...to return work Christmas gift

[Noodella18]

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?

" if the potential was there to swap it for something we need for the baby which we would use a lot and appreciate."

But you can ask friends & family for this sort of thing for Christmas.

This was just a gift from work given to everyone.

@diddl yeah... exactly... just a gift from work given to everybody - so if it's swappable then why not?! We don't want or need any more chocolate, we do want and need a buggy!

I find the attitude of so many posters ridiculous. Someone buys a gift to be kind, nothing wrong in returning it to use the same money on something you really like. It sounds horribly wasteful to keep something you don't want or have no need for.

In this instance, you are "stuck" because it's food, but on principle I can't see the issue. Some posters seen very scared to discover their gifts might not have been as great as they thought and exchanged for something better.

I'm curious to know what this hamper is worth given its going to fund a cot or a buggy!!

OP contact the shop and ask. Explain it was a gift (don't say from work) becuase none of this will matter if thry say no.

yeah... exactly... just a gift from work given to everybody - so if it's swappable then why not?! We don't want or need any more chocolate, we do want and need a buggy!

Tbh I imagine your employer will scrap gifts next year if people start demanding they want x y or z instead. If you need a buggy ask family for it.

YANBU- I find hampers a waste of money. Would rather receive a gift card

I think if you need to return a Christmas gift in order to fund your baby items you’ve got bigger things to worry about.

"so if it's swappable then why not?! "

Well it's obviously up to you,

I suppose because you're not out of pocket-& you're trying to profit from a kind gesture it doesn't feel quite right to me.

how is that "profiting", and end up enjoying the gift one way or another?

What's the point of wasting it or binning it because you don't want to? Ridiculous attitude.Employees are not demanding anything!

@diddl isn't the whole point of gifts that you 'profit from the kind gesture'?!

@sillsallysingssongs where exactly am I demanding things from my employer?

How are you trying to profit from a kind gesture... unless you sell it of course... then you would make a profit.

This is absolutely ridiculous. It's not a personal gift, it's a hamper. I don't know if you'd be able to change it due to it being food items OP but I hope you at least try to find out - what's the point of spending money on an impersonal gift for someone for something they don't want when they can put it towards something they do want? As I said, this is exactly why I give my employees vouchers, because I want to give them a Christmas treat to thank them for their loyalty and hard work and that should be something they actually want - it's hard enough working that out for your family and best mates, let alone your colleagues.

dont bring a child into the world where they constantly hear things like a hamper will make them fat.

so if it's swappable then why not?! We don't want or need any more chocolate, we do want and need a buggy!

That's your lookout, not theirs! What next, everyone turns in a wishlist? You write in your OP that you're lucky to have got anything at all as it's been a rough year for their business and then complain about what you're given. Just wow!

I'd take it back and tell the store you have allergies but didn't want to offend the gift giver ... I bet they would let you exchange it for credit.

Your employers will never know and you'll get something you actually want - I really don't see the harm at all.

Why is everyone being so precious about it?

I think I know where you are coming from op. I remember being young, pregnant and very, very broke. I expect you are thinking of what you could get that you really need for the cost of that hamper.

Unfortunately I don't think you would be able to return it. However this is what you could do. Select a couple of choice treats for you to enjoy yourself. Then if you have other people to buy for use the other luxury gifts and alcohol for their presents. You couldn't take the hamper back but you could take any presents you've already bought back if you use the hamper contents instead.

I know it's a bit disappointing to do that instead of using it all yourself bit would still be a help at a very expensive time of year. Hope you manage to get all you need for your baby. Best wishes.

Yabu to return a gift, why not offer it to a food bank and let someone else enjoy it? Perhaps there's someone else you know that would enjoy it.

Just scoff all the food over Christmas Op, then use the empty hamper as a cot, job done.

perfect gift for prepping for Brexit :)

@shiningstar2 thanks :) you've got the measure of it!

FWIW I think hampers are lovely and exciting as presents go... but this year I'm just thinking about all the stuff I need to get and how much I could buy with how much it cost!

@IwantedtobeEmmaPeel hahahaha best Brexit joke I've heard yet!!

Was just referencing the fact it's Christmas and there will be loads of food knocking round.

So if you use the food in the hamper instead, you’ll be able to use the money you would have spent buying “loads of food” to put towards the cot.

@IwantedtobeEmmaPeel doh, sorry, baby brain, best JOKE I've heard yet on this thread (had just read the Brexit comment above so was in my head)