Advice needed! How to politely decline a terrible gift?

[Lindsay22]

I can't say this advice has really helped me much.. Lol. Oh well, I'll figure something else out. Thanks to those who tried though.

I don't really understand what you expected everyone to say?? I don't think that anyone here is going to advocate you starting drama with your DF's family. The most you can do is politely explain why you don't want a bible but you don't get to control the gifts people give you. I like the idea of re-gifting it to another family member

 

[Cindy F]

I can't say this advice has really helped me much.. Lol. Oh well, I'll figure something else out. Thanks to those who tried though.

Advice rarely helps those who do not wish to receive it. Good luck to you.....and your family.

 

[rie'smom]

I can't say this advice has really helped me much.. Lol. Oh well, I'll figure something else out. Thanks to those who tried though.

It may not have been the advice you wanted to hear. Many of us are married and know how important it is to get along with our in laws.

If you refuse the gift and drama ensues, please don't post about it here. There's nothing more annoying that someone asking for advice, people offering it, the person not taking it, and then boohooing when their situation goes bad.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.

 

[marielynn724]

normally i would say that there is no polite way to decline any gift - but after reading what you had to say i'm really confounded. i wonder why she would give such a gift? maybe it is just tradition for her to always give a bible for a wedding gift.

if she really does give you a bible, then just brush it off and regift it to someone you know who is christian. i really don't know what to tell her that wouldn't be rude (not that she's not being rude to begin with).

 

[marielynn724]

maybe just read the first half and ignore the second half?

or you could keep it - you never know when your future kids are going to have to do a research paper or something.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I agree with the others. Re-gift or donate. No reason to make waves. No, it's not something that you want but you'll get other gifts that you might not want as well. Would you return those to the gift-er?

 

[disbridemimi]

There is no way to "politely" decline a gift.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

A gift is something that is presented to a person with the notion that the receiving of the gift is going to be a pleasant experience.

I find the presentation of a christian bible to a Jewish couple inappropriate, regardless of who the giver is.

If it were my personal circumstances, and I knew (not just suspected, but knew for a fact) that I was going to be presented with that book, I would privately tell the giver that the gift would not be received with the intent in which it was given. As it is not a factor in my life, rather something that I would find offensive, I would let the giver know that the money would be better left unspent. I would not expect an alternate gift, I would simply not want an offensive gift.

Age is not an excuse for mean spirited actions, nor is it an excuse for doing and saying anything one pleases. Society has the same expectations from all competent adults.

There is nothing ungracious about refusing an offensive gift.

Don't waste the flames.

 

[wdw1972]

I agree with everyone else. You are making a mountain out of a molehill. Take it, say thanks, and throw it away.

Excellent advice - that's exactly what I'd do with it if anyone was foolish enough to give me a bible. It's not likely you'll ever change her way of thinking, so don't give yourself heartburn trying. Maybe for Christmas you can give her something that screams jewish & see how she likes it Just kidding on the last part...just say thanks and get rid of the book & move on.