https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:53:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas/page/2#post-2906726 Sat, 21 Dec 2019 19:08:34 +0000 MoonMoon 2906726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: lol yes, I'll spread the love :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas/page/2#post-2906717 Sat, 21 Dec 2019 14:45:10 +0000 crazydoglady 2906717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: Sounds a great regift to me! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas/page/2#post-2906711 Sat, 21 Dec 2019 13:11:02 +0000 MoonMoon 2906711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like handmade soaps are a big gift category. But I never use bar soap, always liquid, so I'm sitting on a big stockpile of fancy soaps I'll never use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas/page/2#post-2906648 Fri, 20 Dec 2019 15:37:24 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2906648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady baltimore: Sounds like returning items and getting something you actually want or will use is a good strategy but I totally understand your frustration. Not everyone can be super thoughtful but school supplies as a gift for multiple occasions is very lazy. I would be frustrated too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2906617 Fri, 20 Dec 2019 13:17:31 +0000 Anagram 2906617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread reminds me of the time my uncle got my teenage cousin (his daughter) a skirt suit from some place like Chicos or Talbots. She was like 14, haha hahahaha!!!’ </p> <p>He said he wanted her to know how to dress professionally!! Bahahaha!. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2906561 Thu, 19 Dec 2019 21:15:34 +0000 lady baltimore 2906561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: I do know that his heart is in the right place, but it just feels so lazy when I get the same exact gift for consecutive birthdays/Christmases. I don't really want something more personal, as I am super picky and unsentimental about gifts (i.e. would never wear something just because it was a gift), and I would just hate for him to waste the money on something I can't return. I did mention a few weeks ago that my pot holders were kind of dingy, and he showed me a few options shortly thereafter. I pointed out that the grey ones he found didn't go with our kitchen, and mentioned a few stores where he might look (Anthro, Williams Sonoma). Found pot holders in the bag yesterday - grey and black from Ikea. </p> <p>I think we just have incompatible gift-giving styles. I LOVE finding just the right present for someone, but if I don't, I'll just give a card rather than a generic gift. DH comes from a family where his mother carefully makes sure everyone gets the same value of presents (we each usually get an Amazon gift card to make things even), and they give many more, and higher value, presents than I am used to. In any event, I am grateful to know in advance so I can feel annoyed now, rather than on Christmas morning, and that DH shops at Target, where returns are easy. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2906557 Thu, 19 Dec 2019 20:57:20 +0000 crazydoglady 2906557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady baltimore: Have you mentioned to your husband that you would like something more personal? Perhaps provide him with some ideas? I am a teacher, too, and would be disappointed to receive items I could just get from the supply room. It is super sweet that he's trying to make sure you are equipped at work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2906554 Thu, 19 Dec 2019 20:38:14 +0000 lady baltimore 2906554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Y'all. I was going to post in this thread, but never got around to it. DH is not a good gift giver, and I was going to say that I never need another set of Sharpies in this lifetime. I am a teacher, and he just seems to go to the office supply aisle and pick the first five things he sees (which always includes the big pack of Sharpies - dude, how often do you think those need replacing?). Even if I didn't stock up on anything I need during back-to-school sales, can he not remember buying Post-its last year, and the year before . . . ?</p> <p>Anyway, I found DH's bag of presents yesterday. (Side rant: when he said "I put the stuff I bought in a bag behind the couch," I thought he was telling me where the things he bought DD were so I could wrap them, not where the things he bought me were so I wouldn't peek. And the things he bought DD were there, too, so I don't know what he was expecting.) Anyway, I am totally getting a big set of Sharpies for Christmas, plus a big set of various sized Post-its, and a dry-erase calendar that I have explicitly rejected in the past. I can deal with the fact that DH is bad at this, but I just wish that he would skip getting me anything! It is such a waste of time and money, and everything he buys displays absolutely no forethought. He just panics and wants people to have lots of things to open. He does the same thing with thoughtless or repetitive gifts for DD, and it just leads to so much returning! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2905704 Fri, 13 Dec 2019 10:35:55 +0000 babycanuck 2905704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish MIL would stop gifting toys that are super noisy and too old for my 4 yo...last year she gave 15 (yes - 15) action figures that made noise and were a bit violent from movies he would not be watching for a few years still.</p> <p>I also appreciate her giving me gc for manicures...but I've told her if you're going to get me a gc, please give it to me for the book store. I go for a manicure and it's ruined in a day, I'm hard on my hands and I personally don't enjoy them. Just me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904952 Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:41:15 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2904952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL loves to shop at Kohls but there isn’t one near us so it’s such a pain to make returns. And several family members fill out gifts with dollar store crap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904916 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 23:19:48 +0000 periwinklebee 2904916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>TBH this thread, while hilarious, kind of makes me depressed about gift giving, because some people are so darn hard to buy for and I'm sure their internal reaction is "oh god, not again, why would I want this...." </p> <p>FIL gives really bizarre gifts that make us worry if he's going senile. But it's been going on for quite awhile, so who knows...For DS, I think the only gifts he's received is various 5T girls pajamas (starting as a newborn, he's not even two yet) that were clearly on the clearance rack. Recently, FIL gave DH five hello kitty wallets...My husband is not that type 😝 And he kept telling us he'd found us very special tea and to watch for it in the mail. DH was hopeful that he'd picked up some nice loose leaf tea while traveling in Asia, but when it arrived it was expired tea from Costco 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904915 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 22:47:06 +0000 Sams Mom 2904915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally forgot the crappy polyester pajamas for my son and all the tchotchke shit my uncle's wife buys my sisters and me. Like we get matching stuff and we're all in our 30s or almost there; I liked it better when he was single and gave us cash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904914 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 22:11:38 +0000 SweetCaroline 2904914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This does make me feel ungrateful, but you asked ! :silly: </p> <p>Scented anything. Unless it's pure essential oils and made with soy wax, I'm going to pitch it. My lungs can't deal.</p> <p>Jewelry. I've worn the same necklace for almost 2 years, never chnage my earrings and always wear my wedding ring.</p> <p>Clothes. My mom buys me clothes rhat are just not my style. My in laws but me clothes rhat I actually like in 1-3 sizes too small.</p> <p>Cocoa or candy. Now if you have wine or oil or vinegar, now we're talking.</p> <p>I quite honestly would be happiest with no gifts and letters instead. OR an experience gift to do with the gift giver like a pedicure or a cooking class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904905 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 20:36:18 +0000 brownepiano 2904905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: ooo I'd take the board games.<br /> I love most tea except green tea. I specified that on my Christmas list for a few years but my grandmother kept just getting me green tea, so I had to stop asking for tea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904902 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 20:02:09 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2904902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: @wrkbrk: I know, it’s so ridiculous! Sometimes, though, it works out if the clothes fit one of us well then it’s like bam two nice shirts for one of us! But one year we got shirts with the name of my family’s hometown on them...DW did not live there ever and we live 3 hours away? Two shirts for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904895 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 19:02:06 +0000 wrkbrk 2904895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: I just died laughing. The same shirt in two colors as if you were sisters had me snorting out my beer. If anyone tried to do that with DW and me I cannot even imagine her face. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904894 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 18:57:29 +0000 wrkbrk 2904894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: I have literally never gifted nor received a board game!</p> <p>I don’t want candy. I know, I know, it’s nice but my mom always gives us SO much it stays around the house for weeks. And then I eat it! It’s like she doesn’t know what else to give so she does this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904892 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 18:41:22 +0000 codeitall 2904892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband's family is gift crazy. I just want less crappy gifts and higher quality gifts. I also really don't like clothing gifts. You don't know my taste and what if it doesn't fit right?!</p> <p>Also, don't give my kids toys that need batteries or make noise please. Or huge stuffed animals. What a waste of space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904860 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:41:24 +0000 crazydoglady 2904860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: It's like...at what point can we stop giving each other "stuff?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904859 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:39:45 +0000 lindseykaye 2904859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LadyDi: I feel like this happens so much.</p> <p>We live in a university town and DH has been a fan for life (alumni parents, himself, sister, and he worked there a while) so for a long LONG time it was always gifts relating to this sports team. I am a scientist - and so now I have microscope charm earrings, and coasters, and "artwork" and so much of that stuff that I have also donated over the years.</p> <p>I wish people would stop getting us gift cards to the movies. We go to the movies maybe once a year to take DD1 to a new release. This is not and has never been our idea of a date night. We often end up re-gifting these to friends of ours who DO love going to the movies though so it kind of works out.</p> <p>We always get gifts for DD that are clothes at least 2-3 sizes too big. The kicker is that the gifter is so careful to also send the receipt along with the tags that have been CUT OFF. It doesn't work that way :/</p> <p>I love all these people dearly, but I'd rather have a sweet card and message than more stuff to put in my house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904841 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:16:47 +0000 erinbaderin 2904841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Noooooope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904836 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:10:39 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2904836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>agreed on the no lotion/candles/fancy soap. My MIL loves fancy artisinal soap and I can't stand it, I use ivory soap but every year I throw out 2-3 bars of soap I hate and will not ever use. I also hate gifts themed around hobbies or things I like, the the socks covered in the word read in multiple languages, like yea I love reading, no my socks don't need to share that.<br /> @catgirl: I am the same I hate getting a gift that I don't want and will not use </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904833 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:52:57 +0000 catgirl 2904833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whatever my MIL gets for me. I usually get a box filled with random gifts - some cheap, some expensive, but nothing that I have any use for or want. 95% goes straight to my donate pile on Christmas Day. She gives gifts based on her own likes and interests, and let's just say we don't have much overlap in our interests. I honestly would rather her got me nothing. Or one small thing from my amazon wish list. I always feel like a brat but I don't want things I don't want. I don't keep things in our house that we don't like or have a use for.</p> <p>Other than that I agree with a lot of others, no more candles, lotions, scented things, or general knick knacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904831 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:47:39 +0000 LemonJack 2904831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: YES! And I know how much it sucks to miss out on holidays because we’ve missed two due to stomach bugs (a Christmas and a Thanksgiving). It’s a huge bummer, BUT I don’t want to be the person getting everyone else sick. Whenever I show up and find out someone else has been sick it just puts a damper on everything as I’m just waiting for it to hit us. Yuck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904825 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:20:44 +0000 jhd 2904825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: yes yes yes! we arrived at MIL's for Christmas when i was pregnant with DS2 and she said oh I was sick with a stomach bug yesterday. i about died. i was sick with worry the whole time. we actually didn't catch anything so it was likely something she ate </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904824 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:15:46 +0000 Ajsmommy 2904824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: "oh wow, thanks" as my face says "literally WTH?!?"</p> <p>LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904821 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:08:42 +0000 crazydoglady 2904821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: That would drive me nuts. Do you even wear pantyhose? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904820 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 13:07:52 +0000 crazydoglady 2904820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: @LadyDi: Yes! And then you have to say the obligatory "that's so cool..." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904792 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 08:58:40 +0000 Ajsmommy 2904792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LadyDi: ugh, its the worst and I feel like a complete idiot!! My in laws tend to gift me these gifts and I hate it.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-not-want-for-christmas#post-2904790 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 08:49:55 +0000 LadyDi 2904790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: omg that feeling of not knowing what a gift is. I cringed just reading that. It’s the primary reason why I hate showers. I got so anxious about not knowing what a gift was while an entire room of people stared at me. </p>