AIBU to be miffed at re-gifted Christmas present from my mum?

[BlimeyIsThatTheTime]

Among a few other things my mum handed me a gift bag with a few Sactuary bits in, I thought at the time it was slightly odd that they weren't boxed but didn't think much about it. I was in a shop today and noticed that the Sanctuary have changed their packaging and they look quite different to the bits I have (I don't even like Sanctuary stuff BTW). I think my mum rounded up a few things from her bathroom cabinet and put them in a bag. It's her birthday soon, DH thinks I should get a new bag and give her them back. I'll probably just put them in the charity shop / raffle but it makes me feel a bit sad that so little thought or effort went into it.

Was that your only present? If not, I wouldn’t be miffed - I love Sanctuary stuff and she probably thought you’d like it.

I think you’re making life harder than it needs to be if you attach such meaning to an additional gift, especially from your mum. Unless there is a huge backstory here.

She could’ve just thought, oh BlimeyIsThatTheTime might like these to open too, I’m worried I didn’t buy her enough. Or she bought them earlier in the year, or she gave them to you by mistake getting muddled with the wrapping, or she perhaps had other things on her mind at the time and figured it’s the thought that counts. She’s my daughter, she’ll understand. Even if you think not much thought happened or it was big fuck you, does it actually matter?

And don’t give it back, unless there’s some reason you’re returning all the gifts she gave you. Why set out to potentially really hurt your mum by giving her a perfectly reasonable present back, what’s the point of that? She’s your mum.

No idea is useful / relevant but sanctuary have expanded their range and have a few different packaging types now so it might well be that the products are new from one range whereas you've seen another range

Have a look on eg boots website to see?!

I get it, OP. I don't understand when some posters write on here that it's selfish and grabby to want a nice present. I make a big effort to get my recipients something decent, I think it's fair to have the same effort made in return.

I used to get tangerines and bars of chocolate in my Christmas stocking. Look at it in that light, and smile and say thank you. I have a friend who regularly re-gifts me stuff on Boxing Day. It's not worth getting worked up about, even less causing hard feelings. You're a grown up now, aren't you, not a child, so I guess you can afford to buy yourself whatever you want, or you can drop some pretty heavy hints before Christmas.

I really don't understand why you are bothered. She might have started shopping after last Christmas and split up a few gift sets to give you what she thought you would like. I've been given the free gift when you purchase posh make-up and I was happy because they gave me something they though I would like. If there is something you particularly like ask next year, I have found this works wonders.

Thank you for your replies. I'm probably being over-sensitive but there is a bit of a pattern. Last year she asked if there's anything I would like and I asked for a particular perfume, she couldn't find (it's readily available) so got some other random perfume that I didn't like at all and later sold on Ebay. She also got me a gift card for a shop that's over an hour away from my home and that I hardly ever go to. Our relationship can be strained sometimes so I suppose it's her 'that'll do' attitude that I find a bit disappointing when I always try to give people things they'll like.

I have had a fair few 'that'll do' presents, it can make you sad when you put effort into their presents. I had to learn to just ignore it.