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AIBU?

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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:
Plummagic · 09/05/2026 17:01

I sometimes write on the tag and sometimes I don't. I reuse gift bags with or without tags.

I'm not sure what the point of the tags are if no one ever writes on them.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/05/2026 17:01

FlatErica · 09/05/2026 17:00

I’ve never heard of this. I do reuse gift bags but I always write on the gift tag. What’s the point of even buying a gift tag if you’re not gonna write on it?

The gift tag obviously comes on the bag!

TheyGrewUp · 09/05/2026 17:01

Non issue that warrants neither a conversation nor a thread.

Matcheroo · 09/05/2026 17:01

GiftTag · 09/05/2026 16:53

For those wondering about bags getting mixed up surely that's a possibility even without writing on the tag, especially if you reuse bags which you've taken the tag off?

I usually tape the card to the wrapped gift at class parties to avoid confusion tbh. Generally don’t need a bag then.
If I do use a bag with a tag, whether or not I write on it depends on the situation.

It’s common not to write on a tag, but it’s also common to write on it. No unwritten rules as far as I know.

FlatErica · 09/05/2026 17:00

I’ve never heard of this. I do reuse gift bags but I always write on the gift tag. What’s the point of even buying a gift tag if you’re not gonna write on it?

crazeekat · 09/05/2026 17:00

Not weird. Recycle and repeat. The card will be in with the gift.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 09/05/2026 17:00

NoYouCantComeToTheWedding · 09/05/2026 16:59

I never write on the tags for that reason. She's the weird one OP, not you!

Why not remove the tag? Who’s suppose to write on it?

NoYouCantComeToTheWedding · 09/05/2026 16:59

I never write on the tags for that reason. She's the weird one OP, not you!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 09/05/2026 16:59

I don’t think it is a rule, as such, @GiftTag - I think it is one valid choice, but a gift bag can still be reused if the tag is written on - just remove it and tie on a new tag - and that is a valid choice too.

Original poster
GiftTag · 09/05/2026 16:58

Spidey66 · 09/05/2026 16:56

I've never heard that rule. What if the gifts are put in one place to be open at the same time? The child won't know who gave what.

Reusing the gift bag is fine. The tag goes in the recycling bin.

The same way they would if you reused the bag later down the line after removing the tag? The card inside tells them who it is from?

OP posts:
TheSmallAssassin · 09/05/2026 16:58

I don't think this is the unwritten rule because no-one would ever write on the tag, so there would be no point in it being there in the first place.

Justbreathagain · 09/05/2026 16:58

I would say you are odd. Someone has to write on the tag it may aswell be you and someone else can re use the bag with no tag.!

wordler · 09/05/2026 16:56

What’s the point of the tag if no one ever writes on it?

I’d assume the original bag buyer writes on the tag, and then everyone down the line who is reusing the freebie bag manages tagless.

Spidey66 · 09/05/2026 16:56

I've never heard that rule. What if the gifts are put in one place to be open at the same time? The child won't know who gave what.

Reusing the gift bag is fine. The tag goes in the recycling bin.

NovemberMorn · 09/05/2026 16:54

I always write on the gift tag, I get plenty of gifts from family where the tags are unwritten on.

Conclusion ... there is no right or wrong, your gift bag and tag = your decision.

Original poster
GiftTag · 09/05/2026 16:53

For those wondering about bags getting mixed up surely that's a possibility even without writing on the tag, especially if you reuse bags which you've taken the tag off?

OP posts:
BethBynnag86 · 09/05/2026 16:52

I don't bother writing on the tag if it's a family gift or being given face-to face. If I can re-use a gift bag and it doesn't have a label or it wasn't written on,I'll pop a piece of paper inside it with the name of the giver before storing it so that I don't end up handing it back to the same person 😁

PygmyOwl · 09/05/2026 16:50

I'm with you OP.

SandwichSuperstar · 09/05/2026 16:48

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 09/05/2026 16:45

A gift tag exists to be written on.

Yeah that's why I think it's weird to buy a bag and not write on the tag.

There's nothing stopping the person removing the tag and reusing the bag.

But if the bag keeps getting gifted from person to person and NO-ONE writes on the tag, that's a little weird 😁

Theuntold · 09/05/2026 16:48

GiftTag · 09/05/2026 16:47

She wasn't the host? She was another parent.

Show quote history

Beady eyes!

AliasGrape · 09/05/2026 16:48

I don’t usually write on the tag, very often reuse bags, and DD has had several whole class parties now with each child bringing a gift. I’d say more than 50% of those that came in a bag, the tag wasn’t written on, so it’s definitely common, I’m not sure it’s quite ‘unwritten rule’ territory though.

We’re currently working through a massive stash of wrapping paper of various designs that MIL has dumped on passed on to us after clearing out her craft room, so won’t be an issue for the next 20 parties at least!

Hoardasurass · 09/05/2026 16:47

Nope the 1st person to use the gift bag writes on the tag, the next person removes the tag and then reuses it and everyone from then on just use it without a tag

Theuntold · 09/05/2026 16:47

Megifer · 09/05/2026 16:45

Yanbu, also never received a gift bag with the tag written on (and never written on one myself) but Id still reuse it.

How strange of her to make such a huge performance about it 🙄 I imagine everyone was cringing for her a bit.

Oh she didn’t. The Op is exaggerating because otherwise this may well win the award of most non-event mumsnet thread in history

Original poster
GiftTag · 09/05/2026 16:47

Theuntold · 09/05/2026 16:46

There’s no unwritten rule
It is whatever you fancy doing
and the host wanted you to identify the gift so I’d have taken the pen and scribbled my child’s name on it and not thought about it again

She wasn't the host? She was another parent.

OP posts:
MandemChickenShop · 09/05/2026 16:47

Someone else could write their name on your bag tag and make out they gave the gift from you. Then what!

Write on the tag!