Opinions on gifts from smokers?

LibberDuck · December 2011

So my DH's aunt and family sent LO a bunch of gifts for Christmas and birthday. They are really cute and sweet, but his aunt is a heavy smoker and the gifts smell of smoke. There are two stuffed animal and a hand-knit hat. I think I can wash the stuffed animals but I'm a little nervous about the hat. It's really cute but it really reeks (I think because she is the one who smokes and she knit it). What should I do? Is it ridiculous that it bothers me?

OhSewCrafty · December 2011

I will never understand how smokers think that they don't affect people around them. My stepmother is pretty much a chain smoker and used to give us things that we could never get the smell out of. Sad It is not ridiculous that this bothers you. I'm picturing someone knitting a baby hat with a ciggy in their mouth getting mad for you. LOL

I'd try good old fashion washing (on gentle) and fresh air. I know its cold out, but it will still help. Good luck!

LibberDuck · December 2011

Thanks, ladies, I'm just scared of ruining the hat! It makes me really sad that she smokes so much. She's really great and I love her so much, but I refuse to take LO to their house because she smokes inside ALL THE TIME. When we were in town over the summer, we took LO to her work to see her just so we could avoid feeling awkward for refusing to go in the house.

jarebearsmom · December 2011

I had heavy smoker family member give me presents at my baby shower that I had to just throw out... then again it was onsies with stains all over them so...

PGASTL · December 2011

You are more patient than me, becuase honestly I would have just thrown them out. Maybe I would try to hand wash the hat and then let it air dry outside, but the stuffed animals would definitely go. Those things are impossible to ever really clean.

I also have a really sensitive sense of smell though!

lrn327 · December 2011

Since you really like her, I'd also try to give the animals and the hat a good washing. You definitely want to try and get the smoke residue off. I guess if I didn't like her that much, I would toss them too but it sounds like it's worth a shot. You could also wash it and then put in on LO, take a pic, send to her or post to FB, and then get rid of it.

xxbabycakesxx · December 2011

Its not ridiculous that it bothers you. It would bother me. Maybe I'm being over cautious or even a biotch but I would throw them out. Even if the gift was for me I would throw them out. I hate the smell of smoke and it gives me really bad headaches.

jillybean800 · December 2011

If one wash didn't take care of it, I would also throw it out.

Strunella · December 2011

My mom is a smoker, and this has been an ongoing issue for us. I would put the hat and stuffed animals outside in the cold air (or in the garage) to air out. Washing on delicate might also work for the animals. I do not take DS to my parents' house because I will not have him sitting in a smoky house, and frankly, I can't stand the smell of smoke myself. This has been a really frustrating problem and has definitely limited our interaction with my parents.

mrslucid · December 2011

jarebearsmom:
I had heavy smoker family member give me presents at my baby shower that I had to just throw out... then again it was onsies with stains all over them so...

That's horrible that someone would give you dirty onesies. I would have thrown them out as well.

[Deleted User] · December 2011

I'd wash it all too. If it gets ruined, well then it does. But you aren't going to ude it or want to keep it around if it doesn't get washed, YKWIM?

chrisncassie · December 2011

My MIL smokes, a LOT ...the PP's are right on, a gentle wash should do it ...there are some things that can't be washed, like a PNP for example ....a lot of the time, if you just set it out to "air out" for a few days.

it sucks, people that smoke in their house are stupid.

Mommysaurus123 · January 2012

Will it help to protect the hat if you put it in a lingerie bag before you put it in the wash?

Yeah... I don't get it. I'm so glad my MIL stopped smoking a few months ago (she had a cancer scare and quit cold turkey when she was in the hospital).

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