ALT-1 How to Receive a Lousy Gift Graciously
We see on the television scenarios where people receive obnoxious presents, and in anticipation of the gift joke with the giver by using the phrase "Did you keep the receipt ?".
Some people really don't know how to choose presents and make a mess of it. Balancing out expectations and what people actually give you, it may be wise to go by the adage that I use for life, which says that those who expect nothing will never be disappointed.
When faced with that situation of opening a parcel you looked forward to, do it graciously expecting nothing. What it is doesn't matter. What matters is that someone decided you were worth it, and you did something that merited recognition, for whatever reason. My attitude is that saying thank you with a smile works better than being ungrateful, and even if people get it wrong, at least they tried.
Looking at the benefits of mistakes, there are a whole host of people out there that are short of the material things in life, and rather than passing it on to someone that may think the same as you did, how about giving it to a charity shop, or someone that needs it more than you ?
The problems that arise from the gift that you detest are that at any time that same friend may pass by to see if you used it. I have had hideous pictures, ornaments that really are not my style, and have always been conscious that those who gave them may visit. In these cases, the excuses I use save face, stop you from hurting someone's feelings, and allow you to move on. "We are changing the house around and I am sure it will find it's place" is a great answer, and even though that place may be in someone else's home, you aren't actually lying.
Buy your presents with care and be ever conscious that you may be that giver that gives presents not worth having. With care in choice, you may lessen the embarrassment of friends, and the purpose that gifts like this have is that they are a constant reminder that knowing your friends sufficiently to care about the choices you make will enhance the spirit of giving.
