Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Things you wish people would stop buying you

601 replies

tequilasunrises · 15/12/2019 18:34

Had a bit of a pre Christmas house declutter earlier and found that DH has THIRTEEN unused Lynx shower gels in the bathroom cupboard - all from Christmas last year.

Having chucked out a load of moisturer/bath sets il never use I had to sigh hand thinking about the next influx I’m going to get from his relatives this year.

I try not to be ungrateful but we’ve got such a tiny house and hoardes of toiletries really isn’t conducive to minimalist living!

What do you always get for Christmas/Birthdays that you wish you didn’t?

OP posts:
Xmasfairy86 · 15/12/2019 22:09

Wine
Alcohol flavoured anything

Made the mistake of saying I like ducks one year. Every year MIL buys me a china or wooden duck 🤦🏻‍♀️

Ihatesundays · 15/12/2019 22:10

Calendars. MIL bought us one every year. We never ever used it.
When she passed away, DH would buy me one instead. He’s now been banned and is not allowed in calendar shops.

MIL also used to buy me a nightie every year. This is because she was furious that I sleep in the nude, she seemed to think it was only because I couldn’t buy one myself.

BillHadersNewWife · 15/12/2019 22:13

God. I get so few gifts I'm happy with anything! These threads always make me a bit sad. My family don't buy presents for adults and DH and I get one another a few nice things.....but that's all. I can't imagine getting 13 of anything!

SpaceCadet4000 · 15/12/2019 22:14

Plastic packaged bath stuff- I've only used bar soaps for years now and regularly talk about it.

Really naff handbags with cats on. I love my cats... but I'm not a 10 year old child or 80 year old lady.

Jewellery. I just don't wear it!

MamaWeasel · 15/12/2019 22:14

I love a novelty sock, lip balm and candle!

Hate body lotion/body butter. Don't like books and ornaments that i haven't chosen. The women's refuge and charity tombola does well out of me!

tashac89 · 15/12/2019 22:16

Perfume. Every year for 8 years running this red jeans perfume rocked up under the tree. It smells awful to me and even worse on me. I'm very picky about what perfumes I use and only DP knows my favourites.

Pampering crap. I have a very large basket of random bits I've been given over the years. I do not use any of it.

Lastly, clothing shops vouchers. I'm only just down to a size 16, but for some reason every year I had a voucher from partners nan for a clothes shop in town that didn't stock higher than a 12. I'm convinced it was a passive aggressive stab at my weight.

MyNameIsJane · 15/12/2019 22:19

Bracelets

Thehollyandtheirony · 15/12/2019 22:20

Decorative scarves. Unless they are from Hermes, in which case I will gladly accept them Grin

TowerRingInferno · 15/12/2019 22:20

Hand cream and body lotion
Mustard
Chutney
Calendars
Books of gardening quotes

anonprivate · 15/12/2019 22:22

Toiletries - Do you think I smell? Also am deathly allergic to most
Clothes - you don't know my style and I don't want to dress like you
Flowers - also deathly allergic and will also have an asthma attack
Toxic smelling candles - slightly more tolerable than above but I still would rather some chocolate.
Makeup - unless you are my best friend or DP you do not know what I like to put on my face, same goes for skincare. Brushes are fine though.
Jewellery - it's always some weird hippie oversized rock and I also only wear silver not gold yet everyone gets me gold.
Wine - I DO NOT DRINK. People should know this by now.
Liquor chocolate/sweets - see above

I have told people a thousand times over to just give me chocolate and socks as that's what makes me happy and I'm not fussed about gifts all that much.

Oh and I am always very grateful for the effort and what I can I donate.

JaceLancs · 15/12/2019 22:23

Anything food or drink related!
I’m on a diet and drink too much 😉

Flightsoffancy · 15/12/2019 22:25

I'm so happy to see so many people say they don't like body lotion! I thought I was on my own! I don't like hand cream either. I can't stand my skin feeling tacky or greasy. But I'll have the scented candles please, and the shower gels. No wonder we all get it wrong, one (wo)man's trash is another's treasure.

midnightmisssuki · 15/12/2019 22:27

perfume and makeup. i only really use two/three types of perfumes and am very picky about makeup. i have sensitive skin so its a tough one!

MsAwesomeDragon · 15/12/2019 22:27

Bath stuff. I last had a bath 10 years ago, I shower with soap (as in a bar rather than shower gel), so bath bombs and bubble bath are useless to me. I've been given bath bombs today, 12 of them, plus a set of shower gel, body lotion, etc. They'll be going to work as a prize for the Christmas raffle!

midnightmisssuki · 15/12/2019 22:28

soap and glory stuff.

enjoyingscience · 15/12/2019 22:29

My lovely DM usually gets great gifts, but every year for the last decade has bought me a set of three tea towels once a year.

I don’t know what she does with hers, but mine last way longer than a year, and as a result I’ve got an obscene number now.

My grandma always used to give me American tan tights too. It became a bit of an institution in the family, so not unwelcome, but I’m pale like a milk bottle, so american tan would make me look like a crazy person.

mindproject · 15/12/2019 22:32

I don't like toiletries (I have too many already), same goes for kitchen crockery. I also really hate ornaments as I have no room. I don't like jewellery as I never wear it. I don't think you should ever buy clothes for people as it's impossible to get the fit, style and size right. I have no need for a calendar or a dairy. I don't drink, smoke or eat most foods.

I do like scented candles, make-up, books and art/craft/hobby materials. Gift vouchers are the best gifts.

Thecurtainsofdestiny · 15/12/2019 22:32

Hand cream and other creams/ lotions.

Ornaments and pictures/ photo frames.

I just don't need any more of these things!

bananamonkey · 15/12/2019 22:32

Oh I forgot about jams and chutneys, we rarely eat them and I have a cupboard full!

countdowntochristmas · 15/12/2019 22:33

I may sound ungrateful but it amazes me that no one seams to know what I like . I'm quite vocal that I'm happy with pjs ,slippers , wine, chocolates , perfume . My mum bless always gets my favourite perfume . My dh asked me today what perfume I like this is after 20 odd years together . My mil always gives me money . I mean does anyone know me Hmm

cleanasawhistle · 15/12/2019 22:34

Flowers and house plants.
I am grateful when people show there appreciation of the favours I do but a thank you text now and again would be enough

Angie6868 · 15/12/2019 22:36

Chocolate. Ex bulimic and still struggling. Chocolate is the last thing I want

londonrach · 15/12/2019 22:36

Sorry nothing...everything gets used as grateful for all.

OxiBrilloRange · 15/12/2019 22:37

Hanging wooden heart style decorations.
Or twee sayings on plaques.

londonrach · 15/12/2019 22:38

@enjoyingscience i get through 2-3 tea towels a day. Never enough. Love them x

Swipe left for the next trending thread