Hope y'all had fun last night in the farewell cocktail for our dear gal ... I hated to miss it but suspect that everyone is happier with me keeping my germs at home, especially those who would not only get to be sick themselves but also would enjoy the fun of sick children. Now I'm in here at the office with the door shut, trying to keep my contamination at a minimum. But I am hopeful that I will be out and lively this weekend ... including a run to the Mall to return some gifts. And that's today's topic.
I know I have discussed this with Lola, and probably Dibbs has heard it too. (And where is Dibbs on this blog lately, anyway?) For Twinks's sake, I'll quickly recap that Mr J's sweet lovely sister gave me a very generous joint Christmas-and-birthday gift, a Dooney and Burke handbag. It's made of some synthetic cloth and printed with sailboats, yet (according to the Macy's website) retails for over $125.
The price is important only because if it were less expensive, I wouldn't mind keeping it and trotting it out once or twice over the summer. But I hate for someone to spend that kind of money on something to go unused. This is not my style, AT ALL. It's just not professional. I am not someone who frequently swaps out purses (I carry red leather 8 months a year, and move to something simple in straw from Derby through Labor Day), but I guess I could occasionally pull it out for a trip to visit the lake with Mr. J's parents. Otherwise, it'll sit in the closet until I get around to giving it to the Goodwill.
With this inevitable future on the horizon, I have concluded that I need to return it while it still has its tags and a future with someone else who will love it. With Lola's good guidance, I've decided I should tell Mr-Sister that it is going back. But what do I say? She was so excited as I was opening the box at Christmas. She thinks this purse is adorable. I don't want to hurt her feelings. How do I tactfully announce my strong dislike for this purse and all its ilk?
Lola, are you sure I can't just tell her that the inside zipper is broken and I need to exchange it - then tell her that they didn't have another one like it and I got something else instead?
I don't know Julep. One one hand, you don't want to seem ungrateful or to hurt your sister-in-law's feelings. On the other hand, you don't want to receive gifts that aren't your style for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteConsidering her excitement over the gift, I'd let her down as easily as you can. It's one thing if she said, "Would you like such-and-such handbag," and you said, "No, that's not really my style." But if she already got it for you, and was excited, it might really hurt her if you're so brutally honest. Is there a way to get rid of the bag and be honest about it without hurting her feelings? I don't know, but I'd be gentle on this one.
Let us know what happens!
xo,
Twinkle