Do you like receiving toiletries as Christmas presents?

[katykuns]

I am not a fan, but I don't really do the pampering thing...

Anything to avoid?

I am buying for SIL, who has a month old newborn

What about a lovely soft scarf to keep her warm when our with pram?

For my 30th I was given a Philosophy gift set, which was quite expensive. It was chocolate scented stuff which I loathe - I can only cope with quite sharp, light smells - and I broke up the set and regifted the three bottles. I felt bad doing it but I would never have used it. Anyway, just as I'd got shot of the last one, I saw a friend who I hadn't seen since my birthday and she gave me... yes, the same set all over again.

Wilson I've only just started trying them out! So far I like happy hair company for shampoo/conditioner, good things fresh start face wash and have just been using an oil-free moisturiser.

Scarf is a nice idea Marian.

Or some lovely gloves. I would love to receive these sheepskin gloves.

No - I'm pretty fussy about smells and unless it's something I've specifically asked for I find myself having to do a big fake smiley face and regifting it a few months later.

Not that I don't appreciate the sentiment - I really do, but I've suffered from quite severe rhinitis since childhood and I suspect it's buggered my sense of smell up, as even a lot of very expensive toiletries and perfumes smell revolting to me.

scarf is a good idea... thanks :)

Having said all that - I would appreciate nice hand cream, or a Lush voucher - ideal for a new mum (rather then Boots etc) as she'd have to treat herself rather than spend it on nappies and wipes!

I love receiving them because I don't treat myself to nice stuff, just the bog standard family shower gel etc.

My brother occasionally surprises me and the girls with little sets from the body shop, which is lovely.

No. I hate this stuff. It's junk. I have thousands of dusty bottles of Body lotion, body lotion; one of the most useless things in the history of the world. Who has time to slather themselves in cold grease in this climate?

I'd rather a bottle of beer than a bottle of Body lotion!

The last gift set I got was Clarins, I stuck it in the first charity bag that came in the door. Present wise it's worthless junk, just like scented candles and boxes of chocolates. The equivalent of saying to someone, I see you as a vague generic blur, here's some unimaginative tat!

I don´t like the gift boxes either, but I do like nice soap, handcream & I use body lotion!

No. Almost all give me eczema. Always give them to school raffles.

Actually, maybe I don´t use body lotion-just a moisturiser sometimes-don´t like stuff that matches a perfume.

No, because i'm allergic to quite a few things and even my own mum seems to get it wrong when buying for me.

No way - I have v v sensitive skin and have to avoid a lot of nasties that get put in most of these things..... Feel free to send me Dr Hauschka or Jurlique though... Why not ask her what brands she likes so you can make sure you get it right?

Don't get her mountains of standard stuff. I hate getting toiletries because I feel obliged to use them. I haven't been able to choose my own shower gel for 3 years.

I don't like anything that's not great quality but I've got fussy over the years.
I'd rather have a gift voucher or a recipe book.

Or a lovely scarf

Molton Brown, Temple Spa - yes

Superdrug/Asda - no

Someone gave me a basket of Yardley English Lavender stuff one year, it went straight to the charity shop. As did the fondue kit and the mulled wine kit.

If you do get a scarf then make sure it goes with the sort of things she usually wears though.

I get given loads of coloured, patterned things, usually pink, to 'brighten my outfit up a bit'

Very backhanded

Nothing wrong ina nice bubble bath imo U like getting toiletries for christmas I am not into pampering either but I do love a bubble bath, although mum has started buying me rose scented bubbles not amused mother

I am grateful for anything at Christmas and never get annoyed if a gift doesn't suit me. I think it's awful that we are so easily annoyed by people getting us wrong. We are so bloody lucky it's ridiculous.

Yes, I love a bit of pampering so long as its Elemis or Moulton Brown and something I'd never contemplate buying myself without inducing guilt.
Sounds ungrateful but MIL and SIL always give me those cheap Tesco sets that make my skin itch and smell like lemon toilet cleaner or sickly sweet jam. I re-gift them now to DD's teenage friends on their birthdays :-)

I am really fussy about toiletries so generally they are not a good gift for me, I don't use body lotion very often and prefer unfragranced, I don't have baths so the DCs end up with any of my bath stuff, shower gels tend to aggravate my eczema, as do liquid soaps, so anything in a bottle is likely to get returned or go to a charity shop. Handcreams are a good bet with me, failing that Lush or Boots gift vouchers keep me happy.

I don't do treatments etc so a voucher for a manicure etc would not be great either. When I had a three month old I wouldn't have appreciated a gift that required me to spend time away from my PFB (or PSB).

Actually with a three month old, handcream is a great idea, you are constantly washing hands after nappy changes etc, mine got trashed.

Not really. Most stuff is too perfumed for me. My lovely mil buys me terrible cheap shower gel etc, that i just can't use. I did thank her and tell her it was too perfumed for me, but she continues. So I did say that again, but to no avail.
But hey, not that big an issue !!