“Gee, you shouldn’t have. No, really you shouldn’t.” Sound familiar? It’s that predicament we face each year when confronted by those around us who invariably have poor taste and attempt to thrust their impaired gift-buying judgement upon us. Of course, you should accept anyone’s generosity graciously, but what do you do when left with armfuls of useless junk, or worse, decidedly hideous accoutrements that the donor considers worthy of display in your home?
Perhaps you have a crazy aunt who wraps objects around her house and gives them to you as gifts. Does a half-eaten pineapple adorned with a ribbon sound like something you’ve received? What about a half-used deodorant stick? Maybe there’s a friend who gives you an annual Jonathan Taylor Thomas calendar, despite your never liking Home Improvement, or when you were a teenager, supposed heartthrobs who look like Melissa Etheridge before she came out. Yes, that friend sucks, but it doesn’t mean you have to hurt their feelings.
Instead, when it comes to receiving the unwanted, much like relatives, others’ boring, loudmouthed or sleazy significant others, or unplanned children, it’s best to demonstrate a little diplomacy. Thank your friend for the gift and for being so thoughtful, and although it might pain you to smile, do so … warmly. Remember that the gift giver has taken the time and expense to buy something that they think you’ll enjoy, however erroneously so.
Yes, there are people who go without each Christmas and although we’re not going to be those people—there are sufficient folk like this in the northern region of your principal locality to do this for us—it’s something you should remember briefly before you shove their ghastly present into the back of the cupboard on the off chance they’ll come for a visit in the new year!
Published on 23 December 2011 by Agony Uncle