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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:
Bombaybunty · 15/12/2019 20:17

Chocolate
Vodka
Ornaments

Sigh81 · 15/12/2019 20:18

Things for the house with cats on. I happen to own a cat - but that doesn't mean I want kitsch kitten-covered crap around my house.

SJaneS48 · 15/12/2019 20:19

Gift cards for shops I don’t shop in. Every single Christmas and Birthday I get the same bloody gift card for the same retail chain I don’t use from the MIL. I’ve suggested the DH gently tells her this but he won’t in case it upsets her. Every year I get asked by her what DH and DD want, never what I’d want despite the fact I always ask what they want. I don’t think I’m favourite DIL and part of me does wonder if she’s deliberately giving me something for a store I think is crap!

CruCru · 15/12/2019 20:22

If you have unused toiletries, this place may be useful.

joyfullittlehippo · 15/12/2019 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CurlyMango · 15/12/2019 20:24

Malteserers....every bloody year. I just hand them to DH as he loves them.
Crap shot to make a bundle of presents from the in laws rather than anything I would actually use. I have multiple great hobbies and am so easy to buy for....and yet it’s bloody awful. Don’t get me started on any jewellery given...argh, I’m not 80 not 8!

LookingforLemons · 15/12/2019 20:26

There are some charities that collect toiletries for women’s refuges and places like that. If you could find a local drop-off, you could do that?

Beautiful3 · 15/12/2019 20:28

Donate the lynx stuff at your local homeless centre. They would be so grateful for it.

Loopytiles · 15/12/2019 20:30

Any gifts not from DH/the DC, I feel stressed and guilty receiving them!

Stroan · 15/12/2019 20:32

Scarves and hand cream.

The scarves are always aimed at a much older market - bought by someone who thinks I should wear things she likes. I'm 30 years younger!

I can't bear the feeling of hand cream. I got 8 when DS was born, 7 from the same person. Who needs 7 hand creams?!

CharitySchmarity · 15/12/2019 20:33

Gold (or just gold coloured) jewellery - I had a lovely work friend (genuinely very nice in every other way) who gave me this at least 5 times over the years we worked together, although she saw me every day and must have noticed that I only ever wore silver.

Ornaments/toys/random tat of the animal I collected between the ages of about 16 and 22 (I'm in my 50s).

White wine - don't really like it and I can guarantee the givers haven't ever seen me drink it. At least it is easy to give away.

Eye shadow sets that have a white highlighter that I will never use. Again, if you saw me you would probably notice that I don't use it.

And my MIL has form for deciding that if I like something I will want it for every present for years and years. I'd prefer variety and a few (well chosen) surprises! To be fair, she herself likes receiving the same things every year so it might not have occurred to her than not everyone does.

christmasathome · 15/12/2019 20:33

I love Lynx, DH has started to wear it occasionally this year - started as a joke until he realised he liked it. He has a set for Christmas,

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 15/12/2019 20:36

babybel do you have to use them at christmas? why not save them and use for things like Easter eggs or at another time? they also sell clothes/toys so you could use the vouchers for children's birthday presents? or a load of alcohol 😁

alternatively if you really can't find anything in there/it really is an awful experience and you can afford it donate the voucher to a food bank it would go really far in helping them.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 15/12/2019 20:36

YADNBU. Lynx stinks!

TheDuvetIsMyOneTrueLove · 15/12/2019 20:36

Private Eye Annual. I used to read Private Eye about 15/20 years ago. Really not my thing now. DH buys it for me every year. Drives me bonkers but can't say anything now!

JustOneSquareofDarkChocolate · 15/12/2019 20:37

Body lotion

NerrSnerr · 15/12/2019 20:37

I like to buy bubble bath and bath bombs from charity shops in January when people bring their unwanted gifts.

When Soap and Glory first came out and I was a lot younger I told my MIL I liked it so obviously get it every year.

I don't need anymore hats, gloves and scarfs. I get them every year but already have really nice ones I always wear.

sparklefarts · 15/12/2019 20:39

My mother in law buys me any old crap from the 3 for 2 offers. This year (we've already seen them, not seeing them closer to Xmas) I got a set including toiletries I cannot use (eczema) and a dressing gown. size medium. I am a very obvious size 20 Hmm

Makemeaname · 15/12/2019 20:39

@doublecheeseburgermediumfries omg the calendars. I used to get 3 most years, finally got down to just getting one from my grandmother but I have nowhere to hang one and not much in the way of events to plan out, so they rarely leave the packet.

wejammin · 15/12/2019 20:41

Lip balm/lip salve/lip butter etc. Sticky and wierd.

Anything for curly hair. Yes I have curly hair. No I don't want to put that stuff on it that you have randomly found in TK Maxx.

Emeraldshamrock · 15/12/2019 20:42

This year OP do your clear out in January. It is an awful waste you knew you would not use these products but had room to store 13 lynks gift boxes in a tiny house. Donate in January this year food banks and charities are open all year round.
Or tell family you won't use them.

Skyejuly · 15/12/2019 20:43

Only thing is alcohol as I do not drink! Dont mind toiletries etc as saves me buying them.

Spacerader · 15/12/2019 20:43

I love a shower gel gift set. Especially the influx the family gets at Christmas. We just put them all in the bathroom and use them between us. It just means it doesn't go on our weekly shopping for a little while. And with 4 of us showering almost daily a bottle of shower gel really doesn't last long. Plus I'm not fussy I will use my dp or DS lynx shower gel.

I also love getting candles.

I do hate getting body moisturiser. I have so much I don't know what to do with it. And I never know what to do with all the body puffs either that come in sets.

Teacher here who also hates getting mugs. I don't even drink tea and coffee.

I also don't like getting wine or prosecco. I don't like drinking either.

hollieberrie · 15/12/2019 20:47

Alcohol - I dont drink.
Chocolate - yuk.

On the other hand, i could never have too many candles. Cheap, expensive, I love them alllllllll Grin

namechangenumber2 · 15/12/2019 20:47

Yes @VanyaHargreeves ! I think I'm very easy to buy for, so always feel quite hurt when I get something that looks like no thought or meaning goes into it!