What are the rules of present giving? Hamish & Andy 6 August, 2008 - 4:37 PM

What are the rules for exchanging gifts? Is it rude to exchange? Can you only exchange presents from family? What are your present exchanging rules?

(17) »

• Kez says

  I have only ever exchanged a gift once. It was clothing that my mother in law got me for Christmas, mistakenly believing I was much skinnier than I am (bless her)!
  I told her the clothes didn't fit and she gave me her blessing to get something else. I felt that she would rather I have something I could actually wear than if I just chucked the stuff out or let it lay in the bottom of my cupboard forever.
  I think she was disappointed that she got the sizing wrong, but other than that I felt that what I did was not bad.

  Basically in a nutshell, incorrect sizing or specification on an item is an acceptable reason to exchange a gift, as long as you let the gift giver know.
  If they have a problem with that, they'll have a problem with anything!

  http://www.chunkzoflife.blogspot.com

  Posted Thursday 7 August, 2008 1:22 PM
• Katie says

  It's always okay to exchange gifts. The only other alternative is to regift it to someone else if you really don't like it.

  Posted Thursday 7 August, 2008 1:59 PM
• Em Stronach says

  I have a tightarse ex-auntie who used to buy next year's christmas presents at the boxing day sales. I got a trainer bra when I was thirteen. It was pink and I refused to wear it. So four years later I gave it to my cousin (her daughter) as a joke. She liked it sadly

  http://www.emeraldarts.blogspot.com

  Posted Thursday 7 August, 2008 4:27 PM
• Rach says

  well, i reckon that if they actually mention that "if you dont like it then feel free to swap it - dont worry it wont bother me" kind of thing. but if you can tell that they put an effort into the gift instead of last minute crap then i think you should just be kind and keep it. sometimes its ok but its risky!

  Posted Thursday 7 August, 2008 6:21 PM
• Mandy says

  I've never wanted or needed to exchange a gift.. but I wouldn't see any problem with it.. It's not like you'd really know unless you saw the person every day :P

  Posted Thursday 7 August, 2008 6:38 PM
• harri says

  its ruder if someone gives you a present tht u need to exchange - wasting our blimin time. they on the other hand saved time by getting up a thoughtless gift.
  RULES:
  1) If you already have the thing, and this is simply a duplicate - yes exchange it
  2) don't give it to another friend at a party that the giver may be attending - bad move for all involved
  3) if they give u an exchange card with it - yes u may exchange it
  4) If its soaps, moisturisers or similar other cheap thoughtless beauty product options - exchange.

  andy & hamish (oooo originality right there) u guys rock! i listen to ur podcasts in kiwi country. keep up the good work xxxxxx

  Posted Thursday 7 August, 2008 7:44 PM
• Tessa says

  I don't think its wrong to exchange gifts.. some people just don't have any idea when it comes to presents.

  I think as long as it doesn't hurt the giver's feelings then go for it.. i'm sure most people would rather you be happy with your gift then throw it in the back of the cupboard and forget about it.

  For future If you can't think of what to buy someone money or gift vouchures always work!!!!!!!!

  Posted Friday 8 August, 2008 1:32 PM
• sarah says

  My nan always gives me bad presents so i have convinced her to give me the receipt for it just incase it breaks. so every time she gives me something bad i just take it back and get something i like, i dont think its that bad i mean as if she will remember what she got me in 2 weeks anyways. But other then that i would usually keep it and give it to my cousin or someone else haha

  Posted Friday 8 August, 2008 3:47 PM
• rae says

  hmm it'd tough but.... i think if you know they wont remember and won't ask about it eer again then you could probabely get way with it.... but i have had some BAD gifts before but still haven't exchnaged so yeh... idn i couldn;t do it

  Posted Friday 8 August, 2008 5:24 PM
• Tess says

  Dont Hurt Hamish!!!!!

  Posted Friday 8 August, 2008 6:02 PM

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