If youâve ever been given a gift thatâs too much, you know how hard it can be to receive it graciously. Here are a few tips on how to handle the situation.

How do you tell someone their gift is too much?
Thank the Person for the Gift
The first step is to thank the person for the gift, regardless of how much it costs or whether you think itâs too much. Itâs important to be gracious and show your appreciation for the gestureâs thoughtfulness.
Try Not to Show Your Displeasure
If youâre not thrilled with the gift, do your best not to show it. Itâs possible the person put a lot of thought into it, and theyâll be hurt if you donât seem happy with it. Thank them again and say, âIâm so excited to use it!â
Find a Use for It
Even if the gift isnât your style or something you wouldâve picked out for yourself, try to find a use for it. If itâs a piece of clothing, maybe you can wear it around the house or while doing yard work. If itâs an item for the home, see if thereâs somewhere you can put it where it will get used.
Re-Gift It
If you donât have a use for the gift or donât like it, consider re-gifting it. This can be a great option if the gift is not personal to you or if itâs something that everyone will know you didnât pick out yourself. Just make sure you donât give it back to the same person!
Donate It
If you canât use it and you donât know anyone who would want it, consider donating it. This is a great way to make sure the gift doesnât go to waste and that someone who needs it can benefit.
Can you Decline the Gift Without Hurting the Person?
In some cases, you may not want to accept the gift because you donât want to hurt the personâs feelings. If this is the case, you can decline the present in a way that wonât cause any hard feelings. Try something like, âThank you so much for thinking of me! Iâm sorry, but I canât accept it.â
No matter how you choose to handle the situation, itâs essential to be polite and gracious. The person who gave you the gift will likely appreciate your thoughtfulness and understanding.
Be Kind with Your Words
When youâre declining a gift, be sure to use kind words. The person who gave you the gift is likely to be disappointed, so itâs vital to soften the blow as much as possible. Try saying something like, âThank you so much for thinking of me! Iâm sorry, but I canât accept it.â This will let them know that you appreciate their gesture, even if you canât accept the gift.
Give them Valid Reasons for Declining
If youâre declining a gift because you donât want it or think itâs too much, give the person a valid reason. This will help them understand why youâre not accepting it, and they wonât feel like they did something wrong.
Thank Them for Their Thoughtfulness
Even if you canât accept the gift, thank the person for their thoughtfulness. Let them know that you appreciate their effort and that youâre sorry you canât accept it. This will show them that youâre still grateful for their kindness.
In Which Circumstances Is It Appropriate to Regift?
If youâre not sure if itâs appropriate to regift a gift, consider a few things. First, is the gift something thatâs personal to the person who gave it to you? If it is, then itâs probably not a good idea to regift it. Second, is the gift something that everyone will know you didnât pick out yourself? If it is, then itâs probably not a good idea to regift it. Finally, are you sure the person youâre going to regift it to will want it? If youâre not sure, itâs best not to regift it.
Can you Accept a Gift that is Too Much for You?
Itâs perfectly acceptable to accept a gift that is too much for you. Itâs often seen as gracious and thoughtful. However, if you take a gift that is too much for you, be sure to express your gratitude so that it doesnât make the person feel like they need to spend more money. For example, you might say, âThank you so much for this gift! Itâs more than I could have ever asked for.â This will let the person know that you appreciate their thoughtfulness without making them feel like they need to spend more money.
How to Help Them Get a Better Gift for You?
Have a Wish List
If you know that the person who gave you the gift is interested in learning what you want, create a wish list. This will make it easier for them to get you a gift that youâll use and enjoy.
Let Them Know What You Want
If you donât have a wish list, let the person know what you want. This can be done in several ways, such as sending them an email, telling them in person, or even posting on social media.
Gift Cards
If youâre unsure what you want, a gift card is always a safe option. This will give the person who gave you the gift the chance to get you something that youâll use.
Show Them Some Pictures
If you have something specific in mind, show the person who gave you the gift a picture. This will help them understand what youâre looking for and make it easier for them to get you the perfect gift.
Conclusion
It is natural to find that a gift is too much for you. You can graciously decline the present and still thank the person for their thoughtfulness. There are several ways to let the person know that you appreciate their gesture, even if you canât accept the gift. You can also offer suggestions on how they can get you a better gift.