?

A few years ago my DP had the HR director in secret santa. He was quite new so didn't know her well other than that she was vegan before it was as popular, didn't drink or gamble. Very into healthy eating and designer branded stuff,which is hard with £10 budget. Rules out most of the usual stuff. We got her a nice Soy candle and cruelty free hand creams,she laughed and said she always gets candles (but does love them).

ChristmasSpirtsOnTheRocksPleas · 13/12/2019 14:20

Do you have some kind of dietary requirements? I always gift either edible or burnable things because I don’t want to give people clutter. Those who have some kind of food issue get candles for because I’m scared of getting something they can’t eat.

ohprettybaby · 13/12/2019 14:27

I have a few friends who often buy me candles and I've even had a battery -operated 'candle'. I mean, why does anyone think I want candle chimneys, candles in sparkly-coated glasses, tea lights? What is it about me that says I might like them?

I have Christmas tree candles I quite like (and display at Christmas but don't light them). I end up giving all candle gifts away as most of the fragrances are revolting.

MysweetAudrina · 13/12/2019 14:38

All my kids buy me candles. They are my favourite present. Always have a few lighting. The older ones say "but what would you really like" and I say I really like candles.

Ginfordinner · 13/12/2019 14:40

I don't buy candles as gifts unless I know that the recipient would really like a candle as I don't particularly like candles myself.

This year at work we have got round the what to buy for secret santa issue by using a secret santa software - there are loads if you google. The recipients can list items that they particularly like, then when someone draws their name they know the sort of thing the recipient would like. It worked really well, and everyone was happy with their gift.

Back2Bali · 13/12/2019 14:56

Whenever anyone asks me what I want for Christmas I say a scented candle, I have loads all around the house and a big stash in the cupboard I dont think I'll ever run out... I never get one in secret santa though I usually get chocolate or a chocolate themed gift..... I dont like chocolate

MountPheasant · 13/12/2019 15:43

I have to insist that you watch this SNL sketch...

MrOnionsBumperRoller · 13/12/2019 15:45

You light up their lives?