Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to return work Christmas gift

225 replies

Noodella18 · 21/12/2018 09:25

Given an expensive hamper from work for Christmas (very lucky as it's been a tough year for them (small business) and I know lots of people don't get anything at all from their work.)

Hamper is from large department store. WIBU to return it and use the store credit for something that won't make us fat? I don't have the receipt, so is it even possible?

OP posts:
Kikidelivers · 21/12/2018 09:43

They won’t accept food back
So don’t give another thought

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 21/12/2018 09:43

Il take it , I don't mind getting fat.
Will I pm my address?Xmas Grin

chemenger · 21/12/2018 09:43

I would imagine your work got a discount for buying multiple hampers so it won’t be refundable. The food bank idea is a great one, but personally I would eat everything and save on the food you would otherwise have bought, surely everyone has a little indulgence at Christmas? Or use parts of it as presents, give me a posh box of mints and I’ll be your friend for life!

Original poster
Noodella18 · 21/12/2018 09:45

@sleepingstandingup yes I see that now!! My mistake!

@headsdownthumbsupeveryone yes, lighthearted comment gone wrong - I'm like to use the store credit for baby things.

OP posts:
HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 21/12/2018 09:46

So you want to exchange a gift from work to pay some towards a cot? Surely if you want baby gifts or money for the baby you ask relatives for that not expect to be able to use your bosses kindness?

deptfordgirl · 21/12/2018 09:48

I would just try and enjoy it. You can't think of it as indulgent or that something better could be bought with the money as you didn't buy it, it was a gift.

lalaroo · 21/12/2018 09:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Noodella18 · 21/12/2018 09:48

@HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone well I'd still be appreciating their kindness, just in another form

OP posts:
Kikidelivers · 21/12/2018 09:50

I find these responses so odd

As the gifter I’d presents, my priority is that the recipient is happy. So if I haven’t got something 100% right, I’d LOVE them to be honest so we can return and get what they really want.

In this case the OP won’t be able to return because food.

But otherwise if I were here employer I’d love it if someone cane to me and said how touched they were but they’d love to swap to buy baby bits. If it was possible, I’d say “go for it!”

SlowlyShrinking · 21/12/2018 09:52

If you want to return it, return it (if they’ll accept it) there’s nothing cheeky about that.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 21/12/2018 09:52

I would think its pretty rude. It's not up to your work to fund items for your new baby. Enjoy the hamper and appreciate that they were kind enough to give you such a lovely gift.

If you're worried about getting necessities for the baby look on market places, gumtree or ebay I expect they would be a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a cot from a large department store even with the credit you wanted from returning the hamper.

Bluntness100 · 21/12/2018 09:52

I think it's the wording, "gorge yourself" "won't make us fat" it makes it sound like you have issues.

Either way you can tell the store you lost the receipt and they may give you store credit. You won't know till you ask.

TheOxymoron · 21/12/2018 09:52

I think it’s ungrateful.

QueenUnicorn · 21/12/2018 09:53

I don't see the harm.
You wouldn't be offending someone because they wouldn't know.....

Original poster
Noodella18 · 21/12/2018 09:53

Thanks @kikdelivers I think I got things off on the wrong foot by mentioning getting fat, when that wasn't my motivation at all for returning the gift, so I can kind of understand why people are responding as they are.

OP posts:
Theoryofmould · 21/12/2018 09:58

Sorry but you don't return a Christmas gift to pay for your expected child, that's rude. We have a lovely hamper from my husband's company and although there's stuffin there I won't eat, I still appreciate the gesture.

Notacluethisxmas · 21/12/2018 10:00

It's incredibly rude.
Essentially you want work to pay for your baby stuff for Christmas?

I just don't get peoplento are having babies but having to return gifts so they can pay for it.

WorraLiberty · 21/12/2018 10:00

They should've bought you a hamper of gold, frankincense and myrrh Grin Grin

DreamingofSunshine · 21/12/2018 10:01

I don't think YABU. If you can return it, or give it to a friend/relative then I would rather than throwing out good food or leaving it to fester in the cupboard. You could also put it on Olio food sharing app.

DH used to get a hamper from work, v kind gesture but being gluten free we couldn't eat a lot of it. HR then offered a choice and we went for a case of wine which was very appreciated! Wine

Bluelady · 21/12/2018 10:01

The entire point of a hamper is that it's a frivolous treat you wouldn't buy yourself. The more you say the more unreasonable I think you are, OP.

Dreamingofkfc · 21/12/2018 10:02

Wait until the baby is here... You'll be thankful of some treats

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 21/12/2018 10:05

YABU. It isn't the job of your employers to buy stuff for your baby.

WhoTookTheChristmasCookie · 21/12/2018 10:15

I'd maybe agree to taking it back if it wasn't something the OP could/would use (allergies, vegan, teetotal)
But she can use and enjoy it.
She'd just prefer baby items instead - which is majorly cheeky.

katekat383 · 21/12/2018 10:17

They have given you a lovely gift. Why do so many people not appreciate what they are given instead of thinking as you do, OP? It’s such an ungrateful attitude.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 21/12/2018 10:19

They won't accept food back. None of the big hamper places will - sadly we've tried a few over the years, because a colleague has food intolerances and nobody remembers. It's non-negotiable; especially without a receipt. They can't resell food items that you've removed from the premises.

I can, somewhat, see where you're coming from - if you see it as it's "value" rather than that it cost you nothing, you may well rationalise it and think that it would be better to have the money for baby things. So maybe try to reframe it into it's cost to you; which is nothing, and that might make it feel less guilt IYSWIM?