gifts no one wants (holiday gifts you should NEVER BUY & are not worth your money)

Okay, as someone who got the tortilla blanket last year as a gift, it is REALLY soft. I’m happy I got it 🤷‍♀️ but I definitely get your point

I just wear my gingerbread pjs year round 😂

Ninja Creami is on my sons list 😂😭

I am of the opinion that the Christmas gift isle in the Christmas section of like walmart, you know, with all the gift sets and stuff, is just an abomination. Not a single thing should be bought off that isle.

I soooo agree!!! I can’t stand waste…and wasteful gifts.

This year, I got engaged. That beats any cheap blanket or single-use pajamas.

Meanwhile, consumables are usually my go to if I don’t know what to gift someone 😅 I do usually try to be mindful and keep in mind what flavors/scents the person may like or I know what they consume. I especially love gifting snack baskets - everyone I know always appreciates snacks! And I know a couple shops that sell scented soaps that are good for sensitivities and won’t stink up the bathroom.

I did feel Secret Santa at work. I quit sending cards years ago. I put out thrifted vintage decorations and string solar lights on my bushes. I reuse the same record every year and put out the family heirlooms. When I did do Secret Santa I bought the gifts from the thrift store. The one receiving the gifts enjoyed them. I do tell people I'm not big on getting anything.

You might be happier deciding that you aren’t going to be in love with what your gifted but can be very grateful to have been remembered and grateful for the effort. That means the most to me. If you don’t want it , donate it to a women’s shelter or regift it. But yes- be grateful

I agree on most things you said, but I love Christmas pajamas. I have 2 pairs and wear them year-round, except for in the summer. Sometimes I use my Christmas cups, tea, lip balm out of season, too. Nothing is wasted.

Dude I even hate kuerigs 😭 they don't really do anything useful I prefer pour over coffee but because I love coffee it's like always a thing that people try to gift me I've been given like 4 kuerigs 😭

All so true! Nothing like being a diabetic and receiving obligatory holiday cookies and candy 🫠 I just regift or throw away.

I love thrifting and buying intentional gifts. I’ve been also able to get free brand new items from freecycle and buy nothing groups

I went with handmade functional gifts this year. All of them are very personal to individual so I am hoping they all like them but if they don’t they are welcome to regift them. I just didn’t want to buy random shit for this reason and I didn’t have the money to do that anyways.

Every year for the past decade I have literally BEGGED my mother to gift me a donation to the charity of my choice. She’s outright told me no. I can’t stand it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING ALL OF THIS OUT LOUD! I HOPE THIS VIDEO GOES VIRAL.

I adore my lil air 🍿 popper, bc I don’t have a microwave, don’t consume the additives in microwave popcorn, less waste, & I eat it sO often as a healthy, inexpensive snack.

I got a Christmas themed mug last year. And it bothered me so much to think that I can only use it for one month in a year. I hate seeing it just stashed away, so now I just put it at the office on my desk every day of the year.

I had no idea what to get anyone this year because more and more i want to give people only useful or wanted things. So everyone is getting cash and a huge chocolate bar. And the friends who struggle with everyday expenses are getting gift cards to their pref groc stores.

Thank you

My family and I ask what we want before xmas

Good lord Shelby, you just said everything I have been trying to explain to people in my family! I just need to send them this video! Thank you!!

We have five Macula boards; four unopened. Ready to be rewrapped.

I love your content!
I have sent a message to my gift giving family earlier this autumn and said due to struggles with space since downsizing I would appreciate if they choose max ONE gift from a list of consumable items. I gave them brands I love as well as I don't bring any artificial fragrance into my home... Let's see how it goes. Christmas is nearly here and I really hope it worked.

I'd say there are ways to do gag gifts sustainably. Growing up, my family had a rubber toy slug (named Sluggy). Every year for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's day, etc. someone would get a fake gift that was actually just Sluggy disguised as something else. We used things we already had like mugs, tins, etc. You'd think you're getting a tasty treat and then suddenly it's a slug!

My family has discussed a prime rib buy in, where all the adults pay for a portion of a large prime rib. My husband and I are going to gift our son experiences like ski trips when he gets older. We need to start thinking beyond Walmart shelves.

Jesus Christ. You wouldn’t get shit from me. Even a wanted gift. Scrooge.

tbh the majority of the time i just want money, but that’s seen as “rude”. i also hate secret santa, especially when it’s “optional” (but we all know it really isn’t)

I have the popcorn maker that my brother got rid of in thd mid80s because he got a microwave. I use it, but yes, it requires storage.

Also, do you have xmas crackers in the US? It pains me to see the prizes that just get thrown out and I have always wanted to make the crackers myself. Not my party tho.

Wow, someone went out of their way to give you a gift and you’re mad about it. Talk about privilege. I asked my mom a few years ago to stop giving me Christmas presents, but it brings her joy so instead of getting mad about it I accept her gift graciously and if I can use it, I keep it if I don’t I donate it or give it to somebody who can use it.
I have an idea that should make you happy. Tell everyone you know that you don’t want any gifts, period. This way they won’t make the mistake of giving you something that will make you angry or feel like you have to keep.

One thing that confused me when I came to America was "tissue paper" for gifts. I was so confused. When I first saw the gift tissue, I literally used that as the main wrapping paper till someone said that the present should be cushioned in a gift bag.

Last year I hosted some Korean friends (I am in Korea these days), and one of the girls brought a pack of toilet paper. Apparently it is a custom in Korea. It was such a practival gift.

Wow. I watched this through to the end and I gotta say I’m glad I’m not buying for you.
Everything makes you angry.
Gratitude for something someone has gone to the trouble to purchase for you seems to be something you’re not acquainted with.
While you’re so concerned about the effects of gift giving on the planet, you don’t seem as concerned about your attitude towards those that have gifted you.

Great video!! I love the idea of not gifting clothing because we are consciously building a wardrobe and that random gift may not fit into what we need. Likewise, I feel that way about toys for my kid. I’m trying to be mindful of what function each toy provides in my kid’s education and play. So it is hard to by for my kiddo when I don’t know what grandparents and aunts/uncles are going to buy them for Christmas.

One example is I bought this nice set of Toddler Safe kitchen utensils and knives. Well… my mom just told me she bought one too. And my MIL just bought rainboots when we just bought rainboots a few months ago when we had a need. While I greatly appreciate these gifts, it just feels wasteful and takes some of the fun out of shopping and out of receiving gifts.

But at least we donate duplicate or unwanted items. Or I’m trying to think of a way to use 2 pairs of rainboots (leaving one at a relatives house and keeping one at home).

Great video!! I love the idea of not gifting clothing because we are consciously building a wardrobe and that random gift may not fit into what we need. Likewise, I feel that way about toys for my kid. I’m trying to be mindful of what function each toy provides in my kid’s education and play. So it is hard to by for my kiddo when I don’t know what grandparents and aunts/uncles are going to buy them for Christmas.

One example is I bought this nice set of Toddler Safe kitchen utensils and knives. Well… my mom just told me she bought one too. And my MIL just bought rainboots when we just bought rainboots a few months ago when we had a need. While I greatly appreciate these gifts, it just feels wasteful and takes some of the fun out of shopping and out of receiving gifts.

But at least we donate duplicate or unwanted items. Or I’m trying to think of a way to use 2 pairs of rainboots (leaving one at a relatives house and keeping one at home).

The popcorn maker! Haha I received a Quesadilla MAKER one year!!! You literally just need to put a tortilla in a pan with cheese and BOOM you have a quesadilla… I really did not need that. And pretty much no one needs that appliance.

Instead of buying traditional gag gifts, you could get thrifted ironic tshirts. It doesn't take new resources, and they can actually use it as like a sleep shirt (or wear it out if they are that type of person)

This video is the perfect gift ❤

I hate getting clothes.
1 year my twin and I got the same gift from 2 of our friends that were dating each other (after we both gave them each gifts that were like about $25 each) - we both got the same gift.... a keychain that said "flirt" on it. We found out afterwards that it was from the $1 dollar store. And what sucked the most is that these friends said "We thought long and hard and think these gift really suit you 2". So the 2 of us were really excited to see our gifts, until we saw them. We were teens at this time too and both me and my sister looked at each other in disgust! Like there is no way that they "thought long and hard" about those. Like don't even bother.
And another thing!!! IF you know TWINS... Don't give them the SAME GIFT!!!! My sister and I HATE it!!!! There is stuff about us that are the same, sure we might like something that is the same. But if I have it, my sister doesn't want it. Even till this day. It's so annoying to be compared or to get the same shirt (and lot's of times 1 twin will be bigger than the other by 1 size- which makes it embarrassing and hurtful to get clothes because the "bigger' twin gets called out on it).

I got a towel warmer a couple years ago. A whole device just warm up a towel. My husband and I ended up donating it to a local animal rescue but STILL! It made no sense lol

In my family, with the cost of living, we just don’t have 💵 for obligatory gifts 😂❤

My MIL ( now deceased) gave the worst gifts. For example: she once gave ne a pair of men's socks. A packet of paper napkins w/ a restaurant logo on them. An unfinished, rough piece of wood w/ holes in it & golf tees so you could play tic tac toe. She gave me one of the ugliest wall plaques I've ever seen.
I think most were re-gifted. Who gave them to her?!
It's funny now to look back on those times...but it wasn't funny at the time.

This is such a struggle for me. I’ve been sewing a lot of gifts this year because we absolutely cannot spend more money. I happen to have a lot of fabric because of the second hand market and I sew daily as my hobby. But if I’m making something it’s because I know full well it will be used daily. I hate all the extra stuff we need to buy this time of year because of the obligation and our culture. I much prefer to make people things as I see a need or even a want that I can fill the gap for with my skill. My husband says I’m the best gift giver, but that’s because I listen when people talk. I remember their values and what makes them tick. I wish more people would help change this current culture

I got invited to a holiday party where I didn’t know anyone - it was a white elephant . And I took it to heart that I can’t shop intentionally for people I don’t know so decided not to participate.

It was fascinating to watch as ~20 people gathered in a circle after having spent on average about $50 each (close to $1000) on 90% generic junk from TJ max. THAT NO ONE LIKED OR WANTED.
I definitely got the side eye for not having participated, but what an absolute waste!

I got invited to a holiday party where I didn’t know anyone - it was a white elephant . And I took it to heart that I can’t shop intentionally for people I don’t know so decided not to participate.

It was fascinating to watch as ~20 people gathered in a circle after having spent on average about $50 each (close to $1000) on 90% generic junk from TJ max. THAT NO ONE LIKED OR WANTED.
I definitely got the side eye for not having participated, but what an absolute waste. I’m glad I didn’t

THE FIGURINES
I donate or give away those types of things. I donʻt like useless clutter and I wont put those types of things up. Some friends think because I like a certain character or series, Iʻll find use in a figurine.
I also have a friend who has declared sheʻs a great gift giver. She gives trinkets because she likes those types of things and I give money, gift certificates or experiences and I think we both feel that the other person doesnʻt appreciate the gifts given.

This is properly a me thing but I never gift toiletries or beauty products unless they were specifically asked for because to me it feels like a bit of an insult, like the person is trying to say that I smell or something 😅.

I hate scented items for gifts. I can't stand any of the fall/winter scents and some people always insist on gifting them. Candles, lotions, anything! Very few people know/respect what scents i like so I tend to get things I don't want

It is possible to say, " please only gifts that are useful and of high quality, or take me out to a nice afternoon at the museum" . I got taken out to an afternoon at a museum. 😊