Present arrived in branded parcel :(

[propacrimbo]

I'm so deflated, purchased husbands Christmas present and it was due to arrive tomorrow when he was out. Text from courier while I was out shopping to say it was about to be delivered today while he was in. Selected safe place but they bloody delivered to the front door and it's in a branded box with the contents plastered all over! So now he knows his big present, so frustrated. He lovessss Christmas and surprises so he's taken it well but I know is so gutted :(

Has this happened to anyone else this year? Make me feel better with your stories!

For the last couple of years people have been moaning about Amazon using excess packaging.

So they have changed that.

Now people are moaning about them not using enough packaging?

Bonkers.

I’d be delighted if my other parcels throughout the year came without packaging, I was just surprised that the only two things I’ve had all year without packaging were both fairly ‘wow’ toys and at Christmas. I didn’t expect it because every single delivery I’ve had has had external packaging.
I think no packaging should be the standard but with the option to hide contents at checkout.
I’d love to buy everything in person and have tried to cut down online purchases but our high street has b&m, Poundland, the works, charity shops, phone shops, coffee shops and nail bars. I can’t get everything I need, it takes a lot more time to go around the shops, and when the same toy is £17 more in b&m I’m going to buy it from Amazon!

@zurala have you tried steaming it off?

If it makes you feel any better my DH seen the present he wanted while he was out so I transferred him the money and he bought it for himself 😂 I will wrap it though just because 😂 as an adult I think it’s more the treat of receiving a gift rather than the surprise. Just buy him a few stocking bits if you can so he still has a few little surprises

Don't beat yourself up, it was just very unfortunate and totally not your fault.

I know of someone who planned a surprise 50th party for their wife. The party was over 8 months in the making and they'd managed to successfully keep it from her. On the night her husband drove her to the venue, a local hotel with her thinking they were attending his workmate's birthday meal, and were outside the hall just about to make the entrance when a member of hotel staff said "are you here for Susan's surprise 50th birthday party?" 😖. The word furious doesn't come close to describing his feelings lol.

I can top that. My husbands one and only present from me, was delivered and handed straight to him... in a clear fricking plastic bag!! Ffs!

DD’s favourite fashion label does this. They have their own delivery bags with their distinctive logo all over them. They use Royal Mail too so no way to avert at least one attempted delivery at the door.

Twice last month I’ve had to try to time being home or told her not to answer the door as I wanted to refuse a delivery (a lie but it meant they’d then take it to the delivery office at least).

Discreet packaging should always be an option.

Quite apart from ruining the surprise, how does a branded parcel left on a doorstep not get stolen?

Depends where you live.
Wouldn't get pinched in my area
.
My next door neighbour recently went to Canada leaving his front door unlocked. Most people don't lock cars around here.

😲 how rude!

What?! I'd be disappointed if the surprise of a present was ruined. Why on earth would it be for an article??

Isn't the surprise element of a present usually fundamental whether adult or.child? What an odd comment.

OP I'd be gutted too. That's rubbish!

I arrived home yesterday and right at my door was the huge parcel of clothes I bought for my teens from holister with holister literally all over the bag. Thankfully as they are teens and are self involved they did not even notice me whipping it straight up the stairs. It is bloody annoying though especially this time of year.

I think people need to get a grip. Do we really need lots of extra packaging being manufactured just so adults get surprises on Christmas Day? If it’s that much of an issue people could often buy the gift in person from a physical shop then hide it themselves. Talk about first world problems!

My daughters Cricut Maker arrived with their logo all over it. She swears she never saw it but I think she’s trying to make me feel better 🥹

I've taken delivery of 2 packages from my DH which are clearly gifts for me (because I do all the other gift shopping)

One was in a white bag I still know what it is and the other a branded bag. In a way it spoils the surprise but on the other hand I know he's got me something I want. He's not that great at picking gifts id actually like!

How old is he? I’m guessing he’s your son. Was click and collect an option (where you choose to have it delivered to a shop nearby)? Obviously too late now.

There’s always one person like you on these threads. Not everyone is like you who stops giving and receiving presents to people once they turn 18. I never know what I’m going to get for my birthday or Christmas, but everyone knows me so well! I love surprises😊

However, I thought OP was talking about her ds. If she’s talking about her DP then it’s a little cringe. I could understand a dc being a bit disappointed at seeing their present before Christmas.

Well... at least it was a nice present.

Before I left for a Restaurant I saw a few parcels for me in the lobby of our flats. I took them back up. I returned much later to find one lone parcel addressed to me - loudly proclaiming itself to be "Depends night time pads" Yes, incontinence pads.

Yes I had ordered them but forgot that that company does not believe in being discreet! I order other types and they come in a plain brown box or wrapped in black plastic. Dammit!

A t shirt for dc just arrived in a see through plastic bag! Usually he gets to the door first but thankfully this time he didn't!

We send our presents off to FC so although it would ruin the surprise, it could still arrive by the traditional sleigh route.

The postman told DP what was inside his parcel when he asked for a signature. He said "do you like vodka then?" DP was understandably confused and said, yes, why? "That's what this parcel is..." said Mr Helpful. 🙄

What are you talking about - I’m still buying presents for my nieces & nephew and they’re over 30!
OP may have been talking about her son I don’t know but my comment wasn’t particularly aimed at them but at all the posters talking about how sad their husband or partner or themselves got to see what shop the gift came from. Again, if they are that bothered why shop online where you carry that risk. Extra packaging is not good for the environment.

@CuteBear what you say doesn't make sense - you say you love surprises but also that it'd be cringe for an adult to be slightly disappointed if they found out their gift early. So if today your partner told you your present and you had no surprise on Christmas Day you wouldn't be at least a little disappointed? If you love surprises?

@Deathraystare That's indiscreet of them. The supplier should be more sensitive

But for OP / Christmas gifts, really I think lack of packaging probably is better for the environment

Uncaring?? 🤣🤣

You seriously expect a company to care about a box of bloody chocolates??

Even more bizarrely you expect your adult daughter to be distraught that you’ve already seen said chocolates. 🤦‍♀️