Now that the holidaze is winding down, you have probably had the chance to open all or most of your presents. As the problems of who to get gifts for, what to get them, who to invite and what to serve at this and that party tone down, a new dilemma arises: how to react and respond to the presents that you receive. These are two staple rules that one should always follow.

What to do with gifts that you do not want?

If you receive a gift that you do not wish to keep, then share it with family or friends. This is a perfect idea for what to do when you receive too much food and/or drinks, for example.

However, re-gifting is also an acceptable option, IF you follow the following guidelines.

1. Don’t do it all the time.
2. Do not wait to re-gift. Do not keep it for another occasion months away.
3. Make sure the item is brand new. Do not use the gift, not even a little bit.
4. Do not re-gift anything that is personalised for you.
5. Be thoughtful. Re-gift the present to someone who you think may really use it.
6. Re-wrap and package the gift nicely and make sure it does not look like it was opened previously.
7. Do not re-gift food products.
8. Re-gift outside of your usual friend group. 

Thank you notes and notifications

Make sure to tell the gift giver that you have received the present and always say thank you! An easy way to do this and keep track of everything, is to send a text as soon as you open something. If someone took the time to send you a present, it is very rude to let their efforts go unnoticed…even if you did not like the item. A simple, “thank you for thinking of me” or “thank you for the gift” will suffice. To do even better would be to say exactly what the present is.