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To have given this as a gift?

139 replies

JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:26

A colleague really helped me out today, and I wanted to give her a token of my appreciation. I remembered that I had a lovely, unused bottle of limoncello that I bought while in Sicily over the summer. So when she dropped me off at home after work today, I nipped inside to grab it for her.
On taking it out of the cupboard, I saw that the cellophane had been removed from the stopper and a wee bit was missing. Bloody teenagers! (not underage, I hasten to add).
I gave it to her anyway because I was completely caught out. But now I feel silly and a bit embarrassed. I'm hoping she won't mind. It could only have been opened recently and she is very thrifty - as well as an incredibly resourceful and amazing human being - so I know that it definitely won't go to waste. She likes the drink and is a keen baker, etc.
I'm hoping that maybe she'll think it's more authentically Italian with the cellophane removed, and that that's how it's supposed to look Confused

Would you be insulted by this gift? I would have lined up something else had I known the bottle was opened.

OP posts:
SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 18:47

BarbaraHoward · 08/10/2024 18:42

If my DH was slagging my mum off on social media I'd be gutted regardless of who he was friends with. And you were friends with her daughter, clearly.

A private text chain is one thing, social media is something very different and in no way a "safe space" for slagging family members off.

There was no "slagging" involved. More just it's a good job I love her because she's a mad old bint. She drives me nuts but she is still my mil for better or worse. It was actually someone else that stepped in and said something derogatory about her, and then sil blocked me. I don't actually know why as the person she was mad at she didn't even know.

PosiePetal · 08/10/2024 18:45

I think it’s fine, probably would not notice the lack of cellophane.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 08/10/2024 18:44

JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:41

But the whole helping me out thing was so last minute. And because my last day at that particular workplace is on Thursday, I may well never see her again.
I honestly did mean well.

You could send flowers or an unopened bottle or chocolate to her workplace or a virtual gift card.

Limoncello is vile anyway. Sorry but you're palming her off with something you don't want.

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:44

BarbaraHoward · 08/10/2024 18:42

If my DH was slagging my mum off on social media I'd be gutted regardless of who he was friends with. And you were friends with her daughter, clearly.

A private text chain is one thing, social media is something very different and in no way a "safe space" for slagging family members off.

exactly

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:43

". I however, am not so cool with letting things slide

You didn’t say anything to her
You posted about it on FB. And she’s not even on it

ahemfem · 08/10/2024 18:43

nothingtoseehereatall · 08/10/2024 17:49

Gosh there are some ungrateful types here. What happened to "it's the thought that counts"? Even if I didn't like Limoncello or thought maybe someone had tried it, OP, I'd still think it was a sweet, generous thought of yours.

The thought is "oh some opened left over booze I don't want I'll pass it on to someone who can't object"

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:42

SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 18:38

No 😂
She can barely work a mobile phone!
I also don't have a lot of DH's family on Facebook so its a safe space for me. MIL has a lot of issues, mainly because her family have allowed her to say and do whatever she wants without question as "that's just the way she is". I however, am not so cool with letting things slide and even my dh now agrees that things should have been pulled up in the past so she wouldn't be as blunt as a brick as she is now. I just found it more ironic his sister said "you can't say that!" but actively ignores her mum for months on end because she's so hard to deal with. It was just a shock for her that someone verbalised it. I have since seen sil and she is absolutely fine with me, she's as daft as a brush and has forgotten she even has me blocked. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I just find the whole thing comical. But seriously don't open a gift, eat half of it and still gift it. It's not cricket.

Her daughter was on it

and i’m guessing you and MIL don’t have the… closest of relationships at the best of times

BarbaraHoward · 08/10/2024 18:42

SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 18:38

No 😂
She can barely work a mobile phone!
I also don't have a lot of DH's family on Facebook so its a safe space for me. MIL has a lot of issues, mainly because her family have allowed her to say and do whatever she wants without question as "that's just the way she is". I however, am not so cool with letting things slide and even my dh now agrees that things should have been pulled up in the past so she wouldn't be as blunt as a brick as she is now. I just found it more ironic his sister said "you can't say that!" but actively ignores her mum for months on end because she's so hard to deal with. It was just a shock for her that someone verbalised it. I have since seen sil and she is absolutely fine with me, she's as daft as a brush and has forgotten she even has me blocked. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I just find the whole thing comical. But seriously don't open a gift, eat half of it and still gift it. It's not cricket.

If my DH was slagging my mum off on social media I'd be gutted regardless of who he was friends with. And you were friends with her daughter, clearly.

A private text chain is one thing, social media is something very different and in no way a "safe space" for slagging family members off.

BarbaraHoward · 08/10/2024 18:41

nothingtoseehereatall · 08/10/2024 17:49

Gosh there are some ungrateful types here. What happened to "it's the thought that counts"? Even if I didn't like Limoncello or thought maybe someone had tried it, OP, I'd still think it was a sweet, generous thought of yours.

What happened to "it's the thought that counts"?

Long dead on MN sadly. The ingratitude on some threads is mind boggling.

SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 18:38

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:31

Is your mil on FB?

No 😂
She can barely work a mobile phone!
I also don't have a lot of DH's family on Facebook so its a safe space for me. MIL has a lot of issues, mainly because her family have allowed her to say and do whatever she wants without question as "that's just the way she is". I however, am not so cool with letting things slide and even my dh now agrees that things should have been pulled up in the past so she wouldn't be as blunt as a brick as she is now. I just found it more ironic his sister said "you can't say that!" but actively ignores her mum for months on end because she's so hard to deal with. It was just a shock for her that someone verbalised it. I have since seen sil and she is absolutely fine with me, she's as daft as a brush and has forgotten she even has me blocked. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I just find the whole thing comical. But seriously don't open a gift, eat half of it and still gift it. It's not cricket.

betterangels · 08/10/2024 18:36

DreamingDreaming · 08/10/2024 17:04

I think you'll feel better if you do this. Just say you hadn't noticed when you gave it her but then someone in your household said they had already opened it, then give her new gift. You'll both laugh and all will be well. She'll know you're a thoughtful person.

Do this. It does depend on how much was missing to me.

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:32

no doubt your mother was off to have given you half an easter egg

but to then post about it on SM…. nah, not on.

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:31

SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 18:28

I didn't slag her off, more just in a jokey what's she like kind of way.
I'd say actively giving someone a half-eaten gift (and not accidentally mind, but in a "I fancied some of that so I took it" way) is worse than a comical bewildered facebook status. It's akin to dishing a guests dinner up and having mouthfulls of their food to try it first before handing them the plate!

Is your mil on FB?

SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 18:28

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:10

WTF

you posted on FB about your MIL eating your chocolate? Ok she was wrong to do that, but come on. That’s not on.

I didn't slag her off, more just in a jokey what's she like kind of way.
I'd say actively giving someone a half-eaten gift (and not accidentally mind, but in a "I fancied some of that so I took it" way) is worse than a comical bewildered facebook status. It's akin to dishing a guests dinner up and having mouthfulls of their food to try it first before handing them the plate!

bringmorewashing · 08/10/2024 18:25

I wouldn't mind an opened bottle of something if it came from a friend, and it sounds like your friend is the type who wouldn't bat an eyelid. Don't worry about it!

Maia77 · 08/10/2024 18:21

It's fine. Don't overthink it. It's a token of appreciation, given with gratitude and love.

doyouevenknowwhatajellybeanis · 08/10/2024 18:15

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:11

@SicParvisMagna

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:10

SicParvisMagna · 08/10/2024 17:52

Just text her and explain the situation. Just say you thought she might have liked it but your dd has since informed you that she did pour a tiny bit from the bottle to taste. Because of this, please feel free to tip it away and you will get her another gift. From the sounds of things she will probably tell you not to be silly and not to waste your money.
Last year my mil bought us easter eggs. She bought one for each of the kids, one for me but nothing for her son (DH). Anyway, she opened mine first, ate both bags of minstrels that came with the egg and still gave it to me and saw nothing wrong with this. I posted about it on facebook and what a numpty she could be at times and my sil blocked me lol. Ah families.
I think there's a difference between gifting someone something you've swigged (or eaten) half of, and a bottle that may not even look like it had been opened anyway.

WTF

you posted on FB about your MIL eating your chocolate? Ok she was wrong to do that, but come on. That’s not on.

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:09

lanthanum · 08/10/2024 18:08

Send her a message:
When I told my family I'd given you that bottle, one of my teens 'fessed up to having had a taster from it. I'm so embarrassed, and I'm obviously going to have to start locking the drinks cupboard... I hope you can enjoy the rest of it, and I've told the teen that they owe you a drink!

this

powerflash · 08/10/2024 18:09

He wouldn’t have just taken off the cellophane Op

he would have had a drink

so you would have given an already open, tasted and then discarded bottle!

lanthanum · 08/10/2024 18:08

Send her a message:
When I told my family I'd given you that bottle, one of my teens 'fessed up to having had a taster from it. I'm so embarrassed, and I'm obviously going to have to start locking the drinks cupboard... I hope you can enjoy the rest of it, and I've told the teen that they owe you a drink!

MatildaTheCat · 08/10/2024 18:06

Just text her and explain the situation. Just say you thought she might have liked it but your dd has since informed you that she did pour a tiny bit from the bottle to taste. Because of this, please feel free to tip it away and you will get her another gift. From the sounds of things she will probably tell you not to be silly and not to waste your money.

This.

Some people on here absolutely crack me up. Have none of you ever had a drink in a pub? I hate to tell you they don’t open a new bottle of gin for each G&T they sell. Far more likely to be contaminated with Mumsnet germs than from a friend.

Just send the message and she will laugh and tell you not to be silly.

She may come to work looking hungover tomorrow.

EwwSprouts · 08/10/2024 18:05

I work for a charity and we often have donated bottles out as raffle prizes at events. After a fashion show I received a call about a nicely boxed bottle of brandy....which turned out to be only three-quarters full. The embarrassment! Luckily the lady was very gracious and declined a replacement. Lesson learned we now open all boxed donations.
Hope that makes you feel better OP?

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 08/10/2024 17:59

Could you send her an email along the lines of...

"Hope the limoncello was OK, it's been kicking around for ages, but I had a quick swig and it seem alright - well I'm not dead yet. Ha ha!!!"

That's what I would do.