Come on then, which gifts are going to the charity shop?

[lemonsherberts6]

2 soap and glory gift sets. My skin is sensitive, so I can’t use anything like that.
Baylis and Harding hand set - same deal.
A candle - never use them.
Pink gin - don’t like and never drink it.

It’s always the same people, no thought put into it. I think they just grab random bits from the 3 for 2 at Boots. I’d never say anything, of course, but it’s the same stuff every year and it gets a bit disappointing as I always make an effort to buy gifts that people actually enjoy or will use. Honestly, I’d prefer if they just saved their money.

What has everyone else had?

I’ll be having my boots 3 for 2 portion of Christmas at the weekend when we see the in laws. I do really wish they wouldn’t bother, for their own finances more than anything. We come home with bags and bags of stuff like fluffy socks and gift sets and it takes an age to go through. It’s buying for the sake of it and never personal. Also my MIL smokes in her house so we have to drive home with bags of stale smoke smelling gifts and then I have to wash or wipe everything. Can’t wait.

I got a very generous and lovely gift voucher from BIL and SIL, but also inexplicably a load of socks which came vacuum packed - I think they wanted me to have something to open. I’ll bring them to the homeless shelter in the new year.

Not the charity shop but I am going to have to fob the pack of Ferrero Rocher I got off on someone who does not have coeliac disease

Surprisingly nothing this year - family stuck to lists and what we agreed to get. Lots of experience tickets so looking forward to 2026 with more money in our pockets and less guilt!

Nothing. Am keeping the fluffy socks and the body wash too. I am very easy to please!!

Would a charity shop appreciate a National Trust diary?

MIL gets me one every year, despite me mentioning how fab it is to have a diary on my phone at every opportunity. I have no use whatsoever for a paper diary.

Just a box of Milk Tray will go to the food bank collection point.

Definitely. Loads of people like a traditional diary still, that's why they sell them.

We don't go overboard with presents so nothing for the charity shop but I seem to have bought excessively in the biscuit and cracker aisle so they may need to go to the food bank.

I am keeping an eye on vinted for cashmere gloves or scarf and good wool socks.

My in-laws seem to have downgraded our usual boots 3-for-2. Instead of soap and glory we’re on weird made up branded bath sets which are bagged up already to go straight to the charity shop. They’ve also discovered temu this year 🙄

We also wish they just wouldn’t spend the money - just makes us feel rubbish about little thought or care goes into it when it’s bags and bags of unwrapped generic poor quality “stuff”.

Our diaries are also bagged up to go - have never in my life used a paper diary but MIL still buys me one every year.

Nothing here. I always get money so I bought 2 pairs of lovely boots and an item Id been coveting off etsy for ages.
DiL always gets me makeup which I wear a lot of so apart from the red lipstick which doesn't suit me at all I'll use all of that.

A relative who’s known for very bizarre gifts has outdone herself this year. Not even the charity shop would want it!
I dug out her previous contender for worst gift and my DC’s couldn’t decide which was the ugliest. This years is certainly the heaviest. I’m going to keep it in case we get burgled as a weapon (for self defence of course).

My Avon room scents Advent calendar from MIL that she says lots of people recommended it to her as a perfect Christmas gift. Can someone make it make sense to give an Advent calendar as a Christmas present?!

I get migraines from room scents/air fresheners etc, so I cannot use it, which she does know. I am also pretty sure it is from last year as it says packaged in 2024 on the back and that she probably got it as a tombola prize. It would not be the first time she has done this.

Nothing! I have passed on the only 2 presents I received which were unsuitable to other family members
One was shortbread (I’m gluten free) the other was a fancy set of various teas and I only drink coffee
I had some very thoughtful surprises as well as gifts I’d asked for or hinted at so very pleased

Baylis and Harding gift set. I'd use the shower gel but not the moisturiser or candle so I will donate to the chartiy shop intact so someone can buy the full set.
Set of Christmas coasters.

I got four gifts this year. The other two were great.

A jumper that I’d never wear in a million years. It’s on Vinted already.

I buy a paper diary early every November. I buy whichever one has the layout I need - a full week on two pages so I can view my schedule easily.

3 Bayliss & Harding Gift Sets.

I think I ended up with them all. Cashmere scarf, twelve pairs of Nordic socks and also two pairs of cashmere socks. 😂 my fault for telling everyone I wanted cosy things for Christmas but I probably will use them all.

Nothing - got lots of lovely presents but the ones not suitable/not my taste will quietly go on Vinted 😅Gonna have a look tomorrow. I got a rug for a Disney character I used to collect but don't anymore.

Also won a grow your own cactus thing in a game I played - plants really aren't my thing. Tried to give it to my friend who does like plants and even she didn't want it 😅

A scented candle from a lovely friend, but that seems to be one of her go to presents. Every time, birthday, Christmas - a scented candle.
She knows l have asthma. She has it herself. She knows l can't use them as they make me ill.
Also, same person - a body spray. Ted Baker, but for me perfume/scented stuff is a very personal and individual thing.
From another friend - this arrived yesterday lunchtime (so it felt a bit last minute and we don't usually 'do' Christmas presents) - white chocolate Lindt truffles so now l feel guilty that l just sent them a card as usual!
They'll be going to the foodbank along with some hot chocolate sachets which l got from someone else. Ditto the shortbread biscuits my neighbour gave me.
I'm honestly not ungrateful. I just think it's a shame when people have spent their money on things l can't/won't use.
I've tried for years to get my friends not to buy me things for Christmas, l began that when l was really struggling financially, l'm fine with birthdays as they're spread out, but Christmas is everyone at once! It worked at first, then the presents started to creep in again.
I've suggested donating something (even a fiver, much less than they're paying for presents or even just the postage) to a good cause of their choice.
They either ignore that, or do it then send me more 'stuff'.
One even asked me for a list of suggestions, which l gave. A parcel still arrived with more things I hadn't on the list, which will be donated. .
I'm trying to declutter before a house move, l'll be downsizing and l'm desperately trying to get rid of stuff.
Otherwise - l was over the moon with the facial wash l asked for (specifically for a skin condition, and a set of samples for other products). Very happy indeed with that. I use it and it's saved me buying it myself.
Oh, and some slipper socks. I love them!

A join the dots puzzle book in large print which I’m hoping was bought as a joke. Some animal band-aid that were definitely a joke. Chocolate covered coffee beans as I can’t eat them. Everything else was lovely.

Nothing. But Vinted has hundreds and hundreds of items with 'unwanted Christmas gift' in the title already!

Without you telling them that you don't like the presents/can't use them then they are probably thinking the same thing as you - that they're being thoughtful and getting you something you like and use! Each year you probably say 'how lovely', pretend to be pleased.... and the cycle continues! 😀