LIFE

Dear Carol,

So many people buy me things I hate, but I’m way too scared to admit it. If it’s my friends, they won’t talk to me. If it’s my grandmom, it’ll make her feel bad.

-Presents I Hate

Dear Presents I Hate,

You’re not too scared—you’re too polite. After all, you know how you would feel if you gave someone a gift and she said, “Yuck,” instead of, “Thanks.” If you receive a gift from a particular store, it may be possible to return or exchange it. But usually you are stuck with whatever someone is kind enough to offer—and yes, you should even send a sincere-sounding thank-you note.

I do have one suggestion, though. This holiday season, give your parents some ideas to pass along to relatives. And take any gifts you don’t want to a church, synagogue or shelter where they can be given to kids in need.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books, including Girltalk, Ava and Pip and Speed of Life. Carol's audiobooks are now on Spotify. 

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by GL | 12/22/2024