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?

Also - most experience days are well received I find. I've been given them and done things I would never have organised for myself. And many have an exchange system where you can swap for something else of equal value.

Likewise there is a website to exchange unwanted gift cards.

I think you either have to say something or give and receive with grace.

I know this is going to be controversial, but... chocolates. It's not that I'm totally anti choc, but there are certain ones I like and otherwise I'm not fussed.
I gave away six boxes from my 21st.
And random moisturiser/skincare kits from a brand I never use.

pretty much everything. i do not need xmas or birthday presents, and i find it quite offensive when people give me stuff that is completely unsuitable as isn't a gift a reflection of how they see you! i'd rather they didn't bother and xmas and birthdays could be a chance to show your affection in other more meaningful ways.

@Devora13 i understand completely. i like chocolate, but only specific ones

I'm a keen baker and my friends and family know this, but I really wish they would stop buying me random 'quirky' recipe books. I have so many and 90% of them I have NEVER baked a single thing from them. They're never just a 'normal' recipe book either they're always full of some weird quirk.

e.g. an entire book of disgusting microwave mug cake recipes or a book of 'magic' cakes which were supposedly 3-in-1 recipes but were actually just bad recipes with mixtures which settle during baking so you end up with layers in the sponge varying from greasy to rubbery to dry.

It's a shame because if they just bought me a normal recipe book I'd love it. or if they asked there are always small baking gadgets which I'd like.

It's just such a waste.

Reading this I'm so glad I no longer buy Christmas gifts for people.

Kids get gifts only.

And to the ungrateful poster who moaned about her kids getting Lego and Play Mobile, they're brilliant toys and expensive. People are so ungrateful but the level of spending people go through in panic, just for it all to be wasted is sickening.

Anything from Lush! I don't understand what most of it's for.
Perfume....most give me terrible headaches and nausea. There are very few I can tolerate but dh knows what they are so it would only take a simple question.

Toiletries generally - I have super-sensitive skin and stick to brands I know won't make my eczema worse. So many contain chemicals that are really vicious on the skin. I do like pricey brands like Origins and Neals Yard but would really prefer just one 'naice' product rather than a whole basket of cheap crap.
Anything wrapped in yards of plastic - anyone who knows me knows that I try really hard to be environmentally friendly and eschew anything plastic-wrapped. Yes I feel guilty and ungrateful but I could weep at all the crap in the shops that people panic-buy because they don't know what to get someone.
Cheap chocolate. Again anyone who knows me knows I'm trying to lose weight. I love a bit of choc now and again but just one lovely truffle is fine not a whole box of Dairy Milk (covered in a white bloom cos it was sitting in Poundland for several months).
I don't mean to sound ungrateful but I would rather people kept their money or donated to charity.

Bloody Bayliss and Harding shite! Every bloody year

Dreaming of Sun - I would say Neals Yard is about as foolproof as it gets. I'm sure your sons' girlfriends will love them. Ethical company, lovely smelling and fully recyclable. Lucky them!

Clothing, usually a size too small. Usually from one particular relative who buys it to encourage me to lose weight.

I adore getting toiletry sets and candles, i even love the bayliss and harding (have droppes hints for the plum ones). I keep getting ridiculous amounts of wax melts and feel i have to use them (still have twelve left from last xmas). I actually hand my partner a list of books i would like and love getting vouchers so i will spend them on myself

@Riddikulusness I’ve definitely got one of their handwashes this year from mil so it’ll be going to the food bank

I agree

Things I don't want:
Toilettries - unless they are the particular fragrance free brand I use
Chocolate - causes migraines
Red Wine - another migraine inducing substance
Candles and diffusers - can't abide fake fragrances
Anything plastic

What I do like:
Bookshop vouchers - are they still a thing?
Silver jewellery (especially if its old/charity shop find)
Scarves and wraps
Small fabric bags with zips for organising things
Good quality notebooks, pencils and pens

Tops! My sisters and mother are always buying me sweaters or other blouses that I never wear. My taste is so different from theirs🙄This year I suggested we all make a list of things we would ordinarily not buy for ourselves. Hopefully they stick to it.

Drop it all of at a food bank!

@BertieBotts it's for people like me who have dry skin. Body lotion stops me from shedding a dusting of dead skin wherever I go...

This is why I love my PIL. They'd have no idea what to get me... so they ask me to ping them a link

@over501 people buying you slippers means you're hard to buy for

This thread proves to me that presents are just pointless, we should all just enjoy doing things together instead and eating good food. Think of all the crap that is bought, the money wasted and the things thrown away.

This thread proves to me that presents are just pointless, we should all just enjoy doing things together instead and eating good food.

This I think Americans have it right with thanksgiving. (Although not black Friday!). I'd love to just give gifts to kids.

In our family we ask what people want. We all hate pointless crap, and don't receive any because we find out people's likes and dislikes before we buy.

And we all hate wasting money as well.

It’s funny isn’t it @ginfordinner

I used to think it was such a cold and transactional thing to do but it makes total sense when you think about it. It also depends how prescriptive you are:

• “I’d like a fitness watch”
• “I’d like a Garmin fitness watch”
• “I’d like a Garmin Forerunner 235 with a blue strap”

I’d ideally like to be told #1 but if it’s #3 that’s fineS

We do no 1. Although DH often asks for specific wines. It works for us.