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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:
Talkwhilstyouwalk · 21/12/2018 18:57

Eat it, share it, enjoy it!! It's Christmas....

Thentherewascake · 21/12/2018 18:58

I'm not the one who expects my employer to buy my baby a cot and buggy aside from the salary I earn from them, OP.

most ridiculous comment of the thread Grin

katekat383 · 21/12/2018 18:58

Take it to a food bank and really show that you are thinking of others who have not been fortunate enough to receive a food hamper.

The80sweregreat · 21/12/2018 19:00

Agree about a food bank or a charity.
Give to people who would appreciate it.

mirialis · 21/12/2018 19:00

Many are already reduced so don't get your hopes up for your employers to pay for your cot.

Even if the OP simply got a book she wanted to read on maternity leave and a new maternity bra it would still be better than a hamper she doesn't want.

katekat383 · 21/12/2018 19:01

Take it to a food bank. You don’t want it after all.Hmm

katekat383 · 21/12/2018 19:01

Towards a cot? Wow.

Thentherewascake · 21/12/2018 19:02

why should the OP give away the hamper instead of exchanging it for something she wants/needs? So many ridiculous suggestions

mantlepiece · 21/12/2018 19:06

Back in the good old days my husbands firm used to gift a months salary as a Christmas present! Was great, our kids always had a great Christmas because of that. We were very grateful for such a thoughtful gift.

OP I remember being young and skint and totally see where you’re coming from. A hamper is a great gift for those people who have Money to spare. They are an expensive item, hope you get enough credit to buy something useful!

ThatEscalatedQuickly · 21/12/2018 19:10

It makes no difference to the employers, they've spent the money, whether it's on a hamper or otherwise makes no odds. Exchange and chose something for the baby OP and don't pay any heed to some of the madder posts that seem to be implying you are screwing your employers over in some way.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 21/12/2018 19:12

How much is it worth?

ThatEscalatedQuickly · 21/12/2018 19:14

My Mum tried to gift two hampers to a food bank and they didn't want them - I'm guessing some obscure loose leaf tea, port, tiny pot of rillettes etc. is not particularly helpful to them.

This is very true. The school collects food for a local charity at Christmas time and the charity is very clear that the most useful things to donate are things like tea, coffee and other staples. They are usually out he door with biscuits/fancy chocs/mince pies etc as most people think they'll buy treat foods but what's in biggest demand is the 'boring' everyday items.

TheLittlestLightOnTheTree · 21/12/2018 19:15

well yes if they will take it back....if,after all its food which could have been contaminated.....then get something suitable

but not a bloody COT!! thats a baby basic and boring, its not a present!

surely you have a budget for all the kid paraphernelia you'll need?

MobMoll · 21/12/2018 19:20

That’s brilliant, glad you can exchange it. I’m now looking forward to all the threads about people going to food banks hoping for some long life milk, baked beans and Jaffa cakes, and getting pineapple salsa, red pepper jelly and chili flavored chocolate instead 😳

Thentherewascake · 21/12/2018 19:21

Hampers are a great present for work: they are gender neutral, age and race neutral, there's something you are bound to be able to eat or regift if you must, unlike vouchers people don't moan about the cash amount they receive. It doesn't mean they are the present of the century to receive. Normal people are not martyr, and if they can get something better for them, why shouldn't they.

MammaSchwifty · 21/12/2018 19:31

I really don't understand the mouth frothing vitriol you're getting here. It's a gift, yours to do with as you wish. Whether you eat it, exchange it, regift it, or launch it into space, who cares? A gift should never come with obligations on the receiver or it's not really a gift is it?

Glad you can exchange for credit, hope you find something you will use and enjoy in exchange.

katekat383 · 21/12/2018 19:33

So why ask?

Kikidelivers · 21/12/2018 19:48

@mirialis

Food hampers are not all born equal.

The ones you refer to sound shite. Others are sensational

mirialis · 21/12/2018 20:07

Hampers are also hardly a "lovely treat" if they are made up of the kind of staples food banks need!!

Kikidelivers · 21/12/2018 20:11

@mirialis

Totally agree

Gardai · 21/12/2018 20:13

Hampers are simultaneously lovely and useless.
They are not so lovely if you have no money, I’m assuming OP is really hard up if she can’t afford anything for the baby yet nor does she have any help.

EvaHarknessRose · 21/12/2018 20:17

Excellent, happy christmas OP. (Sits here wondering what to do with large Booths Hamper Box now all the goodies are out of it - very nice looking but we have no space!)

MyKingdomForBrie · 21/12/2018 20:19

I'm so bemused by these reactions! The employers will neither know nor care what the OP does with the hamper, it can be very expensive kitting out for a new baby, I have recently had my second dc and I sold a load of things on fb to get cash together for the things we needed. Some of the stuff I sold was unused gifts.

OlennasWimple · 21/12/2018 20:24

We have given away about 3/4 of the hamper that DH got from work. We appreciate the sentiment, but I don't want to unpack it into our cupboards then throw it out in three years when it is all past its use by date

I thought the MN wisdom was that once a gift was given, it was for the recipient to decide what to do with it, whether it's re-selling, freecycling, keeping in the attic or using as intended Confused

HolgerLowCarbingLoser · 21/12/2018 20:49

I’m glad you can exchange it, if that’s really the better option for you, and it’s utterly ridiculous to claim there’s something wrong with doing so. Especially if it’s not even stuff you would actually enjoy eating/drinking.

Good luck, and have a lovely Christmas.