Sometimes we receive gifts that we don’t really enjoy, like fruitcake, or that sweater that’s 3 sizes too large. As a result, there are generally 5  different things you can do with it: throw it out (without telling the gift-giver),  keep it but never use it, re-gift it (without telling the gift-giver), return the gift to store it was bought from if purchased (without telling the gift-giver), or return it to the person that gave it to you. It is a better idea to choose the first four or even the middle three options listed above. The last option is generally the most rude and the worst option since essentially you are directly inferring to the person that gave you the gift that you do not like it, do not want it, and sometimes do not appreciate it. Here’s why:

It’s Sometimes Better to Lie

When kids ask their parents where babies come from, their parents lie until the time is right. The same is with gifts. Sometimes it is better to thank your friend or family member for the gift and smile rather than say that you do not wish to accept it except, unlike parenting, you should never later state that you wanted to return the gift back to them. Stuff like this can break bonds for a few weeks or sometimes even for months before both the gift giver and receiver make up.

Next Time You May Get Cash or Not Get a Gift at All

For all you know, you may get a better gift next year than the one you received this year by a certain person. If you told that person that you want to return their gift, next year you might just get cash because the person may feel that you do not like their taste in gifts. Althought cash allows you to get whatever you want, it is such a boring gift. Some people may not give you a gift the next year if you tell them that you want to return their gift because they personally feel as though their gift has little meaning in your viewpoint.

It’s Just Plain Rude

Being direct about wanting to return a gift may seem blunt to the gift-giver like you don’t care how the gift-giver feels. That’s generally not the kind of message you want to display since someone paid with their own money for a gift just for you or put effort into making one. If you tell someone you want to return their gift, try to be as respectful as possible. In most cases if you tell someone you want to return their gift, they will take you as being rude which is quite true. In many cultures, it is more respectful to accept a gift rather than to deny it.

Exceptions: Allergies, Not Appropriate, Too Expensive

There are exceptions to this concept, but you must return the gift RESPECTFULLY! Let’s say you are allergic to peanuts but someone got you peanut-filled-chocolates without knowing about your allergy. Since it would be a heath hazard to keep it around the house, you could return the gift to the giver while explaining your medical condition. Sometimes a gift may not be appropriate in your opinion. Thus you could respectfully deny the gift when you receive it. Finally, sometimes people give gifts that are just too much like for example getting an iPad for Christmas from your brother or sister. Although it may be what you wanted, you may feel guilty for receiving such an extravagant gift and thus may tell them to return it because it is just too much for one person as a gift.