| This simple guide will help you to write | | | | Occasionally you may receive an item you |
| thank you notes for baby shower gifts | | | | do not want, and the gift giver did not |
| you don't want. Unless you're expecting | | | | include a gift receipt. These situations |
| triplets, you may not need three baby | | | | are delicate and should be handled |
| carriers, or maybe you received a | | | | according to your relationship with the |
| bedding ensemble you didn't register for | | | | gift giver. If it was a close family |
| and clearly do not want. These | | | | member or friend, it's appropriate to |
| gift-giving scenarios may occur and must | | | | let them know you would like to exchange |
| be handled candidly, without | | | | the gift for something else and ask if |
| embarrassing the gift giver or yourself. | | | | they received a gift receipt that you |
| When opening gifts at your shower, be | | | | could use. If they don't have a receipt, |
| open-minded and know that you will | | | | hopefully you can find out where they |
| probably receive duplicate items or | | | | bought the gift and you may still be |
| gifts you do not want. Upon opening the | | | | able to exchange the item or receive |
| gift, thank the gift giver for their | | | | credit for a future purchase. Thank the |
| present. After the shower, you can make | | | | gift giver appropriately, as described |
| plans to exchange or return the item, | | | | above, especially if you already |
| but you should always send a nice thank | | | | discussed your future return of their |
| you note thanking the gift giver for | | | | item. Here's a sample of a traditional |
| their thoughtful present. | | | | thank you note where the gift giver does |
| Receiving Duplicate Gifts | | | | not know you'd like to return their |
| There are several reasons why you may | | | | present: |
| receive duplicate items. Thanks to | | | | Dear Ursula, |
| convenient store policies, returning | | | | Thank you for the fun animal mobile that |
| gifts is often easy. When you receive | | | | plays the great tunes. It's amazing that |
| duplicate presents at your baby shower, | | | | some really wild creatures have been |
| immediately thank each gift giver for | | | | created to entertain our children! I |
| her thoughtfulness. The givers will know | | | | know baby will have fun watching the |
| you have to return a duplicate, and | | | | monkey, toad and bunny whirl above her |
| usually someone will give you the gift | | | | to Beethoven. Thanks again. |
| receipt for the exchange. When sending | | | | Fondly, |
| the thank you note, do not mention that | | | | Diane |
| the gift was a duplicate. Thank the | | | | Receiving a Broken or Damaged Gift |
| giver for their thoughtful and generous | | | | With the advent of the Internet, |
| gift as if it was the only one you | | | | registry shopping has never been easier, |
| received. | | | | including having items shipped directly |
| Receiving Something You Do Not Want | | | | to your home. Occasionally, however, |
| You may have a friend who chose to buy a | | | | something may arrive broken or damaged, |
| gift without looking at your registry. | | | | in which case the receipt or shipping |
| When opening the gift at your shower, | | | | invoice should offer detailed |
| it's always best to show your | | | | instructions on how to return the item. |
| appreciation and find something nice to | | | | The store will usually ship a new item |
| say about the item. If someone who isn't | | | | upon notification, in which case you |
| expected to visit gave the gift, send a | | | | should send a thank you note upon the |
| thank you note as if you plan to put the | | | | gift's arrival, without mentioning that |
| gift to its intended use. If, on the | | | | it arrived broken. However, if your |
| other hand, it's a family member or | | | | friend self-packed an item that arrived |
| close friend who is sure to visit when | | | | broken, etiquette suggests that you do |
| the baby is born, let them know before | | | | not mention the damage to prevent the |
| their visit that you exchanged the item | | | | sender from feeling obliged to spend |
| and why. Here is a sample of an | | | | additional time and money on a new baby |
| appropriately written note for something | | | | gift. Thank the gift giver |
| you do not want. | | | | appropriately, as if the gift arrived |
| Dear Aunt Christina, | | | | ready to be used. If the package was |
| Thank you so much for the zebra quilt | | | | insured, a label will provide you with |
| and pillow for baby. We completed | | | | detailed instructions on how to recover |
| setting up the baby's room last month, | | | | the gift's value from the shipping |
| and we had already purchased a complete | | | | company. |
| bedding set that matches the rest of the | | | | When receiving gifts for your new baby, |
| room. The ensemble you picked out is | | | | remember to handle yourself as |
| very nice, and I hope you don't mind | | | | graciously as possible, especially if |
| that we exchanged it for lovely curtains | | | | you receive things you do not want. Open |
| we've had our eyes on. They look | | | | the gift, thank the gift giver and move |
| beautiful in the baby's room, and I | | | | on to the next present. Send a nice |
| can't wait to have you over to see them! | | | | note after your shower and then find a |
| Every time we look out the sunny | | | | new home for it or set it aside until a |
| windows, we will remember you and your | | | | future need. It's important to remember |
| generous gift. Many thanks again. | | | | that the gift giver probably spent a |
| Love, | | | | little time and money trying to find |
| Diane and Brian | | | | what they thought was the perfect |
| Receiving an Unwanted Gift Without a | | | | present, and it's your role to show your |
| Receipt | | | | appreciation for their efforts. |