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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to say no to friend...

26 replies

theoldfrazzledazzle · 26/11/2011 12:32

My friend wants to use our spare room, which is quite small, to store her children's Christmas presents in (4 children, so lots of stuff including scooters). She will take them back to her house on Christmas Eve after her children have gone to sleep. We will have house viewings on our property between now and Christmas (hopefully) and have just completely decluttered the room, leaving some of our things from the room at IL's house for this purpose - they offered. Felt obliged to say yes, though...

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 26/11/2011 12:34

Say no. It's far more important that you sell your home than her children don't see their presents. She'll find somewhere else to hide them and a real friend would understand why you can't do it.

Tchootnika · 26/11/2011 12:36

Exactly as CES said.

No reason whatsoever you should feel obliged or guilty.

And you need to pull out all stops re. house selling at the moment.

Very good luck!

thisisyesterday · 26/11/2011 12:36

normally i would say yabu, but given the circumstances no, i don't think you'd be unreasonable to say no

you've got rid of your own stuff so it all looks nice, don't take on someone elses!

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 26/11/2011 12:36

I would say no, you've cleared the room out specifically for house viewings. She will have to find somewhere to store them in her own house, like the rest of us do for our children!

Acandlelitshadow · 26/11/2011 12:39

Hell, no.

Onemorning · 26/11/2011 13:38

Another no here.

TheRuderBarracuda · 26/11/2011 13:40

Is there any space in the loft (preferably hers)?

onebigchocolatemess · 26/11/2011 13:46

yeah doesn't she have a loft or a garage? Or a cupboard with a lock?

I think you can reasonably change your mind, its no biggy

omaoma · 26/11/2011 13:48

flipping heck i would feel really pulling a big favour asking something like that and by no means expecting a yes to be the answer!

mumeeee · 26/11/2011 13:49

YANBU, You've cleared the room for a reason and you ned it to stay cleared, Just say no.

Original poster
theoldfrazzledazzle · 26/11/2011 13:52

Yeah, they have a loft and a garage. Not sure why they can't use their garage, or our garage even (I wouldn't mind this at all) but they want to store the presents 'indoors'.

I am such a wimp re saying no to people!

OP posts:
microserf · 26/11/2011 13:59

this will be good practice in saying no. it's unreasonable for her to ask imo, if she has a loft and a garage.

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 26/11/2011 14:03

You need to call and explain that you can't take the presents after all. Tell them you have a viewing or two booked (even if you haven't) and due to that you can't accommodate their kids' presents in your newly decluttered room. The housing market is bad enough as it is so you need to give yourself every advantage over the competition (who most likely won't have their rooms packed with other people's children's presents).

troisgarcons · 26/11/2011 14:11

What happens if you say yes and you get burgled?

Original poster
theoldfrazzledazzle · 26/11/2011 14:13

oh my god can you imagine!

OP posts:
FetchezLaVache · 26/11/2011 15:04

Troisgarcons makes an excellent point, you could always say you'd be uncomfortable with it as it wouldn't be covered on your insurance. Also, do you have kids of your own or kids who visit regularly? If so, you could always say no on the grounds it would give the game away to them about Father Christmas.

Sandalwood · 26/11/2011 15:14

Do you have children?

pigletmania · 26/11/2011 15:28

Just say no to her, you have house viewings and have to have your rooms looking their best without clutter. Suggest she uses the loft.

FetchezLaVache · 26/11/2011 15:35

Or, if you don't like going back on your word, can you say you've run it past your DH and he's vetoed it for all the above reasons?

FetchezLaVache · 26/11/2011 15:37

Also, it might be quite late when her kids go to sleep on Christmas Eve- do you really want someone turning up at, say, 10pm and hauling a load of boxes through your house?

Original poster
theoldfrazzledazzle · 26/11/2011 15:48

Yes I have a young daughter and have enough clutter already with all of her stuff!

OP posts:
newmum953 · 26/11/2011 15:51

No, you're not being unreasonable and if you explain the reason to her, if she's your friend she should not have any problem with it.

Bunbaker · 26/11/2011 16:02

I use the loft. Why can't your friend do the same?

izzywhizzysmincepies · 26/11/2011 16:27

Storing one large gift such as a scooter is a mildly inconvenient favour to do for a friend. but for her to ask you to turn a room in the house you're trying to sell into Santa's grotto is taking the piss big time.

You've been given some excellent reasons that you can use to tell her you've changed your mind, but presumably this isn't the first Christmas your friend has bought gifts for her dc?

There's no reason for you to feel bad about your change of mind as wherever she's stored her dcs presents in previous years is where she can store them again, but if that facility is not available she can use her own loft or her own garage to keep them out of sight.

Sandalwood · 26/11/2011 20:26

No, if you've got a DD you can't do it anyway.
What if she was to see it?
She could be disappointed it's not all for her, as well as it take away any belief she might have in Father Christmas.

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