Things you wish people would stop buying you

[tequilasunrises]

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?

Scaves....effin bloody scarves. Every year i get 2-3. Poor Noob doesn't ever wear a scarf lets all buy her one.....did you think you buy me one every year and still I am not seen in one?! Many a polite non seasonal hint at how I am claustrophobic and can't wear anything around neck, on head etc....but no they keep on coming! Also allergic to nuts and many perfumes but get nutty chocolate and perfumed items ...from people who know! But having risked a shop the other day I think people enter some weird "must grab stuff" christmas frenzy! I am very easy to please so generic gifts are a bit meh

Sparkly, yes, you can put unwanted gifts in the Food Bank collection points in your local supermarket. I am responsible for emptying our local collection points and we get all sorts of weird and wonderful donations, the worst one was twenty cold, cooked sausages . Toiletries, socks, scarves etc very welcome. Probably not candles, they would be better going to a charity shop. And no alcohol.

Bath/skincare stuff
I'm allergic to most of it and have no sense of smell, so fancy bath stuff is a waste.
I do like a certain perfume though because it smells like my Grandma (even if I cant smell it myself anymore, I know I smell nice wearing it)

At last count DC had over 20 bottles of lynx shower gel between them
And about the same again of lynx spray. Ds2 doesnt like it so doesnt use it.
Plus we are trying to cut back on plastic waste and switch to bar soap.

Charlie body spray. I don't want to smell like my teenage self, and I don't care that my nickname used to be Charlie. It wasn't funny then and it isn't funny now.

Bedding sets. The DCs dad gets them a new one every year. They don't need them. They don't even like them most years. They like the ones they chose themselves and 2 sets is more than enough.
Like wise star wars t -shirts for DS1
He doesn't, and never has liked star wars.
(Ex and his wife have this weird thing where they treat all their DC 'the same'. Sp they all get a bedding set because that's what she's always done for her DC. And all the boys get a star wars top because some of the boys like star wars )

Costume jewellery, if its not sterling silver I can't wear it. Especially earrings.

I sound fussy. I'm really not

Red wine 🍷
I am allergic to red wine!

Toiletries. So many people miss the mark re scent, I really dislike floral scented things. I also don’t like body lotion so sets including that are a waste.

Not a fan of wine so we regift it.

@HotSince82
No, food banks can not accept gin / any alcohol

If you have kids at school they will be glad of it for school fair / raffle / tombola etc

Candles, I never use them as have young child and also wreckless cats (I see candles are common on this thread!) also bottles of Baileys... I don't like it, not sure why I get it!? Boxes of flower bulbs, it's not the time of year to be trying to plant them in sloppy soggy sludgy soil 😁

Fucking hand cream. If I need it (don't really), I've got a tube of the concentrated glycerine stuff where you just need a dab and it lasts years.

But PIL and SIL buy me a set every year. Last year between them I got NINE tubes of the stuff. I don't have that many hands! Would rather get nothing and have begged them to stop buying me gifts, let's just do presents for the kids, but nothing doing.

I love all silly gift set things, I am extremely easy to buy for. However experience days can fuck right off, I do not want to spend a ridiculous amount of money to go and do the gift you got me. I also have a one year old and heavily pregnant so unless you are offering to babysit then I wont be doing it. Such a waste when they run out.

I’ve already opened by presents as baby is due on Xmas eve so Xmas is cancelled this year
Amongst stuff that is going straight in a charity bag I got
Rubber gloves and dish brush set, I have a dishwasher and what tiny part of me that might be feminist is offended
Box of coop tea bags
Jar of coffee, I’ve never drank coffee in all my 36 years

Comps83, who the heck bought you that lot? Awful

Bloody body moisturiser. I must look dry and shrivelled.
I like a certain type with some self tan in and I barely get time to use that never mind slathering on anything else.
I have had to specifically ask people not to buy dd any more art stuff. My house is being taken over by pens and colouring books.

@EntirelyAnonymised tbf it was my 88 yr old gm. She is ‘all there’ but has very limited shops she can go to
I really wish she wouldn’t waste her money but theres no telling her

Body wash, hand cream, smelly soaps, bath bombs...no thank you.

I eat enough chocolate over the holidays and really don't need more.

I'll take those candles people don't want!

Comps83 Oh love her

I'd like everyone to send me their unwanted chocolate. I never seem to get bought chocolate and I love it

Bayliss and harding body moisturiser can go in the bin though. I did try to use it a few years ago but it sat strangely on top of my skin and refused to soak in. I tried rubbing, but it just went white and still wouldn't soak in. I had to re-shower.

Bloody nail varnish!
I rarely wear it, but my sisters seem to somehow think it's the perfect present for me because I used to use it about 10 years ago. Worse, it's always some dreadful 'tasteful' colour like pale pink or beige.

Also bath bombs from people who visit us enough to be well aware there is only a shower in our bathroom.

i am feeling bad now as I've bought two of my son's girlfriends neils yard gift packs. Now personally i'd love to get one of these. Its so hard buying for people you dont know well and i thought these would be foolproof

For those with excess toiletries nursing homes and care homes will appreciate these too as when people are In a home normally they have to be provided by family.

If you know someone has shocking taste or is otherwise likely to buy you something rubbish, you could tell them you're doing a no-gift Christmas and, if they really feel they want to do something, ask them to donate to charity on your behalf.

(This obviously doesn't work particularly well if they're likely to see you open presents from other people!)

I periodically do this and find it a profound relief to avoid the guilt I feel at not appreciating the shite that I get from my in-laws. Means I don't get any presents at all that year though...

@wingardium8

If only that worked!

My MIL has very 80s taste in clothes and accessories, so I try desperately to steer her away from things like that. I still got a handbag with the hamper of tasty food items I asked for.

Your local foodbank will probably take unopened toiletries (mine does, and they're usually desperate for them)

www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/body/article/42459/1/beauty-privilege-growing-up-poverty%3famp=1

I am one of those who posted to say I wish people stopped buying me handcream and bodylotion.
Just read this article and feeling a bit ashamed of my post now, looking back.

If you have time, well worth a read and as LizB62A and others have said, donate unwanted toiletries to food banks. When you’ve read the article you’ll fully understand why.

Here's a thing, don't throw them away, give them to a homeless shelter or a foodbank. Or - say to your relatives, please don't give me a gift, I would rather you donate to charity. Job done.

www.easho.org.uk/apps/giftregistry/registry/77684