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Original poster

To be annoyed he didn’t bother to use his Christmas present

133 replies

Gherkin14 · 19/12/2019 11:46

Last Christmas I bought OH an experience day at silverstone. It was valid for an entire year and yet despite reminding him throughout the year to book a date, he didn’t go. His excuse being he had booked it for this week but his calendar app recently deleted all its data so he forgot. I feel quite upset as I really thought this was something he would enjoy and feel he really didn’t make any effort to go-we don’t even live far from it. He doesn’t seem to think it’s his fault and is blaming it on an app ☹️

OP posts:
ruthieness · 20/12/2019 19:04

With my son age 25 I have agreed that he will have an experience present - he has to choose it and front the money - only when he has been on the day out will I refund him. I could make a "gift card" for him to open. At least no money wasted!

xlkhs · 20/12/2019 19:29

Experience vouchers must be a fantastic sell for companies being that so many people don’t use them.

MarkingTimeIm59 · 20/12/2019 19:29

A friend bought me a spa voucher.
I don't do pampering.
I feel horribly guilty that I let the voucher expire. I hope she never finds out!

SunshineAngel · 20/12/2019 19:37

Do you know what though, life is busy, time passes, and all of a sudden the year has gone by. It seems like such a long time when you buy the tickets, but then it's gone.

If it was me, I barely get any free weekends, and the ones that are free I want to KEEP free, not go rushing out somewhere. This is the kind of thing that, on paper, I would like to do myself, but then actually finding the time to go ahead and do it is another thing entirely.

Sparklybanana · 20/12/2019 19:41

I now never actually buy the voucher - just make a fake one and say to tell me when to purchase it. Then it never runs out and if they can’t be bothered then at least I haven’t wasted my money. I still have to nag but it’s so they can enjoy it rather than me feeling like it’s going to be wasted.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 20/12/2019 19:41

My DH and DS did this with my gift - I guess they just didn’t want it - we all have gifts that we don’t wear/use - these experience ones are just more obvious.
I bought my cousin 2 west end theatre tickets for her 50th - and she gave them away! Didn’t even offer them to me! Now that Pi**ed me off!

HerRoyalNotness · 20/12/2019 19:47

This reminds me I have a spa voucher to use from the summer. $140 worth. You’re all right, it is a hassle to find a time to use vouchers and I’ll have to pay for childcare if I use it during the week. Also have to call to book but I’d prefer to browse online and make a booking. I’d attempt to sell it for a lesser amount but I live in a small town and the people who contributed to it would see it.

MissCharleyP · 20/12/2019 20:25

We’ve had a few of these the last couple of years and only got round to using one. Some of them are so limited as in you can only book certain times/days and usually require travel. DH has bought me spa treatments (which I love) but generally as we’ve been going to to a hotel that does them anyway and it’s just an extra treat for me while we’re there.

We’ve had afternoon teas and stuff which we both quite like but wouldn’t go out of our way to have. I’d rather get a voucher for my usual hairdresser.

imsoootired · 20/12/2019 20:29

Ah in had the same ... and it was one you could choose the experience .Never used it ... never brought anything similar again ! X

CoolCarrie · 20/12/2019 20:30

How ungrateful he is! Pillock

eatyourcake · 20/12/2019 20:37

I am on the other end of the same situation Blush Hubby bought me a supercar driving experience 2 years ago, I have been paying to extend it over and over again. I hate driving and am very scared of it, he knows that but thinks it will be fun anyway (hmmm no), I'll still do it though at some point next year so as not to completely disrespect his money!

We don't buy experience gifts anymore, unless it's for both of us!

TheMouldNeverBotheredMeAnyway · 20/12/2019 20:38

Rather than buying a voucher that your dh may or may not use, next time ASK him if he'd like a day out at Silverstone or wherever as a present. If he does want it, you can book and pay normally and probably have a wider choice of dates and times, rather than paying the voucher company. If he doesn't, you haven't wasted your money and you can find something else.

georgialondon · 20/12/2019 20:43

I hate receiving experience gifts to be honest. I get lots and rarely if ever use them.

LoveBeingAMum555 · 20/12/2019 20:44

MIL is really hard to buy for so last year I bought her a voucher for afternoon tea for two in a nice local tea shop. Not only did she not use the voucher before it expired, she rang up to tell me this. I couldn't understand why she had to do this, I could have been blissfully unaware that it was a crap gift as far as she was concerned. Its hardly as if I was going to buy the same thing every year! Lesson learned.

nuxe1984 · 20/12/2019 20:47

Socks, underwear and toiletries this year then ...

Junie70 · 20/12/2019 21:05

I feel terrible because DM got us an expensive afternoon tea voucher at a local hotel. But we both work full time in our own business, DH works Saturday and our only family time is a Sunday when I cook lunch for everyone. You need to give the hotel 48 hours notice to book, and we've tried 3 times to arrange a day Blush

It was a thoughtful gift but tbh it's equally been a complete PITA...........

PapayaCoconut · 20/12/2019 21:33

I hate driving and am very scared of it, he knows that but thinks it will be fun anyway

That's ridiculous. Is he afraid of spiders? But him a spider-experience at London zoo. It'll be "fun"!

MoaningMinniee · 20/12/2019 21:42

Interesting... MNHQ I won a Sanctuary Spa £200 voucher from you chaps about ten years ago. It never got used. The terms and conditions simply didn't work with my life. I think I was RamdomMoment back then but I'm not certain. I have been about thirty different names in my long and honourable history of being a member of this wonderful forum.

Mascarponeandwine · 20/12/2019 21:57

I tried to book a London hotel stay with a red letter voucher. Night away with DH I though, cuts the total cost a bit if the hotel is free. It was such hard work - most hotels said Friday and Saturday nights were “unavailable” (well they were there on the hotel website if you had cash). Kept trying to offer me Sunday night. What use is that with primary aged kids! Eventually got a Saturday night in outer London by booking about 9 months in advance Angry

skyblu · 20/12/2019 22:31

I think this is the trouble with these experience type of gifts. Great idea...you’re all buzzed up when you receive them and you think, yep, I’ll do that...they usually have long expiry dates so you think you’ve got plenty of time.......and then life happens!

LouH1981 · 21/12/2019 06:33

My husband does this ALL the time because he is so disorganised.
He had a chilli farm experience that he just let expire one year. For his 40th, I bought him a helicopter lesson which he ended up doing on a really rainy misty day because it was about to run out.
I would be cross but they might just extend it for you if it’s only just about to expire.

Juliette20 · 21/12/2019 06:35

I think it's best when you book these things if you actually phone up and book the event in as well.

BillywilliamV · 21/12/2019 06:36

Call them, they extended ours. Still never got round to doing it though :(

Beautiful3 · 21/12/2019 06:47

Hate vouchers of any type. I would prefer a pretend voucher with cash to pay for it. That way I would leave it to one side, until I'm ready to book it. Without any worries of expiration nor awkward disclaimers affecting when to go.

WobblyAllOver · 21/12/2019 06:52

I wouldn't give these type of presents because most people can't be bothered with the faff of organising them. If he had really wanted to go he would have booked them.

The only vouchers I ever give are amazon ones as you can use them from the comfort of your bed for absolutely anything Grin