Frag-"Okay, with that wonderful time of year approaching, we will be taking a break from our usual format to bring you something more...Um...Entertaining. The FIG & FRAG Guide to Graceful Gift Receiving!"
Fig-"Why?"
Frag-"Beacuse there are tons of guides out there on how to find the right gift, yet not very many(if any at all) on receiving gifts. So here are a few pointers to help people with receiving all of the gifts that they may get this season."
Fig-*unwraps a package* "Hey Where did you get this? How much was it?"
Frag-"Here *points to Fig* We have the first examples of what not to say when you are given a gift. Now we realize that not everyone asks those annoying questions when they receive something, but there are those few that do. Rule No. 1-Don't ask where something came from unless it is really cool and you want to get more!!! It makes the person that gave you the gift start to second guess their purchase. Remember, they thought enough about you to get you something. They should not feel bad because they went through the effort to pick it out.
Rule No. 2 Never ask how much something cost!!!! Once again it is about the thought and never the price. Keep in mind that people may not have much money, and they may have tons of people they wish to get things for."
Fig-"Okay I kinda see the point, but what if they got you something really expensive that you will never use?"
Frag-"Just smile, thank them for the gift, and remember that you don't have to use it unless they come over for the holidays and expect to see thier gift in use." *Points to creepy snowman candles*
Fig-"But I gave you those last year!"
Frag-"Exactly, I knew that you would like to see them out, so despite the creepiness factor, I put them out this time of year because you gave them to me."
Fig-"But what about the goofy stuff that people seem to give you every year? I mean you can only have so many bath sets before your set for life?"
Frag-In those cases, as long as you plan correctly, you can re-gift a certain amount of those bath sets and candy dishes. Which brings us to No. 3 Never re-gift a gift to someone who hangs out in the same circles on a regular basis. I would never give a gift a friend gave me to another friend if they saw each other on a regular basis. I might pass it on to a relative who never sees my friends, but not to someone who hangs out with the gift giver."
Fig-"What do you do when there are several people there and you have tons of stuff to look over?"
Frag-"Try to spend the same amount of time looking over each gift that way no one feels slighted. This shows people that no matter what you got from whoever, you care about the thought that they put into the gift."
Fig-"How do I know if I am leaving anyone out when it comes to thank you's?"
Frag-"If possible, and people are there, make sure that you say 'thank you' to everyone there. And with some people hugs are called for. If you can't thank everyone in person, it helps to write down the names of who gave you what and send 'thank you' notes or cards."
Fig-"What about people that question the gift? I mean not how it works, but say you give someone a signed peice of art, that is made by a native american, and the artist does not have a 'traditional' sounding name?"
Frag-"You calmly explain that many people with native american roots, don't necessarily have 'traditional' names. This does not discount the gift itself. People who ask that type of question, tend to look at things, and not the fact that someone made the effort to pick out a gift that they thought they would like. It is better for people receiving the gift, to keep their mouths shut and just say 'thanks'."
Fig-"Well, I hope that this will help some people with gift receiving this year, and in the future as well."
Frag-"Just remeber even if you hate the gift, you can still make the person giving it feel good."
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