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As you carefully unwrap the beautiful birthday gift your mother-in-law has just given you, remember that honesty is not always the best policy! If you have been married for any length of time, you probably have asked yourself many times how your mother-in-law can wrap such gorgeous boxes that always contain lousy gifts. Some people have a knack for presenting wonderfully elaborate gift boxes, but fail to deliver on the contents.

If the wrapping paper or gift box is lovely, start praising the giver immediately because you never know what the actual gift may be. Now is the time to plaster your best "cheesy" smile on your face so that you will not be startled into revealing your real first impressions about the gift. Even if a fluorescent lime green blouse isn't your style, keep that smile plastered on your face while your brain tries to come up with an appropriate comment. Surely you can find something about the ugly blouse to praise. Maybe you can honestly say that you like the buttons or the collar while you inconspicuously try to search the box for the gift return receipt. When the giver says she found that horrible blouse on sale while vacationing in Europe, be careful what you say next. Be aware that a lie may get you out of an immediate sticky situation, but your future relationship with the giver will be tricky because you will feel obligated to wear that blouse at least once.

A peculiar gift of clothing from a friend, though, is not as difficult to live with as that strange gargoyle your mother-in-law expects to see on your living room coffee table every time she comes for a visit! The blouse can get lost in the laundry or be the recipient of a spilled glass of wine. It is impossible, though, to disguise a 24-inch statue. It is a real nuisance to bring the huge ugly figurine out when the giver comes to visit and to hide it when she eventually goes home. With any luck, the beloved grandchild of your mother-in-law will accidentally break the offensive gift while playing tag in the living room. Or perhaps the non-verbal dog could wag his tail while playing with that same beloved grandchild.

Since everyone has received at least one strange gift, the solution to the problem is to have more creativity in getting rid of the gift than the giver did in selecting it. Get rid of the gift permanently, though, and do not even consider re-gifting it. Strange gifts, like fruitcakes, tend to resurface at the worst time!

Learn more about this author, Marcy Buzzelli.
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