Regifted back something I gave a relative.....twice

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

So I've name changed as this is really outing,
Last Christmas I received a toiletries set that I had given to a relative at least 2 years previous, not a problem I quite liked it so used it, didn't say anything.
It was my birthday earlier this week, received another similar gift from the same relative, it was the gift I gave them at Christmas!
We've had an odd relationship not always getting along but ok at the moment, are they doing this on purpose or do they just have a shit memory?
I don't want to say anything but aibu to think something weird is going on?

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

She definitely doesn't have a skin condition,
She told me she likes to receive smellies,
We don't have a big family/a lot of gift giving
That's why I'm not sure if she's doing it on purpose

[SomeOtherFuckers]

I'm really sensitive to bath products so can never use them even if they're nice, I'm also shit at remembering anything I've ever been given so have probably done this ... not an excuse just some of us are thick and have eczema lol

[fibrecruncher]

Of course you could be the bigger person and try and get them something you're sure they'll like, or ask them if there's anything they need/want or gift certificates etc OR you could do something much more fun and give them some sort of engraved/personalised object

[Titterofwit]

I would go with writing on the actual box -stick a label down firmly if the box is not suitable for writing on.
A friend regifted a box of chocolates to someone she had just met on Christmas and needed a gift in a panic. The new friend was very puzzled to read the gift message firmly written on the back of the box.

Or just give something the person has said they like/need/ were looking for. I prefer wish lists for those I give actual gifts to and just give money to everyone else.

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

Middle Aged

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1]

How old is she?

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

I think I'll stick to chocolates and wine, I know she likes those,
I'm just not sure if it's weird/passive aggressive or a shit memory
We don't have a big family, in fact it's a tiny family so when she's deciding what to regift to me, surely she must think "who gave this to me?"

[chitofftheshovel]

My mum once regifted a garden centre voucher to the sister who had given it to her in the first place. Only it was out of date by then. Vouchers are definitely not the way ahead!
Maybe a tenner in a card? Or agree on no presents?

[feelingsickaboutit]

Toiletries and perfumes are naff gifts unless you know they definitely use this particular brand. It's money wasted otherwise. Next time get them Amazon voucher or if you're feeling extra generous twin her toilet at www.toilettwinning.org or sponsor a child or just donate some money to charity in her name and put a receipt in a card. At least some good will come out of it.

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

because we've had a difficult past I wouldn't want to involve anyone else, they wouldn't want to get involved

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1]

You know what its at times like these that I'm glad I'm blunt and direct. I would honestly have opened that gift up and said "that's the one I gave you"

[LexieLulu]

Could you mention it to a relative that you know would tell her her error? X

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

Ah yes, the charity goat, definitely a possibility for this Christmas

[BoomBoomsCousin]

I agree to treat it as a game. Is there anyway you can give her back something she's given you in the past? I would definitely avoid giving her gifts I didn't really like myself though!

[LostSight]

A lovely friend, who often gives us gifts of chocolate recently included a delicious box of special Belgian chocolates we had brought back for her.

She's too nice to have done it deliberately to upset us, so I conclude either 1) it was a mistake and she genuinely forgot or 2) she doesn't eat chocolates and was subtley telling us not to bring her more.

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

It's too long to explain why it's complicated, very long!

[MissSmiley]

Never mind about the smellies, why is your relationship complicated??

[PaulDacresFeministConscience]

If there was ever a great opportunity for the Oxfam charity goat, then it's this one

[user1487941567]

Well you'll know for sure if she didn't like the chocolates because you'll get them back with one missing 😂

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

Just to add, I say I think we are getting along but I'm not sure, it's very hard for me to read the situation, it's complicated

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

She doesn't have a skin condition, so that's not a reason, this year I bought her wine and chocolate, I don't like wine so I hope I don't get it back 😂

[RandomDent]

I once regifted something back to the giver as a joke, I thought we could start an annual thing. She didn't get the joke, though, no idea if she forgot she gave it to me first, or just kept quiet out of embarrassment. . I'd have a go at giving it back to them. :o

[Notanothernamechangeaddict]

Don't really want to ask what she would like, as it's just a token gift tbh
She did tell me once that she loves to receive smellies/perfume as gifts as she always buys herself the cheap supermarket shower gel so it's nice to use a more luxury product, that's why I buy them.

[Ginkypig]

Start buying things you want for yourself and then you'll get it back a few months later

[user1487941567]

When I get a toiletries set I think great... another set to hang around my bathroom gathering dust. I have a skin condition so can only use certain items so I often regift. NEVER to the same person though. How embarrassing. Perhaps they think you really like the stuff as you bought it, so it's economical and a good idea? Hence doing it more than once?