FabSwingers.com forum: Useless Gifts

By *iddlesticks OP Man
49 weeks ago

My nan’s spare room.

Why are gift shops full of gifts that actually nobody really wants.

How many hip flasks do you have? How many times have you actually used one of them.

I have 7 which over the last 35 years I’ll be amazed if I’ve used a hip flask a dozen times.

I’m not being ungrateful though, as they say, it’s the thought that counts, it’s just people must think I’m an alcoholic.

Other useless gifts are available.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottomMan
49 weeks ago

All over

Wallets

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
49 weeks ago

BRIDPORT

I knocked this on the head years ago.

I told people to stop gifting me crap I wouldn’t use, just for the sake of giving me ‘something’.

My giving/recieving circle is pretty small and we all know each other very well, this makes giving each other things that are wanted or going to be used easier.

I’m full of Christmas spirit me.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
49 weeks ago

East Sussex

BHS used to have a whole section full of useless gifts ranging from wooden puzzles that would get thrown away on boxing day to marmite chocolate.

The best example of a useless gift I ever saw was when a colleague gave a very staid, single, middle aged woman, a thong with tassels on as a secret Santa present.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *naswingdressWoman
49 weeks ago

Manchester (she/her)

Capitalism.

You have to buy them "something" but you don't actually know anything about them, so capitalism fills the void with a bunch of generic useless crap.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
49 weeks ago

East Sussex

When I was about 9 someone gave me a headscarf. I never used it

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottomMan
49 weeks ago

All over

"BHS used to have a whole section full of useless gifts ranging from wooden puzzles that would get thrown away on boxing day to marmite chocolate.

The best example of a useless gift I ever saw was when a colleague gave a very staid, single, middle aged woman, a thong with tassels on as a secret Santa present. "

Just reminded me once winning a raffle at wwork with varioys things and had likeca plastuc egg shapped thing in with a tiny thong inside

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aith SkynbyrdWoman
49 weeks ago

Somewhere else

"Capitalism.

You have to buy them "something" but you don't actually know anything about them, so capitalism fills the void with a bunch of generic useless crap."

I’m a big fan of handwritten home made cards (I draw some silly picture, like a snowman in ice skates mooning - then I write something special for the recipient)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *naswingdressWoman
49 weeks ago

Manchester (she/her)

"Capitalism.

You have to buy them "something" but you don't actually know anything about them, so capitalism fills the void with a bunch of generic useless crap.

I’m a big fan of handwritten home made cards (I draw some silly picture, like a snowman in ice skates mooning - then I write something special for the recipient)

Yes. I'm in a fortunate position where there's no obligation being forced on me - those I feel the urge to buy for, at most I'd say "I think you'd like X because (something about them)" (giving is one of the ways I do love).

The generic gift sections just get an eye roll from me.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
49 weeks ago

East Sussex

I enjoy exchanging gifts at Christmas. We have a very small list if people we buy for and don't spend a lot, I think I've paid around £5 for my dad's. I like having a day of eating, drinking and giving.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *arahfromwarringtonTV/TS
49 weeks ago

warrington

Christmas markets. Full of useless crap.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *obilebottomMan
49 weeks ago

All over

"Christmas markets. Full of useless crap."

You are right. Used to love them before they became just another market full of tat with glitter thrown in

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *naswingdressWoman
49 weeks ago

Manchester (she/her)

"I enjoy exchanging gifts at Christmas. We have a very small list if people we buy for and don't spend a lot, I think I've paid around £5 for my dad's. I like having a day of eating, drinking and giving.

I do too, but I'm thinking... there are sometimes obligation gifts to people you don't really know. That's when the cheap crap section comes into its own (and sections online like "perfect gift for a brother-in-law", as if all brothers-in-law are a monolith).

(I've mentioned in previous years, once I got a generic gift voucher from someone, the implication being because I'm a bitch! At least it was better than something like this)

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eneralKenobiMan
49 weeks ago

North Angus

There’s a high heel shaped wine bottle holder in my house. No one drinks wine in my house. Why is it there? Why was it gifted? Was someone clearing out last years unwanted gifts? I think so

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *naswingdressWoman
49 weeks ago

Manchester (she/her)

"There’s a high heel shaped wine bottle holder in my house. No one drinks wine in my house. Why is it there? Why was it gifted? Was someone clearing out last years unwanted gifts? I think so

I was in Costco yesterday and I saw whiskey in a very elaborate bottle that looked like a dragon. Sculptural.

It'd be a hell of an unwanted gift though, it was nearly £100.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eneralKenobiMan
49 weeks ago

North Angus

"There’s a high heel shaped wine bottle holder in my house. No one drinks wine in my house. Why is it there? Why was it gifted? Was someone clearing out last years unwanted gifts? I think so

I was in Costco yesterday and I saw whiskey in a very elaborate bottle that looked like a dragon. Sculptural.

It'd be a hell of an unwanted gift though, it was nearly £100."

Ooft that’s fancy folks money

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
49 weeks ago

East Sussex

(I've mentioned in previous years, once I got a generic gift voucher from someone, the implication being because I'm a bitch! At least it was better than something like this)"

I think office secret Santa is the worst for useless stuff. I used to dread it.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
49 weeks ago

Any gift you didn’t want or need is useless.

I make sure to ask people not to buy me anything. It’d be a waste of their money.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ink vixenCouple
49 weeks ago

Medway

My wife and I have promised not to buy anything for each other because if we needed it we’d already own it.

We give our kids a cash present and my daughter always goes on holiday with that.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
49 weeks ago

The Town by The Cross

I rarely receive a gift that I want or need except from one of my daughters and a very good friend. The rest is an assortment of bath products i'd never use, chocolate I don't eat, gloves , scarves and books i'll never even cast a glance at....

It all goes to charity shops. I don't keep any to regift.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ensuallover1000Man
49 weeks ago

Somewhere In The Ether…

For some highly decorative yet rather utterly bloody useless gift ideas for the man in your life, that will be guaranteed to end up sat gathering dust like a fine antique (the gifts that is, not your man….well….maybe he will - it’s not my call) you can’t beat the shop, Menkind

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he KinkysCouple
49 weeks ago

Edinburgh

Drink glasses, bath sets(no bath) scarves and a lot of socks xx

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
49 weeks ago

The Town by The Cross

"For some highly decorative yet rather utterly bloody useless gift ideas for the man in your life, that will be guaranteed to end up sat gathering dust like a fine antique (the gifts that is, not your man….well….maybe he will - it’s not my call) you can’t beat the shop, Menkind

God it's awful. I went in the year that opened thinking , AT LAST, ...... full of useless crap and overpriced crap.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *avinaTVTV/TS
49 weeks ago

Transsexual Transylvania

Our director sends everyone in the company a £100 gift card for John Lewis. That works for me.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
49 weeks ago

East Sussex

I think teachers may be in line for the award for recipients of the largest quantity of entirely useless gifts. I know some who travel to charity shops miles from home to donate them.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r TriomanMan
49 weeks ago

Chippenham Malmesbury area

The worst things are the stupid plastic items such as the Pot Noodle gift set (seen in John Lewis), consisting of a plastic mug, a Pot Noodle and a battery powered noodle fork (I think it spins), this will last all of 20 seconds and end up in a Land Kill (intentional Freudian slip) site.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
49 weeks ago

"I think teachers may be in line for the award for recipients of the largest quantity of entirely useless gifts. I know some who travel to charity shops miles from home to donate them. "

I don’t get this odd tradition of buying teachers gifts. I’ve seen dozens of parents with overly elaborate gift bags chock full of stuff. It’s bizarre.

I got my daughter to hand make a greeting card. That was all. And I’d wager that’s more appreciated than all the useless tat.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he KinkysCouple
49 weeks ago

Edinburgh

[Removed by poster at 20/12/23 09:57:42]

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icolerobbieCouple
49 weeks ago

walsall

That’s what socks are for. Pretty much everyone is glad of a pair of socks.

I’m amazed at how many mugs with an initial on are for sale at £7.00 at Christmas time.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ercuryMan
49 weeks ago

Grantham

I handed a relative a large hamper full of local artisan foods and drinks. Put together with thought and greatly appreciated.

I got a whoopee cushion, shaped like a Brussel sprout in return.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eneralKenobiMan
49 weeks ago

North Angus

"I handed a relative a large hamper full of local artisan foods and drinks. Put together with thought and greatly appreciated.

I got a whoopee cushion, shaped like a Brussel sprout in return."

The sprout is a more me gift than a hamper I have to admit

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icolerobbieCouple
49 weeks ago

walsall

"I handed a relative a large hamper full of local artisan foods and drinks. Put together with thought and greatly appreciated.

I got a whoopee cushion, shaped like a Brussel sprout in return."

Win win then…

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
49 weeks ago

East Sussex

"I think teachers may be in line for the award for recipients of the largest quantity of entirely useless gifts. I know some who travel to charity shops miles from home to donate them.

I don’t get this odd tradition of buying teachers gifts. I’ve seen dozens of parents with overly elaborate gift bags chock full of stuff. It’s bizarre.

I got my daughter to hand make a greeting card. That was all. And I’d wager that’s more appreciated than all the useless tat."

It's not that teachers don't appreciate the gifts it's more that they know too well the playground pressures and in some cases expectations of preferential treatment. I'm in no doubt a handmade card will have been greatly appreciated

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *d4fun73Man
49 weeks ago

Shipley

I got a secret Santa at work once. A book called fun with Roman numerals!.

Went in the recycling bin

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *naswingdressWoman
49 weeks ago

Manchester (she/her)

"I got a secret Santa at work once. A book called fun with Roman numerals!.

Went in the recycling bin "

That sounds like a fine book... for a child

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *d4fun73Man
49 weeks ago

Shipley

"I got a secret Santa at work once. A book called fun with Roman numerals!.

Went in the recycling bin

That sounds like a fine book... for a child

Maybe for a child!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
49 weeks ago

I dont do gifts. If i wanted it i would have bought it myself. If someone wants to give me a happy gift then pay off my credit card which is now full after buying myself the stuff i actually want lol!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ealMissShadyWoman
49 weeks ago

St Albans/ Welsh Borders

Bloody bubble bath sets and flamin bath bombs....I am capable of buying my own bath products thank you, I don't want that stinky posh stuff that does funky things to my skin

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *itygamesMan
49 weeks ago

hankerchiefs

( full of snot n germs then you put it back in your pocket or bag .

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *entlemanrogueMan
49 weeks ago

Motherwell

"Why are gift shops full of gifts that actually nobody really wants.

How many hip flasks do you have? How many times have you actually used one of them.

I have 7 which over the last 35 years I’ll be amazed if I’ve used a hip flask a dozen times.

I’m not being ungrateful though, as they say, it’s the thought that counts, it’s just people must think I’m an alcoholic.

Other useless gifts are available.

2 hip flasks that indo use on occasoon, I find them very handy for whisky nights

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread