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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To stick this gift in the freezer

104 replies

Creativebee · 23/12/2019 14:36

I'm really here for the traffic, so not really an AIBU.
DS (who lives away) has had a Christmas gift parceled for his sister. He's asked me to wrap it as they don't do wrapping and I've just opened it to find its a 4ft teddy bear, which is bigger than DD.

Firstly I don't know whether to laugh or cry because I know DS, and this is more a prank on me than a gift for his sister.
Secondly, it's got stickers all over the packaging that it's from China and I'm really panicky about things like this because of bugs and mites etc (we're just getting over a carpet beetle infestation).

It's currently in vacuum packed packaging and I'm thinking if I stick it in the freezer overnight it might kill anything that might be lurking in it.

Will overnight be enough or will it need to be in the freezer longer?

Do I get DS an equally space hoarding gift for his birthday to repay him for his kind gesture?

OP posts:
UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 23/12/2019 15:02

In fairness, if I had just had a carpet beetle infestation, I'd probably be paranoid too. You may as well chuck it in if it makes you feel better. It's not going to do any harm.

Frothybothie · 23/12/2019 15:04

If it has been airfreighted from China it will have been in an unheated hold of an aircraft and at 36000 feet definatelycool.

Check its cojones - if they are frozen off it will be fine.

Whatnameisgood · 23/12/2019 15:05

How do you mean your DS doesn’t do wrapping? He doesn’t wrap any presents?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 23/12/2019 15:05

The poor bear - he will get cold and scared in the freezer all in his own! Xmas Shock

Grumpelstilskin · 23/12/2019 15:06

I buy a lot of vintage clothes and we have a large freezer just for sticking stuff in, especially to prevent possible moths infestation, it also helps to neutralise bad odours.

CatkinToadflax · 23/12/2019 15:08

The poor bear - he will get cold and scared in the freezer all in his own! Xmas Shock

Quite right. This poor traumatised bear's going to need serious therapy after his long journey from China with only infesty small creatures for company, and now being chucked in the freezer. Have you got any spare ice creams for him to eat?

I'm another one wondering just how colossal your freezer must be! Xmas Grin

FFSFFSFFS · 23/12/2019 15:09

Cant you buy a debugging spray instead?

Original poster
Creativebee · 23/12/2019 15:10

Whatnameisgood he does do wrapping but he’s had it delivered straight to our house as he’s not coming home for Christmas and the place he’s ordered from don’t do gift wrapping.
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius it’s currently sat in the freezer with my turkey, it has some company. That was a nightmare trying to rearrange the freezer to put a bear in there. Can’t wait to tell DH tomorrow “can you get me the bear out the freezer please?” 😂 This should be under the title “Things you’d never thought you’d say before having children”

OP posts:
MarianaMoatedGrange · 23/12/2019 15:12

You are here, just before Christmas, telling us you are contemplating MURDERING A TEDDY BEAR BY HYPOTHERMIA Crown Shock

Mind, there may be few posters offering to rent your freezer space for human bodies in the new year Crown Wink

MarianaMoatedGrange · 23/12/2019 15:14

*a few

NewName73 · 23/12/2019 15:14

Have you thought about therapy instead?

halcyondays · 23/12/2019 15:14

Where did he buy it from? Lots of things are made in China but if they have the CE mark they should be safe. If it’s been bought directly from China or is an unbranded toy from anywhere with no CE mark it might not be safe. There have been dodgy Frozen dolls going about that people are advised not to buy.

PineappleDanish · 23/12/2019 15:15

if it's vacuum packed then how would bugs get it? If they chewed through the packaging, they'd break the vacuum and it would no longer be a shrunken bear.

I think you're being just a tad over-cautious, OP.

GrumpyHoonMain · 23/12/2019 15:15

A lot of Chinese insects and their eggs can survive freezer temperatures. You would be better of boil washing then drying

Interestedwoman · 23/12/2019 15:15

When I was born, my uncle (who's only about 16 years older than me) bought me a giant tedy. It was lovely and very much enjoyed.

Interestedwoman · 23/12/2019 15:16

I don't think you have to worry about mites etc.

teentree · 23/12/2019 15:16

Do you do this with everything you buy that's made in China?

Original poster
Creativebee · 23/12/2019 15:17

Ok the truth is I had reserved some space In the freezer for anyone who got on my nerves on Christmas Day, it’s out in the open now but rest assured that space is now taken up by a 4ft teddy bear!!! Going to start digging a large hole in the back garden tonight in case I need it Wink

OP posts:
NewName73 · 23/12/2019 15:18

Have you checked to make sure there are no notes from exploited Chinese workers hidden in its fur?

Original poster
Creativebee · 23/12/2019 15:19

How the hell am I going to boil wash then dry a 4ft bear???

OP posts:
P1nkHeartLovesCake · 23/12/2019 15:21

You are a very cold heartless woman Op, who puts a teddy in the freezer?

It’s Christmas your meant to be full of cheer not freezing teddies Sad

melissasummerfield · 23/12/2019 15:21

@Jumpi you win the internet today Xmas Grin

MarianaMoatedGrange · 23/12/2019 15:22

Ted has suffered enough - suffocated, frozen and now someone suggests a boil wash too?

Do check for notes though Crown Sad

Reallybadidea · 23/12/2019 15:22

If it's been vacuum packed surely they'd all just suffocate?!

Samcro · 23/12/2019 15:24

Jumpi Mon 23-Dec-19 14:48:41
My BIL is from China, best make some room in my freezer.
brilliantBear

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