Let me start by saying that I am BIRTHDAY today and as I told you yesterday that is my hobby. The question of whether I have any wishes I have had to answer negatively quite often lately, because I honestly have no big desires or wishes. Now I am very easy to please (something with cats or Frozen and I bounce through life all year round with happiness) but suppose you get something that you really think is very stupid, then this is how you deal with it, divided into two options.

Option 1:

Lie your heart out

So keep chirping a lot and often at high volume about how wondeeeeeeerful you think this set of socks from V&D is or how fan-taaaaaaastic this scent from Jessica Simpson is. Also always good is “Ooooh I really didn't expect that!” Because you are saying exactly nothing with that. Because what did you expect then? Something nicer yes, but you don't say that. So you remain nicely vague on the surface and that is exactly where we want to stay in this kind of situ’s (that’s Amayzine’s for ‘situations’). Another favorite is: “Gee, you really didn't have to do that.” Because with this you are actually being very honest (“I don't need this junk duh”) but the giver almost never interprets it that way. They hear “wow what generous of you.” And that's fine, let them think that.

Look, honesty lasts the longest, but sometimes a little white lie is very welcome. For example, when it’s a cheap crappy gift and the giver apparently didn’t put too much effort into it anyway. Or when it’s something that has been put together crafted, knitted, crocheted, or glued, you can't possibly refuse it. So then you shout as loud as you can how beautiful and lovely it is and oh I’m going to wear it every day!

Option 2:

Be honest

But when something is clearly an expensive gift, then it is wise to just say that honestly. An expensive piece of jewelry, a designer bag or a collector’s item of whatever, there is money and effort in it, so if it accidentally just isn’t your cup of tea, say it. “Oh wow yes geez, what a wonderfully beautiful bag. Only you know, I think blue just isn’t really my color.” And then you go and exchange it for black together. Or an expensive bracelet, if it remains unworn in your closet, it’s just really a shame. Is it too uncomfortable to ruin the cheerful moment supreme by saying that you don’t like something? Then wait with that and call the next day and tell that you have looked at it again in peace but that you still think it’s not quite a match. Because turn it around, if you spend a hefty amount of money on a carefully selected gift, and the recipient then leaves it lying forever in a dark drawer. That’s not nice.