I don't know how to react when I receive gifts. What should I do?

If you have often noticed that you feel embarrassed, ashamed or even guilty and that you don't know how to react when you receive a gift, don't worry, you are not the only one in this situation! There are many people who, instead of feeling happy, lucky and grateful when they receive a gift, have a feeling of guilt and lack of comfort. Although it may seem incredible, it is a real phenomenon.

Below you will find everything you need to know to understand what you feel, but also some tips about the etiquette of receiving gifts. In this way, you will be able to be less awkward when you are in front of a person who offers you a special gift.

Why does the feeling of guilt appear?

You may sometimes feel that you don't deserve to receive a gift. You can feel guilty when someone spends money or time on you, because somewhere deep in your soul you don't feel worthy to receive these things, or you can feel that you don't rise to the level of what you should be. The same problem occurs when it comes to the attention you receive or compliments, because you feel embarrassed that someone makes an effort to do something nice for you.

The feeling of guilt can also appear because you feel that you did not offer gifts as expensive as the ones you received, or you feel that you are taken by surprise and that you have nothing to offer in return. In this way, a feeling of shame towards the one who offers you a gift can be triggered, and thus you end up creating an embarrassing situation, instead of a happy moment for both people.

Gifts can also trigger the feeling of indebtedness, making you think that you owe someone because they did a nice gesture for you. You can feel that there is something else going on, or that someone has a certain expectation of closeness or intimacy if they offer you a gift. If you grew up in an environment where you didn't receive much attention or affection, or if you're not used to receiving gifts, it can be strange to find yourself in a situation where people give you nice things. You may feel that you have to somehow retaliate for what you receive.

Regardless of the reasons you have for feeling embarrassed when you receive a gift, here's how you can turn these feelings into something positive and literally enjoy the gifts you receive.

Understand that people can give gifts from the heart

For many of us, it is difficult to imagine that someone gives us gifts with sincerity. It may be hard to believe, but there are people who give gifts, even without a special occasion, because they genuinely care about you and like to give you something that makes you happy.

You don't have to return the gesture

When you receive a gift, you should know clearly that you have no obligation to return this gesture! If you feel pressure when you receive a gift or if you feel obliged to offer something in turn, you should know that there is no need! Don't forget what you read above, people give you gifts sincerely and from the heart and they don't expect to receive anything in return! If you don't feel any obligation to offer your turn and feel from your heart to do it, do it, as long as you think about it sincerely!

Gifts are a way to show love

Think that gifts can be someone's way of showing how much they care about you and how much they love you. If you don't receive the gift he gives you, you can hurt him. So, leave your suspicions aside and don't be reluctant!

Thank you sincerely

The first thing you should say is a "Thank you!" sincere. There can be other words of thanks, such as "I appreciate!", but whatever you say, say it from the heart and with sincerity, because people feel openness and sincerity, and that will make them happy!

Send a picture of the gift you received

When you don't have time to open the gift in front of the person who gave it to you and thank them sincerely, take a picture once you get home and send the picture to the person who gave you the gift, adding a personal message.

Be obvious with the gratitude you feel. When you use a gift you received, show the person who gave you the gift that you are grateful, even years away.
Be convinced that people are more than happy to see that you appreciate their gifts and that you enjoy them.

Don't let yourself be burdened by the gift you received

You may sometimes feel that you don't deserve the gift you received, but you don't have to put the problem like that. People give you a gift because they want to, whether you deserve it or not. So, relax and show your gratitude for what you have received.

Prepare in advance

Act with intention when the holidays or a special moment are approaching. If you tend to feel bad when you receive gifts, ask yourself why and try to calm your negative emotions. Many of those who feel bad or feel guilty when they receive gifts, are very good when it comes to taking care of others, but they do not consider that they deserve to be appreciated in turn.

A useful exercise is to think about the joy you feel when you give someone a gift and understand that others have the same feeling when they give.

Change the focus

Try to distance yourself from the guilt and realize that you can receive the gifts that come to you beautifully. We put a lot of emphasis on giving gifts and extremely little on the way we receive them, but the fact that you make the other person feel good can be a gift in itself.
Maybe someone spent a large amount and, even if you don't respond in the same way, the fact that you are happy and that you show your gratitude is incredibly powerful and will confirm to them that they did something good.

Give yourself compassion

It may happen that you go through a more difficult period from a financial point of view and that you cannot respond in the same way as you would like or as you did before. You can't always give perfect gifts and it's okay to forgive yourself and understand that you can't always rise to the level you were in other circumstances. Maybe you didn't even have time, because sometimes the holidays can make you feel overwhelmed. The secret is to remember that people give gifts because they care about you, not because they expect something in return.

Get back to the essentials

Give up the superficial aspects related to gifts and don't forget why we give gifts. In essence, gifts are about honoring and nurturing a relationship and about giving joy.
Focusing on mutual gifts can limit you. No relationship has to be perfectly symmetrical and balanced all the time. You have to understand that a gift is only a small part of a relationship, not the basis of the whole relationship.

Don't think too much

Remember that you cannot control what gifts you receive, but you can control how you react to them. Take time to regulate your negative emotions and really enjoy the good intention behind the gift and the gift received, to share the feeling of connection and joy with the one who gives you the gift.