The perfect Christmas present........NOT

[merryone]

That's an odd thing to do because what's not to like about a Radley umbrella? I've got 4 umbrellas (not Radley) because I sometimes leave them somewhere or they get damaged in very high winds, always like to have spares just in case. I can't imagine a design being so bad that you wouldn't use it! As she likes Radley it's unlikely to be that. She must have forgotten it was you who gave it to her. I can imagine you are a bit miffed, you clearly put some care into choosing something you thought would be suitable, I would feel the same.

To be fair in all the years I've known her I've never seen her using a brolly. She tends to wear a coat with a big hood and gets ferried around by her OH in the car quite a lot, but a small umbrella is always something handy to have, especially one that fits inside your bag. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the colour or design, ok I'd have probably chosen the black and white one to match the bag had the price been right, but imo it was a lovely gift. Fair do's if it was acid green or had a rude slogan on it but I'd never of chosen anything vulgar or outlandish for her. I guess if you're gonna regift something you've got to be extremely careful who you give it to. I'm not the sort of person who'd embarrass her by saying something along the lines of "That's exactly the same as the brolly as I got for you a few years ago" and watch her squirm and come up with a response (as tempting as that is). At the end of the day it's obviously been sitting in her drawer untouched for years, she couldn't be arsed to look for something for me, so she thought oh I've got that brolly that'll do! Had she brought me a completely different one, I'd have been chuffed to bits!

 

[merryone]

I've come to the conclusion now that the best way forward is vouchers or a gift card, especially within my group of friends where we have a similar budget for one another. A £20 voucher for Boots or M&S will buy that person something of their own choosing in the sales and not only that it spells out in no uncertain terms that you're not palming them off with something they don't like, cheap or second hand goods , or worse still a regift of something that YOU bought them. It's an easy gift that requires no thought. It's a bit of a shame 'cause I quite enjoy putting thought into buying gifts that I believe the recipient will love, but if a Radley umbrella doesn't cut the mustard...I flaming give up!

 

[merryone]

Yessss! I'm sure this is the one. I thought it was called Accent but when I googled it a completely different perfume came up, but I searched again today and found this. In my memory the lid was a slightly lighter blue but let's face it, it was a long time ago. Happy now and I can sleep and night lol!

 

[Grizelda]

View attachment 31205Yessss! I'm sure this is the one. I thought it was called Accent but when I googled it a completely different perfume came up, but I searched again today and found this. In my memory the lid was a slightly lighter blue but let's face it, it was a long time ago. Happy now and I can sleep and night lol!

Wonderful. I'm so glad you tracked it down.

 

[stratobuddy]

I've come to the conclusion now that the best way forward is vouchers or a gift card, especially within my group of friends where we have a similar budget for one another. A £20 voucher for Boots or M&S will buy that person something of their own choosing in the sales and not only that it spells out in no uncertain terms that you're not palming them off with something they don't like, cheap or second hand goods , or worse still a regift of something that YOU bought them. It's an easy gift that requires no thought. It's a bit of a shame 'cause I quite enjoy putting thought into buying gifts that I believe the recipient will love, but if a Radley umbrella doesn't cut the mustard...I flaming give up!

I agree with Martin Lewis, NEVER give a gift voucher as they usually have expiry dates and become worthless, and they may get lost. So you will never know if they were actually used or whether you wasted your money.

So a cheque is much better, you KNOW if and when it has been used, and if they lose it, you can replace it.

 

[merryone]

I agree with Martin Lewis, NEVER give a gift voucher as they usually have expiry dates and become worthless, and they may get lost. So you will never know if they were actually used or whether you wasted your money.

So a cheque is much better, you KNOW if and when it has been used, and if they lose it, you can replace it.

Are cheques still a thing? Seriously though I wouldn’t consider a £20 voucher for a high street staple like Boots or M&S provided they’re still in reasonable health when you buy the voucher a risk.The idea is that the recipient pops out to the sales straight after Christmas and grabs themselves a lovely bargain or two of their own choice. If they stuff it in a drawer and forget about it, then I’m sorry but that’s their look out- I’ve done my bit! It is however a good idea to ask the retailer how long the voucher is valid for before you decide whether to buy or not. Putting a cheque in an envelope would seem a bit weird sort of like giving them cash which is possibly just gonna be put into a purse or pocket and spent on mundane everyday expenses. A gift voucher is telling your recipient to go and buy themselves something nice. Of course if that person lost their voucher through no fault of their own that’s sad and yes a cheque can be rewritten at no further expense, but I’d feel rather miffed if I was told sorry Suz I lost that cheque you gave me it shows a lack of care. Of course you’d find out if it never got cashed. They can do what they want with their voucher - give it to their aunty Mary if they like , maybe don’t tell me that but ykwim! Also when it comes to not knowing whether or not you’ve wasted your money it’s no worse than seeing no signs of the person wearing or using whatever you bought them - what’s worse is getting your present re wrapped and regifted!

 

[Battiola73]

Many years ago I had an elderly aunt who lived a long distance from me. She always liked handkerchiefs that I’d embroidered for her. One year for a change I enclosed five £2 Sainsbury’s vouchers (her nearest supermarket). When I got her thank you letter, she said it was the most thoughtful present she’d got as it allowed her to buy little treats that she couldn’t afford. I carried on doing that until she moved into sheltered accommodation.