I hate jam

That should have read 6 to a bag!!

Number I thought that may be a mistake!

Our local Food Banks, who always welcome toothpaste, soap, shampoo, handwash, etc. are also over-run with body lotion.

My teenage GD complained that nobody gave her any 'smellies' for Christmas. What's the betting that her stocking will be full to overflowing with bath/shower gel, body lotion, handwash - you name it?

Oh God am now afraid to give anyone anything !!!

I try and try to hint at what I would like as a present but my hints always seem to fall on deaf ears! Over the years I have hinted for a steamer (I bought one eventually, only to be given an electric one several years later which is only used at Christmas and Easter, luckily the 'giver' sees that I use it), a banana holder (still to get), a stainless steel tissue box holder for my sixtieth, very expensive but thought as it was a special landmark year (bought quite a nice wooden one - online, but seriously would love a stainless steel classy one!).

Perhaps I should ask rather than hint! TBH I probably do sometimes...still don't get said item as they are seen as practical...yes, but I want one!!!

As this is the time of year for fetes, summer fairs etc. I've been doing my bit supporting, either buying or donating etc. Anyhow I won a raffle prize on Saturday, great, a tall glass jar with some chillies in oil. Interesting, I wonder how I can use this, checked the label and saw 'use by September 2010' had to double check. I wonder if it's been doing the rounds since then?

You haven't said if you are a young or old Gran but it seems all end up liking jam. I think it's compulsory. Reminds me of the years of hiding bath salts at the back of the cupboard until they turned into solid blocks, then chucking them out when no one was looking, as it was the 'gift of choice' from my boys! Good example though of 'say now or forever hold your peace/piece (stop it!)'.

Like Bijou, I dislike cut flowers. One of my daughters has sent me very expensive bouquets and one of them was a disgrace.
I casually mentioned that whilst cut flowers are lovely, a plant lasts much longer. She took the hint and has since given me a garden centre voucher.

annifrance - we have neighbours like that too. The last jam was pear jam, still haven't opened it. And I have a jar of bottled cherries, which are a pale yellow colour and look more like pickled onions (I wish!)Bought at a village sale.
I think it's a tradition going back to the days when there was a food shortage in the winter so you had to preserve the summer harvests of fruit and veg.
A friend bought an old house, almost a ruin, and found a range of shelves full of jars of preserved veg. and fruit, maybe still edible? We've got jars of jam going back at least 3 years, but we eat very little jam now.