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Original poster

To think this is a widely understood unwritten rule?

344 replies

GiftTag · 09/05/2026 16:41

At a birthday party and as I was dropping off the present with the others another mum noticed we hadn't written on the gift tag. She asked if I wanted a pen so I could write on it and I politely explained I never write on the gift tag so the bag can easily be reused (this one was actually already being reused probably from my own child's party).

She thought this was completely bizarre and genuinely didn't seem to be able to comprehend that this was quite normal behaviour.

She continued to repeat of course you write on the tag that's why its there and how would they know who the gifts was from (I did say the card was in the bag). She seemed stuck on a loop even asking others nearby if they had heard of people doing this before. It not me is it? This is not weird, most people don't write on the tags so the bags can be reused?

OP posts:
Hammy19 · 09/05/2026 18:20

I don't think I've ever written on the tag on a gift bag

Moonnstarz · 09/05/2026 18:17

I am with you @GiftTag
I don't generally write on the tag, and sellotape the bag up with a card inside (though maybe this is also a no no, depending on how carefully someone peels it off).
If we receive a gift bag and the tag is written on we do just remove it and the bag is used again.

ArtAngel · 09/05/2026 18:17

I always re-use gift bags (and am refusing to spend any money on wrapping paraphernalia as an economic and eco strategy).

When I get a gift bag that has a written on tag I REMOVE THE TAG. And probably attach a new tag made from old birthday cards.

Original poster
GiftTag · 09/05/2026 18:13

Kepler22B · 09/05/2026 18:11

If no one writes on the gift tag what is the point of it?

The first person uses the attached gift tag. Off the recipient wants to reuse the bag they remove the tag and then attach a new one.

Why can the bag only be used if there is the original gift tag attached?

It's not that it can only be used of there's a gift tag attached it's that I think others are more likely to reuse it in future if there is a tag attached.

Although given how many posters have commented that they just throw them away, see them as clutter or someone else's crap maybe it makes no difference and they'd just throw them away regardless.

OP posts:
LoyalMember · 09/05/2026 18:12

This reply has been deleted

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Flamingojune · 09/05/2026 18:12

DoAWheelie · 09/05/2026 18:07

Just write on the tag - if they want to reuse the bag they can pull the tag off.

I think gift bags in general are a bit wanky though and I never use them. None of the fun of unwrapping a gift, and none of the fun of it being a surprise since you see everything instantly.

Yes! I agree

Kepler22B · 09/05/2026 18:11

If no one writes on the gift tag what is the point of it?

The first person uses the attached gift tag. Off the recipient wants to reuse the bag they remove the tag and then attach a new one.

Why can the bag only be used if there is the original gift tag attached?

Amberlynnswashcloth · 09/05/2026 18:10

In this situation why use a gift tag at all if you are not going to write on it? Its like hanging an empty picture frame.

I dont like receiving gifts in this way. It feels a bit impersonal and like the giver is off-loading their old crap that they couldn't be bothered to recycle

SandwichSuperstar · 09/05/2026 18:10

LoyalMember · 09/05/2026 18:05

I don’t think you come on here often because women are insulting each other left, right, and centre all over every forum on this site...😂

Show quote history

I've been using MN for 15 years and will always call out misogynistic insults whether they're from blokes like you or from women.

It makes no difference.

LBFseBrom · 09/05/2026 18:08

Silly thing to say, especially once she knew a card was inside.

It doesn't matter whether or not you write on the actual gift tag though I usually do. People still re-use the bag with a new tag.

DoAWheelie · 09/05/2026 18:07

Just write on the tag - if they want to reuse the bag they can pull the tag off.

I think gift bags in general are a bit wanky though and I never use them. None of the fun of unwrapping a gift, and none of the fun of it being a surprise since you see everything instantly.

icepop2 · 09/05/2026 18:05

Neither of you is weird, it's literally just two different ways of doing something.

Viviennemary · 09/05/2026 18:05

I don't usually bother writing on gift tags. And I can't be bothered saving them. Got enough clutter as it is.

LoyalMember · 09/05/2026 18:05

SandwichSuperstar · 09/05/2026 18:03

If you want to insult women with misogynistic shite, you've come to the wrong chat forum mate.

Show quote history

I don’t think you come on here often because women are insulting each other left, right, and centre all over every forum on this site...😂

butterpuffed · 09/05/2026 18:04

With people returning so many Christmas/birthday presents in the last few years , I assumed at first you meant the present and the bag ! Maybe the woman you met thought that too.

As it's just the bags, I can see nothing wrong with it. Unless the gift bags are torn/spoiled , I re-use them all .

GagaBinks · 09/05/2026 18:03

I am totally, 100% with you. Don't think I've bought a gift bag in years and I've got two kids.

SandwichSuperstar · 09/05/2026 18:03

LoyalMember · 09/05/2026 18:01

I don't know, but second rate US scriptwriters called asking for their shite patter back from you..

Show quote history

If you want to insult women with misogynistic shite, you've come to the wrong chat forum mate.

katepilar · 09/05/2026 18:02

I actually find this thread interesting. I would say there isnt a rule and that she was the weird one making it a big deal.

Heggettypeg · 09/05/2026 18:02

What's a bit weird is the urge to make such a thing a "rule" instead of using pragmatic common sense.

Is the tag the only way of knowing who gave the gift? If so, write on it.

If it isn't (eg card in bag, or present personally handed over and opened on the spot), then you might as well leave the tag blank for the next user.

The woman who insisted you fill it in was a meddler, though. Not actually her business.

LoyalMember · 09/05/2026 18:01

SandwichSuperstar · 09/05/2026 17:58

Has the 1980s called yet, to ask for this misogynistic shitty insult back?

Show quote history

I don't know, but second rate US scriptwriters called asking for their shite patter back from you..

Rosecoffeecup · 09/05/2026 18:01

Nope you are the odd one - write on the tag on its first use, recipient then removes tag and reuses bag

SandwichSuperstar · 09/05/2026 17:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Has the 1980s called yet, to ask for this misogynistic shitty insult back?

Original poster
GiftTag · 09/05/2026 17:57

mindutopia · 09/05/2026 17:54

It’s weird to not label a present as from you. How do they know who to thank?

If I wanted to re-use a gift bag, I’d just rip the label off. Job done. I must bin them though because I can’t think of any lying around the house. I’m not a user or saver of gift bags.

They look at the card? Presumably that's what they would also do if you ripped the gift tag off and reused a bag?

OP posts:
fabstraction · 09/05/2026 17:57

Fair enough if she wants to use the tags on bags and didn't know some people choose not to, but to be so insistent and go on about it to make you look weird? That was rude and unnecessary. You told her there was a card to identify the gift giver. At that point, the conversation should have ended. She's a rude busybody.

likeafishneedsabike · 09/05/2026 17:54

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/05/2026 16:43

You are both weird. And you know the gift tag is removable right? If it’s been written on you can just remove the tag and use the bag

Exactly. A non issue.