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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Receiving clearly used gift from friend

103 replies

Leafygreentea · 23/12/2023 21:01

Don't know if IBU but I'm pretty miffed at having received this.

A friend visited the other day for a playdate with our children. When they arrived, she handed me a couple of gifts for them. Cue panic from me as we'd never discussed gift giving (we've known each other a few years but this year have seen each other considerably more because our children have become good friends) so this wasn't something we've done previously.

I have a cupboard with a few decent presents in for when parties or whatever crop up, so I don't always have to run around - it's just less stressful having it as a go-to (for times exactly like this!) and so discreetly chose a present for each of her children, wrapped them and gave them to her when she left.

She later text thanking me and said her children loved the presents.

I figured it was probably best to let mine open theirs so that I could sent a reciprocal message back.

It was an item of clothing each, one too small and one 1 year too big. Both clearly used (bobbly and pulled) and smelling of her washing powder. They're obviously her children's old clothes.

She'd said when she handed them over that she had gift receipts for them.... What would you do?

Money not an issue with her - she spends a lot of money on regular treats for herself and family.

OP posts:
Eekmystro · 24/12/2023 21:22

I have no issue with second hand gifts. I have given my children second hand things and I have received second hand things. However I do not like receiving things in bad condition. My SIL gave my son some second hand T-shirts one birthday (wrapped as a gift), they were in a terrible condition stained and bobbled. I would have actually preferred nothing or a small token gift. As op said you’ve just received something you have to get rid of yourself. Just a bit thoughtless. Thought I feel that way about pointless new gifts too!

ThingyThings · 24/12/2023 22:24

mintmagnum3 · 24/12/2023 08:13

You weren't expecting a gift so you're not exactly any worse off?
I personally don't gift second hand items but the thought was still there wasn't it and that's what counts.
I don't really understand why you're so bothered about this. She's tried to do DRO thing nice.

100% this!

Do you only give gifts to receive gifts? It really doesn't seem a big deal to me. You didn't want the gift she gave you, so what? She probably had her reasons for lying, maybe she isn't as well off as you think, was embarrassed and wanted to do something nice.

Get into the festive spirit and be happy that you gave her/her kids something nice. Especially if you have a good relationship otherwise. Then donate the stuff to charity and be glad you could do a good deed/help someone less fortunate. Unless you're counting the pennies yourself and can't spend £20, which is less than 4 pints. In that case you should have just said "thank you" and not given her anything/gifted her something hand made.

Why is mumsnet so "my husband earns 6 figures", but also so tit-for-tat petty? Reminds me of my local Facebook group where they all try to sell old children's books and toys for £2, but drive round in range rovers and porshe SUVs.

"Omg I gave something away without getting something of equal value back. I have shit loads of money, but it's the principle that counts" 😱😱

Luxell934 · 25/12/2023 08:25

Rather than spiteful, I have assumed OP is intelligent enough to know her friend, so we’re led by OP.

OP knows her friend and her instinct is to ask her friend for the gift receipts her friend says she has.

Well OPs instinct was to ask mumsnet actually and ask what to do.

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