I’m old enough now that if i really want something then i would just buy it myself. When it comes to Christmas day i would be quite happy to receive a grand total of zero presents because i just don’t need anymore stuff*.
If people are to ask me for ideas as to what gifts i would like i will happily tell them not to bother. But it seems that’s not an acceptable answer. Or if i tell them what a really want – 12 hours alone in a dark room – they laugh and tell me to to stop being so melodramatic.
So not only do i have to spend a large proportion of my time buying other people presents that they don’t need i also have to spend a large proportion of my time preparing lists of things that i don’t need so that other people can buy them for me.
I have an idea! If you tell me what you don’t really want and i tell you what i don’t really want then why not just buy ourselves our own pointless presents and be done with it? Or better still soon as we don’t really want anything, lets just not bother at all!
But no because apparently that’s akin to being a scrooge.
So i thank you for the body scrub which i will stack on top of the other 17 in my bathroom cupboard and i thank you for the 3-D mind bender puzzle that i have neither the time, inclination or brain cells to complete. The little book of inspirational quotes will go to the charity shop and the novelty toilet mug will narrowly avoid being shoved up your arse.
Bah humbug.
*except gin. I can always find a use for gin. Or actually i would quite like a DVD of the One Direction movie – is that ‘ok’ for someone over 30?
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P.S. My new book The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks is out on the 3rd March 2022! It's aimed at 9-12 year olds and you can buy it here :) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I love this. Now the people pleaser in me feels obliged to use the body scrubs that I’m bought which is why it’s taken me 3 years to get through the Sanctuary Hot Sugar scrub on the bathroom shelf.
My latest worst birthday present off my Auntie was a leopard print pyjama set, I’ve never worn animal print in my life! But I still can’t bring myself to return it to the shop! x
At least it’s only PJ’s – clothes are worse as you are expected to wear them out in public!
My father in law doesn’t like being given presents for much the same reason, but as I love giving presents we have over the years reached a happy compromise: I go to our local wine merchant with a budget and come away with three bottles of red that taste nice chilled – happiness all round!
As far as I’m concerned, there are a couple of magazines that I love so H gets me a subscription to one and the girls to the other, and it’s a brilliant present!
Bath scrubs – not so much!
Wine is ALWAYS a good present :)
Rolling about laughing whilst nodding in agreement. Luckily this year we have mainly thrown in the towel present wise so maybe only one or two body scrubs coming my way. Probably a hand cream too…
Ooooh hand cream yes forgot about that one – i have about 4 tubes of that hee hee :)
I say NO too! But a BIG YES to 1D. CORRR! :)
Yay!! Hands off Louis though he’s mine!x
I got slated last year when I said that Christmas is a time when people buy me cheaper versions of things that I would by for myself so please not to bother. I still stand by it. I also ask people to return things that I don’t like. Basically, I’m a bit of a cow.
Ha ha you are so funny! Just like Rachel from friends – she always returns her gifts :)
Yes it’s ok to be over 30- but Justin Bieber is a much better one to buy – how about you buy your 1D and call it a present from me :)
OOOH ok thanks!!
Haha oh god, I hope noons has actually received a novelty toilet mug. I know what you mean about toiletries. Umar the stage now where they’re probably put of date in my cupboard and I need to have a big clear out!
I bet they have, i’ve not had that particular version before…luckily!
This x100. I’m actually quite resetful about the money I’ve wasted this year. I think having a toddler that I could be spending my dosh on has made me feel worse about the buying of body scrub & Boots 3for2 gifts. I have bought my self some beautiful Italian leather boots though so y’know every cloud etc ;)
ooh they sounds lovely :) i hate boots 3 for 2 – the are actually to blame for this whole culture come to think of it!!
I didn’t even know One Direction has a movie! :)) As for me, I don’t like toiletry sets. I have eczema you see and can’t use perfumed lotion/bath foams/scrubs and all the other crap… err I mean stuff that goes in those bloody box sets. I have loads of them hidden away in our airing cupboard. How do you politely say no to your sister-in-law? Sigh. I expect to get one from her again this year. Oh well… Want some? ;p
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes there is a 1:D movie – where have you been?!? ;)
Time alone in a dark room sounds AMAZING. I want that, too!
Great minds and all….. :)
I feel as though I’ve stumbled across a guest post written by my dad! This made me laugh so much :) I LOVE a good body scrub though!
Ha!! What’s you address i will send you some!
Amen!! My in law family buy me stuff every year, that I can’t or won’t use. I’m a wee bit of a “hippy” in that I’m fussy about skin care/body products, as I have a skin condition that cannot tolerate a lot of stuff, and they continually buy me stuff that’s “natural” but isn’t, for example. I keep telling them I’m happy with a box of chocolates or an iTunes voucher but they persist. It all gets donated. Next year, we’re doing a no presents for adults thing all round, much easier for everyone.
Haha I hate getting presents! I hate ending up with another set of stinky old toiletries that someone blatantly got given and didn’t want the year before! Really wish people would listen when you tell them not to buy anything, such a waste! x
Ha ha, I feel the same way about body lotion….does anyone actually use that? My birthday gifts this year were cupcake and organising themed, i think people are trying to tell me something. xx
Love this post, I’m the same want for nothing and would be happy with none, I love to buy for (most) other people but refuse to give lists to anyone as it really is the thought that counts.
Haha I love this! Does that toilet mug really exist?!! I’m hoping our move to Australia means we stop giving and receiving rubbish that we don’t want and has no meaning. Although I do admit to being rather partial to the odd body scrub. x
Totally! I love the fact that my siblings and I now just buy presents for each others’ kids, from a list they’ve drawn up, so there are very few presents I have to worry about buying or pretending to be happy to receive. Which spares time for the important things at xmas – eating and drinking :-)