OK. Ugh. I'm stuck for an answer...and ettiquette. My boss ordered a bouquet for her husband- to be delivered to his office on Monday. His office happens to be in the same town where my MIL lives. I will be seeing her on Saturday for M-Day. She offered to deliver it to him. I'll just have to give her the bouquet on Saturday, and it will live at her house for 2 days until she drops it off. I was really happy when she suggested this- as I was clueless as to how else to get it to him. Then it hit me. OH NO!! Their house is the kind of house that has had years and years of cigarette smoke that has seeped into every pore of every room. Anytime we go over there- we have to immediately shower when we get home. I absolutely know that the bouquet will reek! So....what do I package it in so it won't, and how do I explain to her not to open the package until she gets to the office?? Ideas??
What about those big cellophane bags that are meant to cover gift baskets? Tie it up with pretty ribbon and she won't be tempted to open it...hopefully!
Can you not just explain to your boss that you have no way of delivering the bouquet to his office on the Monday? Suggest that maybe she knows one of his co-workers that would be willing to lend a hand? That would eliminate your MIL's house completely and it would be easy to explain to your MIL why her help (although appreciated), is not required any longer.
That's a really tough spot to be in...
I'd almost want to make the trip to deliver it myself. Cig smoke is so disgusting. I attended a wedding once that when the reception was over, the bride's Mom gave me the left over cake. The next day when I went to have a piece, it tasted like cig. smoke. So I would deliver it myself, what if she would drop it or something
jen
You absolutely cannot have it sitting at your MIL's house for two days. Even if it's covered in cellophane, that will stink. I honestly would be grossed out by anything like that delivered to me. I think you're going to have to deliver it yourself.
EEWWWWWW!!!!! Please don't leave it at your MIL's house. That will fall back on you and you do not want that. I would be grossed out if I received that. I hate Cig Smoke and the smell and everythign about them!! Ewwwww!!!!
I agree with Audraj - if someone delivered something to me that smelled anything like a cigarette I would just be so disgusted! I am such a cigarette snob. If you just cannot deliver it to her on Monday maybe you could go by Sunday evening and leave it on her doorstep.
Okay. Some how I missed the part where this was your MIL's house. I thought it was the wife! LOL! Yep, agree with everyone.....find another way to get it delivered.
Even if the cookies don't pick up the smell, the wrapping will. And I think it would even seep through the plastic if you went that route. Be very careful how you handle this with your MIL. Sometimes smokers don't realize when something reeks of smoke, they are around it all the time. I can't stand to stay at my mothers because of this, and if I comment on something of mine smelling like smoke she gets extremely defensive. Good luck on this one!
Well, crap! I thought I had worked it all out in my head last night- and now I read this...I really appreciate all of the comments!!! What to do- what to do...I CANNOT deliver it myself on Monday. I work full time, and the garage would be waaay too hot. So...this is what I'm thinking. I'll give it to her double wrapped in those big ziploc bags- you know- the kind that you can put sweaters in?? I think that will keep the smoke off of them. Then she'll have strict instructions to remove all of the ziplocs right before she goes into the office building. She herself will be trailing the stench of smoke behind her- but hopefully the cookies will be alright!! I certainly don't want to put my business in jeopardy. But honestly I can't deliver them myself. If I had a regular job where I could take an extended lunch I would do that. But as a teacher I do not have that luxury. Oh well- I can only do what I can do. I'mn gonna give it a try. I think if it's double bagged and removed in the car it will be OK. I'll tell her it's so well sealed so that the cookies stay fresh!
You do not have someone that would help you out? I'd hate to see your hard work get destroyed, as she will not be as careful taking them out of the bag as you were putting it in, and transporting it as well?
Ew. My husband smokes and has been "promising" for 3 yrs that he'll quit. It's nasty, why would you pay $5 a box for something that will KILL you? Yeah, getting fat off a $100 cake will kill you, too, but at least it TASTES GOOD!
I don't understand it either. I think she senses that we don't bring our baby over there because of the smoke. So I'm not sure why she continues...
Thinking more about it- I think I will put it in a box, too- to make it easier for transport. At this rate I might as well ship it!! As a side note- I will OBSESS over this until he gets it and raves about it. Oh well- guess I will get to stop driving myself crazy on Tuesday!...and I am Soooo tired. Have a mnother's day order of 15 bouquets that I've been prepping- and staying up late each night, since I can't get any work done until my daughter goes to bed. Can't wait for this week to be over!!! (I mean I'm ecstatic for the orders- but yeesh- when it rains it pours!
Sorry, I have to agree with others...I don't see anyway the smoke seeping into the cookies can be avoided. Regardless of how they are packaged. My dad and step-mother smoke and everything that comes from their house tastes like smoke...even things they buy that are packaged and give to our kids (fruit snacks for example). When they give my kids things, I tell the kids they can't have any until snack time, and when our company leaves the food goes in the trash.
Unfortunately people who smoke just don't realize how offensive the smoke is to those who don't smoke!
Is there any way you can have it ready by Friday to give to your boss then? I agree with all of those above who have said there's no way to avoid the taste/smell, and that's definitely NOT the image you want to project!!! There has to be some other way to get this done and avoid the cigarette smoke...
It doesn't matter what you package this in - it's going to reek. I know what kind of house you are talking about because I've been to one. And just the thought of it makes me feel queasy.
I honestly do not think he will be raving about this delivery if you are going to send it through your MIL. I doubt you'll hear anything at all because he'll be too embarassed to tell you how grossed out he is.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but you are really putting your reputation on the line here. I would say in future, if you are left in this type of predicament, you really should not offer delivery service. I would send it by courier if I had to in order to avoid what ultimately will be a very big disappointment.
i agree with Audraj. Send it by courier. I don't know what the price is over there but here in our town it is only $5. Small price to pay to keep the smoky smell/taste away.
Here's another thought ....
Does your MIL smoke in her car? Even if you somehow manage to keep it smoke free while at her house, it still has to travel with her in a small space filled with cigarette smoke.
I have to confess. I just quit smoking three months ago. The number one reason? The smell on me and my clothing. I didn't smoke in the house, or in the car when the kids were with me, but guess what my car always smelled like? And after going outside for a cig, I'd come in and hang my jacket in the closet at the front door. Guess what everyone else's jackets (and the foyer) smelled like? No one else in the house smoked - it was all because of me. Disgusting - and expensive. Here in Ontario - around $9 a pack - $270 a month... $3285 a year. To kill ourselves slowly (and surely) - not a nice death either.
I'd go with a courier. Discuss it with your husband's boss. She might cover that expense. HAHA it would be funny if you find out that he (the recipient) is a smoker as well!
OK- well- I'm exploring shipping options...can we say EXPENSIVE??? What if wrap the heck out of it, and ask her to keep it in the refrigerator?? I guess then I'm at the mercy of onion odor, but at least it wouldn't be smoky. Ugh...
UPDATE: I found someone else (non-smoker) and very dependable to deliver my bouquet. Granted- I'm going to have to give him coffee money...but my reputation is worth it. I feel soooo much better. Thanks for talking me out of it, guys. I can be quite stubborn Now I have to figure out what to tell my MIL ....
Just tell her you found out that someone you know is headed that way anyway and said they'd deliver it for you, and that you were so glad because you really didn't want to burden her with this! And don't forget to thank her profusely for offering to help you out, and tell her how much you appreciate her thoughtfulness...(so on and so forth). Hopefully that will keep her happy, because it really was nice of her to offer her help, and I really don't think you're ready to explain the true reason why her help was not "needed". Good luck, and post a pic for us to see!!!
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