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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not see the point of wrapping presents?

109 replies

Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:42

The paper is torn off, makes a mess and then gets put in the bin. I know they look nice under the tree but other than that is there an actual point to this tradition?

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 24/12/2023 21:45

Well it really annoys me when people don't wrap. If my child gets a present unwrapped from someone then I'll always wrap it. Half the joy and excitement is in the unwrapping

herewegoroundtheblueberrybush · 24/12/2023 21:46

It's not logical I agree. I hate the waste. However, a load of unwrapped presents under the tree is a big depressing. Agree the unwrapping is part of the pleasure.

bearsbeets2 · 24/12/2023 21:47

Someone left all their Christmas wrapping to the last day, I see 😂

As an adult, I’d be fine with a present in a gift bag. For kids though, half the excitement is unwrapping. What child wants to come down on Christmas morning to all their presents just sitting there?

Businessflake · 24/12/2023 21:48

Fuck me. Aren’t you a misery?

tescocreditcard · 24/12/2023 21:49

Don't wrap them then

OrangeryAt · 24/12/2023 21:51

You could extend this to anything though couldn't you? I mean, tomorrow, why bother serving the food in dishes? Why not just stick it on the table in the pans you cooked it in? Save on some washing up.

Original poster
Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:51

@bearsbeets2 honesrly I couldn’t care less but DH is insistent they have to be wrapped.

@Businessflake i fear I may be.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:52

I don’t think that’s QUITE the same @OrangeryAt Grin

OP posts:
InALotOfPainOnChristmasEve · 24/12/2023 21:52

I can see why you'd feel like that if you're one of these strange "everything from Santa on the 24th" families. But as a "gifts under the tree from the 20th" family we love it.

WashItTomorrow · 24/12/2023 21:53

We don’t tear the paper off. We unwrap it carefully, trying to save the paper. Even the kids do this. We reuse it every year! A little bit gets chucked but mostly it doesn’t. Or we use gift bags that we also reuse.

stepintochristmas1 · 24/12/2023 21:54

Like handing over a present in a carrier bag from the shop it was bought in . Zero effort , zero cares Confused

LuvMyBoyz · 24/12/2023 21:55

My Mum never wrapped presents because she was a war baby and it was considered very wasteful during rationing. There were four of us children and every Christmas morning we’d tip our stockings onto the bed and see everything in it at once. Then we’d go downstairs to four separate piles of unwrapped gifts. With one glance around the room we knew what everyone had got. Of course we didn’t know any better when we were kids. Always grateful for what we got.

But now I just love a pile of wrapped or bagged presents. I love unwrapping them and watching others unwrap theirs. So much more anticipation and fun.

Original poster
Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:55

I consider myself well and truly told … I still think it’s pointless, I must admit!

OP posts:
tiktokontheclock · 24/12/2023 21:56

Tbh I think kids love the unwrapping. I'm sure adults don't care

My MIL just put my youngest DD's presents in 1 box and wrapped it, I took them all out and wrapped them separately as it's just nicer for her isn't it Confused I'm sure some people will disagree and I know it's not sustainable but it's one day a year and they want the excitement of it all...

Holly60 · 24/12/2023 21:56

Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:52

I don’t think that’s QUITE the same @OrangeryAt Grin

I actually don't think it's that different. The reason people take care with how they present food is to increase the pleasure people take in it by making it look appealing.

The point of wrapping presents is because it makes it more exciting, in the same way that nicely presented food is more exciting.

Also we wrap them to show we've taken time and care over it - an act of love.

purpleme12 · 24/12/2023 21:57

As an adult, I do care mine are wrapped

TeaKitten · 24/12/2023 21:57

I think the tree is far more pointless than the wrapping paper, atleast it’s nice taking the paper off! But both are just nice aren’t they. Have you always been such a humbug or have you just left all the wrapping too late this year?

DysmalRadius · 24/12/2023 21:57

We have a selection of drawstring cotton gift bags in a variety of colours and sizes. All the aesthetic appeal of wrapping, surprises maintained, no waste, and it takes seconds to 'wrap' everything so I get to enjoy Christmas eve.

Zampa · 24/12/2023 21:58

I love a beautifully wrapped present. It shows care. However, I rather agree with you that it feels futile.

It took me 8 hours to wrap presents for 6 adults and 10 children (including 3 stockings). That's longer than a day in the office! Just for it to be ripped off!

Original poster
Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:58

I am struggling to get into the mood this year.

DS has a birthday just before Christmas. He’s had so many presents he’s started to ask for a present in the same way he asks for a drink or something.

DD is too young to care.

We are hosting and DH is in a stress so we are snapping at one another.

Present wrapping does feel pointless.

OP posts:
aSwarmOfMidgies · 24/12/2023 21:59

It's pretty

It's wasteful, expensive , time consuming

But hey it's pretty so l

Original poster
Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:59

@Zampa i suppose that’s what I mean … eight hours … when I think what I could do with eight hours …

OP posts:
Original poster
Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:59

I am a huge humbug but I do love a Christmas tree and decorations. Presents though …

OP posts:
VikingLady · 24/12/2023 22:00

Research shows a wrapped present receives higher satisfaction than an unwrapped one. As does something that was specially acquired for that recipient.

I've lost the reference though.

TeaKitten · 24/12/2023 22:00

Hatewrappingpresents · 24/12/2023 21:58

I am struggling to get into the mood this year.

DS has a birthday just before Christmas. He’s had so many presents he’s started to ask for a present in the same way he asks for a drink or something.

DD is too young to care.

We are hosting and DH is in a stress so we are snapping at one another.

Present wrapping does feel pointless.

Wrapping presents isn’t pointless! Snapping at eachother for nothing when you are both stressed about hosting is pointless, buying your DS so many presents he’s not appreciating it is pointless. But the worst is almost over! Hopefully you have a present or two to enjoy unwrapping tomorrow. And if not hopefully you have wine 🍷