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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate homemade gifts

480 replies

Bearbehind · 19/11/2019 16:02

New thread with the vote enabled this time!

Unless the giver is actually good enough at making what ever it is to sell then I wish they just wouldn’t give homemade stuff, especially food

Fortunately I don’t generally receive them but I have a friend who’s a teacher who’s inundated with them at Christmas

It just seems such a waste as it pretty much all gets binned

OP posts:
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Bluerussian · 19/11/2019 16:59

If it is from children it's fine, they do their best and ithere's something sweet about it. Home made cards too.

When it comes to adults giving home made gifts, they have to be very good. I used to make really good Christmas cakes & puddings for example (for people who liked such things), and they were well received.
Hand knits for babies are nice, they went out of fashion years ago and then came back in again - don't know where we are with them now but they are pleasant to receive.

Some craft stuff is rubbish, pressed flowers in frame, home made photo frames and all that, stupid, wear out quickly and get thrown away - however if you know someone has put time and effort into making you accept graciously.

Floralnomad · 19/11/2019 17:00

YANBU , a crocheted or knitted something ( hat / jumper ) would be lovely anything foodie is a big no and I don’t drink so anything alcoholic would also be wasted . If it’s from children or GC that’s also a bit of an exception but we are a clutter free house and I can’t stand homemade tat.

Kanin · 19/11/2019 17:00

I've had some great homemade gifts - favourites have been fruit flavoured gin and pickles.

Pyjamaface · 19/11/2019 17:01

It depends on the gift. Food or drink is generally good for me, knitted stuff is useful for slobbing about the house in if I'm chilly.
However, anything decorative/ornaments/knick knacks or anything with somebody else's children on it goes straight to the charity shop or in the bin

Wallywobbles · 19/11/2019 17:01

Very happy for homemade generally. I found the things my kids made in primary far less useful or edible.

Ylvamoon · 19/11/2019 17:02

... just always remember:

A GIFT IS SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE YOU.

You can decline it, but you should never ask for one (unless asked by a potential giver).

Lweji · 19/11/2019 17:03

I'm fine with it, just as long as it doesn't involve work on my part.

I.e. jar of cake ingredients plus recipe. You can fuck off with that one, sis. (I love her otherwise. I do)

Twillow · 19/11/2019 17:04

I love them. Maybe not if everyone gets the same and it's all about the giver not the receiver. If someone's budget is tight I would definitely appreciate them making something rather than feeling pressured to get into debt.
There's no intrinsic value to a gift just because it was made in a factory and has shedloads of waste packaging, in fact they can be worse (toiletry gift sets REALLY offend me!!)

Leighhalfpennysthigh · 19/11/2019 17:05

. Last year I gave my son's in law's after eight vodka. This year DD (adult) is having home coffee rum

Omg I didn't even realise such things existed......sound delicious.

In general though - love gifts that are actually things I like but don't want someone's home-made chocolate truffles because I don't eat chocolate!

Jaxhog · 19/11/2019 17:05

I like them. Even if you only keep them for a few weeks, someone spent some time thinking about you. Much nicer than some cheap toiletries that you also throw away.

Morgomargot · 19/11/2019 17:07

I think it depends on what it is. My mum makes really good fruit gin so a bottle of that at Christmas is always welcome. She's generally a good baker too so any gifts in that arena are really welcome.

I agree with what someone said about the Scrabble letters on canvas with some beads. I have a friend who does this sort of shit for people's weddings and it makes my toes curl. They look so cheap, but she thinks she is an artist because she did art a level 20 years ago Hmm.

If I receive something that is well made from someone I care about then it's always welcome. I probably would question someone's judgement for giving me a homemade gift if I didn't know them very well. They are very personal to make and give so it can come across as cheap or re gifted if you don't know the person very well. I certainly wouldn't give a teacher a home-made gift. Not unless they were terrible and then I would get DC to help with extra snot in there for good measure Grin

W0rriedMum · 19/11/2019 17:07

For those who are a
no for food, do you never eat out? Even the household name cafes and restaurants have food hygiene ratings that would make you shudder. Your friend's house can't be as bad.
(Teachers should dump every home iced fairy cake they receive!)

Wonkybanana · 19/11/2019 17:12

One year one of the teachers requested only hand made gifts, every kid went in with a sculpture covered in glitter. I bet she was sorry having received 30 glittery contraptions.

Or maybe she was glad that some parents who were struggling financially hadn't felt obliged to spend money they didn't have on a shop bought gift?

My speciality is chutneys, and some of my friends ask for it as their Christmas present (one of them likes to eat it on its own on bread, like bread and jam). But I only give it to those I know appreciate that more than something else that I could buy.

XingMing · 19/11/2019 17:12

If I love you very much, you might get a jar of my homemade marmelade, but if DH has his way, you probably wouldn't! He thinks I make it just for him.

Chocolatemouse84 · 19/11/2019 17:14

I love homemade gifts, I feel like it shows the person has put time and effort in. Even if it isn't to my taste, I'm still really grateful of the time they have spent on my gift (sadly, I'm no where near talented enough to make anything homemade so I'm not a giver of such presents!)

katseyes7 · 19/11/2019 17:15

l think it depends on the friend and the gift. One of my friends once commented that she'd always wanted a crocheted bedspread, but could never afford one. So l made one for her. lt took me forever (king size). l'd managed to find out in casual conversation that her bedroom was blue and white, so l did it in three shades of blue and white.
She was thrilled with it. Actually cried on the phone when she rang me to say it had arrived.
The same kind of thing would have cost over £250 on Etsy.

To hate homemade gifts
To hate homemade gifts
To hate homemade gifts
KilljoysDutch · 19/11/2019 17:15

I make handmade gifts, primarily travelers notebooks and planner charms they've always been well received but I presume everyone loves a cute notebook they can reuse and the charm to decorate it. I'm disabled on benefits so it's sort of a cheaper gift for me as they cost about £1.20 to make. The inserts are easily available too so they are reusable and the a6 size means they fit nicely in a bag.

I love handmade gifts they seem special and I'm quite a few groups that exchange handmade gifts.

FavouriteSoul · 19/11/2019 17:16

I make blackberry vodka and sloe gin and decant it into little bottles with individual names on for the recipients. My SIL makes amazing jam and chutney, again always welcome, always used. My youngest DD crochets the most beautiful lacy shawls for people. My oldest DD makes scented candles and her partner makes celebration cakes to order.

But don't worry, we won't inflict any of our hideous homemade produce on you!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 19/11/2019 17:17

Hate them too. A job lot of homemade food or drink gives no thought to what a person actually wants and likely ends up wasted.

Different if a person is talented and the item is asked for.

katseyes7 · 19/11/2019 17:18

My other friend is a huge Star Wars fan. l made her a bed-sized blanket of Darth Vader's mask. She was thrilled with that.

adaline · 19/11/2019 17:19

For those who are a no for food, do you never eat out? Even the household name cafes and restaurants have food hygiene ratings that would make you shudder. Your friend's house can't be as bad

I wouldn't eat anywhere with a hygiene rating of less than 5. I check. Restaurants and cafes have to have their hygiene ratings displayed and can be checked at any time - not the case for Janes' house down the road.

katseyes7 · 19/11/2019 17:20

My cousin's husband used to make sloe gin and bramble whisky. They went down very well at Christmas!

PlumMustard · 19/11/2019 17:21

For those who are a no for food, do you never eat out?

Of course we do. In particular restaurants we know are safe.

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 19/11/2019 17:21

I voted YABU but do not make my own .

I am just grateful to receive a gift but there you go ., I am not you.

Horses for courses.

Crazybunnylady123 · 19/11/2019 17:21

I think it’s lovely as long as people are good at their craft. I wouldn’t be disappointed with homemade sweets, cakes, jams or preserves. I know how much work anything knitted or stitched takes. I’m not sure I could give away any of my stitching to be honest. It’s just so time consuming. I made loads of bits for my daughter when she was born and now I’m pregnant again I have to decide what projects to do!