Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Personalised gift- massive cock up!

33 replies

MyMagicStars · 24/12/2018 16:26

In April we welcomed our first grandchild (she's absolutely scrumptious Grin) and DS2 and DGD are coming for xmas here (DIL is working this week but is coming as soon as she finishes on Thursday) which is very exciting.
DH went to Norway in November for a work trip, and bought a beautiful personalised rocking horse for DGD- very expensive but stunning, and something she'll hopefully be able to use for years and years. It was delivered the other week, and in the chaos, I didn't look properly at the name on the seat, as DD2 had just got in from uni. We are a very horsey family so it's quite meaningful. The DDs were wrapping up presents today when one of them realised that DH has spelt DGD's name wrong- argh! It's quite an unusual name, so I don't want to say what it is, but it ends with "dd" and he's got "dde" on the end. DS2 chose the name which is after his birth mother, and so I'm really upset that this is wrong. DH is devastated, and is going out to Norway again in February- would you try and get another and give it for her first birthday, and just give this one to charity? I know it's wasteful, which is annoying on top of it all.
The problem is that we don't have a lot else for DGD tomorrow- she's in a big family and is the first grandchild for both sides, so has more toys, clothes, etc, than she needs, and so her aunts and uncles (mostly students) have got her small, token gifts, and obviously, DIL won't be there. Does anyone have any ideas? We don't live in a Prime Now area, which was DD2's first suggestion.

OP posts:
AnnieOH1 · 24/12/2018 16:28

Is there any way to turn the e into a loopy loop thing at the end?

AfterSchoolWorry · 24/12/2018 16:29

Can you paint over the extra 'd's ?

bonzo77 · 24/12/2018 16:30

How is the name attached? Is is carved in, painted / printed? What’s the material of the area? Can you post a pic, it might be salvageable?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Christmas
AfterSchoolWorry · 24/12/2018 16:30

Should read extra 'e'

Apileofballyhoo · 24/12/2018 16:30

Let her have it tomorrow as she can't read. Explain to DS about the mistake and you're horrified and are getting a replacement with the correct spelling when DH goes back to Norway.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 24/12/2018 16:33

I’d confess but if it’s painted on cover the e with a sticker or, if you can paint over to look like a flower or a heart, depending on if that would work. I wouldn’t scrap it.

Original poster
MyMagicStars · 24/12/2018 16:34

DD4 is currently trying to run up a cushion for it. Good idea about giving it until April then changing it!
I don't want to post a pic as her name is so unusual- less than five the year she was born, I think.
Originally, it was spelt with an e on the end, but once she was born, they changed it to the four letter spelling, so I do understand why DH managed to make the mistake- it's just the worst time to discover it.
It's wood, but I don't want to damage it further by trying to chisel it out- what a nightmare!

OP posts:
greendale17 · 24/12/2018 16:34

Let her have it tomorrow as she can't read. Explain to DS about the mistake and you're horrified and are getting a replacement with the correct spelling when DH goes back to Norway.

^I would do this

pinkyredrose · 24/12/2018 16:37

Talk about first world problems. If the name was originally spelt wirh 'e' then just give it to her.

BlankTimes · 24/12/2018 16:39

Tell them it's the Nordic spelling of the name.

ThePencil · 24/12/2018 16:40

Is it possible to just get the seat replaced, instead of the entire thing? Not sure whether you'd be able to attach it yourself, but it's worth sending a message to the maker to ask. I'd still give it to her, as she's not going to be able to read it, but apologise quietly to your DS and explain that you're getting it fixed.

Toddlerteaplease · 24/12/2018 16:49

I think I'd just leave it. If my parents had gone to so much trouble to pick out such a wonderful gift. I wouldn't be that bothered about a small mistake.

brizzledrizzle · 24/12/2018 16:52

pinkyredrose who rattled your cage? Yes, it's a first world problem but if a child with an unusual name is given something with her name on it then it has to be spelt right, just like for any child. It's possibly the only thing she'll get with her name on and it's important it's right.

OP it sounds like a lovely gift, I would give it tomorrow and then work out getting it sorted out afterwards. I'm sure she will love it anyway.

italiancortado · 24/12/2018 16:53

Give her something else, she's only a few months old. Row king horse can be sorted and given when she is old enough to use it

Missingstreetlife · 24/12/2018 16:54

Is it your mistake or the manufacturer. Surely they will help you?

Original poster
MyMagicStars · 24/12/2018 16:56

pinkyredrose, it's a special gift for our first granddaughter, who was named after a dear friend and DS2's birth mother, and given on a family day when we don't have DIL. It is a first world problem, but it is still something we'd like to get right- especially as she won't get many personalised gifts, like a previous poster said.
Thank you for all of your kind comments- I'd never have thought to look into getting just the seat replaced! We're going to give it to her, hopefully with a little cushion, and get it sorted after Christmas.

OP posts:
Kazplus2 · 24/12/2018 16:57

If it's in the wooden part of the horse you could get a furniture restorer to fill in the letter and varnish over it. You may be surprised at how effective a finish a professional could achieve.

SoupDragon · 24/12/2018 16:59

Can you paint a heart over it?

ShotsFired · 24/12/2018 17:05

You might be able to disguise it for Christmas by rubbing a wax crayon(s) into the engraved e to fill it back in??
It'll take several though, so unless you have them lying round..?
(A candle might offer the same purpose)

I believe restorers use sawdust and glue, but that is too easy to mess up as an amateur, so after Christmas, I'd get in touch with a local one and get them to sort it.

For now, it can just become part of family folklore. Maybe give everyone an extra e on their names for this Christmas! Grin

Didiusfalco · 24/12/2018 17:06

You sound lovely and thoughtful, I would give her the gift and explain to your son - I can’t imagine that he wouldn’t understand.

LuckyLou7 · 24/12/2018 17:11

As pp have said, a furniture restorer will be able to disguise the additional letter fairly easily. So give the child the gift tomorrow ans explain to the parents what the plan is. It sounds like a beautiful present.

ThePencil · 24/12/2018 17:11

Forgot to say, a furniture restorer could probably fit the new seat of you're able to get it delivered. May be worth finding a restorer after Christmas and asking what they think. They might even be able to fix the current seat by removing the extra 'e', or turning it into a decorative swirl or something.

mikado1 · 24/12/2018 17:15

Perfect solution. Sounds like a beautiful gift.

OlennasWimple · 24/12/2018 17:19

Yes, give it to her tomorrow and fix it afterwards. I might even tell DS2 in advance - "Just to let you know, DGD's present is personalised but they have spelled the name wrong! We are so sorry, and will get it sorted in the new year, but wanted her to have it to open tomorrow"

Ethel36 · 24/12/2018 17:23

I would contact a local furniture restorer and ask them if they can cover up the last letter.

Swipe left for the next trending thread