Did you get many unwanted presents?

My late FiL was a lovely man, hard to gift him anything because he always said "if I want anything I'll buy it myself". He did have a point though.

My family members who I do do gifts with buy things each other really wants or needs.

Alioop

I got clothes from my best friend and they are all far too big, again. I subtly dropped in a conversation after my last year's Christmas and birthday presents were also too big, but she didn't listen by the look of it. She spends a lot of time on her phone when we are out for lunch....
Another friend bought me loads of Bayliss and Harding products, all for the bath. For the last 5 years I've only been able to use Sanex zero products because of problems with my skin which she knows about. Oh and a keyring she also got me for my b'day 4 months ago.
I know I should be grateful, but I don't get the use of any of them so what is the point.

Alioop 😂 annoying you you have to laff.

My pressies this year were very much wanted, all except a box of toiletries that were given by me to a relative last Christmas!😠 I’ll bung them back at her next time, although that could go on for years.

Not recently, no. But I do recall some years ago asking for some pyjamas, just plain cotton PJ'S, nothing fancy............OH presented me with a pair of polyester satin PJ'S, two sizes too big that created dreadful static when I wore them! They created so much static I could have been plugged into the national grid!

A former friend that I've been trying to let drift but she doesn't seem to have noticed yet, we live in the same apartment complex, you'd think she'd have noticed my oozing away but part of me drifting is exactly because of her not Really being awfully interested in me except when she wants help.....
(and breathe)
..... gave me
a scented candle, despite the fact that naked flames are not allowed in the apartments we both live in;
a not unpleasant headscarf, despite the fact that in the nearly 40 years we've known each other, I have never worn a headscarf.

It's not the gifts per se, it's the lack of thought: one of my brothers gave me a pair of candles that are meant to aid sleep, and those I love, though I still can't light them - he doesn't know the house rule but he does know that I don't always sleep well, so it was full of thought.

I have not received any presents . wanted or unwanted!

So childish as it may seem, even unwrapping something I either did not want, or could not use, would have been a treat.

A few days beforehand, I got a small box of a particular type of chocolate which I really dislike. As I'm always a visitor on the big day I took them to my hosts and said that if anyone likes these to please take them off my hands. I left them on the table and they soon disappeared.

I am grateful to be considered but the givers don't really know me that well and despite polite requests to just exchange cards they take no notice. As I'm possibly the original Mrs Non-Confrontational I don't like to push it.

Ailidh

A former friend that I've been trying to let drift but she doesn't seem to have noticed yet, we live in the same apartment complex, you'd think she'd have noticed my oozing away but part of me drifting is exactly because of her not Really being awfully interested in me except when she wants help.....
(and breathe)
..... gave me
a scented candle, despite the fact that naked flames are not allowed in the apartments we both live in;
a not unpleasant headscarf, despite the fact that in the nearly 40 years we've known each other, I have never worn a headscarf.

It's not the gifts per se, it's the lack of thought: one of my brothers gave me a pair of candles that are meant to aid sleep, and those I love, though I still can't light them - he doesn't know the house rule but he does know that I don't always sleep well, so it was full of thought.

So sorry about the candles from your brother. I have an idea how you could still enjoy the scent. If you carefully put the candles in a tin foil dish that you can wedge on top of your radiator, they will heat up and fill the room with a lovely smell just like a wax melt might.

Oh grandtanteJE65 that’s so sad.
Here’s some virtual ones 💐🥂📚🛴🍰

Not this year - I have had so many unwanted slippers and smellies over the years that now I am very clear - no presents or a bunch of flowers thank you.

grandtanteJE65

I have not received any presents . wanted or unwanted!

So childish as it may seem, even unwrapping something I either did not want, or could not use, would have been a treat.

So sorry to hear that.

Is that because you gave gifts and were not reciprocated?

How ungrateful. The majority of things mentioned could be given to charity shops, school raffles etc.

Lyng jump down off that high horse. If you don't want to join in, walk on by 😂

grandtanteJE65

I have not received any presents . wanted or unwanted!

So childish as it may seem, even unwrapping something I either did not want, or could not use, would have been a treat.

Same here

Sorry to hear that.

Presents are really important to some people. I read a book about the Love Languages. Mine isn't gifts, it's time, but some people really need gifts.

I didn't receive anything I didn't like or need this year. DH bought me a selection box of cocktails and a soup maker, I've wanted the latter for 3 or 4 years so I'm well pleased.
Box of biscuits and meal voucher from DS and from DD a huge box of chocolates and a meal out in the spring.

No unwanted gifts here because we don’t buy for adults.

Any unwanted smellies, candles , chocolates, cat food etc can be donated to food banks.

OnwardandUpward

Ailidh

A former friend that I've been trying to let drift but she doesn't seem to have noticed yet, we live in the same apartment complex, you'd think she'd have noticed my oozing away but part of me drifting is exactly because of her not Really being awfully interested in me except when she wants help.....
(and breathe)
..... gave me
a scented candle, despite the fact that naked flames are not allowed in the apartments we both live in;
a not unpleasant headscarf, despite the fact that in the nearly 40 years we've known each other, I have never worn a headscarf.

It's not the gifts per se, it's the lack of thought: one of my brothers gave me a pair of candles that are meant to aid sleep, and those I love, though I still can't light them - he doesn't know the house rule but he does know that I don't always sleep well, so it was full of thought.

So sorry about the candles from your brother. I have an idea how you could still enjoy the scent. If you carefully put the candles in a tin foil dish that you can wedge on top of your radiator, they will heat up and fill the room with a lovely smell just like a wax melt might.

What a great idea, thank you!!

Will sleep well tonight!! 🌼

Lyng17

How ungrateful. The majority of things mentioned could be given to charity shops, school raffles etc.

I'm never ungrateful for a kind thought, I treasure all gifts with good intent.

The random, better-give-her-something candle and scarf are in the charity bag already.

DD gave me a nightshirt with a pattern I would run a mile from on it, but rather than hurt her feelings I will say nothing. No-one is going to see it but me in it anyway. The only other strange thing I had was a packet of sour cream and chive crisps from DS, but they were balanced out by the good book and the bottle of my favourite malt whisky. My 15 year old Grandson gave his mother a pan scrubber, but justified it by telling her it was “very scientific”. At least it made her laugh!

@Lyng17, I think most of us appreciate the thought behind gifts and are pleased to be remembered in this way. However, we all have different ideas and tastes so some presents hit the spot more than others. I have several allergies so toiletries and scented candles would set them off but I will always thank the person who gave them to me and regift to someone else who l think would appreciate them more. I really think that, in most cases, the old saying about it being the thought that counts is still very apt.

I don't get these sorts of shower gel type presents from anyone. I just get decent pressies from my 3 DDs combined who all know what I like. This year I had a beautiful scarf/shawl in just the colours I love, a ticket for the Lion King live show in Manchester (which I am going to with them and their families), and a heated throw to keep my fuel bills down.

That's it - rest of family neither give nor get presents - gosh it makes life a bit easier.

All perfect!! - Hooray!

Didn’t get anything unwanted! But got loads of boxes of chocolates, but will put those in the food bank

ParlorGames

Not recently, no. But I do recall some years ago asking for some pyjamas, just plain cotton PJ'S, nothing fancy............OH presented me with a pair of polyester satin PJ'S, two sizes too big that created dreadful static when I wore them! They created so much static I could have been plugged into the national grid!

Oh, ParlorGames, that made me laugh!
😂😂😂

Greyduster

DD gave me a nightshirt with a pattern I would run a mile from on it, but rather than hurt her feelings I will say nothing. No-one is going to see it but me in it anyway. The only other strange thing I had was a packet of sour cream and chive crisps from DS, but they were balanced out by the good book and the bottle of my favourite malt whisky. My 15 year old Grandson gave his mother a pan scrubber, but justified it by telling her it was “very scientific”. At least it made her laugh!

That made me laugh about the pan scrubber too

We do very token presents only, charity shop books and the like so nothing unwanted. I had a couple of lovely things from the adult DC and their partners, small but thoughtful and connected to a favourite hobby.

I got several gifts from work clients which are always appreciated even if they are not appropriate. I especially like plants and bulbs, but the biscuits with an ingredient with the potential to kill me (severe allergy) will go to the food bank.