Buzz
Receiving a gift can often feel awkward, especially when the giver, whether it’s your mom or a coworker, has clearly invested time and thought into selecting it. With these expectations in mind, anything less than an enthusiastic reaction might leave them feeling disappointed once you open the carefully wrapped gift box.
A user on Reddit, u/bravoteam127, expressed this same sentiment. “I feel like I’m bad at receiving gifts,” they shared. “I never feel like I give the right reaction, and it makes me feel awful.” It gets even trickier when the gift is less than ideal—how are you supposed to react then?
If you tend to keep a neutral expression while opening gifts—and wish you could be kinder to yourself for it—here are a few tips. First, make sure to say “thank you” and show your gratitude. Patricia Rossi, an author and keynote speaker specializing in business etiquette, suggests doing so, even if it’s a re-gift. “Act excited, no matter what,” she advised over the phone.
If you’re struggling to find the right words or don’t feel excited, u/medullah suggests framing the gift in a way that shows your gratitude. “What I’ve found that works right away is thinking of how I could use the gift, whether or not it’s true,” they shared. “A few years ago, my parents gave me a wall outlet tool to monitor the power usage of specific devices. I told them, ‘Oh, great! I was planning to get one of these to track my dehumidifier!’” (Our video producer, Joel, also recalls a scene from The Office where Pam gives Jan a less-than-ideal bottle of wine. Jan responds, ‘This will be perfect for cooking.’)
If you’re not fond of the gift
In case you receive something like a tacky sweater or another undesirable gift, Rossi has a helpful suggestion. “It’s always a good move to say, ‘I love the color,’” she advises. “Look for something positive to say.” For example, if it’s an item of clothing, you could compliment the brand. If it’s a book you’re not interested in, maybe praise the author’s choice (or at least acknowledge that you know who they are).
In some cases, being honest might be effective—but it should be used cautiously. Our video producer, Heather, has faced this situation. “If my mom gives me something I know I’ll never wear, I know she’d prefer to get me something I actually like,” she shared. “I’ll say, ‘Thank you, but this really isn’t my style. Maybe we can go back to the store and exchange it.’”
If the roles are reversed, and you’re struggling to find the right gift for someone, Rossi suggests keeping it simple. “Money is always a safe bet—it never comes in the wrong size or color.”
