The obligatory Bayliss and Harding...

[XmasGridlock]

Have recieved two sets this year. One from FIL and one from DH's Aunt. Also had another smelly set from DSIL. I have severe Eczema and can't use any of these types of sets. No shame in saying all will be going to the charity shops in the New Year.

FIL gave DH a bunch of cash, some new clothes, chocolate bits, etc. I got a Bayliss and Harding Set I can't even use.

Anyone else get the obligatory Bayliss and Harding set? Or maybe some other unthoughtful gifts from the in laws?

Bought one for mil. I like mil. Dh not so much. It fit his budget. Not my business 🤣

@MrsDiplo

Not B&H but this year I got a set of flannels. We bought BILs favourite aftershave (Dior, not cheap) and SIL we bought her favourite wine and candles. Usually they give equally as personalised gifts. This year DH got a copy of gadget we already have that his brother has definitely seen and used himself while at our house and I got a pack of 4 scented flannels and some other random toiletries. Not even the same colour as my dark coloured towels, theyre a pale bright blue. It looked like she emptied the bottom of a drawer to be honest.

(high earners for those saying maybe theyve been caught with no money. Also beautifully wrapped as always and placed in expensive gift bags.)

OMG yout flannels and towels don't match? How can you ever let anyone into your bathroom again?

In laws brought me fluffy jimmies a size 2o they’re a perfect fit I was worried too small, a gorgeous rucksack with owls on it, a pair of slippers a copper bracelet trouble is I can’t put on myself, dh has to do it, some shampoo and conditioner I’m not complaining but the bottles are massive so awkward for me, the best the jimmies.

I have never knowingly bought any. It never get the hate for B & H on here. Is it any better or worse that Dove/Nivea/Radox?!

Thankfully everyone who knows me knows that even being in the presence of smelly gift sets will give me hives so no one gets them for Christmas in our family anymore. N

I'm glad your DH spoke to your FIL. Your FIL sounds like a bit of a dickhead. I'd be surprised if he genuinely forgot.

Received two, yes two sets today I don’t mind and just laugh to myself though as we don’t buy for adults and don’t expect to be bought for, just the children. These two giftee’s obviously forgot. They’ll be re gifted.

Got 3 this year. I don’t use any products like this, anyone and everyone that knows me knows I don’t, but I still get them. I say thank you with a smile and put them in my regifting/charity box.

People saying it's thoughtfulness.... It's from DFIL and DH's aunt! Unless there is a backstory in which they are super close and know each other really well, why would we expect them to know her preferences? Generic gifts are only thoughtless if you actually could have gotten something better with thought.

I got 2 sets today and I have a box under my stairs for "school raffles/ presents" so they will both be going into there until I need them.
It's awful stuff and lacks total imagination and is cheap and nasty 😷

@WitsEnding

My mother has given me a large box of Ferraro Rocher, which I don’t like. She told me it was a box of chocolates and I am really disappointed, I don’t have any other chocolate in!

I wish she wouldn’t bother.

Could be worse. A few years ago my Aunt gave me a knitted Christmas pudding Ferraro Rocher cosy. It held one chocolate. Ate the Ferraro Rocher and threw the cosy in the bin.

It'ss the thin, watery body lotion and hand cream from B&H that I really don't like. I don't mind the hand washes.

I got brought the large soap and glory set its lovely but I am allergic so plan on giving it to a womans refuge along with some other bits.

I get a B&H giftset from my mum every year. Today she gave me two!

What I dislike about them is the style over substance thing. Once you've got them out of the packaging, everything is stuck to the plastic with that weird glue. The residue from that never truly comes off the items, particularly the tubs of cream.

Yanbu to feel upset by this. It’s the sheer thoughtlessness. I’d rather have nothing than a B&H set because I wouldn’t use it and would be embarrassed to gift it to someone else. I hope your FIL behaves better next year, and your DH’s ‘effort’ is even worse.

This year I’ve had bath bombs (for the second year running), wine and 2x jewellery stands (why would I need two?) from the in-laws.

I don’t drink, don’t wear jewellery, and only have a walk in shower - no bath. 🙃

OMG yout flannels and towels don't match? How can you ever let anyone into your bathroom again?

@Tenyearsgone EXACTLY! glad you see my point. Luckily covids around so I wont have the problem of guests for a while. Maybe I need to find someone with light blue towels to give them to. What colour are your towels?

By flannels- do you mean casual trousers?

Or cricket trousers?

My DH, DD and I got nothing from my MI, in fact my very Lovey Dad passed away 12 weeks ago and she didn’t send a card, pick up the phone, comment on fb, not even a text to our DD who was distraught. I know it’s disappointing but at least they care. My MI doesnt give a stuff

@TeenageMutantNinjaCovid Wash / face cloths :). Like tiny mini towels you wash your face with.

[quote MrsDiplo]@TeenageMutantNinjaCovid Wash / face cloths :). Like tiny mini towels you wash your face with.[/quote]
Do people still use those?

My granny had them when I was a child - she died in 1990 age 85 but I haven't seen them in a house since then.

To be fair I dont tend to buy smellies for gifts unless I actually know the receiver likes what I buy and isnt allergic to them.

My relatives know I love smellies as gifts because I love dove, Nivea, radox, soap and glory etc and am grateful for them but Bayliss and Harding does genuinely do strange stuff to my skin, and most of it doesnt smell that great imo. My ex used to go shopping on xmas eve and used to say oh I didnt know what to get you so I chose this even though he knew I hated it cos he just couldnt be arsed..he was an abusive arsehole anyway.

What I dislike about them is the style over substance thing. Once you've got them out of the packaging, everything is stuck to the plastic with that weird glue. The residue from that never truly comes off the items, particularly the tubs of cream.

Yes this is it as well. I couldnt put my finger on what I hate about b and h as well apart from what 8ve said and it's the packaging and presentation. You have to take the lid of and unpeel a seal to use it..which I can never do. I end up sticking my finger nail in it and then it goes everywhere. Then the plastic and the glue
Maybe if they had a total rebrand or changed their presentation it would be better

Not even a pandemic stems the tide of moaning MN threads about presents

I don't think anything could do that tbh.

So, yes, I'd be moaning, regardless of brand, about receiving any type of smelly sets when I have bad eczema.

I am often gifted bottles of wine. I don't drink wine, I smile and thank the giver and then give the wine to a friend - it's really not difficult! I certainly don't feel the need to complain on a forum to a bunch of strangers and I really couldn't care less if the same people gave me wine every year. I have my own views of people who use the word "moan" when discussing any gift given to them.

The world doesn't revolve around your health issues. Just re-gift the sets, or maybe donate them to women's refuge.