Surprised to receive a holiday gift from a family member or friend? If you are disappointed enough, it does not mean that your reaction will be in the same tones, this is not to hurt the feelings of the person who appreciated you through a gift.
According to ethics experts, how should you react if you are disappointed by the gift you received?
First, be honest. If someone has given you a piece of kitchen equipment that you know you'll never use or a piece of clothing that just doesn't fit, you can politely ask if there are any exchange options at the store.
If it's a shirt that doesn't fit you, you can say, “Oh, that's really nice. But, I don't know if you would mind if I change it to the right size?".
If you're a coffee lover but received a box of tea bags as a gift, donating might be the right thing to do. If you decide to recycle the gift, you can give it to someone outside the friend group of the person who gave the original gift. That way, he/she won't get hurt.
Ultimately, it's not the gift that matters, but the intention behind it.
You should thank them for the gesture, not the gift. The latter is secondary.
Thought, effort and love are what matter.
Source: Business Insider
