if you gave a gift to the wrong person, what would you do?

@davaome (1826)

Philippines

December 21, 2011 8:08am CST

Things that i wonder about these days

It's already a few days before christmas and most people usually give gifts, like in the office or at home or with circle of friends. But "what if" you gave a gift that was not meant for that person but for someone else. Let us say that, it was an expensive gift supposedly you will give to your boss/parents or your girlfriend/wife, but it didn't end up to them but instead you gave it to a fellow worker or to a friend. Like the gifts were switched somehow. what would you do in that kind of situation? [i]Would you ask for it back? or would you let it be and buy another one for the right person? and also if you were given a gift that wasn't suppose to be yours, would you honestly give it back? or you will fight for it that it is what you recieved?[/i] Personally, I have not experienced this before because I would always send a "uniform type" of gift, like the same gifts for everyone in the office, a coffee mug or a picture frame so that I won't be able to mix the gifts. but If it would happen to me, thinking that it is really very important and it was expensive as well i would, want to ask it back, and tell honestly that I have messed up with the gifts. It is somehow rude of me to do this but, I just need to get it back and give it to the right person. And If I were to recieve such a gift, I would gladly give it back if it weren't really meant for me... how about you?

18 responses

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Hi There! I would just laugh and try to invent a reason why it was given to him/her. If it's really precious that need to be given to the right person I'll talk to him/her in a nice way and apologized for what happen. Thanks!

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Yey, someone who agrees with me :)

1 person likes this

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

Hey! You've got a friend in me!

@enelym001 (8322)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

I've never experienced giving a gift to the wrong person. Or getting a gift which wasn't meant for me. But if it happens to me it would depend upon the gender. What I mean is if the gift is for my boyfriend, but I gave it to a lady co-worker, I would really ask to give it back and hand her my gift for her. But if it's with a guy, well I think I wouldn't especially if it has no name. I might just buy a new gift for him. However, if I am writing names on the gift cards, it will be easier for me to get it back from them. They will surely know too that the gifts are not for them coz clearly there is a name written on the card.

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@enelym001 (8322)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

if I switched the names too.. I would feel really bad. But I feel it's a little bad to get it back from a co-worker especially if the content is really a nice one. And the one that I would give the co-worker is not so nice

But anyway, if the co-worker is a very close friend I am sure they will understand if I take it back. Thanks, changed it for the Holidays. Feels like skating on ice

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

That idea is actually nice emelyn, but what if you switched the names as well?

just saying

I would definitely get it back if the one i gave to a lady co-worker was like a boxer short or something, i would be very embarrassed if that happened :) and if I gave a lingerie to a guy, I bet he would be offended, or maybe he wouldn't want to give it back so that he can give it to his girlfriend/wife. hahaha You have a nice new profile picture by the way, happy myLotting

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@bounce58 (17387)

• Canada

21 Dec 11

I have not done this, but if I were to mistakenly give the wrong gift to someone, then I wouldn't take it back. Specially if that person liked the gift. It was my fault, and I made the mistake, so I would have to suffer the consequence another 'expensive' gift to the right person. It's Christmas anyway!

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

How generous of you. I have thought of doing the same, but my feelings to get it back was stronger

1 person likes this

@LovingMyBabies (85288)

• Valdosta, Georgia

21 Dec 11

I wouldnt ask for it back because I would feel terribly guilt if I did that. I would just get another on. If someone gave me the wrong one I would absolutely ive it back. That would be embarrassing so I pray that never happens to me...

1 person likes this

@aboodh007 (55)

• Kuwait

21 Dec 11

As per my thinking, if the gift is expensive, not in money, in value or rare means(like proposal ring, antique goods, unique stuffs..etc...), i would ask back, or else, if it is not much important, say like just a one piece in hundreds, i will never ask back. Giving expensive gift for other for a rich guy is like a never mind, for poor, it counts. And if i receive any gift which is not meant to me, i will happily handover to the person who gave me and say, "i do not deserve this one". The happiness of that person will be uncountable.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Thank's for dropping a response guys, I see that you are the very good people, you don't want to offend the person that you have given, I have thought of it as well, but I just can't let it go really, like what "aboodh007" if it was as important as an engagement ring, I would want to get it back by all means necessary even if I need to embarrass myself. happy myLotting

1 person likes this

befrindwithme26

@befrindwithme26 (5805)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Well, i will just give to other person ,but you know,there are people like that even it is not for them they will say this is mine and they give it to me.But for me , i do not know i think i just give it since it is not mine.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Yes, I think some people would really not give it back, specially if they have already got attached to the gift. that would be alot of trouble

1 person likes this

@Flashpointer (784)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

If I was given a wrong gift, I honestly send it back to the sender of the gift since it was not mine. If my gift was sent to the wrong person, I rather need to take it back since it is not to him or her. In order there were no misunderstandings and having some possible fights, I think the best way to prevent the fight is to treat the person nicely and treat him or her into a coffee shop with good friendly conversation. It is just like having a peace treaty in advance to prevent unexpected war.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

nice way of putting it friend. I think in that way you would have a better chance of getting it back.

1 person likes this

@Porcospino (31366)

• Denmark

21 Dec 11

It depends what kind of gift is was. If I gave a bra to a man by mistake I might as well as ask to get the gift back, because he wouldn't be able to use it anyway

If it was a gift that anyone can use like a giftcard, a box of chocolate or something like that I would let the person keep the gift. I have never experienced a situation where I gave the gift to the wrong person, but someone has given the wrong gift to me. It happened many years ago. I received a hammer and a couple of other tools. When I opened the gift I just looked at it, I am not the least bit interested in woodwork and I had no idea why my cousin had given me those things. It turned out the I had received my brother's gift and he had received mine, so we just swapped the gifts.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Hahaha

definitely the guy would have no use for a bra. Oh, someone who actually experienced having a mixed gift. It's good that it was just your brother that you have switched with, and not really very hassle for you :)

1 person likes this

@for3verfamous (2190)

• Canada

21 Dec 11

Well it wouldn't be a good situation.. So I'd have to explain to the person that I mixed up the gifts. I probably can't afford to give an expensive gift to the wrong person. It's Christmas I'm sure nobody will get mad about it! And I'm sure a coworker would understand that they would not receive a gift as expensive as a close family member, etc.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

Imagine if it didn't work out right? it would be a disaster

But I believe as well that they will give it back, seeing that it is surely something very precious, but not, by all means, I will beg for it

1 person likes this

@francismalz (520)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

I would ask it back but I'll bring the right gift for him/her. I just ask nicely without shouting or bad mood look. Funny it may seem but what if I gave that person a girls attire if he's a boy? Uniform gifts are good gifts to give to officemates and colleagues or network group as in my case I'm doing network marketing. I give gifts to my recruits who have helped me in this business.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

That would be a very embarrassing moment for me. And I'm sure he/she would return it back, because it is apparent that it was really not meant him/her, Uniform gifts are really useful so that they don't get jealous from one another

1 person likes this

craziestqueenever

@craziestqueenever (1819)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

I haven't had this kind of experience, but thinking of this it would be fun! Hahaha!!! What if the gift I am giving is a lingerie and I am giving it to a man that would be an embarrassing moment! I think it's kinda bit awkward to get what you had given.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

I believe that it is really rude to get back what you have given, but if it were very important, like an engagement ring, I would really beg to get it back, and give them something good in return.

and I'm sure if some guy friend recieved a lingerie he would definitely return it to me, and I would just say sorry about that

1 person likes this

@br3ndy (468)

• Indonesia

21 Dec 11

I've never experience this kind of situation too. But, if it happen to me i think it depend on how much valuable the gift is. If it just normal gift with a little more expensive than i should give, than i will buy a new one instead. But if the gift is alot more expensive or it is very valuable not because of the price, then i will asking to get the gift back no matter what and say sorry for that. If i was the one who got that wrong gift, i will gladly return it too since that gift is not meant for me so there is no point of taking something like that.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

That's nice of you br3ndy

1 person likes this

@aboodh007 (55)

• Kuwait

21 Dec 11

Sorry to bother, i have mistakely posted my discussion under "loving my babies". Here is its actual place.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

No worries aboodh007, people make mistakes, and I can see that your still new, lesson learned for you then. happy myLotting

1 person likes this

@lmfaopartyrock (7)

• India

21 Dec 11

If it is some case like that, I'll probably not ask back for the gift from the person. Because Christmas is a festival, and there's no strangers to anyone on a festival. So whether you give it or not, everyone is a friend of yours. And what if you gave him/her a present. The person will surely get a bit surprised and later will be glad of course. So its a thing to cheer not to worry. The plus point to it is you may have a new friend too. The thing you'll lose is just some money spent over it. But the case might be something reverse also. One may gift a person a wrong gift, which you wanted to give him/her was exchanged and now your wish to surprise him/her is all gone. Whatever the thing is, one cannot ask back for the gift. And just think about the person who is returning your gift back to you after you presented it to him. Well Merry Christmas :)

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

It is really a time of giving to others, but i think your views are of your own and I respect, and I believe that it is not right to get back what you have given, because they may have already attached themselves to the gift and getting it bad will ruin that moment, but personally I really want to get it back and hopefully they will accept my apology. Happy myLotting

1 person likes this

@09monkeyman8 (1)

•

21 Dec 11

Likely ask for it back and give them the gift that was intended for them, hoping that they would understand the mix-up. If it's something they'd have a use for however, I'd just let them keep it.

1 person likes this

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

21 Dec 11

If it took me a while to get it back, like let's say a week, then I guess I would do the same and let them have it, and just buy a new one for the original recipient :) Welcome to myLot and enjoy your stay monkeyman

@chiyosan (30184)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

It will happen, i think especially if you do have a lot of gifts stacked up.. that is why it is important that you put tags on the gifts you are giving away while you are wrapping them. i think i was able to do this before, well luckily i just put the gift on the desk and when i suddenly remember that it was not meant for the person.. i went back to see if she was already there and i am so glad that she still was not there! so i was able to get back the gift and switched it. :D hihih I just don't know if i would be able to ask for the gift back if i have mistakenly given the wrong one.. maybe i won't ask for it anymore.

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

That was a close call chiyosan

good that you were able to get it back before it was too late.

@animegirl334 (3263)

• United States

22 Dec 11

I haven't experienced this before either. I think what I would do is by the person who I gave the wrong gift to a box of chocolates, give them the chocolates and the right gift, explain the mistake and apologize for the misunderstanding. If it's something expensive, I probably wouldn't be able to afford another one for the right person and I think people should recieve gifts that are bought with them in mind (even if it's a less expensive gift).

misunderstanding

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

That actually gave me an idea. thanks animegirl.

@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

22 Dec 11

hi davaome I think I could not hurt anyone so if I had given the wrong gift to the wrong person I would go and buy another gift rather than anger someone by asking for the gift back. that makes the other person feel bad and confused. so why do that, just go get another gift of the same value as then nobody will be hurt. if someone gave me a gift that was an error and I did not know it was an error I would feel angry if the giver wanted back.If I could see maybe by the expensiveness of t he gift it was not meant for me yes I wo

uld give it back.I just do not like to hurt people.

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

That is very nice of you Hatley. It is our mistake in the first place why the the gifts were mix and I think that idea is also ok, specially if you can afford to buy a new one. It will really be offensive to some people when you will try to ask a gift back specially if they have already got attached to it

@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

I totally agree with you on you opinion, my friend. I wouldn't be happy receiving a gift that is expensive, yet i know that it's not really meant for me but for another. I would myself give it back. And if ever i wrongfully have given the expensive gift to a friend other than to whom its is intended for, i would immediately ask it back and explain that it was just mistakenly given to her. I guess, that is not rude, but what it should be.

@davaome (1826)

• Philippines

22 Dec 11

Good to know that you feel the same way, and it got me thinking that maybe it is not rude to ask it after all. hmmm... happy myLotting