It Takes All Kinds...

[AKL_Megs]

Our neighbors/friends, after Thanksgiving, asked if they could store some large gifts for their kids at our house. (A TV and some big toys.)

We agreed.

They haven't wanted them back and haven't wanted them back.

Yesterday, they asked if they could come and wrap and get them today. I told said we were having guests most if the day, but they could come NOW. They said they couldn't because they had the kids.

Okay.

So, now they are mad because we aren't being "accommodating" since we gave them such short notice (they have from now until 2pm) to come and wrap, take home, and find someone to watch the kids.

Never again. Oh, and you're welcome.

 

[Dee77]

You mean you didn't wrap the gifts FOR them, what kind of neighbor are you? If they don't get there by 2p, I say plug in the TV and crack out the games for your guests to play today while visiting.

 

[ols386]

Even though you are having guests today, is there some other part of your house (like basement or something) where they could come and wrap the gifts, and take the gifts with them....without disturbing your guests? I don't know the size of your home, but thought perhaps this might work.

 

[Magpie]

Even though you are having guests today, is there some other part of your house (like basement or something) where they could come and wrap the gifts, and take the gifts with them....without disturbing your guests? I don't know the size of your home, but thought perhaps this might work.

This is what I was thinking, too.

Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem with my neighbours sticking their heads in for a moment, even if I had guests over. We're pretty informal - it wouldn't disturb any guests of mine at all, especially if they were just going to disappear into another room to wrap the kids' presents.

My friends and I would think it was cute and fun, and I'd enjoy being a small part of their children's big Christmas surprise. I might even ask if they had enough paper and tape, or if they needed some of mine.

It's not unusual for parents of small children to get pretty harried around this time of year. I'm sure they never meant to leave it so late. And finding last-minute child care so they can come over and wrap presents before 2pm is probably impossible. I feel pretty sorry for them, to be honest. Next year, I'm sure they'll find somewhere else to hide the gifts.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Probably something that should have been set up when you agree to store the items:

Neighbor: AKL MEgs, would you mind storing X & Y in your garage so that my recipients don't come across them.

AKL Megs: Sure! Do you have an idea of when you want to pick them up?

Neighbor: I was hoping to store them until Christmas.

AKL Megs: Okay, but I expect guests and I would prefer to not disrupt the festivities, do you have an idea of what day and time?

Neighbor: Christmas Eve at 6ish?

AKL Megs: I'm expecting my guests then, will 1:00 work?

Neighbor: How about 2?

AKL MEgs: Okay, I'll make a note of that. 2:00, Christmas Eve!



The thing about storing stuff for someone for Christmas day, I Would have assumed that they might want it on Eve and as late as you could swing it.

Additionally, it wouldn't bug me to excuse myself from my guests to let my neighbor in the garage. But that is just me.

It's a big commitment to be Santa's storage shed. Why I probably wouldn't agree to do it.

 

[snowywhite89]

Our neighbors/friends, after Thanksgiving, asked if they could store some large gifts for their kids at our house. (A TV and some big toys.)

We agreed.

They haven't wanted them back and haven't wanted them back.

Yesterday, they asked if they could come and wrap and get them today. I told said we were having guests most if the day, but they could come NOW. They said they couldn't because they had the kids.

Okay.

So, now they are mad because we aren't being "accommodating" since we gave them such short notice (they have from now until 2pm) to come and wrap, take home, and find someone to watch the kids.

Never again. Oh, and you're welcome.

Why would you expect them to take them to their house to wrap when their kids are there?

Right not I am storing a neighbor's gifts. I expect to have them until after the kids are asleep.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Understood that the parents might need, even expect, to store the gifts until after the kids fall asleep Christmas Eve. But it really doesn't matter that they're harried and can't find child care - they really should have arranged well in advance of today to WRAP the gifts! What was their backup plan if AKLMeg wasn't home today??????????????

 

[Liberty Belle]

This is what I was thinking, too.

Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem with my neighbours sticking their heads in for a moment, even if I had guests over. We're pretty informal - it wouldn't disturb any guests of mine at all, especially if they were just going to disappear into another room to wrap the kids' presents.

My friends and I would think it was cute and fun, and I'd enjoy being a small part of their children's big Christmas surprise. I might even ask if they had enough paper and tape, or if they needed some of mine.

It's not unusual for parents of small children to get pretty harried around this time of year. I'm sure they never meant to leave it so late. And finding last-minute child care so they can come over and wrap presents before 2pm is probably impossible. I feel pretty sorry for them, to be honest. Next year, I'm sure they'll find somewhere else to hide the gifts.

I agree. Plus, they may think you're the one being unreasonable. Before you have kids, it's hard to know what a life is like with them - things are different and people tend to have to be more flexible. And then after you have kids for a while, you forget what it's like to not have them - how you like to do things a certain way and stick to that way.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

They should have told you long ago when they were going to wrap them and pick them up. Having said that, I would have no problem letting them in while I had company over.

 

[luvmy3]

Understood that the parents might need, even expect, to store the gifts until after the kids fall asleep Christmas Eve. But it really doesn't matter that they're harried and can't find child care - they really should have arranged well in advance of today to WRAP the gifts! What was their backup plan if AKLMeg wasn't home today??????????????

I was thinking the same thing.

I wouldn't mind them coming over to wrap and get the gifts while guests were there. I assume they'd be in and out and not want to eat and mingle at the get together.

 

[mefordis]

They should have told you long ago when they were going to wrap them and pick them up. Having said that, I would have no problem letting them in while I had company over.

I'd do the same.

 

[hulagirl87]

You mean you didn't wrap the gifts FOR them, what kind of neighbor are you? If they don't get there by 2p, I say plug in the TV and crack out the games for your guests to play today while visiting.

that's fantastic!

But seriously. what would they have done if you weren't going to be home and they couldn't get to the gifts? way to wait til the last minute.

 

[mickeyboat]

Really? You are flipping out about this? It isn't easy as a parent to keep the Christmas magic alive. I would think that you would be willing to do whatever it took to help - since you may need to be on the receiving end some day.

 

[msjprincess]

What's the big deal if they come over while your guests are there?

 

[kathie859]

I can't imagine any Christmas guest being upset that a neighbor was dropping by to wrap presents to surprise their children

 

[scottishduffy]

If someone had asked me to store gifts for their little ones for Christmas I would assume that meant I was keeping the item until Christmas Eve late into the evening. After all, the whole purpose of storing it was so that the kids didn't see it until christmas morning.

I would think having them in a seperate area of your home would not be too bad. Heck, if they are your friends then casually introduce them to your family members who are over. I have had friends swing by during family events before. My extended family almost enjoys putting a face to some of the names they hear about. In fact, my parents are currently begging to meet a good friend of ours J who has a little 3 yr old girl that we refer to as our Niece. They hear so much about her and want to meet her. I think they even got Niece a christmas gift, and they have never met her.

Considering that you are expecting and will most likely need to hide gifts in a couple years I would be slightly more understanding and not burn this bridge.

It is next to impossible to find a last minute sitter on Christmas Eve, heck it can be difficult to get one for this day even WITH notice. When I worked for a sitter agency in high school we would get triple pay for Christmas Eve and New years. Our dates would be booked 3 months out for those days. Sure, one parent could go get the gifts but then you have to try to dodge the kids and keep them from seeing it all day and killing the magic of Santa.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Understood that the parents might need, even expect, to store the gifts until after the kids fall asleep Christmas Eve. But it really doesn't matter that they're harried and can't find child care - they really should have arranged well in advance of today to WRAP the gifts! What was their backup plan if AKLMeg wasn't home today??????????????

This is what I was thinking too. Not everyone is home all day on Christmas Eve. The neighbors should have made sure that they were on the same page as you as to when they could come get them.

 

[anniemae]

Eh, I would have been a little ticked too, but I would probably have called them a few days ago to nail down a time for them to come over since everyone is busy this time of year.

I also would not have minded in the least if they came over while I had company over.

 

[okeydokey]

If you are going to be home, I don't see the big problem with them coming tonight or later today.

 

[doxdogy]

I honestly do not understand why you are so upset. This is one of the times not to sweat the small stuff. All the kids in our family are grown and so are the kids of our friends. But if a neighbor asked to store gifts over at our house, I would just assume it would be until late on Christmas Eve.