To think mini toiletries gift sets should be banned

[SunnyOchreNewt]

After this Christmas I have three new sets to add to the several that were already languishing in my bathroom drawer. And of course each one comes with its own zip bag. None of them contain skin care products I'd actually use – I have perfume allergy for one thing, and I already have several loofahs. What do you wise MN ladies do with the things?

food bank drop off at your local supermarket

Local Pantry (similar to a food bank but where members pay a small fee each time)

I always add them to the heap of amenities bags dished out by airlines and then drop them off at a hostel or homeless charity, who always seem grateful enough. Obviously only unopened ones!

Donate them to charities.
Tell whoever gives them to you clearly that you are allergic and you CANNOT use them.

They are very useful if you travel frequently. Also good items to drop off to women’s aid and refuge centres.

I routinely get these. I never go anywhere so minis are wasted on me. I asked for no toiletries after being given 7 sets last year. This year I have only been given 3. I don't need any more washbags or body scrubs!

I tend to give any unwanted products and the bags to charity shops.

How ungrateful. Lumps of coal for you next year.

Either food bank or use for travel

which is usually what they're meant for?

She said she's allergic.
That's not really ungrateful.

I put those kinds of things in bags that I keep in my bag to hand out to homeless people. You could do that. Or take them to a shelter or food pantry.

I like them for travelling and holidays, but do hate that they invariably come in some sort of plastic bag with a cheap zip. The person who always buys them for me knows which ones i use so probably a bit different! Agree in general about generic presents being a waste; as has been said various charities would be thankful if you wanted to donate.

Maybe if people stop buying presents just because there would be less of these type of presents around

I wouldn’t even use them for travel, hotels usually have nicer supplies anyway?

I had no idea there were "food banks" for this type of item. Thank you for enlightening me!

I’d much prefer a toiletries gift set to some of the stuff I’ve been given, feeling a bit envious

I feel like the minority here but I just…use them.
I’ve currently got a large soap and glory shower gel on my shower shelf that I use day to day, and Molten Brown and Sanctuary mini shower gels on there too, just to mix things up every now and then.

See if your local women’s aid takes them. Ours makes advent calendars and packs for women with mini toiletries so are always asking for these!

Just use them?

Or give it to charity.

Every five years I take a ferry crossing to Norway and I drop them over the side into the North Sea about half way across.

Or, you know, I just use them.

Does it matter if you don't 'go' anywhere?

Just use them day to day? 🤷‍♀️

I put them in a basket for guests to help themselves.

I use some but give most to food bank or womens refuge charities.
still, the endless supply of makeup bags that these gift sets come with is so annoying and wasteful

If you aren't sure where your nearest drop off places are Google "hygiene banks" because that's what they are sometimes known as.
Or churches often collect them to distribute to places like women's shelters so you could contact them.

When you have an allergy like the one mentioned by the OP, it must be fairly frustrating to have all these replies saying just use the toiletries.
😁

Molton Brown minis are brilliant!