To think this "friend" was really unpleasant about the gift I gave

[Gaballout]

Starting my own business and it's been a very tough few years, financially and long working hours.

Drove a significant distance to visit a friend's new flat for her birthday.

Said friend is very frugal, won't go out for dinner unless at a reasonablly priced chain and just complains about how expensive it is and how it's cheaper to eat at home. She buys all her clothes from tk max or on sale, really does love a bargain.

So I gave her a little box of Aldi Christmas chocolates that did pay half price for. She is always shopping at the outlet village hotel chocolat shop near me and the chocolates looked good.

She opened them infront of everyone and shouted out "omg did you buy me chocolates from Aldi?!", Then after seeing the snowflakes on the package shouted "these were half price?!". Didn't say thanks or anything then said through gritted teeth "I will eat them".

Then opened the next present from someone and it was hotel chocolat chocolates and she said "yes! The real thing!" And thanked the other person.

I was never going to spend much on her because I don't have much and she bins (not even gives to a charity shop) presents that she gets and doesn't like - which is most of them. She only values things if they are expensive, will automatically say she thinks something is better if it's more expensive.

Wow. I can't stand skinflints, it's the most horrible trait to be so tight.

However op, the more you talk about her it sounds as if she has quite expensive tastes but didn't like to put her hand in her pocket.

It's my birthday in a few days and I've received some bloody odd things over the years. How hard is it to smile, say thank and at least act like you like the gift? Anyone with half decent manners could manage this. My 7 year old dd has done this several times when received clothes that she doesn't like or toys that aren't age appropriate etc.
A grown woman who doesn't have these basic manners would not be a friend of mine. You've been a good friend, bought her a gift and travelled hundreds of miles to see her. Put it all down to a bad experience and cut her off immediately.
Your time is precious and should be spent with people who care more about where their birthday present came from, the cheeky mare.
I bet she still ate them though.

She has bought more expensive presents for big birthdays (although I haven't had one since friends with her that I've seen her on).

I'm probably against the grain with lots of MN, but unless someone has paid off their mortgage or is pretty stable id rather people didn't spend much on me for my birthday. I'm happy just to have friends that have thought of me, no need for a gift other than themselves.

There's no way she won't eat those chocolates!

But yes, don't visit her again. She's rude and not a good friend.

I'm not sure she will, which is even more annoying. She has a habit of binning lots and did put them on the floor near the bin and the prized hotel chocolat box went straight in the fridge. She's not the person I once knew, I think she would rather bin than give them to a food bank or take into work.

Annoyed at myself for not grabbing them back. Only really stayed because there were other people that I enjoyed catching up with there.

Yanbu op she was so rude.

I see no problem at all with buying chocs from aldi for a present - I would be very happy with that. But then I've been brought up to believe presents are not something you are entitled to, they are something others are kind enough to give you and you thank them and appreciate them however large or small the present.
I often give people flowers from aldi or Lidl as presents - you can get far more for your money - and it means I can give a nice big bunch rather than half a dozen from an expensive florist.

It is shame you were too taken aback to retrieve the chocolates OP (don't blame you - I'd have been gobsmacked at her rudeness too). I wouldn't be getting her any more presents and if she asked I tell her why. Whatever happend to 'thank you so much, they are lovely, it's really kind of you to think of me' ?

I agree that the gift threads on mn are very conflicting

I wonder if she thought you were regifting stuff left over from Christmas, and that’s why she was shirty? As another January birthday, you do tend to be treated as the dumping ground for crap Christmas presents from people who can’t be arsed taking things to the charity shop.

Her reaction was still very rude, but I’ve received half-eaten Christmas chocs before and I wasn’t hugely impressed (very different receiving Christmas stuff in November or any time pre-Christmas, when it is clear you aren’t being regifted something fished out of the bin).

She's horrible. No-one is under any obligation to buy anyone anything at all for their birthday so it really is the thought that counts imo. She was rude and completely lacks manners. A friend wouldn't humiliate someone like that.

She's waving brands around in the hope they make her look classy not realising it's having the opposite effect,

I would have said that you travelling the distance to her house was gift enough. The chocolates were just a token in order to not arrive empty handed. Embarrassing you like that in front of everyone? That'd be end of friendship for me.

Exactly, they weren't a big gift or anything. I didn't wrap them or anything (is that worse?). Just a I thought you would like these as a little gift.