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AIBU?

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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:
Languishinglayabout · 08/10/2024 17:19

It’ll be fine OP

Wibblywobblybobbly · 08/10/2024 17:18

I'd message her now and say you're so sorry but teen just confessed they'd had a glass.

NiftyKoala · 08/10/2024 17:16

OnlyOneNotOnWeightLossDrugsInTheVillage · 08/10/2024 17:15

Says one of your kids has confessed they had a bit and you want to drop around a new bottle.

I think that's a great idea.

OnlyOneNotOnWeightLossDrugsInTheVillage · 08/10/2024 17:15

Says one of your kids has confessed they had a bit and you want to drop around a new bottle.

ahemfem · 08/10/2024 17:15

PersephoneAgrees · 08/10/2024 17:11

I hate to say this but Limoncello is the exact same colour as piss.

See I thought that but didn't say it as I'd already been told off for the backwash comment

NiftyKoala · 08/10/2024 17:13

Wishimaywishimight · 08/10/2024 16:34

I would think it a bit odd tbh, like you were trying to get rid of a drink you had tried but didn't like!

I wouldn't have given it. I'd have said sorry I couldn't find it will give it to you next time and bought something new.

PersephoneAgrees · 08/10/2024 17:11

JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:53

No. I only ever buy orange Grin

I hate to say this but Limoncello is the exact same colour as piss.

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:10

Mebebecat · 08/10/2024 17:08

I would be kind of offended and wouldn't drink it. I know what teenage ds used to do with bottles of interesting stuff that had hung around too long!

My teenage daughter is a clean freak, so I know it will have been opened and sampled hygienically (and not from the bottle!).

OP posts:
JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:09

@DryBiscuit

Are you always so bottle half empty? WinkGrin

OP posts:
Mebebecat · 08/10/2024 17:08

I would be kind of offended and wouldn't drink it. I know what teenage ds used to do with bottles of interesting stuff that had hung around too long!

DryBiscuit · 08/10/2024 17:08

JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:39

She genuinely seemed delighted.

Until the opened bottle spilt in the car on the way home

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:05

spiderlight · 08/10/2024 17:03

You sound lovely, and she sounds like the type of person who would totally understand. Don't worry about it!

Thanks!

OP posts:
ahemfem · 08/10/2024 17:05

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:00

@ahemfem

Any more ways you can express the same thing, to make me feel worse?! 😆

I was just rasing the backwash as a potential issue

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:05

ATastingMenuButItsAllCrisps · 08/10/2024 17:03

An opened bottle of tourist souvenir is not a gift. If it were unopened it would still be weird, like me running into my house and picking up a random object like a box of tissues or magnet from Spain to 'gift' someone.
Plus limoncello is minging

😭

OP posts:
DreamingDreaming · 08/10/2024 17:04

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:02

I'll tell her and bring something else in. She's great and will see the funny side.

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.

ATastingMenuButItsAllCrisps · 08/10/2024 17:03

An opened bottle of tourist souvenir is not a gift. If it were unopened it would still be weird, like me running into my house and picking up a random object like a box of tissues or magnet from Spain to 'gift' someone.
Plus limoncello is minging

spiderlight · 08/10/2024 17:03

You sound lovely, and she sounds like the type of person who would totally understand. Don't worry about it!

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:02

I'll tell her and bring something else in. She's great and will see the funny side.

OP posts:
DreamingDreaming · 08/10/2024 17:01

And because my last day at that particular workplace is on Thursday, I may well never see her again.

You only have a couple of days to feel embarrassed then. 😂

I wouldn't worry about it OP. She sounds like the sort of person who wouldn't care, and if she'd did, the worst she'll do is not use it.

CeciliaMars · 08/10/2024 17:01

Yeah this isn't great. I'd be chuffed till I realised it was already opened, then would be a bit miffed!

Paperchase100 · 08/10/2024 17:00

JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:59

God, I really am unreasonable. If I had known in advance that it had been opened - and she wasn't waiting outside - I'd never have given it to her.
It was a split second decision ... and not my finest, admittedly!

Just tell her!

JMSA · 08/10/2024 17:00

@ahemfem

Any more ways you can express the same thing, to make me feel worse?! 😆

OP posts:
JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:59

God, I really am unreasonable. If I had known in advance that it had been opened - and she wasn't waiting outside - I'd never have given it to her.
It was a split second decision ... and not my finest, admittedly!

OP posts:
ahemfem · 08/10/2024 16:57

HughJarz · 08/10/2024 16:56

I wouldn't give anyone a spontaneous gift which they can't put in their regifting drawer if they don't happen to like it.

This. You've made it awkward now if she's thinking ew...backwash

JMSA · 08/10/2024 16:57

@ThisHangryPinkBalonz

Grin
OP posts: