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Woman Says Best Friend Called Her 'Stingy' for Giving Wine and $70 as a 21st Birthday Gift to Someone She'd Never Met

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/12 .. st-birthday-gift-to-someone-she-d-never-met.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 1:38 GMT by People
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In a recent People.com story, a woman revealed that her best friend had called her “stingy” after she gave her a cash gift specifically for buying wine—a practice that has become a quirky new trend in gift‑giving circles. The incident sparked a conversation about the evolving norms around birthdays, friendship, and what constitutes a thoughtful present.

The Incident

The woman—who has not publicly disclosed her name—sent her friend $75 as “wine money” for the friend’s birthday. The cash was meant to be a flexible, personalized gift that allowed the friend to choose her own bottles. According to the story, the friend, who was surprised by the gesture, responded by calling her “stingy.” The woman felt both hurt and confused, as she believed she was giving a generous and well‑intentioned gift.

In a statement to People, she explained that the $75 was “a meaningful amount for a birthday present,” and she had specifically chosen wine money because the recipient loves wine and appreciates having the freedom to pick the wines she likes. “I was so excited about the idea of giving her something that she could actually use and enjoy,” she said. “But when she called me stingy, I was taken aback because I thought I was being thoughtful.”

The Gift of Wine Money

The concept of wine money has been gaining traction in social media circles over the past year. It is essentially a cash gift earmarked for purchasing wine, allowing the recipient to choose their preferred varietals, vintage, and bottle size. Many people see it as a practical alternative to expensive bottles or wine baskets, especially when they are unsure of the recipient’s taste or wine knowledge.

People.com previously ran a feature titled “The Rise of Wine Money: A New Trend in Birthday Gifting,” which highlighted how wine enthusiasts and influencers are leveraging this concept to create personalized gift experiences. The article underscored that wine money can be seen as both a budget‑friendly and a socially responsible option, reducing waste and ensuring that the recipient actually receives a product they desire.

Friends and Social Media Dynamics

The conflict between the two friends was amplified by their shared presence on social media. The woman’s post about the “stingy” comment included screenshots of the conversation, and her friend’s own posts expressed frustration at the misunderstanding. The back‑and‑forth exchange drew attention from the couple’s mutual followers, prompting other users to weigh in with their own opinions about what constitutes an appropriate birthday gift.

One commenter noted, “It’s weird to see someone call you stingy for giving money to buy wine. If you’re giving money for a cause, it’s generous, but maybe the person didn’t want the money for a bottle.” Another user suggested that the disagreement might stem from misaligned expectations: the giver believed the gift was generous, while the recipient perhaps expected a tangible bottle.

The Bigger Picture

The People.com story invites readers to reconsider the value of cash gifts in a culture that increasingly favors experiential or “experience‑based” presents. Giving money to buy wine acknowledges the recipient’s tastes while also providing flexibility. However, as the incident demonstrates, it also underscores the importance of clear communication about gift intentions and expectations within friendships.

The woman expressed a desire to have a candid conversation with her friend to clear up the misunderstanding. “I want to explain why I thought it was a nice gift, and I want her to know I value our friendship,” she said. “I’d love for us to resolve this and move past the stingy label.”

The article ends by encouraging readers to reflect on how their own gift‑giving practices might be perceived by recipients, and to think about whether a cash gift, no matter how well‑intentioned, aligns with the friend’s personal preferences and expectations.