abitofmegifts-blog

[abitofmegifts-blog]

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[abitofmegifts-blog]

the art of receiving gifts

it’s true that most of us are excellent ‘givers’ when it comes to gifts. the gift hunting starts weeks (and if you are like me, months) before the big day.  we scout the web, the stores, the little treasure shops tucked away in obscure gullies, in search of the perfect gift.  we fret over the wrapping and add our little personal touches to it. all this, just to make the gift receiver feel extra special on his/her special day.

now imagine this…the perfect gift selected, beautifully wrapped, a nice note included, and you meet the person and hand the gift to him/her.  and what do you get?  a stiff refusal to accept the gift!  and, if you somehow manage to convince the person to take it, the package is unwrapped with so much disdain that you actually want to kick yourself for giving the gift in the first place.  or in some cases, there is no refusal but the receiver doesn’t show any enthusiasm and you are rewarded with a token ‘thank you!’

therefore, i firmly believe that, though, gift giving is definitely an art, receiving a gift is a bigger art and something that completes the entire gifting experience.  

i don’t want to scare you.  there is no science, or importantly, math involved in this.  as long as there is grace, honesty, and genuine gratitude involved, things will be just fine.

so, how does one become a model gift receiver?  it’s simple:

- show some enthusiasm:  you might not like receiving gifts but try and show some genuine enthusiasm as your way of respecting the time and effort that someone has spent to buy something special for you

- a simple and honest ‘thank you’ is enough.  and, if you have received the gift in person, a genuine smile and a hug might not be a bad idea.  i personally love people who scream, hug, and smother you with kisses.

- be gracious:  different people have different tastes.  even if you receive something that’s not to your liking, do not show it, and see if you can find it in yourself to wear/use it at least once for the person who gave it to you.  as they say, it’s the thought that counts.  whatever the gift may be, never let the thought go unappreciated.

and why i am dishing out all this gyaan?  because, for the longest time i have been the i-give-gifts--but-i-hate-getting-them kind of evil person.  i have reduced people to tears by refusing to accept gifts or, when forced to take them, i would create such a drama that all they could think of was getting the hell out of wherever they were.

yes, it’s tough to admit it but, believe me, i have worked at it and like to believe that i am now the poster girl for receiving gifts!  you don’t believe me?  buy me a gift and i will prove it to you :)

always remember that receiving a gift is an art, and when receiving one always be gracious and grateful!