What to do when you receive a ‘bad’ gift this Christmas, and how to react
It’s Christmas morning and everyone is excitedly unwrapping their presents from under the tree. You open one up and it’s not quite your taste… what do you do?
Firstly, you’re not alone in this awkward situation. Research from Gumtree shows that Britons are expected to spend £3 billion on unwanted gifts, with nearly a fifth of presents no longer being used by spring 2024.
Gumtree’s survey also found that British adults are set to give a total of 61 gifts to friends and family, costing an average of £391. This is despite nearly half (43%) of Brits being worse off financially this festive season, due to pressures from the cost of living crisis.
Receiving an unwanted gift is inevitable at some point in life, but you don’t have to fret about how to respond so that the gift-giver doesn’t feel disappointed or embarrassed.
Gift-giving expert Prashant Patel, owner of Personalised Bee, provides her top tips for how you can respond politely - and still make the most of it.
She says: “As the cost of living crisis continues to stretch wallets, being sensitive about what people buy you this holiday is more important than ever.”
How to react
If you’ve received a gift that is “bad” or doesn’t really match your taste, saying “thank you” anyway can help diffuse the awkwardness, Patel says.
“It is important, especially at Christmas, to always be gracious and never show negative emotion as this could hurt the other person’s feelings.
“Also, ensure your body language and facial expressions are relaxed as any signs of frustration could expose your true feelings.”
Is it rude to ask for a receipt?
This is where things might get tricky, but as long as you remain gracious and sensitive to how the gift-giver is feeling, you might be able to get away with asking for a gift receipt.
However, you might not need one at all, which would save you the discomfort of having to ask.
“Many online stores allow exchanges without a gift receipt if the item is in its original package,” Patel says. “Ask for a gift receipt only if you have a valid reason to return or exchange the present.”
How to avoid disappointment when you’re the gift-giver
Whether you’ve already sorted all your Christmas presents or you’ve got some last-minute shopping to do, it’s always a good idea to give a gift that reflects your own personality, Patel advises.
We often think that recipients want gifts that fall within their own interests, but Patel says recipients feel closer to the present when it reflects the giver’s personality.
“Rather than trying to show how much you know a person through what you purchase and become stumped with second guesses, gifts that are symbolic of the giver are highly appreciated.”
Another way to avoid an awkward Christmas morning is to simply ask the recipient what they would prefer or get the most use out of, as research shows that people appreciate gifts they have asked for.
“Ultimately, you need to put yourself in the recipient’s shoes and think about how they could get the most out of their present,” Patel adds. Physical gifts are more well-received, but things like concert tickets or practical gifts like gift cards can also bring plenty of enjoyment.
However, don’t be tempted to give money as a gift unless the recipient has asked for it. “Gifting money for Christmas might not always be the best idea. [It] may lack intimacy and appear like a hollow gift.”
Focus less on the presents
While presents are a big part of Christmas, it shouldn’t be the highlight. Gift-giving doesn’t guarantee an amazing Christmas, Patel says - spending time with loved ones does.
“A study from Research Gate found that there are higher levels of happiness when Christmas is focused on family and traditions, and lower wellbeing when the holiday is focused on spending money, which has become a greater issue in a cost of living crisis.
“The materialistic aspect of Christmas can seriously undermine the happiness of the holiday if you forget about the core of the festivities, which is kindness and family.”
Watch: 5 Tips for Wrapping Christmas Presents
Read more about Christmas:
Last-minute Christmas gifts on Amazon that will arrive by December 24 (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Sending kids to bed early on Christmas Eve is 'counterproductive', sleep expert says (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Last-minute Christmas gifts, family pyjamas and more reduced at M&S right now (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
