To think it was a crappy gift

[MonaLisaDoesntSmile]

I have been sharing a house with 4 other girls for two years now. Next week, one of the ladies is going back to her home country.

With the three other girls, we decided to throw a little dinner and to buy a present. Two of them collected money, asking £30 each, which is tight before Christmas, but it's a for a good friend, so I thought, fair enough. We were meant to all agree on what to get her and pop in to shops on Saturday. Instead, the two girls went to do all the shopping on Friday morning, when me and the other girl were at work- they just texted us in the morning they had a 'spontaneous idea' and were out and if we wanted them to get anything specific.
I know the girl going home found it really difficult to pack up all of her belongings and send them back home and she is going with one suitcase where she has to fit in all the other bits. So I just messaged them saying to get either something small, maybe a nice bit of jewellery, that would not take much space, and the other girl also texted some ideas like a watch or a scarf. They insisted on keeping the gifts a surprise so I only saw today what they got and I was really disappointed with what they did with all the money, as they totally ignored whatever we messaged them.
They bought her a gigantic, tacky looking photo frame which looks like if it came from a 99p store (but apparently was quite pricey), again a huge album about London, and a bunch of stuff you can get in a souvenir shop so that she 'doesn't forget London'- I can just describe it as a pile of shite. All of this for £120. Not even sure the girl leaving can pack those things and take them with her, so it seems like a waste.
One of them asked me later what I thought of the gift, and I must have let I was not impressed, so they are now both upset with me for not being overjoyed.

A bit of a non issue, but hey, needed to vent.

It's a shame but it sounds like they were trying to be thoughtful. Doesnt sound like much for £120. a
Next time I guess you know to do the shopping yourself or buy your own present rather than chipping in.

Has the gift already been given to her? Was she pleaded with it?

I’d be telling them what I thought of their shite gifts and asking for my 30 quid back so I could get something small and personal for her ! They had no right to spend your money on what they wanted when you clearly told them what you would buy.

YANBU OP, not only that does sound like a load of tat, it's probably going to be more hassle then it's worth for your friend to send it home.

I reckon the others knew you wouldn't be happy with what they brought, hence why they kept it from you.

They bought her a gigantic, tacky looking photo frame which looks like if it came from a 99p store (but apparently was quite pricey), again a huge album about London, and a bunch of stuff you can get in a souvenir shop so that she 'doesn't forget London'- I can just describe it as a pile of shite.

^£120 for this? I think they have spent a little and pocketed the rest.

They could have got a lovely piece of jewellery or scarf etc for that price and she’d be reminded of you whenever she wore it (assuming she likes jewellery). Why did they think a load of tat was a good idea?

@EmUntitled - she got the gift today, not sure what she thought of it, she smiled and thanked (I would do the same, it;s a gift after all), I was just miffed they spent money on stuff I would have never got myself.
We were meant to all shop together as I said, but they decided to go the day before when me and the other girl were at work (which they knew we would be), instead of Sunday which was initially agreed- they work evenings during the week.

They got a lot of cheap stuff, and most of it was like key rings and magnets and a cheap scarf from a store which is international, so you can get it anywhere really, quantity over quality.

@greendale17 - they actually DID spend all that money on a pile of useless items, they had kept the receipts, as the other girl asked them how much it was in the end.
@SgtFredColon - that;s what I thought they would do! But they got carried away in Westfield with all the money and were going from place to place to pick a few bits here and a few there until they run out of funds. They were very pleased with how many things they got (facepalm).

I think I will get over it, although would not be surprised if the going-home-girl bins most of it the day of departure, wouldn't blame her.

A friend of mine once got me a load of souvenirs from the airport as a birthday present. I was so disappointed, pretty much all of it went to the charity shop.

I would ask for the £30 back, go and get a lovely bracelet or necklace for her, and give to her, especially if you got on well.

She cant ask for the money back

• it’s been spent.

sounds like tat not very personal

YANBU and you will probably be more likely to stay in touch with gift receiving friend than they will. Sounds like you are more on her wavelength

Apologise to her for the shite they've given her and explain that although you contributed it want what you had in mind at all.

When it come to gifts some people always value lots of cheap stuff over one or two pricier nicer quality things. My Nan was like that .

Tell them you want your money back. You were all going shopping on Saturday, not Friday. They chose to ignore you when spending YOUR money, they had no right to just spend your money on tat. They knew what they were were doing, hence keeping it from you.

@CSIblonde Not sure what she would usually look like, but this was both horrible, and not practical, as adds weight to an already pretty full suitcase, so not sure she will really appreciate that...

Monalisa
I didn't mean it was what she would like. Just saying I've noticed some ppl, like the friends who bought the stuff, value quantity over quality.