What are your ‘pet hate’ Christmas presents?

[YellowsunriseClara]

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

Books. People seem to think Vincette likes reading, so she’ll read any old book. But unless you know someone’s preferences, don’t buy them book,

This is such a good point. You need to at least get the right genre.

Baylis and Harding-for when you don't like someone enough to give them Molton Brown 😂

From in-laws..Dangly earrings- every single year, despite never having seen me wearing anything but studs. A cellulite massage mit - no presents to shame the recipient. And why do you think I like butterflies? I’m not Maria Carey. You once saw me with a death-head moth hair slide during my goth phase. The giant metal butterfly to attach to the house is never going up. So ungrateful perhaps but you asked me and I said I would love olive oil/flavoured vinegars/spices/vanilla pods and this was dismissed as ‘not a present’!

Personally I'm dying to see what the 3 for 2 and cheap choc haters buy for their brothers in law and aunties, and what their total spend is on christmas presents.

And if you truly don't like waste or pointless gift exchanging then give the gift of saying so. Tell people, and mean it. Do it in a polite, humorous friendly way but make it clear you genuinely don't want or need anything.

My gran sat there year after year looking underwhelmed by her gifts but when asked what she would like, she would look bewildered and say I don't know. If only she could just have said 'I really don't need anything except your company and a lovely Christmas card' but she never did. Years of struggle, I tell you. Absolutely pointless.

Drink - I hate getting alcohol as I don't drink much. I'll occassionally have some baileys but that's it. Not christmas related, but for my 30th the girls I worked with at the time were asking what I wanted etc and I said anything really, but not wine because I really don't like it. Cue very awkward birthday present opening when one team member had bought me it anyway (and she was a darling so I'm sure she just wasn't paying attention when I said no wine) and she was so pleased with herself as it was a really good one. I didn't like to day "thanks, I hate it" so was like "oh lovely, thanks very much" despite everybody there knowing I'd specifically asked for no wine as I hate it
Cheap jewellery - My in laws are lovely and buy me many lovely gifts, but every year I get some horrible looking cheap jewellery which I never wear.
Cheap toiletries - I quite like a boots 3 for 2 personally, but not really cheap poundland quality stuff

Indoor scarves - hate them.never wear them. Please don't buy me them.

Make up - almost always it's a cheap brand, the colours don't suit me etc etc

On the other hand I love a gift voucher, book tokens, expensive make up that's more generic (mascara, eyeliner etc), and it probably sounds naff but I have family members who get a copy of a photo I have said I love and have it made into a canvas or keyring which I love too

Just realised I sound a bit grabby with all the "expensive", but maybe I should change it to "good quality", it doesn't necessarily have to be expensive, although you do often get what you pay for ergo it is expensive

Box sets of shower gel and body lotion because I have sensitive skin and also I never ever use body lotion.

Ferrero Rocher
Plain chocolate
Travel sized toiletries in tiny plastic containers and tubes
Fancy notebooks - pretty but impractical

Personally I'm dying to see what the 3 for 2 and cheap choc haters buy for their brothers in law and aunties, and what their total spend is on christmas presents.

I have never bought my aunt cheap choc or something out of a 3 for 2!
I get her what is ideal for her because I know her well enough to do so. Apart from kids I only buy for 2 adults and wouldn't dream of getting something that they wouldn't like, i get them something that suits their personal tastes, want or needs. Same as they do to me.
I don't go mad on spending either a thoughtful gift doesn't have to cost a fortune.
We are not all selfish dicks you know.

I detest re gifting !! .. I'd rather have nothing .. it's always so obvious that someone is just passing on old tat .. and gift sets ... nope

And whilst I hate re gifting ... feel free to send me all your Ferrero Rocher and Meltis Fruits !!!

I always say never buy me make up as I don’t wear it. I remember one year (early teens) receiving a massive make up set.........which was full of mould! 🤢

I am the same as everyone else on here, Christmas is a rip off

Terry's chocolate orange. My grandparents bought me one every single year and I never had the heart to tell them that I don't actually like orange and chocolate together.
Also, I'm pretty unfussed on alcohol (apart from gin) because I'm not a big drinker.

Another vote for smellies! I got some from a good friend for my 50th & was disappointed that she hadn’t put a bit more thought into my gift. Clothes can be tricky too. I have had items from relatives that don’t see me very often & I wouldn’t wear them in a million years!

I'm feeling very lucky reading this thread, my friends and family are the arty types and get me Etsy stuff or stuff they've made (that's really very good) and my husbands family always ask what I want (and husband knows me well).

My step mum brought me the Molten Brown Bizarre Brandy shower gel as an early pressie this week and it's divine - super recommend.

Some horror pressies I've received in the past

• a book called "how to be a better person", my exes family were total dickheads and planned to give that to me at a family gathering secret Santa exchange.

• my grandmother, who I adored and she spoilt me rotten so I never told her, bought me Ferror Roche every year. I hate them.

• Lindt chocolate - rancid

I am a size 8 -10. One year my SIL bought me a jumper. She knows me very well and knows my size. She is a little bigger than me and comments on this a lot. The jumper was size 18 / XL! She asked me afterward if I liked it and I said I did. She then asked at a later date if I had worn it and if not, did I want to give it back to her! Very weird!!

@tinysnickersaremyfavourite pass the chocolate orange this way. It's not Terry's, IT'S MINE!!!
Love them!
In fact we are all scoffing the ones I brought in earlier today!

We only do Christmas presents for the children and grandchildren. I always have the Body Shop advent calendar so that’s my quota of smellies.
We do a Christmas meal for 80 or so people who would otherwise be on their own. They all get a present, which come totally from donations. Please consider re-gifting last years (non perishable) items to your local charity/church/shelter.

@Grannybags - that sounds wonderful. I'll definitely do that this year.

I never get anything for Christmas unless I buy it myself 😂😂

I always buy myself a present as a reward for doing all the shopping! I quite like doing it though. Bargain hunter here.

I dislike those large family size tubs of chocolates- Roses, Heroes etc. It’s really unimaginative, they’re probably regifted because everyone gets bloody loads of them and after Christmas Day we want to get back to healthier eating and they sabotage our diets. Grrr. Likewise M&S chocolate biscuit boxes.

Those tubs of chocs are 40% plastic. Just buy me a chocolate bar please 🍫😍