Is it the end of a long friendship?

I always eat use by date foods. As long as it looks good and smells good why not ?

Maybe she thinks you were passing on an unwanted gift, how far past the date was it exactly?

Not really the friendship you thought you had. That’s all I can say.

I wouldn't have even told someone if this happened to me. I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings, obviously it was unintentional. I've received what I might call ''unsuitable'' gifts before or things not to my taste but I wouldn't hurt anyone's feelings by mentioning them I'd just pass them on or give them to a charity shop.

Have one more try with her if you want to remain friends. What about sending a nice card saying you would like to treat her to a coffee and cake or something you know she would enjoy. It’s up to her after that. I hope she takes you up on the offer. 40 years, it’s a shame to end a friendship on such a simple mistake. Good luck.

I would say that obviously you hadn't noticed it was out of date, or of course you would never have given it to her. Can't she give it back to you, so you can take it back to the shop and get a refund, because they are the ones at fault, because they should not be selling out of date goods. You can then buy her something else or more hot chocolate with a use by a date that is way ahead, Or maybe she has thrown it away, in which case I would just buy her something else, although I don't see why you should have to spend any more money when it is not your fault it was out of date, but the shop's fault, but then they wouldn't have any evidence if she's thrown it away.

If this is new behaviour, then perhaps something is developing.
If anyone was as rude as some of the descriptions given upthread, they would be ex-friends.
Hope it works out for you, and the others with tricky friends.

CFMP…We’re all waiting to hear back from you to see if the situation has been resolved!

I think she might be upset about something else because this seems like a bit of an overreaction. Did she get you something Especially nice for Christmas? Was she disappointed in her birthday present or last Christmas present? It sounds like she’s a bit resentful about something. Do you think she feels that she gets you nicer presents than you get her?

Very silly over reaction from your friend. If she continues to be sullen/funny about it I would just give her a wide berth. Hope your friendship is not spoilt but I'd question whether I'd want a friend behaving like this. Sell by/best before date is no big deal but not great for a present 😁. Powdered chocolate will last for a long time after sell by/best before date. Here is some info:-
Hot chocolate powder generally remains safe to consume for 6–12 months and sometimes up to 2 years past its best-by date if stored in a cool, dry and airtight container. While the powder rarely spoils, it may lose flavor, potency, or become clumpy, but it is typically fine to use as long as there is no moisture, mold, or off-smell.

I'm sorry to say, but your friend is a dramatist. Out-of-date hot chocolate will not make you ill or sick, worst case sinario, it will taste a bit different. I've had hot chocolate that I forgot I had in my cupboard that was 2 years out of date (curiosity got the better of me, and I tried it ), that's how I know it's ok .

Maybe suggest meeting up for a nice hot chocolate somewhere you both like and say let's start again.

Agreed

In all honesty she is an overreacting drama queen . If that happened to me as a recipient I would laugh off , I probably wouldn’t have said anything (probably wouldn’t have even noticed). I would give her some space to get over herself.

Honestly, I’m sure any of my friends might have said, “Are you trying to kill me?” And we’d have fallen about laughing; seeing the whole thing as a joke. I would apologise & buy a replacement (within use by date) gift. We’d probably refer back to the Christmas or birthday id tried to kill her off occasionally, just to raise a smile. Your friend sounds like hard work!

A friend gave me a present for a special birthday of mine. Unfortunately, when I unwrapped it there was a gift tag inside which showed it had been a gift to her by one of her friends. She clearly didn’t like it so gave it to me! I didn’t like it either! However, I never told her about my discovery as I didn’t want to embarrass her. I did feel a little put out but haven’t let it get in the way of our friendship.

I am still waiting to see if she is going to calm down, but I remember her falling out completely with another friend who apparently had send her a birthday present that lady had bought from a charity shop. My friend was furious accusing her friend of obviously not considering her of any value if the only thing bought had come from a charity shop. To be honest, I am getting fed up with this prima dona behaviour. I have apologised. I have written to her 3 times. Now, it's up to her, although I feel the whole situation very sad.

Was in out of date or just best before.
Goods friends would laugh about it.

Just say that you both should stop presents from now on. It’s too stressful between friends. Keep your friendship and let the presents go.

Some friend!! She is absolutely ridiculous!!!!
Like fancy that I too wonder if she is ill.
Dementia springs to mind. Dementia creeps up very slowly and is very subtle.
If she is not ill she is completely over the top. Do you need a ' friend' like that ??

Just read your post about the charity shop gift- again she behaved very badly.
In your position I would drop her immediately. Prima Dona indeed ! foolish woman .

My friend and I have been friends for well over 50 years, love charity shop shopping and often give each other gifts that we have bought in various charity shops (along with "proper" presents) for birthdays and Christmas. Nothing wrong with that, it's a way of getting/giving more .

Having read your recent post . You’ve apologised and tried to contact her . I’d let it go . The balls in her court .
If I’d received out of date hot chocolate, I wouldn’t say anything to the giver .Tbh I probably wouldn’t have clocked the date.
My brother and sil give odd presents , often weird alcoholic drinks . I just say thanks and later on give them to a friend for a tombola .

yellowcanary

My friend and I have been friends for well over 50 years, love charity shop shopping and often give each other gifts that we have bought in various charity shops (along with "proper" presents) for birthdays and Christmas. Nothing wrong with that, it's a way of getting/giving more .

I volunteer in a charity shop and near Christmas we often get people who’ve agreed to get charity shop things . They often have a set amount .

Have you got the bill on your bank account to prove you had bought in all honesty at the shop before giving it and not looked at the date. Send her a copy. Shops have records they can look back on , well they were able to do so for me when I was searching for allergies in the food I had bought.