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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:
rhino12345 · 22/08/2023 21:55

House plant

Tiredalwaystired · 22/08/2023 21:56

Heyhoherewegoagain · 22/08/2023 21:42

Does anyone even have dvd players now?😂

Show quote history

Me! I’ve kept all the old christmas films and more obscure tv series that aren’t regularly streaming.

I was the smug one watching Elf for free this year.

SnackSizeRaisin · 22/08/2023 21:58

I wouldn't buy him anything. It's a weird thing to do for a new friend, for someone who isn't close, for a man who has a partner, and it looks a bit needy and desperate. Especially something really impersonal like basically a tenner. What's the point? I would give him a card or more likely, nothing at all, just a text on the day or buy a drink if I saw him.

Have you got a bit of a crush on him? Or are you quite young like teenager or early 20s?

rwalker · 22/08/2023 22:03

Costa voucher put in card with happy birthday enjoy a coffee and cake

NewName122 · 22/08/2023 22:03

£10 does seem a bit crap, sorry to say.

JustAboutHangingInThere · 22/08/2023 22:10

Socks.

With exotic pet on them, if such a thing exists. Thinking parrot, frog, beaver novelty type socks. If not just socks. Within budget and useful. Inoffensive (hopefully).

Original poster
FreddieEllie · 22/08/2023 22:15

We are early 20s (he is turning 23 and I'm almost 24). It's not needy and desperate to buy a friend a birthday gift lol. Im actually gay so no, I don't have a crush on him Grin yes we have only more recently been actively meeting up etc to the point I would call him a friend but I obviously feel a birthday gift is a nice thing to do now and it would feel odd not to, just my personal opinion as someone else stated they don't gift their close friends anything, to me, that's odd but we are all different!

OP posts:
WaitingPainting · 22/08/2023 22:24

JustAboutHangingInThere · 22/08/2023 22:10

Socks.

With exotic pet on them, if such a thing exists. Thinking parrot, frog, beaver novelty type socks. If not just socks. Within budget and useful. Inoffensive (hopefully).

Perfect

Snugglemonkey · 22/08/2023 22:30

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.

Most people do not have dvd players any more.

morag1234 · 22/08/2023 22:31

I think the gift card is perfect. I'd be chuffed if someone gave me a £10 voucher.

Snugglemonkey · 22/08/2023 22:37

JustAboutHangingInThere · 22/08/2023 22:10

Socks.

With exotic pet on them, if such a thing exists. Thinking parrot, frog, beaver novelty type socks. If not just socks. Within budget and useful. Inoffensive (hopefully).

Not a beaver.

Yestostructure · 22/08/2023 22:43

A book on your shared hobby?

Hesma · 22/08/2023 22:44

Maybe a costa/Starbucks card then £10 more than enough for a treat 🙂

excelledyourself · 22/08/2023 22:44

poulderi · 22/08/2023 21:39

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

Offended? By someone thinking you were worth spending time and money on?

GentlemenPreferBlondes · 22/08/2023 22:48

I would find it odd if a new friend bought my DH - or me - a present. Not threatening, but odd. In our circle we don’t generally buy birthday presents for
friends - including best friends. The only exception might be if we happen to see something particularly fitting and get it as a random surprise. I don’t think that’s uncommon among adults.

Lemonyfuckit · 22/08/2023 22:49

If a friend, who is male, but doesn't drink, I think a nice box of chocolates is perfectly fine (and a pretty safe, pleasing to all bet) and also is more about the thought than the amount spent.

Original poster
FreddieEllie · 22/08/2023 22:51

@GentlemenPreferBlondes that would be uncommon in my friendship circle, especially my main one. None of us are married though and a lot still live with their parents. Not sure it makes a difference

OP posts:
gingergiraffe · 22/08/2023 22:54

Just don’t buy a ‘Lifestyle’ voucher. My sil bought me a £30 one from Sainsbury, not sure where else you can buy them from. What a faff. Voucher is for a variety of places. I took it to spend in M&S but on presenting it at the checkout, found it wouldn’t scan. I had to open an account online and then choose who I wanted to use it with. Call me thick, but this was not straightforward and I had to send an email asking for help. Got a reply the following day and printed out the vouchers and successfully spent them in shop. Could have used them online but in shop seemed simpler. Honestly, if it had only been a £10 voucher I would probably have given up!

upsidedownandturnaround · 22/08/2023 22:55

At least get the gift card from a nice local shop or business.. local indie book shop, if he's into reading?

BrawnWild · 22/08/2023 22:56

Heyhoherewegoagain · 22/08/2023 21:42

Does anyone even have dvd players now?😂

Show quote history

Obviously he wont want the DVD, which is why OP should buy one in cash from a supermarket and include the receipt so he can get cash or exchange.

Everyone uses the supermarket and it looks very casual, rather than socks with an exotic pet on them.

xyz111 · 22/08/2023 23:08

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.

Definitely keep the receipt. No one I know has dvd players anymore.

Thelondonone · 22/08/2023 23:10

What about a Tesco/M&S voucher and write on the card, it’s not a voucher, it’s a relaxing evening meal?

cocksstrideintheevening · 22/08/2023 23:12

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.

Who even has dvd players now?

A gift card is meh. Why do you need to get him a present?

Walesagogo · 22/08/2023 23:15

A food related gift like a special cheese if he's into it or a cheeseboard and knife. Or a book about the hobby. Hat, scarf. Or socks with the reptiles that you like on it. Something else with the reptiles on it like a bookmark (but boring but as an add on)etc.Maybe a practical gift like a torch, who doesn't need one of those?!

Illbebythesea · 22/08/2023 23:16

In your case I would definitely buy him something animal related as that is your shared interest. Just tried to have a google but ‘exotic animal gifts’ is just bringing up adopting animals gifts (which is a pretty cool?!) can adopt a turtle from £3! Or maybe his favourite animal? Or maybe try his fav animal mug, t-shirt etc. I don’t think a gift has to be big bucks it just has to say I saw this and I thought of you. 🦍 🐘 🐅