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?

Our circle always reuse bags. You can now buy bags that have two tags for this reason but I always buy plain tags to stick on bags. Its such a waste to use a bag once then throw away!

Not consciously but yes I cycle, use public transport and don't own a car but I don't see that this is really related to reusing gift bags. It's not an all or nothing type situation?

I never write on gift tags either, card is in the bag. YANBU. I guess it was nice she offered to help but it was really weird she couldn’t get head round your point of view and made a big thing of it. She should’ve just said “ah okay” and then posted on mumsnet 😆

Exactly this!

I definitely do this. She’s weird to be surprised. I don’t think it’s an unwritten rule though. If the tag has been written on, I would just rip it off. No tag is no worse than a tag you choose to leave blank.

It’s great to reuse gift bags.

I hardly ever write on the tag attached to the bag. There’s no need, if there’s a card. I always tape the card to the present, though, so it can’t get separated!

Me. Specially if it’s family. Label the present and card. Re-use the bag.

Here’s an idea - write on the tag lightly… in pencil!

I do this and often get gift bags without being written on as the majority of the time there is a card. So I reuse and also gift a blank one why not! 😂

I do this too. It's not weird at all. 🤣

We live a long way from family who have previously sent gifts from online retailers in gift bags. My (adult) DC know that all fancy organza gift bags must be handed back once the gift is opened! If they’re staying over Christmas they don’t wrap gifts before arriving as there’s no need.

Same here, especially if the card was in the bag so it was obvious who it was from.

This! Normal when you’re taking something round to a family member, but at a party where everyone is leaving gifts on a table, of course you should use the label for its purpose! How are they meant to know who it’s from otherwise?

There was a card. The card does exactly the same job as the label would.

The woman you were arguing with was obviously not going to re-use the bag, whether or not the tag was written on, so you should have just written on it. People often separate cards from gifts.

You win the thread for the most Mumsnet of comments. Your prize is a gift bag sans label.

Well no she obviously wasn't going to reuse it because the bag and gift were not for her child.

Everyone I know does this. I have a bag press for gift bags, assume most people do.

If people want to reuse the bag surely they will whether or not the tag has been written on?

My kids used to put cards on display so that wouldn't have helped identify who the bag was from!

So ! I am the same as you - never write on the.tag , it is so wasteful to only use a gift bag once !
However I do sometimes write on for kids birthday parties if I haven't stuck a label on the wrapped presents. Only because I have experience of hosting a busy party and sometimes other giftS/ cards find their way into the bag for easiness.

But honestly don't know why this lady cared so much 😂 defintiely all about recycling bags ! It's sensible !

You’re totally right. I don’t write anything on the gift tag so the bag can be re-used again. Instead I stick the card to the birthday present so the parent knows who the present is from.

@igelkott2026 fint namn ;)

But bizarrely she acted like she was in charge by not dropping it.
Wouldn't a normal person offer a pen and once explanation given by OP say, Oh, I see. Or, Good idea! Or just, Oh. Or, not even bother commenting at all let alone taking a survey. 😵‍💫😂

OP , some readers on here seem to be deliberately obtuse. Either that or the can’t read . I always re-use bags and sometimes I don’t write on the tag but like you , I put the birthday card into the bag with the present.
I especially use the bags bought by my DD because she buys lovely gift bags and not the run of the mill ones from Asda.

This