07/06/2021
Youâve just been handed a gift and are about to open it.
All eyes are on you.
If whatâs in the box isnât what you would have picked out for yourself, you hope your face will hide your feelings.
You donât want to hurt the gift giver. And besides, you know itâs the thought that counts and not the gift.
The Manners of Opening Gifts
đ Know the little-known meaning of âthank you.â
By definition, the phrase âThank youâ doesnât mean you like the gift (or whatever it is that youâre saying thank you for). It simply acknowledges that you notice someone has extended you a kindness.
đ Open the card first.
Opening the card first shows you have more interest in the sentiment behind the present than whatâs in the bag or box youâre about to open.
If youâre opening gifts at a party or shower, say aloud whom the gift is from: âThis gift is from Taylor.â
đ Have the giver present in the room.
Gift givers are kind enough to search for, buy, wrap, and bring you gifts. At a party, itâs gracious to open presents in front of them so they are there for the âunveilingâ and so you can thank them in the moment.
đ Keep the gift in its packaging during the party.
You want to unwrap the gift, but leave the item in the manufacturerâs box until after the party. You want the gift-opening part of a party not to drag on and on.
đ Write down who gave you what.
I know you probably already know this, but I have to say it.
You donât want to send a thank you note to someone for a gift they didnât give you. Itâs embarrassing! Sadly, I know firsthand. But, thatâs a story for another day. đ
Follow the seven manners of opening gifts Iâve shared here, and people wonât mind at all when an opportunity to give you another gift rolls around!