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Christmas

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Original poster

What are your ‘pet hate’ Christmas presents?

365 replies

YellowsunriseClara · 05/11/2019 13:10

Lighthearted thread, as I’m sure everyone is grateful for any gift they receive.

Just with Christmas coming up I’m wondering which gifts you are dreading getting (but know you’ll probably get)

Mine are the Lynx women gifts sets (hate it but seem to get it every year!)
Any Poundland creams as they seem to make my skin itchy and red
Anything Bayliss & Harding (I know there is another thread about that)
Cheap perfume that smells like paint stripper
Obvious second had gifts that the giver didn’t want for themselves (it’s usually something totally unrelated to the things you’re interested in)

One year my friend got me some unwrapped Poundland glitter body spray, not sure why as I’ve never worn the stuff and it was clear that it was in the back of her wardrobe from a while ago

OP posts:
Acunningruse · 05/11/2019 13:15

Anything that has obviously been regifted. I'd rather receive nothing or a card. 2 years ago SIL got DS something which was very Confusedas he had never expressed an interest in anything relating to the gift. When he turned it over i saw the price was still on- in Dutch. They have never been to Holland but her sister used to travel there for work..

Icouldstillbejoseph · 05/11/2019 13:18

Any type of foot care kit in a box

Stravapalava · 05/11/2019 13:18

Any kind of toiletry / bath sets. I'm fussy anyway, but 9/10 I can never use them as I react to them!

Or bits of tat ornaments etc that clutter up the house.

I'd rather not have anything to be honest!

Grandadwasthatyou · 05/11/2019 13:25

Not now as I don't think they're so popular but in days gone by Meltis berry fruits. I hated the way the centres were all runny. Disliked chocolate liqueurs for the same reason.

Barbarara · 05/11/2019 13:26

I don’t really like gifts at all. Any of them. I feel them as an imposition on my freedom - I have to wear this jumper when I see this person, I have to wear this necklace/perfume, I can’t discard this book 3 pages in if I’m bored, I have to organise to spend my precious free time doing this activity. I’d honestly prefer people keep their money or donate to charity.
But obviously I’m very grateful that they think of me and receive all gifts graciously.
I think it’s probably related to not liking surprises, and liking to have everything under control. And being a grumpy old git.

Thehollyandtheirony · 05/11/2019 13:30

Chocolates with a very short expiry date. If I choose to gobble them up in a week it should be because I’m greedy, not because you bought my gift in the bargain bin.

MamaGothel · 05/11/2019 13:35

Cookbooks. I like to cook/bake and always get cookbooks. I would rather use well reviewed recipes from the internet! I understand why people think it's a good gift but I hate having loads of massive hardback cookbooks with only 2/3 recipes I'm interested in.

Original poster
YellowsunriseClara · 05/11/2019 13:40

Forgot to add, my grandma once got my DF VIPoo spray, half used!

OP posts:
Slaymill · 05/11/2019 13:42

Tinned shortbread hate it

TubbyMcTat77 · 05/11/2019 13:47

Naff toiletry sets. Have had several in our work secret Santa and always winds me up because I try to think of something at least vaguely personal.

gromberry · 05/11/2019 13:52

I will happily give Baylis and Harding a good kicking on this thread too. I get it every year, and I want it to fuck off.

Also:

Cheap bath bombs (aww thanks, thrush! Just what I wanted!)

Milk tray ( so boring)

Paper diaries (I use my phone calendar like everyone else does)

Sittinonthefloor · 05/11/2019 13:57

Agree with others that I don’t really like toiletries / food / clutter / plastic crap / candles / mugs - most things I haven’t chosen, and it can sometimes seem an imposition. Eg we were given a picture & I really don’t like it, it’s really badly painted & doesn’t go with the house at all. But I think we are very lucky & privileged to be in a situation where we think this - basically spoilt!

banskuwansku · 05/11/2019 13:58

Chocolate. Dh isn't able to think anything else for me. I have to tell dh what to get me as a Xmas present or birthday present.

Body shop body butters. I don't use them.

Original poster
YellowsunriseClara · 05/11/2019 13:58

My mum gives me an a6 naff diary every year, it’s too small to write anything in. Also agreed on the milk trays, they’re plasticky tasting

OP posts:
Lilyflower1 · 05/11/2019 14:02

Scented candles are my worst Christmas fails. But I only give presents to my nearest and dearest (nine people in all) so I don't tend to get thoughtless gifts back. In fact I have had some lovely presents in the last few years: Spode Blue Italian china, Dartington Sharan glasses, tokens for nice places like John Lewis, bottles of Champagne and nice chox. The DH and I don't give each other presents at all but go and buy the things we want in the sales afterwards for half the price.

And, re: comments above, I love tinned shortbread and Meltis fruits! I'll swap a scented candle for them anyday.

Iwantacookie · 05/11/2019 14:05

Anything smelly related. To me it screams "I had a few people I didnt no what to buy so did a 3 for 2 at boots"

labazsisgoingmad · 05/11/2019 14:06

cheap chocolate which tastes like cooking chocolate esp the liquer chocs yukk
cheap toiletries sure to give me eczema and thrush what everyone wants for the festive season
mugs sorry but i have more than i have cupboard space for as it is

Pascha · 05/11/2019 14:07

I don't really get wrapped presents but in the past I have been quietly unimpressed with toiletry sets and also gift experience days. I probably wouldn't get round to using either of them. The toiletry set would get sent straight to the hospice unwanted presents donation box though so maybe someone would eventually enjoy it.

Wexone · 05/11/2019 14:10

Agree with most, toiletries / food / clutter / plastic crap / candles / mugs. Goes into a box for charity shop, when people come looking for stuff for the spin the wheel at the local field day. Am also guilty of regifting some of it to. :( Also SIL has a shop and thinks its ok to give us presents that are crap from her shop, goes straight in the bin. My own family give me a voucher with a value €20 for a shopping centre that is an hour and a halfs drive from me. Cost me more in diesel and parking to get there plus haven't been there in about 10 years, but every year will get the voucher. Usually give it away.

Time40 · 05/11/2019 14:11

I don’t really like gifts at all. Any of them. I feel them as an imposition on my freedom - I have to wear this jumper when I see this person, I have to wear this necklace/perfume, I can’t discard this book 3 pages in if I’m bored

Gosh, that sounds like a way to make life very hard work! Why not just give anything you don't like to charity, and then forget about it?

Zenithbear · 05/11/2019 14:11

Any mint chocolate like after eights, matchmakers etc.
Ornaments, scarves, candles and holders, agree lynx and similar gift sets especially if they contain deodorant.
Calendars - unused these days.
Anything I can't just use up.

blitzen · 05/11/2019 14:14

Socks which are mainly polyester

Yutes · 05/11/2019 14:15

Hot chocolate gift sets

misspiggy19 · 05/11/2019 14:16

Tacky gift sets- think Boots 3 for 2.

MrsPnut · 05/11/2019 14:17

I absolutely hate any toiletries that come in a 3 for 2 set from Boots etc. I have sensitive skin and only buy the things I like.
I also hate twee ornaments unless my kids have bought them in which case they will be in my home forever.