Presents You'd Rather NOT Receive?!

weeclick

Im 23 and my great grandmother EVERY year buys me lavender soap set and every year my grandma tells her to buy "us kids" something more modern that we would use. I felt awful because at least at the age of 86 she was still trying to make an effort. 3 years ago we did get some lovely perfume sets and then the following year it was back to the lavender soaps lol!

I kept the last lot and glad I did now, as much as I wasnt keen on the gift itself it always gave me and my sister a laugh each christmas and now its treasured as the last gift I got from her.

Apart from that I love most other things but this year Im hoping for little if not ZERO chocolate as Im on a diet and lost just over 2 stone so I would hope my family and friends would respect that and not purposely put temptation in my way!!

dibuzz

The worst thing anyone could get me is make up as I don't use it. At this time of year I often overhear "oh every woman likes make up I'll get her that" and inwardly cringe. My daughter is the same.
My ex MIL worked on the market and was always given presents off the stall holders at Christmas which I usually ended up with and half the time didn't even fit :mad:

rosalie-lavender

weeclick wrote: »

Im 23 and my great grandmother EVERY year buys me lavender soap set and every year my grandma tells her to buy "us kids" something more modern that we would use. I felt awful because at least at the age of 86 she was still trying to make an effort. 3 years ago we did get some lovely perfume sets and then the following year it was back to the lavender soaps lol!

I kept the last lot and glad I did now, as much as I wasnt keen on the gift itself it always gave me and my sister a laugh each christmas and now its treasured as the last gift I got from her.

Funnily enough in our house it was my Grandmother who hated Lavender. I have always quite liked it because we had a huge lavender bush in the garden as a child and I still love the smell. Mind you I draw the line at lavender perfume because it is so strong.
My Gran would have been less than pleased to have been given lavender soap.

kitschkitty

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4285729

Just_Like_Honey

Cheap bath/body care sets - I never end up using them all because I prefer to just use the branded stuff I know works for me. Not necessarily expensive branded products, but nivea body lotion or similar. Ditto cheap make up. I'd rather buy my own or get one small decent lipstick instead of a set of cheaper stuff that I won't use because the quality is bad. Possibly my age (early 20s) but my younger sister is the same if not worse!

I also hate getting chocolate as I don't really like it that much so end up trying to give it away.

Apart from those I quite like getting 'boring' presents like socks, especially fluffy socks, slippers and gift vouchers. I always ask for a diary and a calendar too!

SugarSpun

I love presents that have some thought associated with them and/or that are practical. I also love chocs and socks.

Smelly sets are nice as long as they're not full of harsh ingredients because they make me itch, facial skincare is out because I have rosacea and can't use it (lip balm is always welcome), and clothes are nice as long as they are in the right size. I wear a 10 and my mother gave me a pair of size 16 knickers one year. I cried. But all those things reflect that maybe someone hasn't thought about me in the shopping, and although it is a giant fat cliche for me I just like to have been thought of.

My SIL sent us a calendar with pictures of my niece in it one year. It was nice to see the pictures but the calendar bit was completely impractical, there wasn't any room to write on it. So we chopped the calendar bit off and put a year planner up and the pictures next to it.

Ruth_honey

I hate getting vouchers as presents. To me, it just feels like the person just can't be bothered to get to know me and think of something I'd actually like. My aunt always buys me some strange things. Last year for Christmas I was given a huge golf umbrella from her. One of those cheap things from Sports Direct. It was too big to fit in my suitcase, so I had to carry it home on the train/tube (3 hour journey-yeah, thanks for that...). A brolly to keep in a handbag would've been ok. Also got so much body lotion that I could take baths in it! I do use it, but I've got SO much of it. I'd rather be given shampoo/conditioner or bubble bath if I have to be given toiletries.
For my 30th birthday, my brother bought me a bottle of Baileys. I was expecting something a bit more special as he'd mentioned months before that he'd bought my present. When he gave it to me, I just felt so disappointed.

I've got an Amazon wish list and I'm sure my hubby would suggest ideas if people are stuck. But I really don't think I'm difficult to buy for. Especially at Christmas. I love Christmas and anything Christmassy would probably be great.

nikkiuk

I work in a school and quite often am given homemade cookies etc for Christmas. As much as I appreciate the thought and I always make a big fuss, say how delicious they look and can't wait to try them, they won't get eaten! I have never met a teacher/teaching assistant who feels differently (although I'm sure there are some out there!) we've seen where those little fingers roam and dig and unless I knew the parent really well and knew they were really clean, I just wouldn't take the risk!
Everything the little ones give me is always appreciated and I always say thank you and I like them to think that they have just given me the best gift ever, but I'm aftraid the dozens of best teacher mugs/teddies/ornaments are usually donated to charity! We tend to get lots every year-far too many to keep! I do however keep the letters and cards I am given.
I usually do well for chocolates at Christmas, they are always enjoyed by the whole family, I also love sented candles and hand cream as they are something I use anyway.

I feel really ungrateful and embarrassed for writing that, but thought it might help some of you if you like to buy for teachers and teaching assistants.

Tiglath

I don't use body lotion, so if I'm given it I decant it into a smaller pot/bottle and use it as handcream at work. I've been known to recycle bubble bath as handwash. MIL always gives us a hamper of homemade jams/pickles/chutneys, and it's always my fave gift

rosalie-lavender

nikkiuk wrote: »

I work in a school and quite often am given homemade cookies etc for Christmas. As much as I appreciate the thought and I always make a big fuss, say how delicious they look and can't wait to try them, they won't get eaten! I have never met a teacher/teaching assistant who feels differently (although I'm sure there are some out there!) we've seen where those little fingers roam and dig and unless I knew the parent really well and knew they were really clean, I just wouldn't take the risk!
Everything the little ones give me is always appreciated and I always say thank you and I like them to think that they have just given me the best gift ever, but I'm aftraid the dozens of best teacher mugs/teddies/ornaments are usually donated to charity! We tend to get lots every year-far too many to keep! I do however keep the letters and cards I am given.
I usually do well for chocolates at Christmas, they are always enjoyed by the whole family, I also love sented candles and hand cream as they are something I use anyway.

I feel really ungrateful and embarrassed for writing that, but thought it might help some of you if you like to buy for teachers and teaching assistants.

Hmm yes, I can see where you are coming from on the home made cookies. One of our little darlings announced quite happily she had worms.:eek:
One advantage of working in an after school club is we do see the parents and get a pretty good idea of who would insist on hand washing etc. I think I would still be a bit wary though.