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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that the motive on gift wrapping paper does not matter?

343 replies

Luxplus · 12/01/2020 15:38

Dd, 3 years old, was invited to a birthday party by a girl from nusery. All fine, responded she would like to come, asked for wishes and went with dd to get a gift from list. Thought I had frozen gift wrapping paper at home. Wanted to wrap this morning before party at 10am to realise that the only wrapping paper we had was Christmas inspired green with gold trees on so ofc wrapped the gift in that paper and took dd to party..
All went fine at the party, the birthday gift liked the gift and party was nice.
But just received a txt from the birthday girls mom where she is moaning about the paper and accusing me of regifting a Christmas gift that I clearly didn't even bother to rewrap.
I'm a bit gobsmacked by the txt.. I have a recipe that proves I bought it last weekend, but I really didnt anybody would care that much about the look of the wrapping paper?
AIBU?

OP posts:
Baconking · 12/01/2020 18:51

If I forgot to buy birthday paper you could easily be given a gift in Christmas wrap in June not just January!

Babooshkar · 12/01/2020 18:54

What an entitled ungrateful bellend.

Henhophouse · 12/01/2020 18:58

Omg that mother sounds AWFUL.

I’d like to say to anyone thinking that it’s rude or bad manners to wrap a birthday present in Christmas gift paper that is then IMMEDIATELY THROWN AWAY; you’re a tit and need to give your head a wobble.

PepsiLola · 12/01/2020 19:02

I would have texted back "I think the words you were looking for are "thank you for the gift""

BobbyBlueCat · 12/01/2020 19:06

What she responded with was rude.

But it's 'motif'......

NeckPainChairSearch · 12/01/2020 19:06

I think it’s quite scummy to wrap it in Christmas paper

"Scummy'?

Is that a word people actually use?

I can't decide whether these comments are Hyacinth Bouquet-wannabes, or just horribly, ridiculously out of touch with anything resembling common sense.

We have a planet that's choked with manmade crap, and this kind of attitude contributes to it significantly.

BorissGiantJohnson · 12/01/2020 19:13

For the sake of her poor child, someone should text this woman back (or have a word) to say she has been incredibly rude about several gifts and she should apologise, otherwise the likelihood is that nobody will come to that poor child's party next time, not through any fault of the child but just because the mum is so rude and ungrateful.

ChocolateCoins19 · 12/01/2020 19:16

The mother was cheeky
But I wouldn't wrap in Xmas paper

ShinyRuby · 12/01/2020 19:19

Pressed YABU by mistake!
YANBU at all, what a rude CF of a mum. Gift list! What's that about? Sounds grabby & rude. That she thought it was ok to text you about it shows a total lack of manners, hope you can avoid her in future!

Ouchaheadinmybehind · 12/01/2020 19:24

Or what she wrote was she thought money must be missing from the card to accompany the small gift

Shock Personally I would have replied to the text with a photo of the receipt. Just decline the next birthday invite with the explanation that “DD couldn’t possibly attend as her gifts don’t live up to your expectations” Total CF
whatsleep · 12/01/2020 19:25

Well I think to make up for your dreadful behaviour you should buy this lovely book for the birthday child .....

AIBU to think that the motive on gift wrapping paper does not matter?
EnglishRose13 · 12/01/2020 20:02

This woman is my hero.

melj1213 · 12/01/2020 20:08

I would be furious that someone had been so ungrateful as to text a complaint just because the present, that was bought from the gift list, was wrapped in the "wrong" paper

I would have replied "Since you are unhappy with the present (bought on 05/01 btw) due to the paper I wrapped it in, I will be happy to come and collect it and save you any further inconvenience and disappointment. When is the best time to come and collect it?"

Marmitepasta · 12/01/2020 20:13

This is completely ridiculous and I can't believe people are saying they would care re Xmas wrapping for birthday. Ffs get a grip people!!

Wrapping paper is extremely bad for the environment. I use reusable fabric or recycled kraft paper. Everyone must hate me!

2020BetterBeBetter · 12/01/2020 20:14

Blimey! I have never thought people would be so offended by what was on wrapping paper. I’m quite glad I tend to use generic paper that is totally interchangeable for anyone now that I’ve read this thread.

YANBU and the mother was rude to text and presume a present from a list was regifted. I don’t think gift lists or requests to pay towards a larger present are unusual here (SE England) but definitely not typical of any parties I have been to.

motortroll · 12/01/2020 20:15

Lol! I'm shocked! All of my Jan/feb bday presents get wrapped in Xmas paper!! Even if it was regifted I wouldn't whinge about it if it's a decent gift!! Environmentally it's more sound to use what you have and regift anyway!

Roll your eyes and ignore it!!

Ginger87 · 12/01/2020 20:20

YANBU, I wrapped my 3 year old goddaughters bday present in Christmas paper last November, it was all I had and a) I wasn't going buy a roll of kiddie birthday wrapping paper just for one present and b) she ripped it off and it went straight in the bin. She didn't even notice!

StillCoughingandLaughing · 12/01/2020 20:30

Years back a friend of my mother gave her a Forever Friends bear for her birthday. Only the friend had failed to spot that the heart the bear was holding had ‘Mum’ embroidered on it. My mum’s birthday is close to Mother’s Day and it had obviously been bought in the sale.

We had a good laugh, and my mum sent a thank you note as usual. It became a funny story, nothing more. That’s all something as simple as a present accidentally wrapped in Christmas paper needs to be.

We3kingsoforientareandabump · 12/01/2020 20:34

I'll bet loads of people wrap gifts for January birthdays and it would be annoying.

I would never text about it though but then I also wouldn't have a gift list for a kids birthday party. I don't even expect gifts and if they bring one my dc would be grateful to have whatever it was even it was regifted.

She's a CF and I wouldn't give her a second thought.

Ludways · 12/01/2020 21:04

Well actually I would be really passive aggressive and just respond that your hope DC enjoyed the gift that you thoughtfully picked out for them. Then ignore.

Agree with this, cheeky mare. Next time turn the Christmas paper so that only white is showing and wham a bow on it.

CircleofWillis · 13/01/2020 04:56

Could the mum or one of her friends be a Mumsnetter?

The second text to the other mum seems so grabby and rude I'm wondering if it could be a test to see if the OP is really you.

You have given a great deal of information:
3 year old girl,
birthday close to Christmas,
recent party,
Gift wrapped in Xmas paper
Lives in Denmark.

Even if you have changed a few details, this could be enough to identify you.

couchparsnip · 13/01/2020 07:42

I don't understand the problem with the paper. Surely it's the gift that matters.

astrorosa · 13/01/2020 07:50

Ungrateful!

You didn't have to get a present after all.

TheMemoryLingers · 13/01/2020 07:57

I'm amazed they even noticed the design of the paper, let alone gave it a second thought..

Teensruletheroost · 13/01/2020 08:04

The mum is clearly being unreasonable with her text but YWBU to use Christmas wrap for the birthday present. Would you do that in the summer?? It shows a lack of effort with the kids birthday imo.