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My brother in law went to Europe for vacations. On he way back he got me a bar of soap in a small tin box. The soap smells weird and I am scared to use it because it reminds me of detergent. I am somewhat upset why he got me such a gift. Last gift I got him was an amazon gift card. I would be better off if he didn't get me anything. I am not a beautician and not into skin care products etc. Just a regular guy who likes cars and outdoor stuff like anyone else.
I don't want it to be an issue with my wife but it is really bothering me. What was he thinking? Should I just ignore and keep moving on with my life. I don't want to be rude to him and tell him "thanks for this crappy gift"...I would be fine with a fridge magnet or a key chain....
Well, it's not like he could have brought back a Ferrari or the European outdoors. And how is a magnet or key chain really better than soap?
My brother in law went to Europe for vacations. On he way back he got me a bar of soap in a small tin box. The soap smells weird and I am scared to use it because it reminds me of detergent. I am somewhat upset why he got me such a gift. Last gift I got him was an amazon gift card. I would be better off if he didn't get me anything. I am not a beautician and not into skin care products etc. Just a regular guy who likes cars and outdoor stuff like anyone else.
I don't want it to be an issue with my wife but it is really bothering me. What was he thinking? Should I just ignore and keep moving on with my life. I don't want to be rude to him and tell him "thanks for this crappy gift"...I would be fine with a fridge magnet or a key chain....
look in the mirror and ask yourself "what can i do today to become a better person".
They really are. I can't believe people think they're so great. My wife occasionally says, "I'll just give [insert Name here] a gift card." I say, "Stop right there. We're going to think about what [Name] likes and come up with something, then mail/give it to him/her, no matter how long it takes." Or even worse, giving the "gift" of cash. To me, getting a gift card/cash suggests that we don't want to bother to take the time to determine what the person really wants and that we will just give them something quick and convenient for us. So we decide on an item, buy it, then send it, along with a gift receipt so the recipient can return it if the item is unacceptable for whatever reason. Apparently sending the receipt with the gift is a good policy, as evidenced by the length of this thread
They really are. I can't believe people think they're so great. My wife occasionally says, "I'll just give [insert Name here] a gift card." I say, "Stop right there. We're going to think about what [Name] likes and come up with something, then mail/give it to him/her, no matter how long it takes." Or even worse, giving the "gift" of cash. To me, getting a gift card/cash suggests that we don't want to bother to take the time to determine what the person really wants and that we will just give them something quick and convenient for us. So we decide on an item, buy it, then send it, along with a gift receipt so the recipient can return it if the item is unacceptable for whatever reason. Apparently sending the receipt with the gift is a good policy, as evidenced by the length of this thread
I generally agree, but I've grudgingly somewhat come around to them. They seem to be very popular with kids, and my kids have a lot of crap. When they get gifts, they tend to be just additional stuff we have to deal with, and often are not the things they would have picked out. The gift cards are so much more useful because then we can go to the store and get exactly the item they want.
And my MIL especially tends to give me gifts that are completely useless to me and cost a lot of money. I like it much more if I get a gift card and can get something I want.
But, yes, I agree that a thoughtful gift is one of the greatest things ever. I love it when I find a gift that I really think the recipient will love, and when the recipient really does love it, well, it's just the best feeling in the world. But a number of times I've been stumped, and just can't find something that I think is perfect. And I can tell in the thanks that it wasn't something that thrills them. (Don't get me wrong, the thank yous are perfectly appropriate and worded nicely and exactly what they should do, etiquette-wise. But I can see when the true enthusiasm isn't there.)
I feel badly when I can't come up with a great gift, and usually I don't feel good about sending a gift card. (Although I can feel good if the gift card is to a particular restaurant that is maybe high end and I know the recipient wouldn't otherwise go there, mostly due to cost, or to a small, locally-owned business that helps the community.)
So, yeah, a gift card to Target or Amazon isn't exciting, but I've grudgingly accepted that sometimes they are the best option.
People who think this must never lack the money to buy the things they want/need.
You know what I get all the time for gifts? Jewelry (I don't go anyplace where I need jewelry), scarves (I have more than 100 of them, most of which were gifts), and books that aren't anything I would ever want to read.
I would LOVE to get a gift card. Maybe I could replace a clothing item I've worn out or buy some items I can't afford that might improve my living situation. As for other people ... do you really think you know what your grandchildren want? Are you really sure the seniors you know have any money left over at the end of the month? I know more than one person whose life would be improved with a supermarket gift card. I know some very young homeowners who would be over the moon with a Home Depot gift card.
My brother in law went to Europe for vacations. On he way back he got me a bar of soap in a small tin box. The soap smells weird and I am scared to use it because it reminds me of detergent. I am somewhat upset why he got me such a gift. Last gift I got him was an amazon gift card. I would be better off if he didn't get me anything. I am not a beautician and not into skin care products etc. Just a regular guy who likes cars and outdoor stuff like anyone else.
I don't want it to be an issue with my wife but it is really bothering me. What was he thinking? Should I just ignore and keep moving on with my life. I don't want to be rude to him and tell him "thanks for this crappy gift"...I would be fine with a fridge magnet or a key chain....
Lighten up will ya!........ It could have been make up!! LOL
Give it back to him with a note so he and your wife know what an ungrateful person you are.
I am completely disgusted by the original post. Serious, you're upset/thinking about raising something as an issue because you're not happy with the gift you received? Give me a break!
Ability to graciously accept a gift is as important as ability to give a gift.
It's act of giving and receiving that counts, not what was given.
I came across many, my wife included, that can not graciously accept gifts. Esp if they were reasonably expensive.
Accept gift and bless the giving hand. That's the best way to conduct yourself.
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You want a happy life? Forget it.
LOL 
