Wedding shower gift wrapping switch makes giver see red

Dear Diane: My sister-in-law, “Laura,” was having a bridal shower, and I purchased a fairly expensive gift that I placed in a very plain box. I then wrapped the box in a variety of expensive papers, bows, ribbons and flowers. Because there was a chance that I wouldn’t be able to attend the bridal shower, I asked a mutual friend, “Betty,” if she would be so kind as to take my gift with her. She agreed.

As luck would have it, I was able to attend the shower the next day. When I arrived, I looked for my extravagantly wrapped present on the gift table. It was nowhere to be found. I asked my mother-in-law, “Veronica,” if Betty had dropped off my gift. She said yes, she had — and pointed to a plain, ugly box at the far end of the table.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that several smaller presents were wrapped in the very same expensive papers, bows, ribbons and flowers that I had used on my gift. I mentioned this to my mother-in-law, and she said that she had run out of wrapping paper, so she used MY wrappings to wrap HER gifts! She said that she didn’t think I would mind.

I can’t tell you how upset I was — and still am — over this. I didn’t mention the switch to the bride-to-be, because I didn’t want to ruin her shower. But I don’t want Veronica to think she can get away with this. What should I do?

— Miffed in Minnesota

Dear Miffed: I think the time has passed for you to say anything. You were wise not to make a fuss at the bridal shower. Since you would have been criticizing the bride’s mother, you would have only come off as looking petty.

What you could do is ask your sister-in-law if you can use the paper from the gifts to wrap a present for her mother. I’ll bet she’s saved it.

Then, take your original wrappings and use them to wrap a box filled with bows, wrapping paper and ribbons to give to Veronica. It’s subtle, but maybe she’ll get the message.