The Stylish Way to Return a Gift According to Katy Perry, Alexa Chung & More
Sometimes, getting dressed is more fun than going out. And sometimes, opening a gift is far more exciting than whatever’s inside the box. If that’s happened to you on Christmas, it’s time to think outside the box. Should you return the present, regift it, or snap it once for Instagram and then hurl it under your bed? We asked our reliable squad of style experts for their advice, and thankfully, it’s fantastic. Scroll through for ways to stay gracious and grateful…while still getting something you want.
“Make sure you say ‘thank you’ anyway, because the person giving you a gift is always, always, more important than a present. But you can set the gift aside, hopefully it still has tags attached, return it to the store when you get a chance, and pick out something you like more. That’s the easy way.”
“I’ve never returned anything as I feel too guilty. I’d rather suffer in my disgusting sweater that doesn’t fit than offend someone.”
“If I return a gift, I do so quietly. If someone inquires about it, I say ‘it is in my other house’ so as not to hurt their feelings.”
“Just don’t do it. Material things are not worth the possibility of hurting someone’s feelings.”
“It depends who the gift is from. Sometimes, it’s not worth returning something if it’s going to upset someone. (It’s the thought that counts!) One way around it is, if it’s a piece of clothing or shoes, maybe it ‘doesn’t fit’ and you need to swap it for something that does… In that case, snap a picture of you in the new item you swapped it for, and send it to them saying thank you, and how much fun you had picking it out at that store—that way, they still feel like it was from them.”
“Say they know you so well, you already have something similar! That way they feel good, but you don’t have to keep it.”
“You could tell them you already have one of whatever it is that is similar. Or just be straight up and say you would rather switch for something you truly want.”
“1) Don’t tell them. 2) Bring it with you or wear it quickly once in front of them; that way they see you in it. Then return it the next day. That really is my special trick, works every time!”
“Either it’s a situation where you know you can do it and they won’t ever find out. Or you have to own up. It’s all in the tone: calmly and kindly.”
“When you return the gift, do it in large, dark sunglasses and a hoodie pulled up like Madonna when she was with Sean Penn.”
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