My mother. She loves her freebies. No one could ever accuse her of not taking a “complimentary item,” that’s for sure. And this year? Well, it wasn’t any different.
Mom wanted me to point out that this years “gifts” only represent 8 months of “gathering” as the last 4 months of this year were impossible to do so.
{The Girl LOVED her recycled scarf BTW}
Tea, toiletries, cocoa packets from the bank, tuna, beans, tampons from Maggiano’s, fancy tea bags, a pair of socks, some random mayo packets and a few other odds and ends.
I thought the sugar packets stored in recycled cookie containers were extra special. Because why would you go on vacation and bring your granddaughter back delicious cookies? No, no. She’d much rather have the sugar packets from the coffee stand. 😉
A year’s supply of lotion, soap, napkins {we don’t buy them} a few pairs of socks, a roll of tp {actually everyone ended up with a roll} a bottle of laundry detergent, sunscreen, 2 cans of green beans {what the?} tea and lots of jam.
In fact there was so much jam I should probably open a B&B.
I have a feeling Lucy might be getting her own goodie box next year.
Monkey Boy’s stash was pretty nice too. Look at all those snacks!
Say what you want to about Trump… but the toiletries in his hotels are really nice.
Coffee, coffee, coffee. A month’s supply.
No crappy hotel coffee here.
And when did banks start handing out sacks of the stuff? Seriously.
Ahhh. So how was YOUR Christmas? Did you receive anything out of the ordinary? Perhaps a free roll of toilet paper from a rest stop? 😉
~Mavis
P.S. Everything we received in our gift boxes will be used, donated, or recycled in some clever way. No worries. None of it will go to waste. 😉
Thanks Mom!
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Kathy G says
Your mom and I would be best friends. She has inspired me to up my game.
Merry Christmas!
Mrs. C. says
Complimentary to me means that if it’s in your room or on your table, and it is obviously meant to be used by one individual, it’s yours. For example, the mini jars of jam are ok to take, while a big one would not be. Mini ketchup is OK, large bottle is not. At higher end hotels, you wouldn’t believe the quality and amount of complimentary items that you get. I have no trouble tucking away the mini jars of jams, ketchup, and mayo on my room service tray, especially when I just paid $35 for a croissant, soft boiled egg, and a cup of coffee. They’re yours if you want them because they are included in the price.
Taking entire rolls of toilet paper, unless I had an emergency, would NOT be ok. Now, what’s an example of “emergency” in that case? Traveling in a third world country where even nicer hotels and restaurants would not put TP in their bathrooms. I had brought my own flattened rolls from home, but after a month on the road, I eventually ran out and had to use one from my hotel room. Plus, I was on Imodium, which is already Too Much Information.
Susan says
I was thinking the same thing. Too bad that’s a spoiler
Mrs. C. says
Another thought: every place varies. For example, my elderly aunt was in a hospice facility the last month of her life. When she passed away, they told me to take anything and everything I wanted, other than the obvious, of course. That means I packed up all the unused toiletries in her room, including the spare wrapped toilet paper. They had some policy where they put everything brand new in a room for new patients, so that was ok.
stacy says
When my hubby got a transplant last year they asked us to pack up everything in his room…even unopened tissue boxes, lotion, etc. because it would otherwise have to be tossed because if you have a compromised immune system it has to be sterile.
I agree on the toilet paper…don’t really consider those to be complimentary.
Crystal says
The toilet paper in your hotel room is for YOUR personal use. I don’t see any difference between tp or coffee. It’s ALL included in the price.
Now things like towels, etc. No…
But consumables, YES!
Em says
Merry Christmas Mavis and family! Lots of good loot there. I’m looking forward to reading about what you buy in the New Year. Did you receive any slippers as a gift? You were a VERY good girl this year, so I hope so.
Your post brings back fond memories of my mom. Take care!
Delores says
I appreciate the way you and your mom are so frugal. While I don’t think I could ever put together a goodie basket like that, I really wish I could get my family on board with the idea of a much more frugal Christmas.
Melanie says
Oh, Mavis, I was HOPING you would show off your goodie boxes again this year! Is it wrong that I have waited all year to see this? Ha!
I also tremendously enjoy the weekly updates on your goals. I can’t wait to read your yearly recap and to find out what next year’s goals will be! You seriously inspire me, my friend!
P.S. I wouldn’t feel too badly about not sticking to the grocery budget this past year. You more than made up for it with your wool sales. 🙂
Brianna says
Love it! Did she sneak a handful of Jelly Bellys every time she walked by a candy dish and put it in her pocket? How does she pack all of it in her suitcase, the packaging takes up a lot of room? Is her other half on board with her sample collecting or does he roll his eyes? Has this gift turned into a tradition and has lots of laughter when you open them? It is definitely a wildcard and I love it!
My mother-in-law was so ungrateful for her gift this year (handmade goat milk soap) and regifted me a necklace we gave her for her birthday a few years ago, that I might just do a sample-collection type gift for her next year.
Delores says
Oh! As someone who makes soap, I can imagine how you would feel. Handmade goat milk soap! What a nice gift!
E in Upstate NY says
Fe: ungrateful mil, depending upon her age, she may also be doing what Mavis is doing, cleaning out stuff of the house. By giving back to you the necklace, she may be making sure that your gift to her is returned to giver. Her lifestyle maybe such that a nice necklace is no longer worn. I wish my mil had unloaded some of the stuff from her house. What a mess to clean out her house when we moved her to live with us. I tried to give back items to their giver when I had a clue. [Among other things, she had Alzheimer’s.] Just a thought.
AmyWW says
That is amazing. I think the greatest part of the gift is the fun time opening it up and examining it all. Does she tell you all stories about where she was and what she was doing when she got the items?
Jenny Young says
I want to know what kind of places give complimentary spam, green beans & socks?
Mavis Butterfield says
Seriously. Right? I’m afraid to ask.
Laura says
Well, the socks are from sears and were free with SYW points and the green beans were free at CVS around Thanksgiving. Not sure about the spam….
Ask me how I know ;).
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh Laura that is AWESOME!
tia in boise says
What fun!
Ha ha! (I’m guessing she bought the jelly bellies!)
LOVE the tiny tobasco!
looking forward to next year’s goals!
Sharon says
That is just awesome! Your mom cracks me up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Laurie says
My daughter sent me a text last night saying her fil gave her 23 month old son a BamBam doll from the circa 1993 Flintstones movie and a cowgirl outfit from the character in A Toy Story movie. Seriously? It was pretty funny but she was majorly annoyed. The man has one granddaughter and one grandson. The granddaughter got a decent present. What is up with 20+ year old gifts for your grandson? There is frugal and then there is cheap! He falls into the cheap category.
Cheryl says
It may be cheap to you, but many of the “old” things can bring big bucks to collectors.
Tracy says
There does seem to be a bit of “grab a handful when no one is looking” element to some of those items. Hmmmm
Earlene says
I just have to laugh! This whole thing makes me smile. And to the lady who said her mother in law register I have one up on you. My now deceased mother in law one year sent the whole box of gifts back to us , told us to keep the crap. So from there on our I bought what liked in case she sent it back! Some people are just mean and she was, but I loved her anyway bc she had my wonderful husband!
Carol says
I love your Mom!
Deborah says
Honestly, I can’t see how so many people can get so giddy over some “free” stuff. Nothing is really free when you are paying $$$ to lay your head on a hotel bed for a few hours.
You can argue that it’s there to take, but I sure would rather the cost of hotel, restaurant, etc. be more affordable than the opportunity to make a “gift basket”.
Take what you need, that is why it is provided for you.
Jan Rhoades says
Mavis I think your mom is awsome! I always take all the goodies in my hotel room. My kids make fun of me so I would never share with them. If it is something that doesn’t get used up at home I donate it to the local mission.
Toni says
I think your mum is pretty cool. ‘Nuf said!
D'Anna says
My Dad travels, my aunt travels so they Ziploc up those hotel things and bring them to me 🙂 I like your Mom’s style and who doesn’t need a spare roll of TP?
Texas Deborah says
Your Mom and mine were quite a bit alike. But, my mom used to buy to on sale, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, and any other item. Also on sale and put them in a kitchen trash can, or a laundry basket, even a large gift bag. Those were my all time favorite gifts. Treasure those gifts! My mother is gone now. 9 years. I still miss her every day. But especially on holidays.
Love your mom’s spirit of giving. Love love love freebies! I love your thrifty spirit, too. I look forward to your posts to see what you’re doing
Tracie H says
I love it!! Your Mom is awesome!
Ct Bargain Mom says
My mom does the same thing. I figured out that the hotel shower gels are just the right amount to pour into the foaming hand pumps and dilute with hot water. Then you get the correct foam.
Or like I do – I bag them up by type (OCD) and when full drop them at St Vincent de Paul center. The are always appreciative of them (the one near us has showering facilities)