What should I do if a casual acquaintance gives me a pretty expensive birthday gift?

Question

We only see each other once a month, if that. The gift she gave me was probably $300+, and there is no way I could afford to buy her something that nice for her birthday in November. Do I give it back, or keep it and give her something small for her birthday?

Answer 1

It's rude to give back a gift. The value is irrelevant.

It seems odd to me for a "casual acquaintance" to give you any kind of gift (maybe you mean something different by that than I would)--do you think she's saying you mean more to her than she evidently does to you?

Would you want to be better friends with her? Then I suggest you give her a nice gift (again, the cash value is irrelevant--give her something she would like) for her birthday.  

Answer 2

Thank her nicely. She gave you the gift out of the kindness of her heart. You do not need to respond with a gift that is that expensive. Give her something you think she will like. The value of a gift is not its cost, it is the thought that goes into it.

Answer 3

She gave you this gift to enjoy it.. maybe it was even something she was given and she has no need for it or no room for it.. and a gift given should be accepted as it's given from the heart and the gift giver does not expect an expensive gift back in return.. a real genuine gift giver expects nothing at all in return.. a gift is given because that person wanted to make you happy... and if I had the money and could give someone a nice gift.. then I would expect nothing in return except that they keep it and hopefully like it and a nice smile and a thank you and that they maybe send me a nice card for my birthday and don't forget my birthday but they don't have to buy me anything.. a thoughtful card to say they have remembered for me would be gift enough in return...and it's totally fine to give a small gift in return on that persons birthday...  nobody expects you to give an acquaintance a 300 dollar gift.. but it was nice that she thought of you.. accept it and smile and thank her. then she will know you make use of it and that you like it..

Answer 4

Thank her, accept it graciously and do what you can for her birthday. She was either being super-nice OR trying to flaunt her money. Don't try to meet/beat her. Just be grateful to her and move on.

Answer 5

say thank you

Answer 6

that person is wanting to be more than a casual acquaintance.