Xmas gifts I hate receiving

[JammyRed]

As Christmas is approaching the gifts I dread getting that I get every year are : Xmas themed socks , slipper socks , body lotion , body scrub. Christmas ornaments , Christmas mugs and glasses . Really cheap pound shop chocolate . Mulled wine or spicy biscuits. They don’t go to waste as I donate them to charity . What are the gifts you dread getting ?

Anything bad quality. I’d rather receive a tiny box of 4 high quality chocolates than a large box that I won’t eat. Or a nice pair of socks made of wool vs a synthetic jumper/pyjamas/etc.

Anything that's actually Christmas-themed, unless it's food. What is the point of handing me a mug or socks or whatever on Christmas Day that I can only then reasonably wear/use for about four days before they become unseasonal and depressing? Realistically I'm not going to keep them in a cupboard and get them out again 51 weeks later and they go straight to the charity shop (where I imagine they get stashed until the following year because who's buying a Christmas mug from a charity shop in January?)

Yankee Candles or similar candle brands. I love scented candles but I'm incredibly fussy about them and most of the candles aren't to my taste.

Body lotion / cream. I never use it, ever. People think I'll like it because I do like beauty products and skincare but body lotion is the one product I don't like using.

Earrings. I've got 10 ear piercings so people think I'll love earrings but the reality is that if you have as many piercings as that, you really have to coordinate the jewellery very carefully for it to look cohesive and I stick to certain types of studs and small hoops. I also won't touch anything with a butterfly back and will only wear surgical steel or titanium. Also, most places won't let you return earrings or take them secondhand, so they do get wasted if I don't wear them.

Luckily, over the years I've pared down the number of people I exchange gifts with and my office doesn't do Secret Santa so I don't really get given those sorts of token, generic gifts any more - I'm only really receiving things, and giving things to, people who know me really well and can easily choose something they know I'll like.

Body lotion, candles and diffusers because they invariably all smell dreadful.

The only candle that was decent was from Neom.

Aldi and Lidl chocolate is superior to Cadburys imo.

Already dreading my in laws "bag of tat", me and DH get one each.
What we'd love - a night of babysitting and a restaurant voucher.
What we get - paper diaries & calendars, chocolates we don't like, Christmas themed pjs, cheap toiletries sets, a new purse/wallet each, I usually get a glitzy scarf (I am not a glitzy person), DH usually gets a t-shirt in the wrong size that he won't wear.

I've already had a chat with MIL about buying stuff for the sake of it but no, won't listen. She must be baffled that she's never once been to our house and seen a calendar despite her buying one every year. I just charity shop it all in the next town in January.

Anything skincare or health/beauty related as I have a fear of allergies due to sensitive skin🤣 so I never use it unless it’s a specific brand that I’ve mentioned/asked for.

also hate getting novelty appliances like crepe plates/waffle makers/toastie things - I don’t have space to keep it, it’s easier to just use a bloody frying pan or the grill😅

This might sound really spoilt too but DH tends to get me one, flashy, expensive/branded gift. I’m not all that into brands but I do appreciate it as he’s often thought it out to make sure it’s something I’ll actually use. But I often think I’d have rather a two or three nice little bits (earrings, a new scarf, a good book ect) than one big flashy gift.. but I think that’s because every year the kids ask why I only have one present and daddy has lots 🤣 they’re too young to understand cost.

Hopping send me your cherry liqueurs ! I love them and always ask for them but end up buying my own 🤣

I second this.. I’ll share with Laiste. They’re the best thing about Christmas 🤣

I don’t like getting Christmas themed stuff for Christmas, like Xmas pjs that I won’t wear again until next year? I’m not massively keen on the Baylis and Harding sets. More specifically praline chocolates - I regularly get those seashell ones that make me want to vom.

Scented candles, especially the sweet or fruity ones. They smell artificial and weird and give me a headache.

I have 8 of them in the house at the moment. DH and DD like them, I 'd bin them if I could.

bags I have a friend that buys me bags. Only 1 ( a group branded rucksack) have I liked
bath bombs /shower gel - very vocal about gyne issues
Wine- i dont drink it
Chocolates-I'm fussy
candles/wax melts/reed diffusers - never used them
PJs- im a nighty person -better for gyne issue

I just had to Google Lindor because I couldn't believe people would actually be dissing those lovely ball things.

I agree with you but the way you worded it made me laugh😂

Oi! I already claimed the cherry liquors up thread!!! 😆

Definitely body butter and I hate getting Soap and Glory. On both counts I was too effusive with thanks and got them year in year out.

Clothes, always not my style or size.

Nearly all of what you've listed, OP, and I'll add: Christmassy pyjamas and other Christmassy clothes - jumpers, tops. You only wear them for a short time period every year and then have to store them the rest of the time.

On the other hand, I have never get Christmas ornaments as a gift. I don't have very many of my own and wouldn't mind receiving ornament at Christmas to liven up the place and my tree a little, but I never have.

What I really want is Waterstones vouchers but people seem uncomfortable giving vouchers for Christmas.

Baylis and Harding or gimmicky toiletries - mostly they smell of nothing and make me itch! I’d much prefer a bottle of Radox lol.

Cheap chocolates like Poundland chocolate etc

the irony is that we do all make christmas lists. Partly to help those who struggle to buy and partly to prevent wasted gifts. And we also have some ND people in our house, so they are very particular.

But still, every year, dh puts cheap Aldi chocs in my stocking.
It doesn't really matter, it is only a few stocking bits, but it annoys me unreasonably!

And I tutor, so I get stuff from my kids. I am alwyas grateful and fully appreciate the time and thought, and say lots of nice things to the child and parent.
But who buys ferrero rocher chocs as a gift, when you don't know if the recipiant is allergic to nuts?

Can't we reboot you to TWO candy sticks and s lump of cheese?

Oh god we have this with my Aunt.

Last year I got a pink sparkly PJ set from PINK at Victoria Secret?! I'm in my early 40s and have never worn pink or sparkles in my life. It looked like something a child would wear!

DH usually gets a Lynx and / or an "ale" or miniature whisky gift set from Asda (he doesn't drink ale or whisky).

weirdos

Tea towels. Every blooming year.

Anything “bath gift set” related :) I have a whole cupboard full of body lotions and scrubs I’ll never use. Also novelty mugs,I swear they multiply on their own.
My mum still buys me those tiny boxes of chocolates that taste like candle wax. I smile, say thank you, and quietly rehome them!

Bubble bath as I only shower. Body lotion. Hand cream. Gift set containing all three.