Christmas Presents You Don't Want

Not quite the same, but once I told people I'd be disposing of their cards as soon as they arrived, they soon stopped wasting their time and money.
Lots were really relieved.

hollysteers

Seajaye why don’t you (firmly) ask for gift vouchers (M&S covers food too) for things you really want?
I did that this Christmas and I’m very pleased.

Yes, that's definitely a good idea for next year and I hope it doesn't offend as it still places a monetary value of their gifting but at least then wouldn't be wasting their money on unwanted stuff and I wouldn't have to do d space to store it . Just have to remember where I've put them before they expire!

The alternative is to ask for 'experiences'. Please take me to the theatre, zoo, away for the weekend, out for a nice meal., but insist no 'things'

Last year we had a good day out with our son and daughter in law.
Our daughter had bought all of us a Brewdog voucher, which we used for a "bottomless brunch" on a day trip to London 🥞🥂🍻

I usually ask for "consumables" and make the point I don't want "stuff."
This year I've received a really nice artisan tea blend, a Branche d'Olive hand wash and lotion set (for my ensuite, so no sharing!) and a Tesco gift card to choose some wine (son had been unable to shop in person).

Certainly the first two are not things I'd spend the money on, so are a luxury treat 😊

A M and S voucher is my favourite present! Sad but true!

Seajaye why don’t you (firmly) ask for gift vouchers (M&S covers food too) for things you really want?
I did that this Christmas and I’m very pleased.

My daughter used to "owe me one". (At her insistence)

So, perhaps six months later, we might be somewhere, and something would catch my eye, but I'd be just admiring, as I didn't want to pay more than two bob.

Up would pop herself "I'll treat you to that, I know you really want it, and I owe you one" "it's your Christmas present".

It was lovely.

flappergirl

Just imagine if, instead of buying someone yet another scented candle, everyone made a small donation to charity. There'd be less waste going to landfill for a start and Christmas is a terrible time of year for almost every charity. I stopped buying adults presents years ago, it is so utterly unnecessary. If anyone is determined to buy me a present (some people just don't get the hint) I ask them to make a small donation to an animal charity instead.

such a good idea.. especially little local charities

flappergirl

Just imagine if, instead of buying someone yet another scented candle, everyone made a small donation to charity. There'd be less waste going to landfill for a start and Christmas is a terrible time of year for almost every charity. I stopped buying adults presents years ago, it is so utterly unnecessary. If anyone is determined to buy me a present (some people just don't get the hint) I ask them to make a small donation to an animal charity instead.

Agreed.

I dislike receiving gifts, much preferring donations or experiences.

Just imagine if, instead of buying someone yet another scented candle, everyone made a small donation to charity. There'd be less waste going to landfill for a start and Christmas is a terrible time of year for almost every charity. I stopped buying adults presents years ago, it is so utterly unnecessary. If anyone is determined to buy me a present (some people just don't get the hint) I ask them to make a small donation to an animal charity instead.

I would just tell your children well in advance of next year that you will not be giving anymore presents and that you do not want to receive them. If you do get any presents then firmly return them, saying you had made it clear that you no longer wanted presents. No matter what the pressure do not provide any wish list, even items under £10.

Stick to your guns. Your children should get the messaage in the end.

The alternative is to ask for 'experiences'. Please take me to the theatre, zoo, away for the weekend, out for a nice meal., but insist no 'things'

I wish I could persuade my adult children to stop Christmas gifting, and just keep it to the children in the family. I don't mind carrying on with birthday gift but this Christmas, their wish lists were quite expensive. I am perfectly delighted to get the grandchildren whatever gifts they would like, it's just the adults that bother me, but I only have grandchildren via one child. The other two have not had children yet, and may never do so.
.

When it became clear that the ACs were going to get me gifts, even though I'd asked them not to, I gave them a couple of inexpensive suggestions ( under £10.00) which they duly bought but they have added extra stuff I have no need of or use for. Now I'm retired I simply don't have the spare cash to keep buying the ACs expensive gifts, or the space to store unwanted gifts, nor do I want them wasting their hard earned cash on unnecessary stuff

This year I've actually decided to ask them for the receipt for the particularly unwanted gift to try to exchange it or get a refund. It was a gift that was going to cost me loads of extra money to actually use. I think this request has come across as extremely ungrateful . I did try telling myself that it is the thought that counts but on this occasion presumably they did not thing about the extra costs I would have to pay for .

I'm sure they meant well with their gift idea, probably thought it would be a nice surprise, but the waste of money has been really upsetting for me this year, not helped by both my retirement and recent illness.

We've sorted lovely, thoughtful not needed gifts we received from my husband's work. Thank you cards posted. Charity Shops will benefit.

Iam64

Yep - they can be on an iPhone, or a Smart watch. My two have tried to encourage me but thankfully, given up. Just like I gave up trying to get them to use calendars that allow families to list their week or month to view

I thought I was getting a bit trendy, wanting one with a pen attached this year.

Cabbie21

On Monday I have a blood test, part of my annual review since I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a few years ago. So why does my daughter-in-law give me chocolates, fudge, shortbread etc?

I suspect she’s no idea of the implications - x

Yep - they can be on an iPhone, or a Smart watch. My two have tried to encourage me but thankfully, given up. Just like I gave up trying to get them to use calendars that allow families to list their week or month to view

Iam64

MissA I’m another old fashioned girl. I have a diary from the Royal Horticultural Society, beautiful botanical illustrations so always a pleasure. I like a week to view, as I did when working. Then I could hold a week in my head, the least said about that at the moment, the better.
I also use bank cards. One of my daughters has everything on her phone, the other on her watch…..

I didn't know there was an alternative to bank cards!
That's entirely new to me.

Cabbie21

On Monday I have a blood test, part of my annual review since I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a few years ago. So why does my daughter-in-law give me chocolates, fudge, shortbread etc?

I was diagnosed with Diabetes and my husband seemed to give me more chocolates than ever for a number of years. We used to joke about it. One day after a review, I was in tears and it seemed to sink in that it was a serious problem. That light bulb moment means he now gives me a small amount of chocolate which I am allowed. He hides it from me if I am finding it difficult to manage my intake.

MissA I’m another old fashioned girl. I have a diary from the Royal Horticultural Society, beautiful botanical illustrations so always a pleasure. I like a week to view, as I did when working. Then I could hold a week in my head, the least said about that at the moment, the better.
I also use bank cards. One of my daughters has everything on her phone, the other on her watch…..

Oh I'm an old fashioned girl.
I couldn't possibly use my phone as a diary.
The day would be gone by the time I worked out how to do it!

I'll find a good old paper one, I'm sure.

On Monday I have a blood test, part of my annual review since I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a few years ago. So why does my daughter-in-law give me chocolates, fudge, shortbread etc?

MissAdventure

I wanted and need a diary, and nobody got me one.

The choice of a diary can be quite a personal one.
I like a month to view diary and not one with blank dates, which confuse me.
Maybe this explains the omission or you are thought of as someone who uses their ‘phone diary as many of my friends do?

Anyway, hope you find a diary which suits you!

I wanted and need a diary, and nobody got me one.

I wish I didn’t keep getting scented candles, had 2 this year and cannot light them as they aggravate DH asthma. I don’t like highly fragrant body lotions, hand creams and hand wash either. I’m grateful for the kindness from those buying me the gifts and will pass on to where they will be appreciated and used. I am quite hard to buy for my DH gave up years ago and lets me buy my own gifts😂😂

Wishes

I'm curious NotSpaghetti, did she tell her mum after the event?

I honestly don't know, Wishes.
I don't think her mum would have noticed the absence of them though as she wouldn't help cook there I'm certain of that.

kircubbin2000

One year my DILs mother gave me the present I had given her daughter the previous year.

that is amusing and also rather crass behaviour,, would you share what the present was and what you did with it?