Unwanted Gift

[Carpetbasher]

We've just completed an extension on our house, complete with gorgeous (expensive!) oak flooring. We never planned to put a floor covering down, in any shape, size or form.

Our lovely neighbours have just given us a HUGE HUGE (10m x 10m at least) rug for the room. IMO it is hideous.

They have very little money (unemployed and in a council house), and english isn't their first language. We are quite friendly with them and offer them help/advice when we can. Once or twice we have given them presents (cuttings for the garden or toys for the children - at new year). We would never dream of giving them anything for their house - they have a completely different culture and I'd never hope to get the right sort of thing.

We want to stay friends with them, and I was anticipating having them round for more frequent playdates. However, I cannot stand the rug.

DH suggests that we say it will be lovely for the winter : but then what happens in the winter? It really is truly awful. He has no further ideas.

I'm sure they spent more than they can afford on it. I doubt it was bought at a shop where it can be returned.

What on earth do I do??

I am intrigued by these rugs being hideous. Please post a photo!

I think it's up to you what you do now with the rugs, but definitely don't give them back or apologise for not having them down if they come round. They will probably be to polite to ask, but you can have a reason ready, just in case.

LOL at wine glasses with pictures of cats on them. I've broken so many I'd probably find them quite handy.

Hmm, lot's of "acceptable" ideas - now just to work out which one I can "carry off". I'm erring on having one of the rugs down as a runner - but that may just be the guilt winning. Every morning it would be there to greet me as a came downstairs. The loft - only appearing on special occassions - is my preferred option.

I'd post a photo - but it wouldn't really get across the true effect. The nylon effect is SO nylon that they sort of glisten when we have the lights on. There is a rubberised (non-slip) effect on the back that unfortunately is showing on the top side as some of the nylon has parted where the rug is folded. Then they are very deep red/brown patterned: with 4-cornered fleur-de-lys type patterns down the centre and luxurious borders with patterns adorning them. If anyone likes the sound of them then I'd pay postage on one to give it a happy home!

I'm now "up to" writing a thank you note to them - and when I next see them I will emphasise that wonderful as they were, we must keep presents to the occassional packet of biscuits when we have playdates (like all my other friends).

They are super neighbours to have - WHY did this awkward incident have to happen!!??

i'd be careful not to make it sound like you are criticising them for a gift. maybe it was too generous, but best to say as little as possible beyond thank you, considering the circumstances. (IMO)

Also wonder if perhaps the rugs have a longer history of being unwanted and maybe were even regifted??

Now you just have to keep an ear out for more friends with new extensions.

Roll the rug up and tuck away somewhere then leave a brush or mop lying around so that if they pop in it looks like you've moved it out of the way while you clean the floor

Are you sure they were being too generous? Don't sound like the most expensive rugs from your description! And maybe they know a shop where they can get them cheap. Not trying to belittle their generosity, but you seem really worried that they have spent too much, when maybe they haven't. Besides, however much money they have spent that's their decision.

Just thinking of a friend who brings back pearls for his colleagues whenever he goes to India. They are extremely cheap in the state he is from and are received with disproportionate gratitude here in the UK!

i have to say they sound like they have come from the sunday market and prob cost a tenner each so i wouldn't worry they have got themselves into debt on your behalf or anything! i think you're prob seeing it as 'expensive' because you're thinking in terms of 'they really could have used that money for something else' rather than them objectively costing a lot...

Like the idea of the mop!!

I guess that I haven't been in the financial situation that they are in, so don't know what I would do (in terms of gifts) in their shoes. Maybe I'm a mean old bat, but "even" £10 would strike me as too much to spend.