Hoist by my own petard.....

Years ago I had a friend who wore a hideous fur hat in the winter. I said it was nice. To my horror she managed to source a similar hat for me and I got it for Christmas. I never wore it. I always made an excuse that it was too warm etc., but that I wore it on colder days when she wasn't with me!

Maybe we could take all these things to local meet ups and swap! Somebody else may love my chutney and I could swap it for their scented candle.

An elderly neighbour used to make blackberry and apple jam from the brambles in her garden and the windfalls . Her eyesight was poor so there was always extra protein in the mix. One year the batch was explosive to say the least and took a long time to clear up the mess at the back of a big cupboard.

Numberplease: Maybe your daughter doesn't like your cooking either but is too polite to tell you (or comment on a forum?!) Maybe by children don't like my cooking? Maybe no one likes the presents I give them? Maybe it doesn't matter that much!

Charities are always greatful for any donations there is always a tombola somewhere in our village

A relative gave us marmalade with gold shavings in, saying how lovely it made it. It was a waste product from her business she runs. (She gives 1 year old children peanuts and whole grapes!)
DH says thank you very much that's lovely. Later on she asks if we have enjoyed it , DH says yes, I say I do not like marmalade with bits in. Sort of good cop, bad cop and we never got given anymore, hoorah!

There is an app called OLIO which has just gone nationwide today, it's free to download but I haven't used it yet. Seems to be about sharing unwanted food with neighbours or someone nearby, sound as though it will work along the same lines as that fabulous site Streetlife, except this is just for food. Maybe those jars won't go to waste as someone might like them?

A warning. If you regift with the comment 'someone gave me this but I don't like it', make sure it's not to the person who gave it to you in the first place. They will not appreciate it, especially if it was expensive.

When I was growing up my grandparents had a holiday cottage with an allotment and chickens. The caretaker always sent them a box at Christmas containing a chicken and vegetables to go with it. The chicken always arrived absolutely stinking, and they never had the heart to ask her not to send it!

My husband's cousin has started giving me a box of hard soap for Christmas, I only ever use the liquid kind, I was obviously too effusive with the first box, and it is the same every Christmas. The local hospice raffle benefits!

Seriously, does there need to be any angst?? This is an elderly person who is 'giving' !! The important thing is that she has been able to gift something, whether or not you can use it or not is really immaterial!
To be able to give is always preferable than receiving!!

I think you may be taking this fairly lighthearted thread a bit too seriously JanT8.

I gave my neighbours some home made chocolate truffles along with their Christmas cards a few years back. I didn't receive one card back! But at least the neighbours were still alive in the New Year!

I love Thorntons chocs but this year I have enough to last me forever and a day.
I'm not complaining, really, but I think next year I'll be on a diet.

What a bunch of weirdoes, Dot.
Why ever didn't one of them say straight out that no-one eats the pastry??