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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To stop collecting?

90 replies

7yo7yo · 27/02/2020 23:39

A relative passed away a while ago. She had a set of 3 jewelled elephants, big, medium and small.
The family gave me the set as they remembered I’d liked playing with them as a child. All good, I put them on the landing window and they make me smile in memory of the relative (occasionally).
It seems I’ve started a collection by stealth. I’ve received several elephantastic items. A pillow with an elephant, a display plate, a blanket with a family of elephants, more “collectible” elephants, a thimble with an elephant and the latest is a fucking Pair of salt and pepper elephant shakers as well as a bag with elephants on etc.
I have no elephant affiliation at all. How do I stop this.
AIBU to not accept anything?
Has anyone else had a collection started by stealth?

OP posts:
NotTheMrMenAgain · 01/03/2020 08:37

This happened to me with owls. DH gave me wooden side table, carved into the shape of an owl for our 'wooden' anniversary. I really like the table - it's unusual and the perfect size for a cup of tea and a snack, it's next to my special reading chair. Perfect.

So then he must have thought - "Crikey, she bloody loves owls - I'm onto a winner here!". And almost everything had owls on for some years - mugs, handbags, jumpers, earrings. One christmas I even had a stocking of owl-shaped bits and bobs - nail file, note book, post it notes, lip balm etc. The man loves a theme. I couldn't say anything because we'd already gone too far down the road of owly-ness and anyway I had always quite liked owls generally.....just not really THAT much. I did end up liking owls more because I was sort of brain washed into it.

Anyhow, the owly-ness came to an end when we got a specific breed of dog last year. We're all happily obsessed with the dog and give each other houndy gifts now. So that's okay.

Jokie · 01/03/2020 08:44

Huskies. I have them as a pet but Every man and his dog seems to think that I want anything remotely husky related. Tacky sign for your door? A novelty hat? How about husky figurines? Husky salt and pepper shaker anyone? I love my dog, not inanimate objects

heartonastring · 01/03/2020 08:54

Place marking because this is hilarious!!

Figmentofimagination · 01/03/2020 09:11

Snow globes. I bought myself a couple that I really liked when I was a teen.
In my late teens/early 20's I ended up with over 60 of them. People saw I had some so kept buying me more. Some of them were really thoughtful and lovely, some of them were absolute tat. I didn't want any old snow globe, I just wanted particular ones that I really liked the look of/meant something to me. And they were a pain to keep clean.
I now only have a few out on show that have sentimental value. The rest are in the loft waiting for the day I finally have the courage to donate them.

Original poster
7yo7yo · 01/03/2020 09:18

@NotTheMrMenAgain maybe you need to start making owl noises especially when it’s dark. And DHs asleep.

Another collection was the Anne Geddes baby calendar. And diary And bean filled babies.

I don’t want calendars with ANY kids faces not even my own. No matter how cute.

OP posts:
Rocketinapocket · 01/03/2020 09:24

Owls, elephants and pigs are popular choices.
I had this a few years ago with Cath Kidston stuff. I’d bought myself a mug with strawberries and that unlocked a deluge of flowery printed tat. Next thing I know I’ve been gifted a purse, a oyster card holder, a key ring fob, a selection of the same mugs, various diaries and several of the ‘make and sew’ books they did. I politely said I had enough CK now thanks.

MarchDaffs · 01/03/2020 09:38

Oof how annoying! But this is because people will insist on buying presents, especially for people they're not necessarily that close to. We think we have to give a physical item and desperately look for something that's not stock, that looks like some thought has gone into it. The majority of the time it would be better if we just didn't.

HopefullyAnonymous · 01/03/2020 09:43

I love elephants, even have an enormous elephant tattoo. No one ever buys me elephant gifts though! I’m intrigued by the salt and pepper set.

BlackCatSleeping · 01/03/2020 10:01

No one really ever buys me gifts. I’m so, so grateful for this.

newyearnoeu · 01/03/2020 10:52

Unwilling collections relating to pop culture stuff are the worst, particularly now Primark has jumped on the bandwagon and immediately mass-produces all kinds of naff shite - anything they can superimpose a logo onto cheap quality clothing/crockery.

e.g. I really loved the HP books as a teen. Perhaps I still chuckle at the occasional meme. But I'm now in my thirties - why would I want a HP themed make up bag/mug/candle/pyjamas that don't go with my clothing/decoration tastes? I quoted mean girls ONCE to a friend - next birthday I was given this cheap pencil case set.

Just to be clear - I don't think there's anything wrong with adults enjoying things that are more aimed towards children. Whatever floats your boat. It's just this switch from not just being able to just appreciate something like a tv show in the medium in which it was created, you must want to loudly and obviously declare your adoration by displaying it all over your house/body.

Also - I wouldn't suggest starting to talk about how much you love gin/other alcohol either unless it's a niche type of alcohol and not one that's trendy at the moment. You might get lucky and start getting gifted nice quality bottles - or you might start getting those gin scented candles, or 'hilarious' 'it's gin o'clock' little signs....

Original poster
7yo7yo · 01/03/2020 21:58

Ooh can I add holiday tea towels and holiday fridge magnets to the list?
I’m convinced all those magnets from Tenerife and the algarve have wrecked my fridge.

OP posts:
Slazengerbag · 01/03/2020 22:07

When I had my son my husband bought me a Willow Tree ornament of mother and son. It was lovely and very thoughtful of him. I now have 43 ornaments in the attic!

T0tallyFuckedUpFamily · 01/03/2020 22:10

I board dogs and have incredibly kind and generous clients, but......

.....fridge magnet, tea towel, or ornament anyone? 🤨😭

redwinefine · 01/03/2020 22:12

WHERE DID YOU GET THE SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER?? I've just broken our elephant salt shaker and my kid will be in bits when he realises!! Charity shop the lot (then post the address so I can round :D ), it's what I've ended up doing with unwanted gifts

PickleBottomNo3sMum · 01/03/2020 22:19

🤣 This happened with a relative of mine and Owls. In the end I think they just kindly explained “No more please as, yes I did have one or two owls to begin with but that doesn’t mean I want 100s and TBH I’m not actually that keen on them”. Also remove ALL elephants so people get the message.

shortytrekker · 01/03/2020 22:21

'My Mum's friends seem to think she collects chickens. The only connection she has to chickens is eating them but every birthday a new hideous chicken themed item emerges'

'She probably said she likes cock'

@SiliconHeaven Oh my god, it's very rare a reply actually makes me laugh out loud!

Noconceptofnormal · 01/03/2020 22:37

Oh yes, when I got my cats I suddenly got loads of cat presents, for me all sorts of stuff with cats on and tonnes of toys etc for the actual cats. I'm actually starting to become more brutal and just getting rid of gifts I don't want. I wish people would look at our house, we have very few ornamenty type things so I don't know why people think you want it when you don't have it already.

RaininSummer · 01/03/2020 22:48

This thread is so funny. I never laugh out loud normally and definitely dont pmsl although with my pelvic floor it could happen . I love all the stories but the poor woman who ended up with an owl themed hen do! And the stampeding elephants.

SiliconHeaven · 02/03/2020 07:52

You’re welcome @shortytrekker 😀
I’m glad someone noticed it!

TheQueef · 02/03/2020 08:00

Like it Grin

PleaseSeeMeNow · 02/03/2020 08:04

Penguins.

When I was about 11, I think I said I liked them. I got penguin related gifts for years, slippers, pyjamas, hot water bottles, pictures. Even though I wrote a Christmas and birthday list that didn’t feature penguins.

I kept saying to my DM to please tell my relatives I didn’t want any more penguin stuff but she wouldn’t incase it upset them. Because upsetting me was less important? Hmm

Original poster
7yo7yo · 02/03/2020 08:30

It’s the white elephant with pink cheeks from amazon.
Disclaimer they were bought for me NOT by me.

To stop collecting?
OP posts:
Riddo · 02/03/2020 08:32

I bought myself one rubber duck which matched my newly decorated bathroom. I now have forty of them! They are mainly from DS and mindees so I can't get rid. I've accepted it now and DH has put up new shelves for them.

Fortunately no one has branched out into other duck related items 🙂

Funnyface1 · 02/03/2020 08:48

Flamingos here. I liked one once and my mam is running with it.

On a separate note, you're ok as long as you keep the China dolls. If you try and move them out of the house you'll start with trouble.

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