07 January 2023 , 15:19
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When you move into a new house, especially if it's your first home, it's not uncommon to get your mates together to throw a housewarming party to celebrate the achievement of getting on the property ladder.
And while some people will bring home-related gifts to a housewarming such as plants, kitchen items, and ornaments, it should never be expected from your guests.
However, one woman has admitted she was left feeling "really upset" after she and her husband recently threw a housewarming party and were lucky enough to receive presents from all of their friends - except for one couple who turned up to the bash empty-handed.
Only one couple came to the housewarming empty-handed (stock photo) (Getty Images)The woman claimed she didn't expect presents from her friends, but found it upsetting that she didn't receive anything from the couple, as she blasted them for not apologising for coming to the party without a gift.
In a post on Reddit, she said: "I recently bought a new home (also our first ever house) with my husband and hosted a housewarming event for my friends. My husband and I treated our friends to a feast of food and drinks.
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"All of my friends graciously gave me gifts except for one friend and her fiancé. They came empty-handed and saw our other friends giving gifts to us. They did not apologise for not bringing a gift for us.
"I honestly did not expect huge monetary gifts, but a small token of appreciation would have been really nice. I appreciate my other friends giving me generous gifts but I was really upset that my one friend and her fiancé came empty-handed."
The woman also said she knows that the couple's financial situation "isn't the greatest", but continued to insist that even a congratulatory card would have been enough for her.
She added: "I understand their current financial situation isn't the greatest but I would've appreciated a handwritten card at least saying they are happy for us and that they appreciate us for treating them to free food and drinks. They did not spend any time sending a personalised message thanking me for the food and for inviting them over.
"To me, it's not about the value of the gift but it's about the thought that counts. Even if she shot me a message apologising and describing her situation, I would've been okay and would've let this go. So far, it has been radio silence and this has been bugging me.
"This friend and her fiancé gave housewarming gifts to my other friends in the group in 2022 so this is making me extra upset that they came empty-handed thinking it was ok."
But commenters on the post were not on the woman's side, as many of them insisted it was "entitled" and "greedy" of her to demand presents from people after already buying a house.
One person said: "Nobody is obligated to bring a housewarming gift. This post reeks of entitlement. Welcome guests with no expectation or only invite people who will make it worth your while."
While another added: "Why are you owed a gift for buying a house? Maybe for a birthday or something at a push, but even then you're not entitled to a gift. But seriously, the 'I have so much money I just bought a house, now get me a gift' mindset is really greedy."
And a third wrote: "Gifts shouldn't be expected for a housewarming. You should be happy your friends love you enough to celebrate with you. And a message apologising and explaining her situation? She doesn't owe you that either. Gifts aren't required so apologies for not bringing gifts are also not required."
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