Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 15/12/2019 22:39

oh love @Angie6868 Flowers

Igottastartthinkingbee · 15/12/2019 22:39

Scarves. I got five scarves one year. And I barely wear them! No more please!!!!!! Toiletries bags. I think I may be on my second or third bag in a lifetime. I do not need one a year! (SIL is the worst culprit for this). Jewellery especially earrings. I haven’t worn earrings for 15 years (other SIL please take note). My MIL buys me bracelets sometimes but has wildly different taste to me. Posh chocolates. My sister is always buying me truffles or Belgian chocolates, expensive fancy pants ones. I really don’t like them, much prefer cheap as chips chocolates and retro kids sweets. I know it’s the grown up thing to like posh chocs but it’s just not me.

A book token (is that still a thing 🤣) or a wiggle voucher suits me just fine!

Whatsnewpussyhat · 15/12/2019 22:40

Plants. Especially orchids.
I kill them all. Not intentionally.

Wine or prosecco. I am teetotal, why buy me fucking alcohol? Why is it assumed that all women love wine? Or bath bombs?

Those minging praline sea shells. Bluurhh.

Babybel90 · 15/12/2019 22:41

Has anyone had any success trying to get any of the gift givers to stop the unwanted gifts?

justasking111 · 15/12/2019 22:44

I donate all my toiletries, potions and lotions to our local womens refuge. Allergy problems.

missyelloww · 15/12/2019 22:49

DP has a very large family. Instead of spending stupid amounts of money at Christmas, they all spend £3/£4 on little presents for everybody which are all opened in quick succession around the Christmas tree. (Notebooks, pens, toiletries, knick knacks)... I absolutely HATE it - it's my worst nightmare! It's all so pointless! I don't need 4 notebooks with animals on the front, or a pack of sparkly pens. My skin is so sensitive that I can't use any of the toiletries and I don't have any where to put a large plastic apple! This year is going to be even worse as they are buying for my daughter too - we are a very minimalistic family so the thought of her being given approx 20 tiny plastic toys that she'll never play with is stressing me out! (Please, someone buy her a book or something useful instead!)

I am aware that I sound horrendously ungrateful, but it's just not for me. DP loves it because it's a family tradition, so I don't think I'll ever be able to get away from it either!

Everytimeiseeher · 15/12/2019 22:51

Prosecco. I’m a hairdresser.u clients always give me it at this time of the year. I can’t stand the stuff.

flippinehh · 15/12/2019 22:53

Shower gel

Bubble bath

Face stuff

Don't use any of it but guaranteed to get bag of the stuff every year.

flippinehh · 15/12/2019 22:53

I'd actually really like flowers and house plants!

pourmeanotherglass · 15/12/2019 22:54

Candles

TableNiner · 15/12/2019 22:57

I’m very hard to please and think nothing of going to the charity shop with my ‘haul’ as soon as they reopen. But these days I also get quite depressed about the absolute excess of Christmas for adults, how the shops produce all these sets and special editions for people to buy and give just so they have something to give, and then much of it is wasted. Gift vouchers or gift lists are not very imaginative or romantic but they do help save the planet. Not to mention the debt people get into. I totally agree with Martin Lewis

Ginfordinner · 15/12/2019 23:03

Flavoured gin. I like gin to taste of gin, not rhubarb or cardamom or lemon sherbet or anything else. A simple bottle of Gordons will please me no end.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 15/12/2019 23:03

missyellow as your daughter gets older you could suggest books or hope she's creative (art sets and colouring things always get used up so don't clutter up the house!!) or get her a main and suggest complimentary bits eg a dolls house they could get furniture/figures each. For you could you suggest a particular drink/treat food you like that keeps well. or start collecting stamps/coins they could add to each year - they don't take up much space and could be sold in the future!! 😂

firesong · 15/12/2019 23:04

No thanks to body lotion, dark chocolate, handbags.

Yes please to candles, pyjamas, fluffy socks, jewellery (I like a wide range), nail polish, and stuff related to my hobby which everyone knows about!

I don't get loads of presents though, last year I got some from: my parents, my ex's parents, ex's sister, and from the kids (bought by dads).

Illcallbacklater · 15/12/2019 23:06

Skincare and Bath products. I'm really picky, I stick to my one type of face wash and one moisturiser and ph friendly body wash, all under £10 so not an issue of having expensive tastes just sensitive skin. Every year I get bought highly fragranced or comedogenic things. I donate them all. Oh and body lotion, I hate it makes me feel greasy and sticky

BennyTheBall · 15/12/2019 23:13

Lynx? For someone over 13? 😂

We have a family member that buys us a case of wine. Great, except it’s all wine we’d never drink - Pinot Grigio and rosé.

DubiousGoals · 15/12/2019 23:13

Jewellery - even though DM knows I've never liked/worn matching jewellery sets (plus I must have told her at least 50 times over the years I like my jewellery to be as random and clashing as possible) every flippin' year I get cheapo earrings that "l thought these would go with that necklace"

Spartonian · 15/12/2019 23:13

Alcohol! Any alcohol, I don't drink and have not done for the last 20'years.

Bunnylady53 · 15/12/2019 23:14

Smellies especially bath stuff as I only ever have showers. I think if you get smellies then the giver hasn’t really thought about you or what you would really like. Another vote for reed diffusers, although I don’t mind candles.

Fr0g · 15/12/2019 23:21

as PP has mentioned, Definitely boquets with lillies in - love the scent, but not with a cat in the house.
Milk chocolate, and especially mint flavoured chocolate.

I actually love getting mugs (as long as they're fine china with white insides, but all of my friends know that, so not an issue). I have some from maybe 20 + years ago, and I still remember who gave them to me, and think of that person when I use said mug.

Ilovenutellaaaaa · 15/12/2019 23:22

If any of the gifts don't expire soon, just write on a page who gave what...e.g Sister gave such and such, neighbour gave such and such...store unwanted gifts somewhere clean.....then as the year goes by, when it's someone's birthday, Easter anniversaries etc among family, friends, workmates, neighbours etc, just pick a gift from your collection and wrap it...just look at your page first so you don't accidentally give the person their gift backGrin...

caringcarer · 15/12/2019 23:24

I hate being bought clothing, especially knickers, as I like to pick my own. I hate candles and scarfs which I seem to be given frequently, and I just bundle them off to charity shops. I am quite fussy about wine too I like my favourite champagne and don't drink much else. I don't really want anything from friends or distant family. I would be happier with a charity donation gift.

makingmiracles · 15/12/2019 23:24

Anything Balliss and Harding or grace Cole. Any branded toiletry gift sets, I had a huge joules one and it literally smells of nothing! Female lynx(I’m not 12) or dove sets(I’m not 70).

Crappy biscuits eg family circle, there’s nothing special about family circle, if you give biscuits as a gift at least make it some nice shortbread or chocolate covered biscuits!

Body butter/scrub/lotion, goes straight to charity shop. Likewise novelty lip balms(again I’m not a child!)
Normal Socks/Christmas socks, I literally only wear trainer socks and warm fluffy bed socks in winter, again these go straight to charity shop!

THIngs with my name initial on, just why??

Jewellery, I don’t wear much and only occasionally and it’s very much down to personal taste!

Calendars, one year, I shit you not I got 10!

Emeraldshamrock · 15/12/2019 23:29

I can't believe poster's get knickers, cotton pants, from friends and family. Other half excluded.
There are some weird gifts on this thread. I really like to get a gift I know a person will use not a random pick up.
I like most gifts even randin pick ups but not knickers. unless their sexy not red and from DP

justjuggling · 15/12/2019 23:31

Candles. Always get a candle in secret Santas!

Swipe left for the next trending thread