How to Be Tactful When You Receive a Gift You Don’t Want

Received a gift you really don’t want? Most of us receive gifts we don’t like or want each year and it can be tricky knowing how to respond. You don’t want to hurt the giver’s feelings or make it seem like you aren’t grateful. However, you also don’t want to receive the same type of gift again.

Here, we’ll look at how you can be tactful when you receive a gift you don’t like.

Write a Thank You Note

Firstly, thank the giver by writing them a thank you note. Within the note, you should mention the gift and how you appreciate it. A good example would be:

“Dear Sarah,
I’m so happy you came to my birthday celebrations. Thank you so much for the [insert gift], but more importantly for being a part of my special day. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

The above is just one example of a tactful thank you note. As you can see, you don’t need to talk about whether or not you liked the gift. Simply thanking them for it shows your appreciation.

Should You Tell Them?

This would really depend upon how close you are to the person. If you are really close and comfortable being 100% truthful with one another then telling them could prevent future disappointment. However, for the most part it’s better not to tell them that you don’t like the gift.

If you were to tell them, it could hurt their feelings or make them feel bad for getting you a gift you didn’t like. Remember, it’s the thought behind the gift that counts, not the gift itself. This brings us onto the next point…

Appreciate the Thought behind the Gift

It’s easy to be disappointed by a bad gift. However, you’ll find it much easier to be tactful if you take time to appreciate the thought behind the gift.

When you focus on how nice it is that the person gave you a gift, it helps you to present a more natural, grateful reaction. You’ll be able to thank them more sincerely by focusing on the gesture, rather than the gift itself.

Ask Questions about the Gift

You can avoid showing your disappointment by asking questions about the gift. Ask enthusiastically about how to use it, whether they have one, what they love about it. When you talk about the gift, it shows your interest.

Keep Smiling

Above all else, keep smiling. The giver will be able to tell that you don’t like the gift if you let your smile falter. So, focus on maintaining a smile and if you need to, fake it. After all, the reason they are giving you a gift is because they think it will make you smile. So, appreciate the thought and give them your biggest smile as you graciously accept their gift.

These are some of the best ways to be tactful when you receive a gift you don’t want. While telling them may be tempting, it’s much better to be polite and pretend that you like it, appreciating the thought behind the gift.