The art of receiving a gift

The first thing you can do to feel better when someone gives you a gift is to realize that the giver put effort into thinking of a gift for you by going through the process if finding and buying it, or perhaps in making the gift. Don’t feel guilty when you think of this! But realize that no one made the giver think of giving a gift and no one made her go out and get it. She chose to do this herself. Many people enjoy the whole gift giving process. So the whole time, up to and including the point when they gave you their gift, they’ve been doing something pleasant and enjoying themselves.

Next, remember that a gift is a way for someone to express appreciation or affection. People usually give a gift as a token of appreciation, or as a way to say they care or they love you. It feels good to tell people pleasant happy things like “I think you’re swell.” The giver is enjoying being able to share his feelings with you. Yes, just as it is sometimes hard to hear someone thank us for something we did, it can be hard to accept a gift. But while we might be feeling uncomfortable, that discomfort might be decreased if we remind ourselves that the other person is merely telling us they like and/or appreciate us.