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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want my birthday presents gift wrapped?

86 replies

StuntNun · 07/04/2026 14:08

It’s my birthday tomorrow, a milestone one, and there are currently at least thirteen cardboard boxes, mostly from Amazon, stashed around the house. My mum is trying to persuade my DH that he shouldn’t gift wrap the presents but just let me open the cardboard boxes myself instead since “it will still be a surprise.”
Hmm

So, AIBU to prefer my birthday presents wrapped up rather than open a stack of cardboard boxes on my big day?

OP posts:
WhatAMarvelousTune · 07/04/2026 15:54

Why is your mother’s opinion even relevant here? Why is she involved?

MyMilchick · 07/04/2026 15:22

Why does your mother get a say? Just tell your DH to ignore her, you want them wrapped

Original poster
StuntNun · 07/04/2026 15:17

We usually wrap birthday presents in this household. Someone might be given a present still in the shipping box if it arrived on the day of their birthday and everything else had already been opened. A stack of Amazon boxes doesn’t look particularly enticing.

An interesting comment from Anewuser about being spoilt. I wrap all the presents for the other five people in my household but, when it’s my birthday, it’s being spoilt?!

OP posts:
Jhm88 · 07/04/2026 14:27

It's lazy and naff to leave them in Amazon boxes of all things. I've bought people presents that came in cute boxes, from Etsy for an example, and not wrapped them, but they looked better than being wrapped in paper. YANBU.

leaflake · 07/04/2026 14:27

YANBU at all!

Opening amazon boxes is an everyday chore. Opening birthday presents is a symbol that someone you love cares about putting a little bit of effort into making something nice for you on your birthday.

Anewuser · 07/04/2026 14:19

Unless your milestone birthday is your 1st, then opening boxes will be opening your presents. You have too much time on your hands if you think your husband should open the boxes and wrap your presents. And just how spoilt are you?

Coconutter24 · 07/04/2026 14:18

Well you can have a preference but you can’t dictate what someone should do.

Regularcopyinside · 07/04/2026 14:16

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Regularcopyinside · 07/04/2026 14:16

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BauhausOfEliott · 07/04/2026 14:13

Why is your mum getting involved in this? It's none of her business whether your DH wraps your presents.

Ponoka7 · 07/04/2026 14:10

I don't see the difference and my DP wouldn't make sure recyclable wrapping wasn't used. Just tell him you want them wrapped and it's your birthday, not your Mum's. Is he telling you what your mum is saying?