How do you know if the giver of christmas cookies expects you to return the plate they were given on?

I think a plate of cookies or whatever...given as a gift, should NEVER be put on a dish that is expected to be returned! I just think that is bad gift giving. There are plenty of affordable dishes to be used in that way.

Sometimes the platter or plate is part of the gift and sometimes it isn't. Hard to tell. I would wash the plate or platter and return it in person to the giver. They will tell you then and there thank you for bringing it back or they will tell you it's part of the gift. We get this alot and sometimes the plate was a gift and sometimes it wasn't.

It's hard to tell if the plate was a gift as well. When someone gives me leftovers from a party or neighbor gives me something, I always return the plate with cookies that I made on it. It is always received very well. Happy Holidays!