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AIBU?

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Original poster

If you knew your son had bought you an unsuitable gift for Christmas would you say something?

57 replies

polarbebe · 26/11/2025 21:57

I have just been put on a medication which means I can no longer drink.
He’s bought me a bottle of wine for Christmas.
I don’t want to offend him but he could give it to someone else as it would be wasted on me and I’d feel guilty just giving it away when it could make a nice present for someone else and save him money.
Or do I not say anything and just accept it and say thank you.
I only know because he mentioned what he’d bought to my husband and he mentioned it to me because of the new medication. I don’t know why he didn’t say something to him at the time but now I know I feel I should tell him shouldn’t I?
Obviously he needs to know for future reference.

OP posts:
Marble10 · 26/11/2025 22:04

I’d probably drop it into casual conversation about how you cannot drink because of the medication and what an annoying time to miss out on the festive drinks. Hopefully he will get the hint?
Or husband tell him ‘mums on new medication and cannot drink, why don’t you change her gift for something more suited?’

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 26/11/2025 22:03

Is your husband a mime? Could he have not said something?

JassyRadlett · 26/11/2025 22:02

Your husband is being a wet lettuce.

This is so easy for him to sort without having to involve you at all.

"Hey, son. I just remembered your mum's new medication means she can't drink alcohol. Gutting because she would have loved that wine. Do you still have the receipt, or maybe give it to someone else?"

There is literally no need for you to be involved at all - it would make it awkward where no awkwardness is needed!

Maraudingmarauders · 26/11/2025 22:01

JustJoinedRightNow · 26/11/2025 22:00

Helpful first comment.

OP I would get your DH to just go back to him and say oops I've realised mum can't drink anymore on her new meds! Want to give the wine to someone else and buy her something else?
That's sweet he's already bought you a present OP.

Yes I’d do this. Less ‘embarrassing’ than coming from recipient and gives him a way out prior to you officially knowing.

JustJoinedRightNow · 26/11/2025 22:00

Helpful first comment.

OP I would get your DH to just go back to him and say oops I've realised mum can't drink anymore on her new meds! Want to give the wine to someone else and buy her something else?
That's sweet he's already bought you a present OP.

OverNotOver · 26/11/2025 21:59

Yeah I’d say something. Actually I’d tell my husband to use a bit of common sense and say something himself! But if he doesn’t then yes you should. Otherwise it’ll come up later and he may feel bad, or he’ll ask why you haven’t opened it and you’ll have to lie, etc etc.

PassingStranger · 26/11/2025 21:58

More evidence of the headache that buying gifts for people brings.