My friend gave me complimentary hotel soap for Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Today I got a small package from a friend. Every year she sends some of her friends some fancy soaps, moisturizer, etc. Honestly, up until today I never really gave any thought about where she got these soaps from. I might have thought that she bought a larger gift set and would split it up and send a couple of items to each friend. Again, I didn't think about it, and I don't get her anything for Christmas, and have consistently asked friends and family to not get me any gifts because I don't need any more "stuff." Soap/lotion is never a bad gift though, right? Today, I opened the package in front of DH and he immediately said "Why did Larla send you some hotel soap?" It is very obviously a little package of hotel soaps from a nice hotel. Out of curiosity I looked online to see if one could buy this particular set of soap... and I couldn't find a similar very small set. Her job requires her to travel extensively, so I suppose she must collect quite a few of these over the year. I'm not offended, really. I guess I'm just... bemused... Has she always been sending me hotel soap? Is this incredibly frugal and clever or just a little insane? Is it worth the shipping? Does she think I'm too dumb to recognize hotel soap? I just had to put this out there, and I texted her thank you and will just enjoy the set, I guess!

[Anonymous]

Time to get some new friends.

[Anonymous]

That is so funny!!

[Anonymous]

I don't know about "too dumb" to recognize hotel soap, but you never recognized it as hotel soap before this year when your DH said something.

[Anonymous]

It's the thought that counts.

[Anonymous]

Ha, that's cute

[Anonymous]

Overthinking... why bother?

[Anonymous]

It's hilarious. Unless she's being cute and you'd get it, she might actually think this is a good idea. Some people are really weird like that. My mom's step mom used to ship us their dirty clothes. From IL to a developing country. Not in any of our sizes or anything. Finally my mom complained and they were offended she'd even say we don't want your old dirty clothes.

[Anonymous]

I'll take it.

Fancy soap is fancy soap. It doesn't matter the source.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about "too dumb" to recognize hotel soap, but you never recognized it as hotel soap before this year when your DH said something.

I swear, in prior years it has not been so obvious. Like they were small lotions, but the type you'd buy in a little gift set, like the Burts Bees kind. This time this is a set of teeny tiny little fancy soaps in the exact type of package you get in the hotel. Really obvious.

[Anonymous]

You do know that many women shelters will take hotel travel sized toiletries? Some people even include them in care packages to troops.

[Anonymous]

You routinely get her nothing yet you're going to bitch about something that she takes an effort to send you every year? If it is hotel soap she probably thinks of you and her other friends every time she is in a hotel- "I can't forget the soap- I think Jane would like this one." I think it's kind of sweet.

[Anonymous]

My husband brings me soap, shampoo, lotion, shower caps, mouthwash, toothpaste, snacks, all kinds of things from his hotel stays. Many many bags full. Sometimes full size bottles. Since the company pays for the stays, they are usually items from high end hotels. I keep all the freebies in my extra bathroom and tell visitors to use whatever they want. I might be the only person here that wouldn't mind a gift of freebies from anyone.

BTW, the shea butter soaps and lotions are the shit.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I'm with you. Not offended, but, um, okay...

Like a lot of people, I happen to like the little soaps and tiny bottles so I'd be okay with it. At least it's not the yard sale crap that some people give away. Everyone hates that.

[Anonymous]

She takes the time to pack it all up and ship it, which is actually kind of sweet. Like PP said, she probably collects the little soaps and lotions with Her friends in mind, and genuinely thinks you all will appreciate these items. Okay, a bit odd, but sweet and in no way would I've offended; it was nice of her to think of you.