I opened my friend's Xmas present early and I wish I hadn't...

[Destinysdaughter]

Because it's a box of fucking Thornton chocolates! I spent ages looking for a pretty necklace for her that cost £13 And a box of Hotel Chocolat chocolates and this is what she gets me? I've known her since I was 16 so she is my oldest friend. It's not even about the money, its about the lack of thought and care that's gone into it that's upset me tbh. I feel like sending her a message tomorrow saying, let's not bother with Xmas presents any more if this is the pathetic amount of effort you're going to put into it. And she's not poor either, she's on a good salary. She's always been a bit unreliable but this feels like such an insult when I've always gone out of my way to get her something lovely. Pissed off!!

I know there's nothing anyone can say really, I just wanted to vent.

Are you 12?

I'd love a box of Thornton 's.

I’ve love a box of Thornton’s chocs send them and your friend my way op. I wouldn’t wear a cheap necklace either.

I give presents to my friends and I find it depends on the years what is given and how much money and energy is spent. Maybe she was knackered, or depressed or something this year and just picked something quickly?

I can feel my skin itching now from the cheap necklace.
I would wonder wtf I had done to a good mate to have that inflicted on me.

I understand how you feel as I didn’t even receive gifts from two of my friends. I’d say nothing and give her a box of Thorntons next year. It’s shit, because of course you don’t give to receive...but it feels hurtful to receive a thoughtless gift.

a box of Thornton’s is the quintessential ‘couldn’t really be arsed’ present

Really?? I have sent some to people before!! Didn't mean it that way!

I'd prefer a box of Thornton's over a £13 necklace.
Just don't bother then next year she'll be probably relieved , but I wouldn't say anything till next year .

It was very hard to do Christmas shopping this year. Very very hard. Trying to avoid public transport and the city and crowds.

Send them to me! I love the Viennese thing and the alpini, but I haven’t seen a Thornton’s for ages.

A cheap necklace?! Why bother...

I understand why you’re upset, all you can really do is reel the gifts in yourself

What's wrong with Thornton's chocolate? Unless there's a typo and you spent £130 on the necklace I can't see what the issue is.

Maybe later there will be a post about how 'A' only got organized enough to do 'B' a generic Thorntons chocolate box and now she feels super bad 'cos 'B' got her fab chocolates AND an amazing thoughtful necklace. What should 'A' do?
Seriously though OP, unless she has form for generic gifts, after this year, just let it slide and maybe adjust expectations and your gift budget from now on.

Really? Jeez

I also like Family Circle. In fact I found myself wishing I had a tin of them in the last lockdown.

What?

Admittedly Hotel Chocolates are really expensive in comparison to a box of Thorntons, but you've basically given each other the same thing. I can't really see why a £13 necklace cost you so much effort?

I despair that people are around me that think like this

Is this really about a box of chocolates?!?!?
There must be more to it

If I’m right, be honest and tackle that and not piss around moaning about a box of chocolates

At least the Thorntons won't stain her skin green like a cheap necklace will.

Not everyone feels that way, SweetGrapes. Don't worry.

I like Thornton's chocolates and am always pleased to receive them.

You’re upset over a £13 necklace??? You really need to get a grip. I’d be embarrassed to offer that to someone and absolutely astonished to receive it. If you can’t afford proper jewellery then don’t bother. As for the chocolates - a box of chocolates is a box of chocolates.

@ZoeTurtle

At least the Thorntons won't stain her skin green like a cheap necklace will.

Ouch🔥

Yanbu

I’m shit at thinking of gifts. My sister is brilliant at it. I don’t love her any less than she loves me.

Stopped buying presents back in the 1970s for these very reasons. I was spending time and effort on friends/family members and getting a load of tat in return. Decided to keep my money and spend it on myself and a nice holiday. So that was one less present for them to have to buy. It took me several years to train them into the idea but eventually they caught on.