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Original poster

Are Boots / BHS / M&S 3 for 2s naff?

24 replies

ButterySprouts · 07/12/2009 17:21

DFriend of mine had a moan today at getting an obvious "gift" from one of these three stores - you know the sort of thing, packaged up with ready tied ribbon on.

I think she's being grumpy and ungrateful, she thinks the gift giver is being lazy and ended the convo with "and i bet i was the freebie".

Aside from my friend's issues - Are they naff and unimaginative or a godsend?

OP posts:
Original poster
ButterySprouts · 07/12/2009 17:23

by 'getting' in the first line i mean she received it iyswim ....

OP posts:
BaronessBarbaraKingstanding · 07/12/2009 17:23

depends what you get.

If you can get somthing that you know someone will like and it's on 3 for 2 then no it's not naff.

I've bought m&s and Boots 3/2 stuff this year, and very pleased with it I am too.

Got the tecahers lovely pretty umberellas.

madwomanintheattic · 07/12/2009 17:24

um. i do remember feeling like i got the thin end of the wedge when i got one from my dsis lol.

i actually am not that fussy re pressies, but i like to think that some sort of thought went into it, rather than, 'oh, what can i get free' lol.

i don't do it personally, but i think it's okay if the gift fits the recipient, rahter than being very obviously the free 'that'll do' item for the sake of it...

madwomanintheattic · 07/12/2009 17:26

should just add - i love 3 for 2 books, but usually the recipient gets all three lol, so they get more rather than saving me money...

i know, it's daft... must be why i'm always flat broke lol.

Original poster
ButterySprouts · 07/12/2009 17:27

Shit just noticed the boots advert there --->

OP posts:
BaronessBarbaraKingstanding · 07/12/2009 17:30

if i go into a bookshop I but 3 for 2, keep 2 and give the other.

I recently bought 12 books to give 4 away, I insist to dh this makes good financial sense.

Original poster
ButterySprouts · 07/12/2009 18:02

I think it was more the gift than the 3 for 2 tbh. She thought it lacked imagination - as she put it 'scooped off the shelf'.

OP posts:
BaronessBarbaraKingstanding · 07/12/2009 18:05

Rather bad form to moan about ones presnets in my book.

Fine to receive those anonymous type gifts from relatives who are not close but who want to buy soemthng as a token so stick with a generic gift that should be suitable for most.

I may be a tiny bit pissed off disapointed if my Dh gave me scented drawer liners though.

confuddledDOTcom · 09/12/2009 01:27

I buy mostly from Boots and on their event nights. I get two catalogues when they come out in October, one I go through and mark things I'm interested in for me and the other I go through and mark presents for as many people as I can. Very sad I know but I put the list into price order and then split it into £100 chunks which is my list for the event, it means I get the best deal.

The way I see it they still get a gift worth that amount, that I've carefully chosen for them, I get a lot of discount and lots of points to buy things off my list (which reminds me, I should find something to spend my £150 on!)

Jacaqueen · 09/12/2009 07:44

That 3 for 2 deal in Boots drives me mad.

The tight fisted Scot in me has to buy three things at the same price or I feel that I am losing out as it is always the cheapest item that is free.

M&S do it differently where I think you get a third off the total price of 3 items.

Anyway this year I couldn't find 3 things I wanted to buy in Boots or M&S.

Saltire · 09/12/2009 08:10

Boots do every third gift free.
SO 6 gifts at

£12,£10,£8(free) £6.00,£6.00,£6.00(free). In some places you would get the 2 £6.00 ones free. Does that make sense

brimfull · 09/12/2009 08:16

what , so it depends what order they are rung through the till?
so you'd line them up so the expensive ones were the third items surely

Saltire · 09/12/2009 08:21

it doesn't matter how the customer lines them up, its how the till is set up to work
here

brimfull · 09/12/2009 08:23

ah get it
thanks

notsoteenagemum · 09/12/2009 10:16

I think for people you just need to get token gifts for they are fine, or if you know the receiver will use it, I got a toy each for my dc and one of the Starbucks sets for my sisters boyfriend because I know he wanted one of the mugs.
I do feel put out when I have spent ages trying to think off a suitable present for some of Dh's relations and they give us 3 for 2 gift set of random toiletries they know we can't use because of eczema.
I still give them nice presents though.
Give as you wish to receive I say.

confuddledDOTcom · 09/12/2009 17:21

So just because it was bought on 3 for 2 from Boots it's not a proper gift? Boots have some lovely gifts, I still take time to think about what people would like I just don't have the money to buy for all the children in our families without getting as much discount as possible, we have 23 neices and nephews and 4 children, not to mention the other children we have to buy for, then there's the adults.

dopeydoot · 11/12/2009 01:13

ooh baroness b - just spotted your umbrella idea for teacher and think I might pinch it - not least because it means I can save the couple of bottles of chocoport drink for me instead and save the hassle of lugging heavy bottles around and worry about them breaking.

can you say where you got the umbrellas from? Will save me lots of walking around looking!

Many thanks - again, that's a fab idea

stepaway · 11/12/2009 09:44

They are really good for saving money if you're on a budget. And I'm sure there are some people (possibly the OP's "distant and elderly rellies"!) who would appreciate these gifts. The part that depresses me is that they are clearly designed to meet the modern need for people to buy things for people just for the sake of it, for the sake of handing over a present. Many people nowadays have so much 'stuff' nowadays that they just do not need or want another bottle of hand cream/bath salts/facial scrub/beaded necklace/etc/etc/etc. I find it quite depressing actually.

I heard someone summing it up like this: "I can't find good presents for friends now we're all grown up. If it's something I can afford to buy, they've probably already bought it for themselves. If it's something they really want but they can't afford, then I probably can't afford it either!"

sorry, that was very bah humbug of me, wasn't it?!

stepaway · 11/12/2009 09:47

confuddledDOTcom, I guess your post sort of highlights what I mean. Given that many children now have SO MUCH stuff and are constantly getting things, I am beginning to question whether we need to be buying pressies for all the little ones in our lives (such as your 23 nieces and nephews!) I'm really not picking on you, honest!

confuddledDOTcom · 11/12/2009 22:09

I know what you mean. I've struggled more with our own children because I think "well do they need it?" where as others I can think about will they like it or use it. You can't not buy presents though because people end up offended. Adults get calendars of pictures from the year, made well but it saves a hell of a lot of money!

thedollshouse · 11/12/2009 22:34

I have bought loads of the teenage girls in my family perfume from Boots, can't remember its name but it has those oriential figurines on top. I don't care if it is naff I haven't got the money or the energy to do otherwise this year. Anyway it doesn't mean that the gift was a "freebie" it just means that because of the offer I bought the gifts at a reduced price.

BexieID · 12/12/2009 23:30

I always take off the price of the cheapest item, add the 2 most expensive ones together and divide by 3.

frazzled74 · 12/12/2009 23:42

no not naff and people should stop being so greedy, and dissatisfied. surely it is a gift, say thankyou , be grateful and enjoy christmas for what it is really about,(getting together with friends and family).(am getting christmas grumps)

VicarInaTinselTuTu · 13/12/2009 00:35

the Boots 3 for 2 is fabulous. im a fan!

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