Presents You'd Rather NOT Receive?!

Hermia

My pet hate is any sort of novelty present. I'm sorry, but I just don't want a plastic reindoor that poos chocolate raisins. I really hate these sorts of presents because even if you like them you'll get bored of them and they will just end up in the bin. I wonder how many of those annoying singing fish ended up in landfill after the novelty wore off.

I also hate any sort of generic gift based on your gender and age. I'm in my 30s and the presents are getting worse. I got a box set of rom coms and I hate rom coms. Anyone who knows anything about me would know this. I have been given numerous frilly, blingy ornaments and I am Little Miss Minimalist. I suppose it would be worse to be a man because then you get things related to football or golf even if you have no interest in either.

I also hate it when people go for quantity over qualtity. I find this a lot with toiletries. People will buy me a massive gift set of stuff I will never use whereas I would prefer to have a tube of hand cream that I really love. Again, anyone who knows me should know what I like.

I know you should be grateful for anything, but I do take a lot of care when I buy presents and it is a bit disappointing when someone clearly hasn't even thought about what I would like.

Hermia

split_second wrote: »

as a 31 year old male, do NOT buy me lynx- i used it up to being about 18 and never again after that. i wont use it and will feel guilty as i will always use gifts.

Ha! My cousin is a wealthy sophisticated man in his 30s and you won't believe how many of our relatives buy him Lynx purely because he used to like it when he was 13! You can tell just by looking at him that he uses an expensive aftershave, but clearly our relatives look at him and still see a gawky lad with spots!

lazer

I love all presents!

My mum buys me a few quality things - and lots of small things - I love it that way - love opening presents!

I also love buying presents - although it can be quite difficult for some people - especially men I find (although I find it very easy to buy for my husband!)

There are a few things I would prefer not to receive - but not really bothered if i do get them - they will still be appreciated and used!

These are:
Perfume - have loads from last years gifts!
Smellies etc - Have loads of unfinished body lotions etc, but not much bubble bath, shower gels etc - so some smellies are good!

The reason i don't want these things i because I have loads of them already!

The only gift i really do not want to receive is the charity donations, sponsor a child/animal in my name etc.

If you want to buy me a gift - buy me one, if you want to give money to charity - give money to charity.
If i want to give money to charity I will - don't do it for me!

Hermia

lazer wrote: »

The only gift i really do not want to receive is the charity donations, sponsor a child/animal in my name etc.

If you want to buy me a gift - buy me one, if you want to give money to charity - give money to charity.
If i want to give money to charity I will - don't do it for me!

The thing that annoys me about charity gifts is people choose charities they like, not charities the recipient likes. Surely the same rule of present giving stands in that you try and get a present the recipient likes, not use this as an opportunity to support your own chosen charity.

springdreams

lazer wrote: »

The only gift i really do not want to receive is the charity donations, sponsor a child/animal in my name etc.

If you want to buy me a gift - buy me one, if you want to give money to charity - give money to charity.
If i want to give money to charity I will - don't do it for me!

I wholeheartedly agree with this.

I support enough charities without anyone having to also do so on my behalf.

laurenweird

I love presents and I very rarely receive a present I don't like. The only thing that bothers me really is when I spend ages trying to think of a good present for someone (I always try make it unique to the person) and then they get me something where I can tell I haven't even crossed their mind.

For my birthday this year my sister bought me coconut body butter - now I love body butter but HATE coconot. She also bought me a vanilla scented candle and I hate vanilla You'd think after 22 years as siblings she'd know that I dislike coconut and vanilla so it's those kind of gifts that irk me.

I still slathered on the body butter and lit the candle though :rotfl:

I like bath gift sets as it's a treat to me as I only ever buy cheap everything for myself Chocolate is a bit hit and miss....my favourite are Lindor, Peanut Butter Cups and those kinder hippos.... a lot of chocolate I won't really eat but my kids always make good work of it so it is still a welcome present.

I don't mind nik naks if they have a meaning, but some random stuff that I won't use? No thank you

I love stationary (can't really go wrong with that - stickers, pens, notebooks, letter writing sets....) and if someone thinks to get me a DVD or CD I appreciate it, even if I have it, as that is taking a risk - same with clothes - and I like that they thought they knew me well enough to try

EDIT: I am 24

EDIT EDIT: And female

littlerat

I'm quite easy. I don't have a bath though so gift sets can be a pain. But will usually use the bath stuff as shower wash instead Got a lovely no7 one for my birthday with no bath stuff in, I will cherish it forever!!! Well until it's used up.

As a rule I love smellies really, whether it's no7/sanctuary (my favourites) to a nice £1 nivea shower gel. But aloe vera and tea tree oil can both set off my excema so have had some bits I've had to pass on

Love makeup, any make, colour... and even moreso for nail polish (I wear and change it a lot). Also love jewellery.

So basically, I love half of what you lot hate That said, the people who buy for me know for instance I only wear silver jewellery and such so it's not caused me any issues for a while now! Same for the odd DVD and book I get - random ones would be more likely to be miss than hit for me, but the few I have gotten I've loved


That said, I hate alcohol gifts. I rarely drink, I hate wine (everyone's go-to) and honestly there's only half a dozen types of alcohol I'll drink at best.

Hate bits of abstract pottery - such as an ornamental vase and "saucer" for it type set I got one year. Only good for about 3 flowers. Odd. I'm still not sure what the point is.

Anything that looks like a decapitated animal (like a teddy bear HEAD purse).

While I love them I do not need cuddly toys.

Gift certificates - if you want to give me £10 without bothering to buy a present, I will universally appreciate cash. I will hate gift certificates (well, amazon ones would be fine) as many of the popular stores like next etc, I won't use. I don't have anything apple to use itunes vouchers, and in fact 90% of my shopping is online and therefore best achieved with cash.



Safe for me are always basic body stuff, nail polish or stuff for my pets - treats for my dog for instance I'd be happy with

Oh and 21, female.

Clara2141

26 and female...

I love to receive most things -

• Most smellies but not body lotion - who uses it? Body butter is fine and shower gels et al are all good however. Perfume is the win win as I love it. Lush and Soap and Glory being the faves.
• Anything hand made - my uncle made me a bracelet from winkle shells from their locla beach. I love it. In the same vein anything I can see someone has really thought about.
• Sweets and Chocolate always go down well.
• Books - I will read anything as a rule.
• "Useful things" - nice mugs, tea towels etc.
• Things I've hinted I like (obviously)
• Candles - big long lasting ones that smell nice.
• Gift cards and cash - if you don't know what to get me give me these.
• Slippers, socks, PJs etc

Things I do not want

• Jewllery I haven't picked - unless you are my girlfriend (she knows what I like). I'm picky - very picky. Sometimes Mum gets lucky, sometimes she doesn't. I don't like big jewel coloured beads or anything diamante or too fiddly.
• Photo frames. I have too many.
• Cheap make up - I wont wear it.
• Mittens - no. I will not wear them.
• And the biggy - wine - I don't drink it, neither does my partner. Unless I'm out for a meal or similar. If you need to buy me alcohol I like Cider. Preferably Kopperberg.

My Mum's family have a tradition with my Nanny's Christmas presents. She buys us a load of tat basically - and we love it. We have a competition for best present, worst present and favourite Grandchild - the one who gets the most or the best. I normally win - being the only girl means I get all the "good" girl gifts she finds during the year. The boys (there are 4 of them) normally get multi packs of socks split between them or keyrings from crackers.

Please note - she is aware of this - she loves seeing how happy it makes us and is in on the games. We are not that cruel. We all love it and it is part of Christmas I wouldn't miss for the world.

rozmister

Toiletries - especially bubble bath, shower gel and moisturisers. I haven't bought any of those items for roughly 8 months now and I am yet to get anywhere near finishing all the bubble bath, shower gel and moisturiser I own. I have enough moisturiser, especially body butters, to last me the next five years I think! I used to occasionally buy myself my favourite scents when I saw them offer which when combined to the haul of toiletries I get most Christmases has created a huge backlog of the stuff!

Pot Pourri/Reed Diffusers - I'm 23 and these are not things I care about enough to put in my house. I love a good scented candle or a wee lavender bag I can tuck in a drawer but I don't want these cluttering up my surfaces. IMPORTANT FOR BOYFRIENDS BUYING GIFTS - If you are someone's boyfriend and buying them pot pourri or reed diffusers (and they don't currently have any in their home that indicates they like them) don't do it. Buy them something else. My ex bought me these once and I was so gutted. It felt so impersonal (I don't like them, it didn't say anything about our relationship) and I've always had my suspicions the reason I got them was his overbearing mother bought them for me. I also still get ridiculed by my girlfriends about it to this day

I know it's boring but things I really like to receive are pretty hair grips, books, little frivolous kitchen bits like cake decorating equipment, nail polishes and transfers, socks and nice earrings. These are all things I class as luxuries and don't buy myself on a regular basis so it's lovely to receive them at Christmas as a treat.

I also cherish the pictures my niece draws inside every birthday and christmas card (on the back of the cover where it's blank) - those scrawls that make absolutely no sense to me and seem to have stickers randomly stuck on top fill my heart with happiness. Pictures from kids for relatives are real winners. And I would also absolutely LOVE mugs, brooches, keyrings, etc if they were chosen by her no matter if they were to my taste or not. The fact she chose them is what matters to me not their monetary value or what they look like.

simple_but_sweet

presents i don't like getting:

- bath sets / smellies - i have sensitive skin and can't use anything like that (and i won't buy them for other people).
- wine/vodka/gin - i'm very selective about what alcohol i drink and it's none of these. my cousin/friend bought me vodka 3 years in a row knowing I can't drink it - my brother & sister loved it lol.
- perfume - i get one from my mum every year that i love and it lasts me all year, so any other ones are a waste of money on me.
- anything that with the "chocolate" smell, love the food hate the scent!

presents i love getting:
+ anything labrador or pug related (i dote over my dogs)
+ pjs - not very exciting but i do love a cosy pair
+ gift vouchers for shops i use
+ nice clothes (providing they fit lol)
+ perfume from my mum
+ jewellery - nothing too wacky but i'll always get my wear from it
+ anything gadgety - im forever looking up firebox and dreaming lol
+ makeup - love getting eye shadows & lipsticks - my sister seems to be the only person who can pick me the perfect foundation (even better than me lol)
+ handbag - so long as it has a long enough handle to put over my shoulder i love all kinds of bags
+ dvds, although i rarely get a chance to watch them
+ kitchen equipment (like cake decorating etc)

all that being said, i appreciate every single present i get!