It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a gift or two that we could seriously do without. For instance, a woman I know gets irritated every year because her mother-in-law always buys her children discounted clothing that isn’t the right size or isn’t seasonally appropriate, and yet can’t be returned. A friend of mine once received a book from a relative, and when she opened it up she realized that it had been regifted because someone had written a dedication to the relative who’d given it to her. Sometimes “bad gifts” aren’t necessarily bad. My friend just got her nephew a toy he’d specifically requested for his birthday. When she asked him how he liked it, he blurted out that family friends had bought him the same exact toy already, simply out of the blue. Awkward!
But expressing disdain for a gift isn’t the most gracious behavior. My friend’s mother-in-law shops at discount stores because she can’t afford to spend much money, and it seems bad form to criticize her for it when the clothes can simply be saved for the warmer months or donated to Goodwill.
If something is the wrong size, don’t just ask for a gift receipt straight away. Try the item on, and the gift-giver should be able to tell right away that it doesn’t fit and needs to be taken back. (Personally, I like to tuck the gift receipt into the package if I’m giving clothing, so they have the option of returning or exchanging the item.)
Ultimately, the best thing to do is bite your tongue and avoid criticizing the gift you’ve been given. If it really doesn’t have a use or place in your home, either donate it, sell it online through eBay or Amazon Marketplace, swap it with a friend, or take it back to the store. And yes, you still have to send a thank you card.
With that in mind, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday tomorrow. Merry Christmas!
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