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AIBU

Unwanted Xmas gift

(66 Posts)
Telly Fri 05-Apr-19 11:05:06

I went to a fundraiser last week. The first prize in the raffle was a Xmas gift I had given to the organiser! The lady who won it said she would rather have had my prize - a £5 box of chocs. The gift was chosen with care, high end toiletries, beautifully presented, which I thought the recipient would love. I have of course not said anything, but I obviously got it so wrong. AIBU to think I might as well give up and just get a voucher or a pot plant? I did/do feel a bit hurt. (I am related to the organiser, BTW)

Chucky Sat 06-Apr-19 15:04:58

We used to have a Secret Santa at work.
One year one of the office staff gave a Christmas Pudding! Very unfortunate as it was supposed to be kept chilled and sat in the office for 2 weeks. That year the same person was given a lovely bubble bath and body lotion set. The following year they gave it back in the Secret Santa, to the person who had given it to them! Bad enough, but the body lotion had been opened and obviously used as there was a good inch out of it!
We all dreaded that she would get our name.

Another year the Secret Santa gift for one of the staff was an embroidered cushion with -
“Live like there is no tomorrow, Laugh like no one can hear you, Love like you’ve never been hurt.”
Might have been nice, apart from she was terminally ill and she had just cancelled her wedding as she had found out her fiancé had been cheating on her for 2 years! Not a very well thought out present!.

blue60 Sat 06-Apr-19 17:15:25

I have learned the hard way. I gave a hand made pearl necklace to be put up for auction for charity (I make jewellery).

It earned the princely sum of £5. It cost me more than that for all the components and wow did that hurt!

Another occasion last year I donated a lesser priced gemstone as raffle gift; the woman who won it said 'Great I'll give this to the kids'.

So, no more donating my treasures when they are not appreciated.

PamelaJ1 Sat 06-Apr-19 17:24:34

First world problem.
In my family we don't do 'gifts'. We do things, I'm taking my mum to afternoon tea in the Tower ballroom on Monday.
We'll have a nice time together and I won't be spending my money on something that either goes down the drain or in the bin.
Hang on a minute, I guess that, ultimately, it will go down the drain! Oh dear.
I know that sometime that isn't practical but we do get a lot more pleasure that way.

H1954 Sat 06-Apr-19 17:28:27

Telly, I have sent you a PM regarding your post.

Lazigirl Sat 06-Apr-19 17:41:04

That must have been very hurtful for you Telly when you put a lot of thought into the gift. Personally I prefer to choose my own toiletries, and I would think most people have their own favourite stuff, and may be the reason why charity shops are inundated with toiletries post Christmas. I tend to give things to eat or drink these days.

Desdemona Sat 06-Apr-19 18:06:09

My own mother gives all her gifts away straight away unless it is 1. Her favourite sherry or 2. Her favourite perfume!

On Mothers Day last weekend my eldest sister bought her a really expensive cake (she should have known better!) Mum gave it to me and told me not to tell my sister, which is a bit wrong but the cake was lovely.

marpau Sat 06-Apr-19 19:21:56

I have a relative who insists on buying me expensive designer toiletries and perfumes.
Never ever buys the toiletries or perfume I use yet she is often in my house and bathroom!!
I cringe at the amount she spends thank the Lord for EBay ???

seacliff Sat 06-Apr-19 20:01:20

Oh dear, I'd have felt hurt too, especially as you'd chosen her favourite. She must have not realised it was your gift, I'm sure she wouldn't want to hurt your feelings.

My family generally know not to buy me "smellies". I have simple tastes and prefer to choose my own. I also hate the waste - to think they've spent quite a bit on something I don't actually like.

Personally I much prefer a promise of a few hours with the person, doing something nice. Even a walk along the beach and a coffee and cake. Or cinema trip together etc. Or a garden centre voucher. It's hard to buy things for me I think, and probably others too.

Some friends and I don't exchange gifts - we just go out for the day together.

Baloothefitz Sun 07-Apr-19 02:02:49

Gosh ...some people would be over the moon to receive a Bayliss & Harding gift set ,myself included...seems to be a lot of snobbery about!

notanan2 Sun 07-Apr-19 03:00:01

There have been no snobby posts.

People saying that they want to chose what scents they do or dont wear isnt necessarily correlated to price!

lincolnimp Sun 07-Apr-19 07:18:18

annaram1 I love my M&S shawls, so practical on car journeys, and that time between thick winter coats and no coats---especially over trousers and tunics.
I was converted when I saw a very elegant lady swish one over her shoulder. Not sure I look as elegant but have adopted the style.

sodapop Sun 07-Apr-19 08:52:21

I wish I could do that lincolnimp it's a look I really admire and is so elegant. Sadly I just look stupid ...sigh....

judylow Sun 07-Apr-19 12:04:48

Edithb. Happened to me too but I thought it was funny.

Lazigirl Sun 07-Apr-19 16:58:46

I find that people generally choose presents which are to their own taste judylow so if that is true it would be great to get the same thing back smile

Floradora9 Mon 08-Apr-19 16:30:24

Well we do not have this problem in our family as there is a no present rule unless for the children . It makes Christmas shopping so much stressful .