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?

I enjoy getting these and use them. Makes a nice treat to try a new shower gel etc, and I both shower a lot and travel a lot. Our local DV charity accepts mini toiletries so I assume you could also donate them there - I just buy plain things for that but presumably lavender scented or whatever would be appreciated by some.

I feel fortunate to have no allergies and to not have sensitive skin.

You're right, although I suppose she did ask what people do with them (and most don't have allergies)!

I'm also in the use them (or food bank if not my taste) camp.

I agree with those who've said it's a shame that there's a culture of mindless gift giving now... it's such a waste and so environmentally unfriendly, too.

I bought some small Sanctuary Spa body washes yesterday in Boots sale, I use them when we go away and DH will use the clear make up bag they came in for stuff in the garage, very handy

You can put them in the charity bags that get left on the doorstep, they are often not just for clothes

DH actually buys those cheap clear makeup bags for storage, you can use them for other things not just makeup. I have a couple for storing leads and plugs

Places like Boots and Superdrug often have collections of unwanted and unused cosmetics. (Hygiene banks)

You could also add them to normal food bank collection points. Considering that people add toiletries like toothpaste there, a set could go to someone in need.

Women’s refuge or charity shop. I tend to think these gifts are quite thoughtless they’re just easy to pick up without any real thought usually 3 for 2 in Boots! I’d rather have one large bottle of shower gel etc than a fancy bag with 3 little bottles of something that won’t last 5 mins

Hygiene bank.
Wimans refuge
Tombola or raffle prizes.
Charity shop.

So many options for unwanted gifts.

If you looked up your nearest Women’s Aid Refuge Centre, they would be very gratefully received.

It's ok to just not like them. I use soap, I don't like shower gel, it seems to sort of stick to my skin, it's hard to wash off. And I don't like chemical or perfumed products. I'm not allergic, just fussy.

It's probably best just not to give presents then you wouldn't receive them. I had just one present this year and it certainly wasn't toiletries.

Not sure where you live but I donate mine (plus those I pick up in hotels) to a local charity who the help families in hospital with their children.

This is the one but if you’re far away there maybe another similar you could give to?

https://www.sophieslegacy.org.uk/what-we-do/

I actually asked for two sets of nice mini toiletries this year. We travel a lot including youth hostels and self catering, plus I go to the gym so it’s helpful to have my own shampoo/shower gel and so forth.

There are also beauty banks at most boots shops. They take them.

Banned? Of course.
😂

I bought individual mini toiletries for one of my DS’s. Filled his stocking. Bought because he flies, hand luggage only, to various events.

These are perfect.

I don't like mini toiletries because most the time it's really hard to get the product out of the bottle. For travelling I have refillable squeezy bottles that I decant my normal stuff into.

Plus how many washbags do people need? I have a nice washbag that I bought in the sale decades ago thats still in good condition.

Also, the packaging. A lot of the time these are just toiletries with added packaging to make them look like a gift so should be banned for that reason alone.

If you’ve got dc at school, you could save them to donate as raffle and tombola prizes for school fêtes.

Where I work we have a box for toiletries people don't want and where staff can help themselves to them.

I do wonder, when reading these threads about unwanted / unsuitable gifts,

1. How adults are getting so many gifts they get multiple of the same unwanted type.
2. Why they are getting gifts from people who don't know them well enough to know they are allergic to/don't like the gift.

Are they corporate gifts?

In my case I didn't get toiletries, but I did get about 10 chocolate items because I got a couple each from a few close family members.

I don't really like chocolate and am trying to lose weight. We also have things in the house like mince pies and Christmas cake, which will satisfy my occasional sweet tooth for the foreseeable.

People get trapped into a cycle of 'must buy people gifts for Christmas' but don't really know what to get/just want to get a little token, and this is what they buy.

People are also too polite to give an honest response when asked 'do you like this'. How many people would actually say what they're really thinking? Almost no-one. They express gratitude and quietly donate the item and the cycle continues.

Can anyone explain the point of body lotion? And does anyone use it? I love a good hand cream, foot cream, thicker moisturiser, body butter type stuff, but body lotion - especially if in a make I’ve never heard of…….very liquidy……often strong smells, all over my body………no thanks. But a lot of people must use it because companies make it?

I've got loads of them cluttering up my bathroom cupboard. I can't use MB shower gel, it makes my sking really flaky and itchy. Having read this thread, I'll drop them at the food bank!

This year, however, I got a lovely L'Occitane shower gel and body lotion set, which I really appreciate because it doesn't irritate my skin and will make a nice change from Sanex Zero.

I use it because I have very dry skin. I prefer it to body butter because it seems to soak in better.

My MIL bought me a big gift bag full of Dove toiletries that I'm allergic to 🤷‍♀️ so no, not always corporate.