To think this is a widely understood unwritten rule?

[GiftTag]

At a birthday party and as I was dropping off the present with the others another mum noticed we hadn't written on the gift tag. She asked if I wanted a pen so I could write on it and I politely explained I never write on the gift tag so the bag can easily be reused (this one was actually already being reused probably from my own child's party).

She thought this was completely bizarre and genuinely didn't seem to be able to comprehend that this was quite normal behaviour.

She continued to repeat of course you write on the tag that's why its there and how would they know who the gifts was from (I did say the card was in the bag). She seemed stuck on a loop even asking others nearby if they had heard of people doing this before. It not me is it? This is not weird, most people don't write on the tags so the bags can be reused?

Absolutely never write on the tag. I thought that was the unwritten (haha) rule. We always do friend gifts like that and the joke is it’s part of the gift. A bag to regift.

reusing gift bags- not weird and reduces waste

I only do it if they still look brand new. I don’t advertise that I reuse them, nor has it ever come up in conversation with others so I don’t know how many people I know do it.

I don’t have strong opinions on whether or not to write on the gift tag (they can be easily removed) but your conversation was odd. Her for questioning why you hadn't written on the tag and asking you to do so. You for refusing.

This whole thread should be an episode of Motherland.

If the unwritten rule is to never write on the tag - why is it there?

It can’t be so the bag is reused as the next person will also not write on the tag!

I also don’t think tag written on or not will affect if it reused.

I really don’t get this at all. Can someone explain why if no one is allowed to write on the tag why it is there in the first place?

Ha, the bag manufacturers don't want you to re-use the bag. They want you to to buy a new one each time.

YABU. The first person to use the bag gets to use the tag and, after that, no tag for anyone else.

We’re always recycling bags around friends and family. I’ve received the same bag several times from various family members as it’s done the rounds 😂

I agree with you op I never write on them. There is a card in with the present anyway . I have received ones with writing and ones without so I guess it’s a mixed bag what people do rather than an unwritten rule

People cut the tag off if they want to reuse the bag. Let them decide!
I think it’s very very annoying when you have 20 presents and you have no idea who has given what because people don’t write their names on the tags! Don’t expect a Thankyou note if you don’t write your name..! Xo

I put a card in the bag too, so they know who it is all from.

Not fussed either way about the tag being written on. I'd say the majority of the time I don't bother because there is a card in the bag.

Also we always reuse the bags, all our family do.

I just take the tag off if it’s been written on and re use the bag.

I do the same, OP. Doesn't seem to be a widely recognised thing, though!

I don't write on tags mostly because it requires a certain amount of contortion to do it while tag is attached to bag. I do think "wow, there's a tag going out and it could be used in future" I also ponder if there is any point in the bag manufacturers attaching a tag in the first place. I have been known to tape the card to the bag with some washi tape (easily removable without damage to bag) thus leaving a tag and bag in tact for future use, if fancied. I feel you are in a strong place with your position on tag writing technicalities - I would feel suspicious of that person questioning you. I think you should go on with your head held high.

Totally don’t write on the tag either! Think we have a unicorn bag that’s been reused for three different birthdays in the group by now!

Of course people write on the tag - what is the point of it otherwise? Surely you realise that the tag can be removed and the bag re-used.

If I’d bought the gift bag, I would write on the tag. If I was re-using a bag, which I always do, I would either attach a new gift tag or just put a gift tag on the present, or like you said the card is in the bag.

Everyone who gives me a gift in a bag doesn't wrap.

I wrap and then use ribbon to tie presents together neatly if I want to keep them together.

@rushandpushyes! I don’t like writing on gift bags because the tag is at a funny angle and the bag makes the surface lumpy. If I can easily remove and reapply the tag I will but it’s not always that simple

I think you are either a reuse the bag or not type of person and the tag is irrelevant.

But if no one is allowed to write on the tag - why is it there?

That's exactly what I do.

I do the same you are not alone.

YANBU I’ve heard of this too. It’s optional but a perfectly acceptable thing to do 🙂

We recently received a few gift bags for my toddler's birthday and the majority didn't write their names on the gift tags. I noticed it and thought that it must be new etiquette. I even stopped writing on the gift tags for other birthday parties as I thought it was now bad form! No issue knowing who gifted what as there were cards in the gift bag. I opened this thread thinking it would explain some unspoken etiquette but clearly this is unusual. I'm surprised!

Yes totally normal. I feel I am helping the planet a bit.

Do you live this sustainably in all walks of life op? Do you cycle?