Bummed

[Bini]

I bought Bath & Body Works for the ladies in my extended family. I literally spent a couple hours at the store hand picking each bottle, so none of the sets are the same but go well together. It's all been wrapped for about a week now, sitting under our tree, waiting to be delivered. Recently I learn that my one girlfriend-in-law hates "girly stuff". I'm totally bummed out now. I talked to my husband about it and he basically said tough - it's the thought that counts and you can't please everyone. This morning I woke up and seriously considered tearing open that dang gift bag and starting all over again with her.

Anyone ever been excited to give something to someone, only to find out that they don't care of hate it? Grrr. Now to fluff up my spirits with some Christmas cheer. Gotta get some Michael Buble blaring through the house!

[Backroads]

Yeah, I've felt like that.

If I were in your shoes... I'd probably suck it up, scrap the gift, and get her something else.

Just because I'm pretty sensitive if people really don't like my gifts to them.

[Wingnut]

Something like BBW is going to be hit-or-miss anyway, because most people like either floral scents or fruity ones, and if you get them the wrong combo, it's not great. Floral scents tend to make me short of breath and give me headaches, for example, but I love BBW's pink grapefruit, black raspberry vanilla, and midnight pomegranate scents.

[Backroads]

I'm personally very simple when it comes to lotions. While I prefer a fruity scent, I still really like floral scents. Lotions (or anything scenty) are always a safe gift with me.

[prisonchaplain]

The beautiful gem that comes out of this "bummed" experience is that your husband took your side. You'll probably end up getting a different gift for her, but isn't it cool that your hubby thought first of your feelings and convenience? Silver linings! :-)

[beefche]

I'm with your husband. She can always regift it or whatever. It's the thought that counts.

[mnn727]

Get her a bar of Lava Soap if she doesn't like 'girly stuff' -- just kidding

2 thoughts:

1. I've gotten lots of gifts I didn't like, I graciously said Thank You and later gave it to someone else.

2. You've been given advanced notice so you have time to get her something else if you want to.

[Bini]

It's true that Bath & Body Works can be a hit or miss, especially, since everyone has their personal likes and dislikes of certain smells. When I shop I consider things that I would like or appreciate, and cross my fingers that others might like them, too. I have no doubts that I've given gifts that a friend or family member was partial to. But I try.

I haven't touched her gift, yet. We'll see. I'm not really sure what I'd replace it with, though. I guess I like "girly things", and when I shop for other women, that's what the genre of the gift tends to be. Like yesterday, I bought my MIL a shawl that is 100% alpaca wool, very soft and beautiful - and it's machine washable so she doesn't have to get it dry-cleaned! I'm guessing my GIL would hate that one, too! I could get her a pack of beer. I'm sure she'd like that but that goes against my religion.

[Bini]

Get her a bar of Lava Soap if she doesn't like 'girly stuff' -- just kidding

2 thoughts:

1. I've gotten lots of gifts I didn't like, I graciously said Thank You and later gave it to someone else.

2. You've been given advanced notice so you have time to get her something else if you want to.

Honestly, I don't think she realised that she inserted foot into mouth. She is a new addition to the family and we don't know each other well. She has no idea I got her anything, and I doubt she even expects that I would get her anything. Wait a minute! Hmm.. JK.

[classylady]

Rant: Some people are so difficult to shop for. Ugh!

It's so nice when you have a person you're shopping for, and you know they will love what ever you get them. I love "girly stuff". So do most of the girls in my family. I have one daughter that is very particular. She's harder to shop for.

[Dravin]

I generally try to avoid targeted gifts unless I know that someone will like something of that nature*. For instance, someone would be better off aiming a sports centered gift at Beefche than me, and kitchen gadgets/bakeware would be better aimed at me than Beefche. Maybe it's because I know I don't fit the stereotypical profile I'm aware of the pitfalls of assuming based on gender. Or other things for that matter, both me and Beefche have our Sci-fi streak, but knowing we have that streak doesn't let you know which universes and series we each like.

That said, the thought does count. I wouldn't be mad that someone got me some Colts gear, I'd appreciate that they thought of me and gave me something spiffy even if I wouldn't have got it for myself. I might even wear it. :)

*Yes, which leaves one with rather limited options if you don't know anything about someone and can't get the down low through a third party.

Edited December 11, 2012 by Dravin

[Sunshine_Lily]

Bath and Body works has hand soap that is a great gift, smells great but not too girly! I'm a not so girly girl, but I don't mind getting lotions or hand soaps. I don't buy the stuff so when people give them to me as a gift, I love it and use the gift.

I say, go ahead and give her the gift. I'm sure no matter what she will enjoy the fact that you thought of her and gave her a present.

If you are still unsure, go back to bath and body works and give her some of the foamy hand soap instead. :)

[Iggy]

Bini, speaking from my own perspective - I don't like bath type stuff. I do have a garden tub and a bit bigger than the average tub/shower combo. But for the past 8 years I have not taken tub baths. The reason being is I can not easily get out of the tub ~ even with the handicap rails/aids that we have installed.

I appreciate getting them ~ and I don't care what smells/aromas they come in. A few years ago I got a bath salts/lotions/etc. given to me that smelled like bubble gum. I used the lotions. All things for the tub, I gave to the YW leaders to add to the gift baskets they were putting together. My SIL (oldest brothers wife) gave me liquid body wash. I absolutely love the brand and smell. I use the hard bar soap in same brand and scent. BUT body wash is way to slippery for me to use. It gets under the suction bath mat and loosens it and I slide. It also requires way, way, way more water to rinse off, and it is nearly impossible to rinse and wash out of the wash cloth. I traded my neighbor for the hard bar soap. She gives me two bars for each bottle. It is a win-win gift.

One year my girlfriend decided to have a "Let's Help Iggy" party. She decided that I needed to re-do my kitchen and bathroom. Everyone on the invite list was given a choice of items to give me. She is a lacy, girly-girl. So she suggested items she liked. I like lace, but not on everything. I also am not fond of ribbons everywhere either.

I truly appreciated the party, seeing how she did it all long distant ~ my family and friends were spread out throughout the country! (WA, OR, SD, NMex., HI ~ she was in WA & I was in OR), and I used nearly everything I was given, after I had removed the excessive lace.

I also agree with your husband. Don't redo the gift. She will use what she likes and appreciate the thought behind the giving of the gift. Also, if she doesn't like it, and makes not nice remarks about it ~ then cross her off your gift giving list. OR the next time, give her a gift certificate from Safeway, or Denny's or Trader Joe's.

[Guest]

I love BBW stuff! Send it to me!!!

[Guest SquidMom]

My son said he wanted an iPod. I shopped online for 2 days and found a great mp3 player for him. When I asked him what kind of features he wanted on it, he said "I just want to be able to play games and stuff." He wanted an iPAD! Big difference (like, $300!). He's getting an mp3 player anyway....

[Wingnut]

My son said he wanted an iPod. I shopped online for 2 days and found a great mp3 player for him. When I asked him what kind of features he wanted on it, he said "I just want to be able to play games and stuff." He wanted an iPAD! Big difference (like, $300!). He's getting an mp3 player anyway....

He might have wanted an iPod Touch.

[Guest]

He might have wanted an iPod Touch.

Yeah. Which you can buy for $120 at Walmart.

[annewandering]

If she is not fond of girly stuff she will still like not stinking. If not then the people around her will. Give it to her. You know a lot of people play tough but are more girly inside in private. :) Bed and Bath are secret pleasures for many.

[seeking_peace]

Ah. Go ahead and give it to her. She might surprise you and like it. BTW Bath and Body Works will exchange anything. If you try something and don't like it, you can trade it in for something you like better---even candles that have been lit.

[Backroads]

Ah. Go ahead and give it to her. She might surprise you and like it. BTW Bath and Body Works will exchange anything. If you try something and don't like it, you can trade it in for something you like better---even candles that have been lit.

This is wise. Bath & Body Works seems to have an extremely wide variety of products. There's bound to be something in the store she'll like if she doesn't like your stuff.

[MsMagnolia]

My first time meeting my hubby's familywas at Christmas. They were super sweet and bought me several gift baskets of BBW. I am also not a girly girl but I figured out what i liked and didn't like and then shared with my sisters and neices what I didn't want. Give her the gift. Christmas is more about showing someone you thought enough about them to spend your time picking something out for them.

Just my thoughts,

Mags

[pam]

I wouldn't get anything else. You took the time to pick it out. Like others have said..it's the thought behind it.

I haven't always liked every gift I got but I gladly accept and then figure out what to do with it. Besides..she may find out she really likes it.

[Suzie]

Anyone ever been excited to give something to someone, only to find out that they don't care of hate it?

Nope. I really only shop for my family and for a very few close acquaintances/friends who I know they would appreciate the thought. I think all of us at some point in our lives received a gift that we didn't like. Personally, I always kept the presents even if I didn't like them because I am not rich and I come from a humble background and I am fully aware of the sacrifices some people make to give you a little gift. The least, anyone can do is give a smile in return and give a sincere thanks.