CF or just kind?

[Cookiessss]

Meeting with a school mum tomorrow morning for softplay play date with our daughters who are in reception class. The mum texts me that she’s looking forward to tomorrow and couldn’t help it but had got me and my daughter a Xmas gift!

Am I supposed to buy her one too now? Play date is 10am in the morning how the heck will I have time to go out, buy a present and be in time for playdate? I’m really annoyed she’s done this as we hardly know each other. What would you do? Turn up without a gift and feel embarrassed or make the effort to go and get one. I’m so tired, I have no energy

You accept the gift, say thank you then buy her a coffee.

This

I'd cancel. She sounds like a lunatic.

It's November. Take the gift, open it when you get home and depending on what it is decide if you want to get them something in return. If so, there's plenty time.

I think on the day you just say thank you and that you haven't started shopping yet. I mean it's still November!

Of course you’re not supposed to. Just accept the kindness gracefully and let it lie.

Loads of time to work this out. Accept gratefully and decide what or if to get her.

I'd accept it, say she is incredibly organised as you haven't started shopping yet and leave it at that.
Sounds like she was trying to make a good impression and has taken it a bit far. Maybe she was a bit nervous?

I'd say thank you, accept the gift, shout her coffee, and comment on how organised she is as I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet. Then you have done something nice for her, given yourself an out for not having a gift, and can see what she's got you to decide if it needs reciprocation or not. It might just be a pack of candy canes for all you know. Maybe in a few weeks your child can give her child a small gift back.

It think it was strange because it’s November and you are going to see her a dozen more times before Christmas.

I’d be a bit suspicious as there was really no need to text in in advance about the gift if she wasn’t expecting you to reciprocate. She could have just surprised you. Then you wouldn’t have felt any obligation to buy a gift for her tomorrow!

Thankyou, thats lovely but you didnt have to.
That will suffice.

Oh and buy the coffees. Some people just like giving gifts. It doesn't mean its anything sinister. She probably just likes spreading a little happiness 😊

@TheatricalLife is right IMV.

Maybe you will see her another time and you can give her something then if you feel like doing that.

And you sound lovely