DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law lives in another state, so she often mails my daughter's gifts to us after she buys the items online. Then she expects me to wrap them. The icing on the cake? She's now saying I need to add bows to these gifts, but she doesn't send any money for the wrapping paper or bows.
I think this is very rude. My daughter thinks her aunt takes the time to purchase these gifts, when she's only pressing a button and that is it. With everyone shopping online more and more, is this a new trend, to have the parents wrap gifts instead of the person giving them? -- ONLINE GIFT GIVING
DEAR ONLINE: It's only a trend if you decide to let it become one. Feeling as you do, it's time you had a discussion with your sister-in-law concerning how you feel about this arrangement and what you expect from her.
Asking for a bow, rude. Asking to wrap, meh. Would I wrap? I probably wouldn't bother. The boys would enjoy the gift no matter it's wrapping. But when they were little, I would probably have wrapped it since back then, it was more about the paper than what was inside.
I have sent online gifts. The cost of wrapping is usually pretty expensive. But, I can ship it from Amazon for no cost. However if i get the gifts and then wrap them and then mail them, shipping costs a fortune. So, mostly, i just mail the gifts as is. And, they are in a box so they are already "wrapped" in my opinion, lol.
I agree, it's very expensive. My in-laws wrap and mail the boys' gifts, and I notice they spend more on shipping than they do the gift themselves. Although their last gifts were gift cards which makes more sense at their age.
I have sent online gifts. The cost of wrapping is usually pretty expensive. But, I can ship it from Amazon for no cost. However if i get the gifts and then wrap them and then mail them, shipping costs a fortune. So, mostly, i just mail the gifts as is. And, they are in a box so they are already "wrapped" in my opinion, lol.
I agree. It's in a box! Just tell the recipient not to open until c day. Well unless it's food or a puppy.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
My whole family does this. I've never even thought to be annoyed.
Shipping directly from the store is much cheaper and allows to spend more on the actual gift. Now I'm not sure how I would feel if I was told how to wrap, that seems a little rude.
Our family does this all the time, too. I mean, geesh - is it that big a deal to take 3 minutes to wrap it up for your own child, that someone was thoughtful enough to spend?
And WTH? She's upset b/c this woman shops online instead of going to the store and then shipping it herself?
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
I highly doubt her children would be disappointed to know auntie didn't spend hours going from store to store and agonize over choosing the perfect gift.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I think that being miffed because she sent the gift directly to her is being ungrateful and rude. It costs money to send packages. At least she is thinking about them and cares enough to send them a gift.
I dunno bout you guys, but when a package comes in the mail to MY house, it is already "wrapped". it is brown and ugly, but technically it is wrapped. If they want something prettier, they can take the time. ;)
