I know I'm a cow but I've already returned one of my clothes presents for christmas because it was farking hideous!

[whomovedmychocolate]

MiL (in 80s) asked me what I thought of her acrylic woolly what the hell is that a jacket or a dead sheep, fleece last week.

'Very nice' I replied politely.

SHE ONLY BLOODY BOUGHT ME ONE FOR CHRISTMAS!

Gave it me last weekend because she won't be seeing me for christmas. I'm afraid I may have failed the 'face' test because she did mention she'd put the receipt in the pocket 'in case it didn't fit'. (It was three sizes to big).

So back it went to Debenhams today and instead I got an 80% off John Rocha winter coat - it had a button missing so was hugely reduced. I replaced the button in about four minutes, and also got a lovely outfit for DD with the leftover money.

Does that make me a cow? Or should you only buy clothes gifts with the idea that people will probably change them (as I do)?

You're rachel from friends aren't you?

No def not a cow. I always give receipts with clothing gifts. I usually have fund choosing the present so the receiever may as well have fun too. of your coat though.

Umm funny you should mention that

But FFS - I'm nearly 40 years younger than her and it was BEIGE

OMGoodness. Spot the error time . I am off to bed.

Obviously you're not a cow, exchanged dead cow for dead cool

am also at your bargain.....well done

Actually I'd excuse you on the grounds that it's a fleece!

Vanilla - I have discovered that most Debenhams stores use one rack in a corner to put their 'damaged' goods - most of the damage is a doddle to fix. A dry cleaners will change a zip for £10 and you can save literally hundreds if you are prepared to fix things. It's a lovely military style coat, size 10 and so bigger than I'd normally need - but I'm pregnant so I'm guessing it'll see out the bump!

Great!
That is a top tip, thank you.

Excuse me pantointhousewife - fleece with acrylic knit sleeves. Not just fleece NASTY itchy fleece.

My mum bought me a fireside rug like that once, I didn't even take it back, just handed it back to her and said 'Thanks but er...no'.
That is being a cow.

it sounds absolutely evil

Ah yes, that is rude Panto

I know but, it was my mum and she is exactly like that with me. We are not easily offended in my family, luckily

I present the evidence for the defence.... this [[http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_18906_432719_-1 coat] is what I swopped the beige nastiness for - the fleece is so unpleasant I can't find it on the website - presumably they don't want to frighten the children!

Oh that didn't bloody work did it.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_18906_432719_-1

That coat is gorgeous. Can you go and rip a button off another one for me?

Hadn't thought of that. The irony is, if I did that - I could have a complete matching set of buttons somersetmum....perhaps you could do it, then take it to the checkout and ask them what discount you'd get (nooo that's very naughty!)

Did I mention I got the coat for £18

You are so my kind of woman!

Perhaps we could set up a button filching syndicate and roam the malls together pantoinghousewife

Just think, we could nick one chocolate from each box in Thorntons and then demand them be discounted whenever we got hungry