NationStates Jolt Archive

Every now and then I get a gift from someone close that I really don't like.
I'm sure this happens to others on occasion too. What do you do?

For the poll, let’s assume that the friend is a moderate friend, who you have contact with occasionally (maybe once a month), who gave a gift that was an average price and of moderate sentimental value. I.e., average on all counts. Also assume that you're a considerate person and don't tell them that you hate their gift. Furthermore, options with the phrase "throw it away / donate it immediately" and "get rid of it" include any form of getting rid of a gift (e.g. regifting, throwing it away, donating, giving it to a friend.)

say thanks when you get it and then forget about it. maybe take it to charity shop a few months later.

Anyone who gives you a gift usually thinks you will like it. If you don't, lie and pretend you do. People say lying is bad, I call it telling people what they want to hear.

I don't use it, but I say thanks and that stuff.

Every now and then I get a gift from someone close that I really don't like.
I'm sure this happens to others on occasion too. What do you do?

For the poll, let’s assume that the friend is a moderate friend, who you have contact with occasionally (maybe once a month), who gave a gift that was an average price and of moderate sentimental value. I.e., average on all counts. Also assume that you're a considerate person and don't tell them that you hate their gift.
it depends on the gift. I usually find a use for anything I'm given. it may not be the intended use, but i will endevor to use it.

clothes... I would wear, if it was gaudy even to my standards, then It's something i would wear at home.

Also assume that you're a considerate person and don't tell them that you hate their gift.

A considerate person would kindly explain that while the gift and the sentiment are greatly appreciated, the style/colour/scent/sound etc. of the gift happens to be one that you simply don't like and ask if the giver would mind if you exchanged it for something more to your taste.

This way, you don't have to throw the gift away, and you won't keep getting that type of thing as presents from this person.

Be honest in other words.

Uhmm....RE-Gift!

well, I never tell ANYONE what I really think of their gifts, besides, the only person who gets me really cool gifts is my hubby, everyone else's gifts suck.

so, the procedure for gifts

1 do I need it? if yes, then cool, if no...
2 can I use it? if yes, then cool if no....
3 can my kids use it? if yes then cool if no....
4 is it something my kids can take apart? if yes then cool, if not....
5 re-wrap it, with a post-it with who it was originally from and what it is....REGIFT!

I have a full closet of presents waiting for the correct person/occasion

it's always important to document who you got it FROM so that you can NOT re-gift it at an event they will be attending, if however you have to

"I loved it so much, I have been buying them for everyone!"

:p

my godmother gave me an absolutely disgusting dress wastecoat for xmas. i don't know what she was thinking. i've never worn wastecoat in my life and she knows i dislike dressing-up. she even asked me what i wanted beforehand and i said i didn't know. she suggested the waistcoat and i said absolutely not, and among other things she suggested a hipflask which would have been cool and i said so. so she goes and gets the waistcoat *slaps forehead*. anyway that's going straight to the charity shop as soon as i get back to jersey where i left it.

Shove it off on someone you don't like and later when you come to hate this average person, remind them of it every chance you get. Trust me on this, I've had experience.

When I get a gift I don't like, I feel really bad and guilty.. I usually either leave it where I got it and let someone else put it away.. or put it in the closet..

Never get rid of it.

it's always important to document who you got it FROM so that you can NOT re-gift it at an event they will be attending, if however you have to

"I loved it so much, I have been buying them for everyone!"

:p

haha! that's brilliant :D

Sell it.

Put on a fake smile and sound excited. Trade it in for something else next time I'm in town.

A considerate person would kindly explain that while the gift and the sentiment are greatly appreciated, the style/colour/scent/sound etc. of the gift happens to be one that you simply don't like and ask if the giver would mind if you exchanged it for something more to your taste.

This way, you don't have to throw the gift away, and you won't keep getting that type of thing as presents from this person.

Be honest in other words.

I think it really depends on how close the person is (less close, less honest), how serious the gift is (more serious... [I'm ambivalent, but I'll say] less honest), and what type of gift it is (sometimes changing the color, style, etc. doesn't make a difference.) Although I'm usually in favor of being more honest than most people, I think in most gift situations it's going a bit out of the way to be honest, and thus falls into the "inconsiderate" instead of "considerate" form of honesty.

Sell it.

Burn it in front of their eyes, then tell them to get down on their knees and beg for forgiveness.

Keep it. I'll find some use for it, most likely.

Offer it for sale/for free in as many places as possible. Someone will want it. If that fails, take it to a charity shop. So long as it's in working order and can be resold, they'll try and sell it. It'll probably be bought by the person who got it for you in the first place, and they'll give it to some other poor unsuspecting person.

Burn it in front of their eyes, then tell them to get down on their knees and beg for forgiveness.

I like your style...

I would just give it to my girlfriend, that way I don't have to keep the stupid gift and I please her as well. Win-Win situation.

I like your style...

What can I say? I like to make people pay for giving me useless crap that I don't want.

It would depend on how obvious it would be if I didn't have it. If it's something they'll never reasonably know if I've kept, then bye to it as soon as I get around to it.

Regifting is great, I had one dud gift end up several states away.

If they're going to see it, then I may keep it for a while and "disappear" it later.

But I'm pretty honest, too--and I've had the misfortunate of people thinking I liked stuff that I really hated! Rather than get crappy gifts of the same type over and over again, I would very likely find the most tactful way I could, to tell them their gift sucks...

Granted no matter how tactfully it is put, they usually end up disappointed and pissed, but I figure it's a can't-lose proposition. Either I get better stuff next time, or no more stuff from them. And since I thought their original stuff sucked, not getting more if it is not a loss either way!

For my close family, the point is moot. I blatantly ask for money! Money always fits, is always the right size, and never goes out of style. Of course, I started asking for it after getting way too many sucky gifts.

[Edit: w00t! My first 100 posts!]

Uhmm....RE-Gift!

Exactly. I can't believe that isn't a poll option!

Might as well use it, you know?

Exactly. I can't believe that isn't a poll option!

I assumed it was implied by "get rid of it." I've now elucidated the options further to take note of that.

This happens frequently because I collect teapots. People think that means any hideous bit of crockery that comes along (you know, teapots shaped like Santa, teapots shaped like Easter rabbits, teapots shaped like artichokes [I'm not kidding]). I put it on the shelf with my collection of Delft, Sadler, Royal Albert, etc. and, when a few months have passed, I give it to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. If it's noticed that it's gone, I blame the cat (who has, I must add, impeccible taste).

You just keep it and put it in some obscure place..

Eh I'm honest, If I don't like it, then I'll say "Thanks, but no Thanks". They're usually cool with it. Honesty is the best policy IMHO.

Ebay was designed for situations like these. Take any junk you don't want, put it on ebay. Some sucker- I mean, buyer will bid half their retirement fund just so they don't lose the friggin auction. It's absolutely great!