how to reject expensive gifts Options

[batman]

I'm so bad at this, especially when it comes to my mom because I don't have the heart to tell her that I don't like something when she clearly spent a lot of time picking it out.

She came home with these $500 bags for my sister and I. Super trendy and shiny looking, but really not my style. I mean, my sister immediately was like "no, I don't like it" and took the purse she bought for my grandmother (which was nicer and leather and not so shiny).

I tried "Oh, it's way too expensive" and "I have so many bags, I don't need another one," but she was like "Don't worry, it's a gift! Wear it on special occasions!"

I didn't want to say I didn't like it, so I pretended to love it and told her that I'd prefer a watch because my watch is getting sort of scratchy and she got all excited, returned it, and now I'm going to Movado to pick something out. Lucky break, I guess. I'd prefer for her to save the money, but when she has her mind set on gift-buying it sort of can't be sidetracked.

How do you reject spontaneous stupidly expensive gifts from people? Maybe you just tell them you think it's butt ugly, but I don't like being rude :(

[gojira]

this is why i hate surprises. people usually end up gifting me things i don't like, assuming i will like it and i'm supposed to sit there with a smile and be grateful i got anything at all. you did the right thing, the nicest way to reject someones gift is smile and say you really don't need it but thank you, etc.

you can never lose with gift cards, i don't care how impersonal they are.