How do you handle it if you/your kids open a gift that you already have? Do you tell them you already have it hoping they will take it well and suggest you exchange it for something useful? Do you say nothing in order to avoid hurt feelings? If you say nothing, do you: let it sit unused in a closet, re-gift it, exchange it without telling them, or something else?
2010-12-22T12:04:35Z
What if the new item is similar, but not identical? Like if the toy is in a different color but you really can't use both. Like two different kitchen sets. picnic tables, or bicycles?
2010-12-22T12:06:55Z
I'm not asking this in reference to my previous question. I'm curious about how to avoid hurt feelings in the future.
Jessa ~Noah's Momma2010-12-22T12:07:38Z
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This happens to me all the time! We just oooo and aahhh and say "Oh look what a fun toy!" and then we take it back to the store and let hijm pick out a new toy.
I mean it's the same thing, if they come over they will see the toy and think it is the one they bought him, no need to tell them we already had it and ruin their excitement of buying him something he will love.
ETA--- I wouldn't donate or regift it, that person spent their hard earned money to buy a present for your child so it is only right that their money should go to your child. Return it and get them something they will love. I know if I spend money on someone it's because I want them to have something for themselves, not to give it away to someone else--I would rather they exchange it for something they WILL use than to just stick it in the closet or give it away,
Usually I say nothing. If we already have it, how do they know it is not the one they gave us, unless it is a different color or something. Then I either return it, exchange it or re-gift is, depending on what it is.
Edit: if it is something large, and I know the person wouldn't be offended, I might let them know that we already have something like it and ask if they mind if we exchange it. Otherwise I might just bring one of them to Grandma's or something.
i would say nothing, and if i knew where it came from i would return it for something else, or just take back the one i bought and get a different thing. if i didnt know the store where it came from, then i would regift it to someone else.
i always have a mini panic attack at my sons birthday party and at christmas. im always affraid someone will get him the same exact thing i have gotten him....so far, no one has.
i recently had a baby shower, and got 2 of the same outfits, in different sizes (new born and 0-3 months) dont know where they came from, and i dont like them, (ugly animal print) so im stuck with them. I also bought my daughter 3 romper outfits in 6-9 month size and my mom bought the same ones in 3-6 month size. havent decided if ill just keep them or exchange for something else. those came from the same store.
We've only ever had that with clothes. For her 2nd birthday, she got the same outfit from her grandpa and my aunt. She got the one from her grandpa last so we just let him know that she got that outfit the day before. He never has a problem with exchanging something. So it's not a problem with him.
Everyone I know is good for giving us the receipt for things they buy our daughter. They know my daughter already has way to many toys (and still insist on buying her more) so they know when they pay that she may already have it. So they give her the gift and us the receipt just in case.
This sounds like my daughter's first Christmas. 2 months before Christmas everyone started calling me saying " I found the cutest thing for sister!" I would say yeah even though i had bought the same thing 2 weeks before. Needless to say, I took mine back and let them get the item for her.
As for the question...I would say nothing (except thank you of course) and either return it, or if it is something that will wear out, I will hold onto it and use it when the other one wears out