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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have a box of presents?

38 replies

Breathingfire · 07/04/2019 15:53

So yesterday sil came round to pick me up and drive to a baby shower. She came early to spend a little time with my kids. I hadn't got my present wrapped up for the mum to be yet so got it organised in front of her

It was a set of story books and some sleepsuits I'd bought in a sale, £25 down to £16, a nice brand. She asked me where/when I'd bought them and I said in a Christmas sale.

I then told her how I often buy clothing presents in sales. I love boden/frugi/jojo/john Lewis and think the quality is good so when shopping for my girls I'll pick stuff up and put it in a box. Not just anything mind, only if I really like it and have an idea of who it's for. Currently there's two backs of sleepsuits, a pram suit and 3 outfits in said box. All but one outfit are spoken for.

Sil accused me of being cheap, I explained that I'd rather get nice stuff in a sale then spend the same amount on tesco sleepsuits at the same price but poorer quality.

She then said (here's where I think she was BU) that the mum to be today would think I'd spent more on her then sil had even though we spent roughly the same. I personally don't ever remember thinking about how much people spent on gifts for my girls so don't see the issue.

Sil agrees that everyone has boxes of Christmas cards, wrapping paper and £10 gifts for kids parties but that a box of clothing was cheap

Help us clear up this light herated debate, anyone else have a box?

OP posts:

snowball28 · 07/04/2019 19:26

I buy ‘naice’ toiletries and products in the sales, candles, notebooks etc. Or if I see something super nice I know my mum, sister, dad etc would love and it’s on offer or in a deal then I’ll pick that up and save it. Keep them under the bed in a box with wrapping/gift bags and cards I thought everyone did this!

palebluewalls · 07/04/2019 19:27

My Mum used to do this too. Whenever she saw anything nice she'd buy it for the present box. I remember picking stuff for my friends from there.

WatchingFromTheWings · 07/04/2019 19:41

I did this for years! Would buy stuff in the sale then stash it. I had drawers, wardrobes, under stair cupboards full! I stopped it after one year I bought and stashed so much stuff I forgot what I had and spent almost 3 tines what I normally would at Christmas. If you keep track it's fine.

Happynow001 · 07/04/2019 20:20

What a great idea: quality, thoughtfully gifts on your budget. Bet your SIL would have done the same if she'd thought of it- she sounds a bit jealous?

Pinkprincess1978 · 07/04/2019 20:29

So does she just begrudge you buying in the sale or buying in advance of bedding it because you found a bargain? She is bonkers. I do this - in fact some of dds bday presents for later this month were bought in the boots sale after Christmas.

Cryalot2 · 07/04/2019 20:40

I thought it was pretty common .
I tend to crochet blankets, throws, and knit hats scarves and fingerless mittens and have some other buys as well as a variety of cards.
What you are doing is normal and above all suits you so carry on.

Eddie16 · 07/04/2019 21:07

I have a box filled with stuff for people, nice smellies from Boots sale after Christmas,kids toys that my daughter has ended up with that are doubles so I can have a last minute gift for a party and bits from sales that are good brands that I don't normally buy like John Lewis,Boots kids clothes,Boden,Joules. I see it as saving money and I've always got something somewhere for an unexpected event. I don't see it as cheap,I think it's a good idea but I try to keep a list of what I have otherwise I do forget.

twoshedsjackson · 07/04/2019 21:29

I have a small cupboard for my stash: sale bargains, duplicates, TKMaxx bargains, plus "fabulous free gifts" acquired when buying from some catalogues, and seasonal cards reduced drastically in price when the season has passed. It spreads the cost! I don't think of it as being cheap, just passing on the bargain to the right recipient. I suspect PP was correct in predicting that SIL will be starting her own hoard soon.
I wonder if she thinks of the "pass the beautiful gift bag" rota game as cheapskate as well?

JaceLancs · 07/04/2019 21:35

I have a present section in top of my wardrobe
I usually buy with specific people in mind for birthday or Xmas
Probably about 10-15 gifts in there at the moment

CombineBananaFister · 07/04/2019 21:40

Yanbu - we have a generic present box for kids parties and a birthday box for specific birthdays we've got coming up. Like you it's about being able to get the recipient something lovely within my budget which I normally wouldn't be able to afford. Especially useful for my teenage nincessantly and nephews who are very brand conscious and like stuff like Superdry or Jack Wills.

BlackPrism · 07/04/2019 23:04

I have a presents box - have several perfumes and eyeshadow palettes, scarf, lipsticks, a curling tong. Anything I find that it nice on sale I chuck in. I give good presents because of it.

Mother87 · 07/04/2019 23:14

Like DollyRose - I've always had a present wardrobewith some gorgeous but bargainous gifts/plus things i buy when I suddenly remember what somebody loves and I spot it somewhere... makes sense to me...

MumUnderTheMoon · 07/04/2019 23:22

I have a trunk at the bottom of my bed for things bought in the sales. I love a bargain. YANBU your SIL is being a bit petty.

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