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?

I'm joking I really dont care that much 😄

@GiftTag She seemed stuck on a loop even asking others nearby if they had heard of people doing this before.

Not writing on a tag so a gift bag can be reused = not weird.
Writing on a tag to show who a gift bag is for = not weird.

Someone having a life that is so uneventful, with so much free head space, that they are able to make a massive deal over someone not writing on a gift tag and walking around asking everyone if it's something they do = extremely weird.

And it would seem that really disturbs and perplexes you in equal measure!

And unlikely

By ‘unwritten rule’, I took it to mean general etiquette that some people follow.

I always leave the gift and card to the last minute so often don’t have any new bags in.

I’ve been saved many times by receiving a gift tag without a name on it, so thank you.

We do with immediate family, but if it was a gift for a less close friend or a child of a friend, I’d write on it.

I get it you think it's all made up. It's just a light-hearted thread. However if you're that bothered isn't the correct expectation to report and find something better to occupy yourself?

Touché

Never write on the tags! Some bags have been doing the rounds in our family for years, there is a very expensive plasticky flowery one that was obviously very expensive and that one is particularly coveted!

Trouble is you've got to find somewhere to store all the bags. They're all different sizes and you cant fold them up.

I don’t think it’s all made up

I do think that in your excitement to start the thread you had to ramp up the woman’s response and so really exaggerated. You’ll get on your high horse but you know you have exaggerated!!

I would say from receiving gifts for myself and dc that it's 50/50 whether people write on them! I, like you don't write on them.

Haha love it.

What if people hear about the Japanese etiquette of wrapping gifts in gorgeous reusable cloth? Mind blown.

Mine are stored flat - small ones inside large ones.

My mum has a birthday card that has gone between her and her brother for about 20 years. They put in a slip of paper with the birthday wishes, but they have never written in the actual card.

Love it! So much more meaningful than a fresh card every year.

I always reuse the gift bag but I have never heard of anyone not using the gift tag to leave it for someone else.

I just cut off the gift tag and put a new one on - in fact I have a stock of cardboard and string gift tags (£5.99 for 100) that I use for this very purpose.

Or make them out if old cards

the irony of your asking the OP if she struggles socially is mind blowing!

Drop the fucking bone!

My SIL writes ON the actual bag. Barbarian.

I don’t write on the tag for the same reason

Is it ok to write on the tag if you dont go on planes?

It makes sense. Loads of people do it!

Best post

You can reuse the bag with a new tag. Safer