Wedding Returning a bridal gift

[Gwyn]

Okay, lets say that so and so got you a gift that you do not need (lets just call it a waffle iron). They didnt include a receipt (or buy from your registry) so you returned the gift to the store for store credit.

What do you write in the thank you card? "Thank you for the waffle iron?" If you exchange it for something else, do you write "thanks for the waffle iron, however, we already got one so we exchanged it for a toaster oven instead" if you plan to exchange it and dont know what to yet to you say "thanks for the waffle iron, however, we already got one so we will be exchanging it for something to go with the one we have"

I would just as soon say thanks for the waffle iron, since that is what they gave, and be done with it. FI doesnt want to do that because he thinks it is dishonest (not sure why, we were appreciative of the fact that they bought us a waffle iron so sending a card to say so doesnt seem out of line to me). Then again, FI wanted to keep the extra waffle iron even though we dont need it just so we wouldnt be in this situation.

 

[diamondfan]

First, I would never ever tell anyone thanks for the gift but we have one already...this is not about honesty but courtesy. You ARE thanking them for taking their time and getting you something, that is what the thank you is about.

I would really only be concerned if it is something big and obvious and the person will notice it at your house when they visit.

Simply thank them for it and tell them you love waffles or hubby will enjoy waffles on a Sunday morning etc....make it a bit personal and less generic, again, not dishonest because if that is true, you are not saying you will be using THEIR iron!!!

Then, return it if you can, keep it in case you need another or give it away...

 

[espressa]

I would not mention that you are returning it. I would say something like, "Thank you so much for waffle iron, that was such a thoughtful gift! [If they went to the bridal shower:] It was so nice to see you at the shower. Thanks again for your generous gift."

This way you aren't lying - it was a generous and thoughtful gift, and you do appreciate it. Just because you aren't keeping it doesn't change that fact.

ETA: diamond, that's a great idea to mention that you love waffles! I hadn't thought of that. I tried to make all of my thank yous more personal but on gifts like these that you are returning it can sometimes be difficult. Good thinking.

 

[jewelerman]

I would thank them for the gift(no matter what it is )and their thoughtfulness. simple and sweet.The more words the more trouble you can get yourself into.

 

[marchswallowbird]

I agree. People don''t want to know you returned their gift, for whatever reason. It''s not dishonest. You''re thanking them for their thoughtfulness and for giving you a gift. What you choose to do with the gift after that is not something you need to mention in the thank-you card. I would only mention it if they are very close to you and would visit and wonder where their gift is, and maybe even ask you about it.