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How to learn to accept gifts graciously?

KateLouiseKateLouise member
in 2nd Trimester

Today a man at work, who is very lovely and I chat to in passing but am not "friends" with as such asked me what I needed for the baby.

The conversation that followed:

Me: Oh you really don't have to get anything.

Him: Yes but what do you need?

Me: Well all I have is a pair of booties so anything would be useful.

Him: A cot?

Me: (Trying to fathom if he was offering me an old one or buying a new one) ohhh that's too much. It's really kind and thoughful but that would make me uncomfortable.

Him: Ok how about a pack of newborn nappies.

Me: Yes that would be good.

Him: Is this really random for you?

Me: Yes (nervous laughter)

I walked away form the conversation and was really appreciative of the thought and generosity but was caught so off-guard by it that I just don't feel like I was very gracious about it. 

Is anyone else struggling with this kind of thing? Any tips or ideas on how to be better at it? 

 

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Re: How to learn to accept gifts graciously?

  • fiftysixtyfiftysixty
    I think you did just fine. When he shows up with whatever gift he's decided on just thank him graciously and say you really appreciated his thoughtfulness. Handwritten note is preferable over email, of course, but I'm such a dork I'd likely thank him WHILE handing him the thank-you note. :p
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  • KateLouiseKateLouise member

    Yeah I supose I'm just relaly uncomfortable with receiving gifts fullstop.

    A friend at work said, after I shared the original story, "hey we're all going to work out a relaly nice gift for you"

    and I just said, "more importantly we need to sort a gift for Campbell" (A friend whose wife is due in 6 weeks)

    So I just completely deflected the attention from me.

    I've never been very good at giving or receiving gifts. I happily select and buy gifts. But the actual moment of giving and reciving makes me feel flustered and awkward. And I always think oh I wasn't thankful enough, or oh I just kind of thrust that gift at person x and didn't have any nice words to say.

     

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    Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
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  • fiftysixtyfiftysixty

    Well, I'd just try to remember that these people know they don't have to get you anything-- they do it because they like you. :) I'm sure it's probably terribly obvious you're nervous/uncomfortable, so I highly doubt anyone will be super offended. Maybe you can just try to make a habit of writing thank you notes, so this way you don't have to focus on that moment so much (feeling like you were thankful 'enough'). I know I can be very embarrassed about people giving me gifts- especially if it's obvious they put a bunch of work into it. But for some reason I'm a total hypocrite. I LOVE putting a ton of thought and effort into a gift- especially if it's someone I'm close enough to knit something for, which of course takes hours and hours.

     You write very well, so I bet with a few minutes you could think out a nice, gracious thing to write down in a simple card. Which you could always slip onto their desk while they're at lunch, or something. Haha, I can be very shy. I'd totally ninja the note onto their desk while they were away. 

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  • KateLouiseKateLouise member

    Yeah you're right. I just need to show my appreciation and try not to dwell on it so much.

    Thanks for your thoughts. I guess I should stock up on notepaper. 

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    Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
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