Regretful Re-gifter

[WORKS_Steph]

Dear Nicole,

I was invited to my manager’s baby shower and totally forgot to get her a present. Last minute I pulled the old regifting trick and gave her a parenting book I was given when I had my first baby (never read it—figured the maternal instinct would kick in sooner or later.) A few weeks after the shower my manager left the book on my desk with a note saying “Think you might want to keep this.” Turned out my friend had written a note on the inside cover of the book wishing me the best with my new baby. I feel like a complete ass. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Regretful Re-gifter
Tulsa, OK

What do you think she should do?

[FITC1569]

You could sincerely apologize and tell her you must have switched the books on accident. Get her a new copy and maybe write your own little message inside. Explain to her that you liked the book so much that she might like it too. That's probably what I would do ...

Best of luck!

[MizzExecutive]

You could tell her the truth, or the girl above me (FITC1569) has a great idea as well!
Good Luck!

[lharper]

im withh the other two with the buying a new book and saying that i liked it so much i had to get you one and i must have gotten them mixed up i would let her know how embarrassed you are

[bewitched3565]

I think buying a new book and telling her you gave
her the wrong one by mistake sounds great, that way
she is none the wiser and by saying you like it so
much you thought she might like it to really will
convince her that you just made a small goof on picking
up the wrong book. That is exactly what I would do
in this situation.

[NicoleWilliams]

Totally agree with the others. You guys are good!

-nlw

[jans]

I would say lesson learned. If you are going to regift you better be sure of who gave it to you. I never regift. I would go out and buy her a nice present and then explain to her what really happened. Telling her that you got the books mixed up will make her wonder why the book was in such good shape (not read). It makes you look like you don't even care about gifts you get.
She is probably more hurt that you didn't care enough to even try. You made yourself appear as if you don't value her enough to even bother going out and getting her a present.