Is there anything you're hoping not to get this year?

[helpmytitsareinatangle]

I know how awfully ungrateful it can sound, but is there anything you're hoping you don't open?

I think for me it's another ladies Lynx set. Really not a fan of it and it always inevitably gets shoved to the back of the cupboard and forgotten about until the next year when more get added to the collection 🙃

It doesn't sound like it, but I am grateful people are thinking of me, but I'd rather just get a nice handwritten card instead 😕

That's another job on PP's to do list!

I can't think of anything for myself but I know my partner would say a grow your own chilli's set off my mam as well as chilli chocolate and a set of stupidly hot sauces.

I have told her that he would probably just prefer a bottle of red or whisky and some normal Cadbury chocolate but she is absolutely convinced he is chilli mad for some reason.

Another half used tub of body shop gloop. Poor old mum has dementia. It was a very stark reminder of that.

My husband told me yesterday he'd got me a present from Amazon. He said "You've been asking for these for ages." Oooooooooh!
Turns out it was purple cistern blocks and disposable brush heads for the bloody toilets!!!!!!
I mean I do love a clean toilet and I am middle-aged but errrr...cheeky so-and-so!
Guess what?
I've gone on bog-cleaning strike.
Will take him weeks to notice! 😆

Any skincare/bodycare gift set. I hate having little miniature bottles of stuff everywhere. Although now my DD is at an age where she's crazy about skincare bits so I'm sure happily have them!

My MIL always buys me a jumper and I really wish she wouldn't. It's never something I like or wear. I don't like being bought clothes from anyone really.

No mugs.

And on behalf of my DC, no water bottles please!

My family must be ultra good at gift giving as I've never had a duff present (apart from the raspberry hot chocolate from Wittards, it was far too sweet)

Alcohol.
On cancer treatment and no drinking for me.

Yes. I really don’t like these at all. I seem to get boxes of them.

Chocolate or sweets (except Chocolate Mint)
Gift sets
Clothes
Perfume

I have one relative that is an exception to all of those because she never gets it wrong though.

I should really just put out a request for dreamies or lick-e-lix from everyone, always be used 😂

Hand cream/body lotion - other toiletries I will probably use but not these
Baileys (at least this I can usually regift)
Jokey books - please just give me something I can read properly!
Gloves - never wear them

Soup maker.
MIL bought herself one and and keeps telling me how great it is. She asked me if I wanted one and I said no
Whenever we visit she makes soup and tells me how easy it was in her soup maker and I tell her I am sure it would have been just as nice in a pan.
From experience it means that despite me specifically saying if I got one I wouldn't use it I would put money on her getting me one

All the random rubbish gifts that show zero thought and knowledge, or care to know, about me. Even DH buys rubbish he likes (like music related gifts when I rarely listen to it).

I promote no gifts for adults & cash for the DC (they don't use toys anymore so don't want those!). This year, I'm pushing for a fun themed secret santa that is randomly picked through a game.

Things like:
Mugs
Cheap, ugly throw rugs
Calendar with quotes about being a b*tch
Chocolates
Candles
Hand cream (I have psoriasis)

Any gift containing chutney! I don't hate it but we just don't eat it really and it just gets forgotten about in the back of the cupboard

Haven't drunk alcohol or caffeine in 8 years (just went off the taste) yet everyone buys, you guessed it...wine and fancy tea.

Total waste of money and I hate having to say "thank you" when noone has given what I actually want a seconds thought.

Looks like a lot of us feel that way on this thread!!

Alcohol. I've been teetotal for 20 years yet every year someone gifts me some.

Massive expensive experience gifts from DC.
I know they are being generous but I hate the feeling of obligation to do whatever they have bought and I don't want them to spend their hard earned money on us.
I need to find a way to gently ask them to stick to small inexpensive presents without implying that I didn't like last years! Any tips welcome.

Random clothes and toiletries.

Last year I de-cluttered about 75% of our toiletries, almost all unused... at Xmas I got a bunch of generic Dove & Bablysis and Hardy stuff again. I just felt frustrating as I just put a tonne of effort into getting rid of this crap because we don't like it to have that chore all over again + now the guilt to go with it.

Same with clothes, I'm drowning in clothes, I'm a clothes hoarder... it something I really struggle getting rid of and its already the bane of my life but people keep buying more and its not even remotely my style, colour or size normally. IL buy me many huge thick winter jumpers in all kind of patterns and colours, despite never in the 17 years of knowing me seen me wear a jumper because I hate jumpers. The damn things are a nightmare to store too as they take up so much space.

I don't blame them, they are being nice/polite despite not really knowing me very well but its just more work for me really.

Big bars of Toblerone. Mum, for some reason, thinks I like them!

I very much hope not to be given any gifts for Christmas! I simply don't want anything and I hate the thought of somebody going to the trouble and expense of getting me something that, to be honest, I probably wouldn't appreciate receiving.

Could I politely ask for all of these unwanted body lotions and hand creams I get through gallons of the stuff.
Im the woman pushing through the crowds in Boots buying up all the half price gift sets in the sales.

Why not be direct?

MIL/ whoever

I recognise Christmas is a tricky time and gift buying can be relentless. I have oodles of xyz in storage from previous kind gifts. I would very much appreciate a pony this year if you can manage it.

Just kidding - I'd like a goat from oxfam!
Yours etc

Stuff from school's Xmas fair. Mil have given me hand cream set where it was obvious that she hadn't gone shops to get me one. Also a bottle of gluhwein from pick a bottle. To be fair she has gotten me a milk tray from a shop for my birthday.

Books. I love reading BUT I want to choose what to read. I don't want anyone to choose on my behalf.

Alcohol. If I wanted any I'd just get some. I have a cabinet full of unopened bottles.

We mostly just all buy for the DC at Christmas so not expecting more than a couple of stocking fillers.

Books - I get hardly any time to read and listen to audiobooks anyway so a paper copy is a bit of a waste as I'd have to buy it again on Audible.

MIL has previous for getting me tea towels which I find it hard to get enthusiastic about as a Christmas present.

Worse still I get eczema creams and soaps wrapped up. Not sure if I’m very ungrateful and it’s actually very thoughtful but I hate pretending to like chemist creams.