Iam somewhat ashamed to admit I do not know the proper etiquette when it comes to giving gifts.
What do you do with the giftbag that someone gives you their gift in? Do you keep it or is it apporpriate to put someone else’s gift in it and give them that gift (mind you, NOT hte same thing as re-gifting!)?
When you get something really tacky do you say anything? What do you do with the item if you never use it or touch it? Would it be appropriate to give away to someone else you know would never get in touch with that person who gave it to you? And even if it’s not appropriate, do you still do it? Cmon fess up!
On my 18th birthday my cousin forgot to call me on my birthdyay because she “forgot.” Then, because she felt bad, she takes me out shopping… for her boyfriend’s birthday gift. She buys him a crapload of stuff and she’s really picky and specific and it was a hellish day fr me because I was sick that entire month of May (mono). THEN we go home, and she gives me, as my gift, a tiny Nine West bag. She knows I don’t carry lil bags (well at the time). AND on the inside it was ripped. The tags were still attached and I knew for a fact that she had bought it for herself a few days earlier. This is wat she tells me: “Sorry I know it’s not a great gift but I just didn’t have time to go shopping.” (That bag now resides in Pakistan with a close relative who knows the story about it but liked the bag anyway so kept it)
I would keep the bag if it's in good condition rather than throwing it away, but I wouldn't use the same bag for the individual who gave it to me in the first place.
If I get something bad/horrible, I'd still thank them and appreciate the fact that I at least received something. If it's something that I know someone else would like, I would save it, otherwise trash it.
I always keep the bags and reuse them. Sometimes if it looks clearly used (like a bit wrinkled or so), then I just re-use it within the family. They don’t really care. :nahnah: Those bags are really expensive, and its not worth it, cuz it will get passed down anyway. Go to a dollar store and pick up your bags from there. You can usually get a pack of 3 for a dollar. :nahnah:
As for the gift - if you don’t like, keep it anyway. Somehow what I never like, a sibling, or cousin ends up taking it.
yeah of course the gift bag is in good condition and to that same person, but it’s understood that the recipient won’t keep the giftbag forever as if it’s part of the gift, so it’s not improper or Kanjoos to give the bag to someone else rite?
If someone gives me something that I dont have any particular use for, but they don’t know me that well, then I’m still thankful they give me something. But if it’s someone who knows me, who knows my taste, and they still give me crap, that pisses me off. My friend gave me a shirt for my birthday. It’s quite trashy actually and not my style at all. And I told her as much. She says “Sara it’s you.” Anothr time my cousin (yeah the same one above) gave me a manicure set and she knows I bite my nails.. I have a million examples like this
I usually reuse gift bags if they are in good condition (sometimes people give you reused gift bags and they are still in good enough shape to be reused again) but more often than not I buy new ones. I only regift if I know the person will like the item but otherwise I believe that we should give gifts that we would like for ourselves and not because we want to get rid of something and inshallah we will get sawaab for our intentions. I have gotten a lot of sucky gifts but I thank the person anyway. Any gift that I don't like and I know no one else would like (eg. something with a Christmas theme), I donate because there might be someone out there who might make use of it.
No it’s not kanjoos (think of it as recycling!!)…but yea i re-use girft bags also, but of course to some1 completely different who doesn’t even know the person who gave me the bag…as for the actual presents…i always accept them cos at least they thought of me and well maybe that’s the best they cud do u know…If u don’t like a present ur given, keep it anyway maybe some1 else u know cud find it useful…oh and maybe the cousin who gave u the manicure set who knows u bite ur nails was trying to help u, i mean maybe that’s her way of helping u…so stop biting and start filing hahah!
Okya how bout a bath set, of bath beads and stuff, if u never atke baths and only shower hain?? And PR, i don't get hwy people would do that. I mean why can't you give something that they could use, that they would like, instead of something that YOU would like? Like, my cousin who takes 1-hour long baths and home manicures, that's not me AT ALL so I would not appreciate a gift like that. I am happy with a card and "happy birthday' if it means i won't get shiitty gifts
If u don’t take baths, then give it to some1 who does or to charity…maybe they didn’t know u don’t take baths and if they did oh well…i think ur missing the point about gift-giving…it’s the thought that counts, forget everything else and be more appreciative and think of those who don’t get anything on their birthdays…that’s how i’ve been raised…me personally, i love getting birthday cards too…i cherish them forever but a gift is a gift…say thank u and leave it at that
Kashmiri, I said before, if it was from someone who did not know better, i wouldn’t think anything of it, appreciate it and move on. But these r ppl who spend al ot of time with me and know me and still are somehow clueless as to wat I like and instead get something THEY like for themselves which I think is kinda dumb. And plus iwth some stuff, I know the thought that went behind them adn tahts why i didn’t like the gift (read my original post)
Sara, i did read ur original post that’s y i answered those ???s with my own thoughts…that’s wot i do with my presents…i dunno i guess we’re just different then, cos i don’t mind if it’s some1 who knows me well or not…sorry i guess i don’t really care about lil stuff like that…hmm maybe just try giving them hints before ur birthday about wot u’d like?? well, at least ur being honest and u have nothing to be ashamed of D
i think it depends on who its from. My family sometimes gives us money in blank letter envelopes n we don treally care but if that caem form like a close friend then yeah it would matter...n i thik everyone reuses those bags unless its for someone special.
Money's kewl, but I would nver expect that from a friend. I guess all I really should and do expect from someone is a card and a well wishing, that's all that's necessary :)
I only re-use gift bags if they're in PERFECT condition....I look carefully for any creases, tears, writings etc.....if it looks brand new, then I re-use it.
No matter how much I dislike a gift, I always accept it very politely and thank them for the gift.
If I get a gift I don't like OR I know I won't use, I usually give it to my family/friends.....and no, I DON'T give it as a gift.....depending on the gift, I'll tell my family or friends that I have this particular item that I received as a gift and that I have no use for it or it's not my style and whether or not they want it.....most of the time I'll find someone who wants it.
If I can't find anyone who wants it, I'll throw it away. I hate having stuff laying around that I'm not using or planning on using anytime soon.....it just creates unnecessary mess.
I rarely give things as gifts.....most of the time I stick to gift certificates. With friends and family, the only time I actually buy something is when I know for a fact that the person will like it/use it. For example, last year, one time my best friend and I were at the mall and she pointed to a decoration piece that we saw at Kirklands and said how much she liked it. Almost 4-5 months later, about a week or so before her birthday I was at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and saw a piece identical to the one my friend liked....so that's what I gave her for her birthday........but otherwise, most of the time I know for a fact which stores the people I know shop at, and I prefer giving them gift certificates.
And yes, I prefer receiving gift certificates myself......and people who know me well always give me either cash or gift certificates.
Id be annoyed if close friends brought me presents that i wont like...they know me well enough to know what id like and dont like...
If say they bought me something that its obvious i would never use its quite silly...
Genuinely it is the thought that counts...and i would get annoyed if someone didnt put thought into a gift for me cos i would for them...
I remember getting this Shahrukh Khan poster free with a DVD...i gave it as a present to this gal on her birthday who loves Shahrukh...fair play its free but i knew she'd like it...
I love jewellery and what was amusing is that three friends bought me jewellery this birthday...i cant wear it all but they knew what they were doing when they bought the gifts...
Friends have no excuses for buying crap gifts...and by crap i mean gifts that werent thought out...
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And PR, i don't get hwy people would do that. I mean why can't you give something that they could use, that they would like, instead of something that YOU would like? Like, my cousin who takes 1-hour long baths and home manicures, that's not me AT ALL so I would not appreciate a gift like that. I am happy with a card and "happy birthday' if it means i won't get shiitty gifts
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When I said giving something that you would want for yourself, I meant giving a proper gift that isn't broken or inappropriate. Obviously you should try to give someone something you think they would like but a lot of times you may not know the person too well so you use your best judgement. Personally if I don't know a person too well I prefer giving them a gift certificate so they can choose what they want.
Anothr time my cousin (yeah the same one above) gave me a manicure set and she knows I bite my nails.. I have a million examples like this
D
But im venting.. i wud never tell someone thier gift was crap