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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel like a £10 gift card is a bit shit?

102 replies

FreddieEllie · 22/08/2023 20:15

I'm wanting to buy an Amazon gift card for a friend that I don't know too well and is quite a new friendship, so just seems like the safest option (doesn't drink alcohol). I'm looking at options and I'm not sure what is the appropriate amount? Does £10 look really shit? £20 then seems a bit much... is £15 a happy medium? Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I really want them to think it is nice and not some shitty half assed thing, although I doubt they will be expecting anything.

OP posts:
Winter2020 · 22/08/2023 21:25

Lottle · 22/08/2023 21:22

What about a nice bit of brie?

Not sure of that was a joke but made me laugh out loud.

I can just imagine his and his girlfriends puzzlement when he arrives home from his hobby with a chunk of cheese.

...I'm still laughing!

mast0650 · 22/08/2023 21:26

A gift card for a local cafe or similar is a nice idea. I'd only give Amazon gift cards or similar to a child/teen/student. Or I guess maybe if I knew someone else was sufficiently cash constrained that £10 would really mean something.

Itsokay2020 · 22/08/2023 21:26

Another vote for an Amazon gift card, but also liked the coffee shop voucher idea too! Out of interest, do you feel compelled to buy him something? I mean, has he/would he do the same for your Birthday? Maybe a funny card and a sweet treat (cake/personalised cookies/donuts) would be enough?

Tiredalwaystired · 22/08/2023 21:27

Chocs or alcohol would be a bad choice for me as I’m diabetic. If someone who doesn’t know me well gets me them, they just get given away so a voucher is definitely safer, even if it is “meh” in my opinion if you want to guarantee the recipient can enjoy it. OP I would be grateful for a tenner as any gift is appreciated (even if it is chocs or alcohol as I know the thought is there).

mast0650 · 22/08/2023 21:28

FreddieEllie · 22/08/2023 20:28

We met through a hobby (surrounding our love for rescuing exotic pets Grin) and i could definitely get him something related to them but then think I'm really buying for the pet and not him... but maybe that is better?

Having read this, if you can think of something related to the shared hobby then maybe that is best?

LessonsInPhysics · 22/08/2023 21:28

Lottle · 22/08/2023 21:22

What about a nice bit of brie?

I'd LOVE a piece of brie!
I'd have to be able to put it straight in the fridge though.

Helpmepleaseimbusy · 22/08/2023 21:28

Trh and find something fun like socks with an exotic pet on them. I'm sure you could find something like this online for around 10 12 pounds

Helpmepleaseimbusy · 22/08/2023 21:29

Helpmepleaseimbusy · 22/08/2023 21:28

Trh and find something fun like socks with an exotic pet on them. I'm sure you could find something like this online for around 10 12 pounds

Try**

WaitingPainting · 22/08/2023 21:31

Why are you thinking to get a gift?

I don't like getting gifts from people other than very close friends and family. If it was someone I wasn't very close to I'd almost be annoyed to get a gift as it would mean that I'd have to buy a gift in return.

cherryassam · 22/08/2023 21:32

@GiraffeLaSophie The OP has said that she doesn’t want the present to appear to be anything more than a friend gifting a present to another friend.

I have several good friends that are male, some who I’ve known longer than my DH and with them I don’t put any effort into making a gift I give them look like a purely ‘friendly’ gift. But like the OP I would be cautious about how a gift would look to a new male friend who has a partner, especially if I don’t really know the partner.

Namechangedforthis2244 · 22/08/2023 21:32

How about a jokey mug which relates to your pets? Or a book which relates to them? Or a coffee/plant/foreign foodstuff etc which has a name like your pets eg tortoise coffee.

loreau · 22/08/2023 21:33

What about a copy of Douglas Adam's Last Chance to See (it's about his quest to see endangered species) and a bar of choc in a funky wrapper in case he doesn't like the book..

CantFindTheBeat · 22/08/2023 21:33

What's the purpose of the gift, OP?

Winter2020 · 22/08/2023 21:33

I think it's a unanimous vote for the brie.
Here are two good options.

to feel like a £10 gift card is a bit shit?
to feel like a £10 gift card is a bit shit?
CantFindTheBeat · 22/08/2023 21:34

CantFindTheBeat · 22/08/2023 21:33

What's the purpose of the gift, OP?

Oops, sorry, I saw you said.

iamenougheveryday · 22/08/2023 21:35

Where I live you can pick up free books at the Station. I would gift him a book I took for free, and buy myself the chocolates and flowers Grin

Bigdoglittledog2 · 22/08/2023 21:35

loreau · 22/08/2023 21:33

What about a copy of Douglas Adam's Last Chance to See (it's about his quest to see endangered species) and a bar of choc in a funky wrapper in case he doesn't like the book..

I honestly think that’s such a random gift (like the Brie). He might not be a reader.

iamenougheveryday · 22/08/2023 21:36

For the record I do also drop off books too. I don't just take.

Winter2020 · 22/08/2023 21:38

loreau · 22/08/2023 21:33

What about a copy of Douglas Adam's Last Chance to See (it's about his quest to see endangered species) and a bar of choc in a funky wrapper in case he doesn't like the book..

That book sounds perfect. I wouldn't get more though as that's too much in the circumstances.

poulderi · 22/08/2023 21:39

I would be offended at an amazon gift card- lack of thought and completely against my ethics?

Deut · 22/08/2023 21:40

It’s fine.

GameOverBoys · 22/08/2023 21:40

Either buy a nice version of something he likes - coffee/cheese/hot sauce etc
Or get him something pet related such as a mug with ‘world best hedgehog/snake/capabara Dad’ on it. Or maybe a cool addition of one of his vivariums.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 22/08/2023 21:42

BrawnWild · 22/08/2023 20:23

If it's a bloke, get something that can be perceived as a non-threatening gift. I'd go for a Top 10 DVD, paid in cash, together with the receipt so he can exchange it or get a refund for something else.

Does anyone even have dvd players now?😂

NotTheSlugandLettuce · 22/08/2023 21:44

Book and a bar of choc is my new go to

BMrs · 22/08/2023 21:50

Are you sure you want to buy him something at all? I hate when new friends do presents as I feel pressured to buy back etc. I'd personally go for a nice card instead