A woman has asked for advice after receiving a lovingly handmade gift she absolutely hates – people are divided on what she should do as she really wants to chuck it away
They say it is the thought that counts, but sometimes that’s just not enough.
Being given a present that’s really perfect for you? There’s nothing quite like it. But, when you unwrap something and have to assume the slightly stiff expression of someone hiding their disappointment, it can be tricky to handle.
No one wants to seem ungrateful for a gift, even if it isn’t really their cup of tea, but one woman who was given a homemade painting by her friend immediately wanted nothing more than to chuck it in the bin.
The woman, who posted on Mumsnet looking for advice on her dilemma, explained anonymously: “My friend painted me a picture. The sentiment was lovely but I really hate it. It’s not my taste and not in keeping with my house.”
Her dislike for the painting was so great that she had established a sneaky way of keeping it out of sight most of the time, but ensuring that her pal wouldn’t notice, “I keep it behind the TV and hang it whenever she comes to visit so I don’t hurt her feelings as she is really proud of this piece and spent many weeks making it.”
However, the woman will be moving on to a new home, and doesn’t want to take the painting with her into her new chapter, “I’m moving to a new house and I don’t want to be carrying things that I don’t like or want to my new home. I want to take the frame and bin the actual painting. She’s a good friend and she is likely to visit and possibly ask where the art is.”
The woman asked whether or not it was acceptable to bin the painting, and opinions were pretty split on what she should do with her unwanted piece of art. Most people thought that binning the painting her friend had spent so long working on was unnecessarily harsh.
“Why would you bin something lovingly made for you?” wrote one user. “Store it. It’s a shame your friend made it for you, she should have done it for someone who deserves it.”
Another disagreed, saying: “God I’d hate this. People shouldn’t gift their amateur hobby projects.”
However, a few users took a more balanced approach and suggested practical ways of handling the issue: “I’d put it in my bedroom, then move it to the loft once she’d seen it. If you say it got damaged she might make you another gift!”
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