Gifts and gratitude

Tell someone a food gift does not suit your dietary needs with appreciative, clear wording that avoids unnecessary personal explanations.

Answer honestly when someone asks whether you use their gift, with warm messages for regular use, occasional use, storage and an unsuitable item.

Give a secondhand gift thoughtfully with honest wording about its condition, its history and why you chose it for the person receiving it.

Ask whether a present was meant for you with thoughtful wording for missing labels, confusing parcels, shared gifts and an accidental mix-up.

Tell relatives you are stopping adult Christmas gifts with clear messages about the new arrangement, children’s gifts and different family preferences.

Explain that you cannot afford a gift exchange this year with clear, warm messages for family, friends and arrangements already underway.

Ask before buying a large household item as a gift, with practical wording about space, preferences, delivery and whether the recipient wants it.

Suggest a spending limit for family gifts with practical messages for agreeing a budget, handling objections and keeping optional extras clear.

Ask people to give your child fewer toys with warm wording for relatives, birthdays, storage limits and gifts that have already been bought.

Tell someone you prefer experiences to physical gifts with thoughtful wording, realistic suggestions and replies that leave them free to choose.