Anja Rubik in 25 Magazine Spring 2010

Have You Ever Told Someone You Didn't Like Their Gift?

April 25, 2010

20 Comments

No, as I think that's rude. One time, I did receive a terrible gift that I highly suspect was a re-gift. The gift was NOT the person's taste, and certainly not my taste either. I simply said thank you. I ended up donating that item.

ticamorena 3 years 4 weeks

and honestly, if it's the thought that counts where gifts are concerned, then I'd be really alarmed about the thoughts that went into some of the gifts I've recieved; in many cases, not a lot of thought goes into it (eg last minute gifts/ it was on discount), and people give gifts acknowledging that if you don't like it, you can return/exchange it

ticamorena 3 years 4 weeks

yes I have, and I likewise appreciate it if people let me know that they don't like what I'm getting them - there is a manner in which to do this this tactfully, whoever invented this policy of having to lie about liking gifts just because they're gifted obviously didn't have understanding friends/family/partner

onlysourcherry 3 years 4 weeks

I agree with #11, depends on who it is and how close you are with them. My mother has excellent taste, but maybe 1/20 items of clothing she will get me will be duds. She'd rather return them and get the money back than have me keep it and never wear it. With someone like a friend or an in law, i would never do that.

danidaniramirez 3 years 4 weeks

I can't do it... maybe I would give it as a gift to another person just of get rid of it

marcied23 3 years 4 weeks

wow cheeky, that is gracious! I think i would've broke after a few Christmases and just asked her to not give me any gifts period, because they just seem rude (unless her mil is just totally clueless and thinks that those gifts are "helpful").

cheekyredhead 3 years 4 weeks

A small note...my sister is not overly hairy, does an excellent job with laundry and does not have a weight issue. I think those gifts were mean...and yet she defends and rationalizes them. Her husband is hairy. Her MIL thinks white clothes must be hung in the sunshine. The scale...gotten when she was pregnant...was a tool to use to keep her weight in a healthy margin. I marvel at her ability to be gracious and rationalize.

cheekyredhead 3 years 4 weeks

My sisters and I have been taught to always be gracious however I believe no one could touch the composure and depth of control my sister demonstrates with her MIL. She was without fail the master of graciousness when given the following gifts by her MIL.... 1st Christmas... a sink strainer for hair in the bathtub 2nd Christmas... a retractable clothesline 3rd Christmas... a bathroom scale Believe me...over 20 years of marriage and those first three gifts were only the tip of the iceberg. My sister is unquestionably the queen of graciousness. One might wonder if the gifts would have gotten better if she had spoken up. At some point I think no gift might be better than one so pointedly mean. It has become a private joke to see what ridiculous item she will get each year.

Bettye Wayne 3 years 4 weeks

I'm picky about what I wear and difficult to fit, but I love clothes. Every year my family gets me clothes, and every year as I open them I say which ones I like and which I don't. I guess they're all used to it by now!

3 years 4 weeks

I do it. But it depends on the situation and the person. If I'm not very close to the person, I will accept it with a smile. However, if it's someone I'm comfortable with and I know they have the receipt I will tell them. I'd rather they know and can exchange it, then waste their money on something I know I won't use and don't like. Something happened like this this past x-mas. My boyfriend brought me shoes, but they weren't the ones I had mentioned I liked. I really did not like the ones he got me and they were expensive, so I told him.

LittleMzFit 3 years 4 weeks

Gifts should be given and received with respect and honor. The same goes for the written and spoken word. (Sometimes, it takes years to realize this.) It's not the actual gift that matters, it's the thought that counts.

steen 3 years 4 weeks

My MIL loves buying purses for me and my SIL; she's usually pretty spot-on with our tastes but one year, she bought me one of the Dooney & Burke's, done in a pattern similar to the LV Murakami. I wasn't a huge fan; it was really sweet that she took the time to pick it out but it was a pretty good amount of money for something I didn't like. I wasn't obnoxious about it, just explained that D&B wasn't really my thing, and she totally understood and wound up keeping it for herself. It worked out well!

3 years 4 weeks

My mother in law does this all the time and so does my grandmother...great family, no? LOL

soapbox 3 years 4 weeks

Never, even though I get my share of crappy gifts. The worst though was this shiny, thin, low-cut, bubble dress which was covered with these rainbow butterflies. It even came with a scarf that didn't match at all. The entire gift was a disaster, but I smiled, said thank you and moved on. A gift is all about the thought that the person put into it. And even though this dress was fit for an exotic dancer, my friend still bought it for me with the little money she had and I really appreciated the gesture. Oh and Talldiva45, I respect the fact that you just skipped the drama and just x'd her off.

WTCelesta 3 years 4 weeks

My graduate school roommate ordered online a leather ipod case for my birthday. The case arrived with a big scratch, but she still gave it to me. I asked her if she can request a replacement, and I myself shipped it back to the shop. She probably just got a refund instead, because I did not get anything from that shop. Well, alas.

stellaRuby 3 years 4 weeks

I have with my husband. He has a really bad habit of waiting till the last possible min. to do shopping and then SURPRISE they don't have what I want or he wanted to get. He ends up buying things just to buy things, so I usually tactfully try to say "thanks, but no thanks." Usually though I try to be very excited and super thankful for any gift that is given to me.

Tabloid 3 years 4 weeks

I have to say... I did it ONCE and it was to my aunt. The story was... my uncle gaved me money for christmas and since we don't have chance see each others, he decided to give to it to this aunt so she could give it to me and well.. instead of giving the money to me, she took it and bought me a wallet! I find it so wrong and terrible! So yeah.. I told her I don't like it.

simplystella 3 years 4 weeks

I wouldn't, that would be definitely rude. @talldiva: wow, really? 0_0 this person has just redefined my meaning of "selfish b*tch"..

Talldiva45 3 years 4 weeks

There was one person who gave me a gift along w. a small group of friends. Let's just say she made it clear that she didn't care about me at all judging from the gift she gave me compared to the others - it was her intention to make me feel bad. I acted as if I liked the gift bc. I am not rude but I was hurt. (She gave me a gift that I saw from Victoria's Secret - a small tote w. body lotions/sprays but all I got was the tote - she took everything else out and kept it for herself or gave it to others). I just didn't bother speaking with her anymore after that....actions spoke louder than words. just like that tote - empty- I got the hint.

totygoliguez 3 years 4 weeks

No, that is just rude. If someone took the time to buy me something, the least I can do is to pretend I like it and be as excited as possible. People are busy, and you should be thankful that they took the time to buy you something, even if you don't like it.

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