Polite Responses to 16 of Your Most Awkward Holiday Encounters

You absolutely hate the gift you just opened

You tear the gift-wrap away, only to find a gift you can’t imagine ever using. First things first: You say thank you and express how gracious you are. How you proceed now depends on your relationship with the giver, says New York-based etiquette expert “Mister Manners” Thomas Farley. If it’s from someone you’re particularly close to, like a spouse or your parents, see if you can exchange it for something you’ll actually use. “That’s more important rather than taking it out every time they visit,” he says. “You’re carrying out a lie, and you owe it to someone you’re close to.” But if it’s from a neighbor or a relative you rarely see, mum’s the word. Send a thank-you note, but don’t feel obligated to keep it. (Enjoy getting the delicious foods and flavors of the holidays as gifts? Click here.)