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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

He wanted the gift bag back....

46 replies

ButteredRadishes · 06/06/2025 08:18

.. my friend gave DD a birthday present in an gift bag in December.

He just asked if he could have the gift bag back? We didn't keep it, because we always just reuse gift bags (as I'm sure 99% of people do!)

I asked him why he wanted it... "it was expensive"

Is it quite strange to expect some one tinga e the gift bag 6 months later...but then return it to it's owner??

OP posts:
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yakkity · 06/06/2025 16:53

WhatDidIComeInThisRoomFor · 06/06/2025 08:42

The rule on gift bags is never write on the tag so the person you gave it to gets to reuse it!

your friend is odd and stingy.

I just take the tag off

Bananalanacake · 06/06/2025 16:50

My 7 year old DD got away with this, gave her friend a gift and asked for the bag back because it had a picture of a unicorn on it.

BoudiccaRuled · 06/06/2025 16:38

We like to see how many times a gift bag can do the rounds 😂

anyolddinosaur · 06/06/2025 16:20

Dont you ever give him a gift? If not then you should - in a nice gift bag he can reuse.

Daisy12Maisie · 06/06/2025 16:20

Less weird if he asked at the time. I have very limited storage space at my house so if someone wanted their gift bag back I would be happy to give it to them. But 6 months later I would have re gifted it!

Needmorelego · 06/06/2025 16:14

@Bjorkdidit that's so true 😂

olivehater · 06/06/2025 16:11

Love reusing gift bags. If it’s for someone close I make a point of telling them I haven’t filled in the label so they can write in it!

Original poster
ButteredRadishes · 06/06/2025 16:08

familyissues12345 · 06/06/2025 14:16

So weird? Was it an obviously fancy bag? Has he had a birthday since then and expected the bag to be reused then?

It was a canvas type one. So more sturdy than a card one, but definitely a gift bag a d not a shopping bag or anything

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 06/06/2025 16:01

Needmorelego · 06/06/2025 15:40

£1.99 😱
Last one I bought was 79p.
😂😂😂

Show quote history

They're probably more than 1.99 in places like W H Smith and Clinton's and I do wonder who buys them at that price.

You could use it as one of those light hearted 'you know you're rich when...' examples.

You know you're rich when you buy a gift bag from WH Smith without blanching at the price.

EvilDJ · 06/06/2025 15:56

I’m waiting for the plot twist that it was a Louis Vuitton tote bag or something because this is strange behaviour!

Also lol at the poster not being able to shift the baby boy bags. Am imagining you eye rolling at baby announcements 😆

Needmorelego · 06/06/2025 15:40

Inertia · 06/06/2025 14:56

Ridiculous- gift bags go into the gift bag drawer to be reused! Why give the bag away if he wanted to keep it?

I’d just give him the £1.99 in loose change.

£1.99 😱
Last one I bought was 79p.
😂😂😂

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 06/06/2025 15:30

I did give someone back a piece of that Japanese fabric wrap. Well I tired to and she said no.... wasn't sure what the protocol was with that!

Inertia · 06/06/2025 14:56

Ridiculous- gift bags go into the gift bag drawer to be reused! Why give the bag away if he wanted to keep it?

I’d just give him the £1.99 in loose change.

Kissedbyfire1 · 06/06/2025 14:17

WhatDidIComeInThisRoomFor · 06/06/2025 08:42

The rule on gift bags is never write on the tag so the person you gave it to gets to reuse it!

your friend is odd and stingy.

This. The gift bags go in the bag of bags to be used again. Literally everyone knows that Grin

familyissues12345 · 06/06/2025 14:16

So weird? Was it an obviously fancy bag? Has he had a birthday since then and expected the bag to be reused then?

okydokethen · 06/06/2025 12:22

So weird!
was it a jellycat bag or something sellable?

curtaintwitcher78 · 06/06/2025 12:19

Tell him the only bag round here is him: utter mingebag.

Bbq1 · 06/06/2025 12:13

ButteredRadishes · 06/06/2025 09:16

Not a chance 🤣🤣

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Haha, okay fair enough buti would enjoy giving it along with a lot of sarcastic or pa comments!!

ChocolateCinderToffee · 06/06/2025 11:08

My friend and I had a running joke about a gift bag that passed between us half a dozen times (by the end it was rather battered). The bag is part of the gift, though

Stompythedinosaur · 06/06/2025 11:05

That's very weird! Did you tell him you didn't still have it?

OnlyFannys · 06/06/2025 11:03

My best friend and I growing up used the same gift bag for years and years, it became a bit of an in joke about trying to squeeze the most bizarrely shaped or far too large item into the tatty old bag. I missed it when it finally broke beyond repair 😁 YANBU, he is very weird

Needmorelego · 06/06/2025 10:59

Custardslice3 · 06/06/2025 09:50

Maybe for his next birthday you could buy him a set of gift bags 😆 Making sure to wrap them in one a gift bag that you are reusing of course.

Yes !
Definitely do this 😂

TorroFerney · 06/06/2025 10:46

SalmonDreams · 06/06/2025 09:09

Yes, absolutely!! They are meant to be reused. Also, never write your message on the actual gift bag because that means I can't use it anymore. And if at possible use generic designs. I've still got a few "welcome baby boy" bags that I'm finding impossible to shift. Since ds was born all my friends have had girls and now most people I know are done with having babies.

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I’ve got a really nice plastic one with Disney princesses on which is probably 10 years old. The moment has passed to give it to daughters friends as they are all teenagers so it only gets used “in house” for husband usually and then goes back in the bag and wrapping paper drawer.

Cotton55 · 06/06/2025 10:38

Completely bizarre! Everyone reuses gift bags surely?! Just say "Seriously?! I reused that ages ago. Everyone reuses gift bags!" and see what he says.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 06/06/2025 10:35

Well you know now at least. Next time you pass the bag straight back to them once the gift has been given. My mother and I tend to reuse the gift bags and so the bags basically spend half a year at her house and half a year at mine 🤣. Everyone else though just keeps the bags and I’m sure reuse it down the line with friends and family.