AIBU to think that alcohol is a rubbish present

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Just had a big birthday celebration- hosted a party with catering and drinks and entertainment. Everyone had an amazing time. I’m genuinely not bothered by gifts and am just happy that people have come to celebrate with us but as it was a big birthday, everyone brought gifts. Which is lovely. But 80% of the gifts were bottles of champagne and gin. I drink neither of these. These are friends who have known me for many many years so can’t understand why they went for overpriced bottles of booze which I won’t touch and will just end up giving away. I’ve made such an effort with friends birthdays recently and chosen sentimental gifts they can keep but also included gift receipts with them. Maybe I am being unreasonable but I’m currently trying to find space in the cupboard for 15 bottles of champagne and 8 bottles of gin (I worked out they are worth about £600). AIBU ?? I’m not a massive drinker and happen to dislike both these drinks but would other people have been thrilled?

I always ask a relative or close friend if I don't know for certain what someone's tipple is. Maybe some of these bottles are doing the rounds!

The problem is that there isn't a straightforward alternative. Last big birthday some friends bought me things that they obviously had thought about but how many picture frames and candle holders does one person want. Consumable presents are easier because it doesn't matter if you double up. Do you drink alcohol at all, if not then it's a bit odd they chose to give it however if you do drink then how are they to know you don't like champagne especially

YANBU. It's a really unimaginative crap present. Always makes me roll my eyes when you see people say you can't go wrong with a bottle of booze for a teacher at the end of term. Contrary to popular belief not everyone drinks alcohol let alone heavily/frequently! We got a bottle of white wine as a gift a few months back and it'll probably be in the fridge for another year unless a guest fancies some at some point.

It's always nice to receive a gift and appreciated but I do think people go for alcohol as default without really thinking it through. Especially frustrating for you getting so many bottles at once.

I think it's a decent present

Most people like it
It isnt massively personal taste like something such as perfume or jewellery
It doesn't go off quickly
It can easily be re gifted or used for guests.

I'd be thrilled to have 15 bottles of God champagne..I don't drink often but it would be very nice for champagne to be the default option when I do choose to.
Don't drink gin though, I've received a few bottles and they just get regifted. Which I suspect many people are doing so is just the same bottles of gin circulating.

You said you're not bothered by gifts, but you clearly are.

I think it's a great gift. You are always going to have guests that will drink it, and they might be glad of a glass of decent champagne or gin.

Or - regift them.

I would only buy gin for someone I know who likes it. Although I would assume (incorrectly perhaps) that champagne is a good present for everyone.

I can see why you’re disappointed but it would be my dream to have this much champagne and gin!

Yes. X

It’s a fantastic present for those who like it. But that’s the same with any present!

YANBU - I barely drink but my senior work colleagues regularly gave me champagne for Christmas so I had a stock. I regifted it or donated to raffles - I think school thought I was a high roller

It is an easy/lazy option, but I think it's better than most "carefully chosen", personal gifts. IME although it's the thought that counts, people very rarely.get it right and you end up with loads of "stuff" that's no good to anyone.

At least with booze you can pass it on when you next need a gift. .

It's a shit gift for someone they know doesn't drink these things. The saying is, "It's the thought that counts" and that is so true. It's not that we should be grateful that they thought to buy to a gift, any gift, but the thought they put into it. A thoughtful present doesn't need to be expensive or difficult to buy.

This is very sensible.

Make sure the champagne is on its side and keeping the cork wet and somewhere cool (I have places if you need ) because it can spoil.

It’s lazy. You could have gone to any decent mini supermarket on the way to pick up a bottle of champagne. 5 minutes, done. I did recently get a friend of mine champagne for her birthday because I know she loves it, along with her favourite tea, biscuits, flowers etc. But otherwise I rarely buy alcohol as a gift.

These are friends who have known me for many many years so can’t understand why they went for overpriced bottles of booze which I won’t touch and will just end up giving away.

Well they may have known you for years but I can only guess that you don't socialise regularly with them these days so they are unaware of your tastes. Obviously if they actually knew you disliked these drinks they wouldn't get them.

You don't say what the significant birthday is but I will guess it end in zero. At least 40? Do probably an age when people reason you have probably got everything you need do rather than risk second guessing your taste on something decorative they go for something consumable.

You say you are not a massive drinker but you don't say you are actually teetotal. Therefore I think champagne is often seen as a safe present to get someone in this situation.

People saying this is unimaginative - well I suspect that many gifts people choose when they think they are being "imaginitive" will actually leave the recipient feeling a bit nonplussed.

YANBU

Im not tee total but I only drink on nights out and if we are on holiday. Never with a meal. If someone gets me booze as a present it gets regifted before it gets drunk by me.

Having said that I do love smellies and would rather have £10 of Body Shop goodies than booze

Gift them all back on their birthdays
switch then round so they don’t get the one they bought

I’m teetotal and still get given booze. I agree it’s a crap present

I'd agree with regifting but I think it would stick in my craw to regift £600 of booze unless every gift was a special birthday. I'm a drinker so did enjoy the champagne and gin I was gifted for my 50th.

Alcohol is the go to for people who are to lazy to get a thoughtful present.

In general you are being unreasonable. Plenty people would love that as a present but as you said a lot of these people know you well then in your case alone it’s maybe not unreasonable.
But it happens to everyone as we get older. Every year without fail I get stacks of bath sets and shower sets despite loathing these, I get manicure sets despite my nails being bitten beyond the quick, I get hair styling stuff despite scraping it back off my face daily in a knot, I get fancy creams and makeup despite never ever using cream and rarely makeup. I re gift them and it saves a fortune tbh. Just be careful not to gift it to the person you received it from

That's really strange if these are close friends who know perfectly well that you do not drink alcohol.
Unless they suspect you are a secret drinker!

I often receive gifts from various people, but most wouldn't know what I like or don't like. Invariably it would be expensive bottles of alcohol or expensive chocolates. I don't consume either (expensive or otherwise) but these are standard stick choices for a 'thank you'. DH and DCs are not complaining though.
Small very pretty or unusual house plants is another one. I'm incapable of keeping house plants alive, not even plastic ones would last more than 2 months. Pointless to me but a nice standard gift nonetheless.

I'd be a bit disappointed if I received any if these as birthday presents from friends.

DH has never ever really drank and now he can’t because of medication. His brother sends him alcohol for presents sometimes (which I drink!). He’s also had alcohol from work, like whiskey which he just passes to someone else.

Bit on the fence here - do they actually know you don't like those drinks? I don't think people would store that much information on you (meant in a nice way!), especially if you do drink. Champagne is a great present generally, if someone drinks. It's a treat though so can't see how they would know you are not that keen...

This exactly! It’s something I think they will love but maybe they’d prefer a different colour / size / style etc. I think including gift receipt is considerate!