How to Accept Overly Generous Gifts

Generous giving is a favorite past-time of some parents and grandparents. Receiving generous gifts is sometimes awkward and you may want to put a stop to them, but in most cases, despite a valiant effort, the gifts just keep coming. Accepting these gifts with grace is the best way to deal with an overly generous giver.

Instructions

1. Smile when you see your mother and father struggling to carry your package to the door on Christmas morning.

2. Be gracious. You may not need a new pair of skis, but think of the fun you will have on the slopes.

3. Answer them when they ask what you want for your birthday. If they're going to spend their money anyway, they might as well give you something you really need or want.

4. Write a thank you note. Use this as a way to reinforce that you do not need such generous gifts, but express your gratefulness, too.

5. Give thoughtful, but not overly generous gifts in return.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your generous gift-giver, and see if you can come to a compromise about overly generous giving. If they insist on continuing, give them the name and contact information of your favorite charity and ask for donations in your name.

• If you don't want or need the gift you've received, be honest about it. It may result in another generous gift, but at least you haven't wasted your gift-giver's money.

• Don't try to compete with overly generous givers. In your attempt to give back appropriately, you may just be starting a gift-giving competition. Give what you can, nothing more.