to think this present was Ok?

[Miren]

Recipient: Woman, early 30's. Professional, no children.

Giver: 3 young children.

Occasion: Birthday

Gift: Homemade pink lemonade in nice glass bottle. Homemade cookies wrapped with homemade gift tags and a handmade card.

We don't know her very well so I thought this was a way to be generic whilst personal. It wasn't very well received.

[nickelbabe]

I think she's annungrateful bitch.

I would eat them. I have no qualms about eating food that has beenmade by children.
I would have gushedand I would have ummed and ahhed aboit whether to eat and share or save them all for myself mwah-ha-ha

pre-children or now.
I bloody love handmade stuff.

[nickelbabe]

I forgot to say it is my birthday today and no one gave me any home made biscuits or lemonade :(

[fuzzpig]

Anybody "not receiving presents well" are unworthy of presents, in my book.

^ That.

[Miren]

"I've never in 26 plus years given or received a present to or from my brother-in-law and his wife and would think it really odd if we had started giving each other presents."

It was one of my DC's birthdays a few weeks previously and for the first time ever he received a gift from BIL. I have no doubt this was down to new girlfriend and was really touched. I would have felt awful if I ignored her birthday.

[Aeroflotgirl]

What an ungrateful person, no presents for her get time, sounds wonderful could you send them here, my birthday was last Sat and dh forgot my present

[UncleT]

I'd be delighted with that gift, regardless of whether I actually liked the lemonade or wanted the cookies. There's no excuse for that kind of rudeness and ingratitude. Even if you have an allergy to something in there you can appreciate the effort and thought.

[musicalendorphins2]

She didn't even say thank-you? That was rude and should have at least pretended to be pleased.

[Caitlin17]

Your comment that you think she was responsible for initiating the out of the blue present from your bil makes me think you are being unfair. A small minority here have suggested she may simply have been surprised at this/reserved/. So basically she's gone from being a thoughtful person to a wicked witch because she didn't gush over this gift.

I don't particularly see why if she was the responsible you'd have felt terrible not giving her anything. Adults give to children and don't expect anything back, certainly I do. Also not sure why you should would expect her to have opened them there and then- if it had been bought chocolates you wouldn't.

[BitOutOfPractice]

OP if I were your BiL and I saw my new GF acting so ungraciously to my SiL and nieces / nephews I would definitely look at her askance and think "that's not a good sign" and start watching how she is with other people too.

[DownstairsMixUp]

Lol at people who don't eat food that kids eat. I take it you all eat out at restraints? Do you go and inspect the chefs? They could be scratching their bums and going for a poo without washing hands! Ds and I cook together. His always clean I make him wash his hands properly to, he puts his little apron on to. Why on earth would I let him cook all grubby?! Mumsnet is weird sometimes. Oh and she was a cow. At least say thank you. Just manners!

[OTheHugeManatee]

Childless professional thirty something here. I probably would have been a bit 'meh' at the actual items but hope I wouldn't have shown it and that I'd made a big song and dance about telling the small people how marvellous and kind their present was. TBH I'm 'meh' about most token gifts from people who don't really know me unless it's booze - I don't have a sweet tooth, see no point in those sets of bath smellies and loathe scented candles. But I am not a rude baggage and understand that the point of gift giving and receiving is generally less about the object given than te ritual and so always thank people effusively.

[DogCalledRudis]

Depending on both of your financial situation, giving cheap/handmade gifts, can be seen as tightfisted.

[LineRunner]

Oh no

[LineRunner]

The drip of kindness!

[Aeroflotgirl]

Dog that gift was from tge children, not op. Just because it was handmade all the better, more thought and consideration has been put into it! Better than some mass produced smellies set. No she did not have to gush at it, but, also not to be rude and look down her nose at it. Pink lemonade yum, especially with vodka added, and homemade cookies, bliss. Some people you can never please!

[Aeroflotgirl]

No gift for you then Thehugemanetee

[Hoppinggreen]

When I was in my early 30's with no children I probably would hve been quite horrified to get this as a gift to be totally honest - the giver wouldn't have know it though!!!

[BitOutOfPractice]

Horrified? Why? I'm not asking that snittily, I'm just puzzled as to what is so horrific about this!

[PrincessBabyCat]

It was one of my DC's birthdays a few weeks previously and for the first time ever he received a gift from BIL. I have no doubt this was down to new girlfriend and was really touched.

Maybe she felt awkward because you guys don't exchange gifts. Just a thought. She's obviously thoughtful of the kids, why get hung up that she's an awkward gift opener?

To the comments about eating kid's food. I'm a bit squeamish around anyone's homemade food unless I know them well and what their kitchen looks like. I also thoroughly inspect restaurant food. I'm also incredibly picky and some people are just bad cooks

[Aeroflotgirl]

Exactly bithout why horrified, it's not a full bondage kit with crotchless knickers!

[HecatePropylaea]

downstairs.

I have a big long list of foods I will not eat after listening to tales from people who worked in the factories that made them.

Honestly - you'd never eat again if you knew what went on!

[sunbathe]

Hecate - what's on the lust and why?

[sunbathe]

List.

[Hullygully]

Manners demands a thank you and an appearance of being delighted.

Anything else is plain rude irrespective of what the gift actually is.

Unless it's a turd or something, obvs

[Shewhowines]

I only ate food gifts from children, if I knew the family and the standard of hygiene in the home they lived in, well.
Even if the offering went straight in the bin though, I would still have gushed appropriately. Lots of thought and effort go into homemade gifts.