An assortment of extended family members has gathered around the Christmas tree, and one of them is thrusting an oddly shaped parcel towards you. “You’re going to love it!” they say, a maniacal grin of expectation on their face. Everyone’s looking at you as you rip open the shiny paper to reveal, say, a novelty mug featuring an off-colour slogan. Or a fitness tracker that you’re not sure whether to be offended by. Or something that is frankly the most hideous piece of knitwear you’ve ever beheld. It’s safe to say that you categorically do not “love it”. So what is your next move? Do you attempt an Oscar-worthy performance of gratitude? Or do you share a bracingly honest verdict?
If attempting to tick everyone off your gift-giving list in the run-up to Christmas can be a fraught exercise, receiving presents from those same people can often be just as much of a minefield. In childhood, you can just about get away with throwing a small strop because you’ve been given an off-brand Barbie knock-off rather than the real deal. Or unwrapped the wrong sort of Playmobil airport (your family will probably chalk it up to tiredness, hunger or generally being overwrought). But once you’ve reached double figures, the same behaviour would be looked upon as, well, a bit much – despite the fact that receiving a really naff present, especially from someone you value, can be a deflating and even dispiriting experience at any age.
