Alcohol freebies as Gifts

[CostaAddict]

My DH's job has quite a few perks, one being that he gets loads of bottles of (branded) Alcohol throughout the year. We very rarely drink so either store a few bottles---- or mostly give it away to friends and family.

Hers my Problem. DH has acquired lots of bottles of good alcohol (think vodka, procecco, champagne etc) in the last couple of weeks. We are rather skint this year but have budgeted for Xmas and managed to get family decent presents. We thought it would be nice to include a bottle of alcohol that the person likes in with their gift.

Is this being stingy? One friend of mine gave me a look when I told her and said I was being cheap I honestly don't know whether this is acceptable or not. We're not giving tat or drinks that they wouldn't usually have and if it wasn't Xmas they probably would just get them anyway as my wine rack is full

[CostaAddict]

I'll try again in proper English...

My DH's job has quite a few perks, one being that he gets loads of bottles of (branded) Alcohol throughout the year. We very rarely drink so either store a few bottles or mostly give it away to friends and family.

Here's my Problem. DH has acquired lots of bottles of good alcohol (think vodka, procecco, champagne etc) in the last couple of weeks. We are rather skint this year but have budgeted for Xmas and managed to get family decent presents. We thought it would be nice to include a bottle of alcohol that the person likes in with their gift.

Is this being stingy? One friend of mine gave me a look when I told her and said I was being cheap . I honestly don't know whether this is acceptable or not. We're not giving tat or drinks that they wouldn't usually have and if it wasn't Xmas they probably would just get them anyway as my wine rack is full.

[storminabuttercup]

I don't see a problem with that at all! Nobody will know or care that they were free!

[secondhoneymoon]

Not sure what your friend's problem is. I'd love to receive alcohol for Christmas and as long as not stolen wouldn't care whether you'd bought it. Perks of a job are part of the overall remuneration any way. Gift away and use your cash for other things x

[DonkeyOaty]

Your friend is being weird. I would demote from A list to C list and just do idle chit chat from now on.

Back to matter in hand - you're going to tailor the bottles to the recipients tastes, very thoughtful. So NER to friend. Hah.

[CostaAddict]

Thanks all. You've made me feel so much better.

Friend was round while I was wrapping. She seen said alcohol bottles and spied an expensive bottle of champagne. We have given her this in the past as we wouldn't drink it. She was dropping hints and I told her it was part of a present. This is when she made the remark but in a snide, jokey way although I think she meant it.

[harderandharder2breathe]

As long as you've thought about the persons taste (which you said you would) then no issue with it, they don't need to know it was a freebie!

[luckymucky]

I would most certainly use as gifts. I probably wouldn't advertise the fact, just secretly hoard throughout the year, then present as gifts 😬

[Grumpyoldblonde]

I would be delighted to get a bottle as a gift - your friend is silly. There is a world of difference between re-gifting a bottle of Champagne or Vodka or re-gifting a corporate pen and notebook handed out in a meeting, that would be stingy.

[MinesAGin]

Basically she just wanted the bottle, didn't she, and wanted to make you feel bad when it was clear that someone else was going to get it?

Not the sign of a nice person.

[KC225]

It's your friend who is being cheap NOT you. She has got expensive champagne free and now grumbling because it's going to be a present. Don't give it to her. When she asks where it is (and she will) say you gave it to someone who didn't think it was cheap. Give her a token gift for being BBC mean of spirit (no pun intended).

My Ex Boss always gave me expensive wine/champagne for Christmas despite me telling him on numerous occasions I didn't like it. It was regifted straight to my BIL who loves expensive wine. His wife was easy(a pleasure) to buy for so I would buy a nice gift for her and give him the booze. It became a joke he would say 'thank you KC225 and her Boss'

[CostaAddict]

Mines & KC225 you're both right. She was a bit miffed it wasn't automatically going to her and tried to make me feel bad. We don't usually exchange gifts at Xmas but I do gift her bottles of free booze throughout the year as DH gets tons from work and she gladly accepts. She can bugger off if she thinks that's happening again.

I've spent the rest of my child free morning wrapping bottles of alcohol. I wish I'd bought bottle bags! Thanks all

[mylaptopismylapdog]

Cheeky cow, I cannot stand the way some people will angle to be given or borrow something they feel they need and/ deem they are entitled to from others. Your approach is right to give no more.

[lostlalaloopsy]

I do this every year! FIL works at the local distillery and gets free bottles of branded booze. None of us really drink it, so it's always an Xmas pressie for Aunts and Unvles.

[CointreauVersial]

DH used to get lots of free perfume and aftershave from his job, which we also used to give away.

Problem is, because of the brand people knew it was a work freebie, so we gave them away as "extra" gifts rather than the main event, IYSWIM.

[CostaAddict]

That's what we've done Cointreau, added in the bottles as an extra instead of stocking fillers like little chocs etc.

Pretty sure it will be appreciated, especially by my brother who I'm sure has a permanent hangover

[NickyEds]

Will you be my friend ? Champers as a pressie? Not too shabby for me!

[lovelearning]

Is this being stingy?

Alcohol is currency - it's fine to regift it.

she made the remark but in a snide, jokey way

That's not what I call a friend.