Denise Drysdale shares her views on:
Refunds, Regifting and Relatives this Christmas!

Aussie funny woman Denise Drysdale joins forces with Darrell Lea to help Australians navigate this year's gift-giving minefield...

Australians are full of Christmas cheer and festive fun, but there are a few taboo topics surrounding 'good gift giving' behaviour which should be addressed for the record. Whilst we all know it is the thought that counts, some gift givers don't play fair so it's time to turn the tables.

Whether it's your spoilt sister-in-law, ungrateful uncle or a greedy granny, we should all be armed with strategies this season, as you never know when well-meant gift-giving could end in a cold silence.

One of Australia's most-loved entertainers, Denise Drysdale has jumped in the sleigh with Darrell Lea this year, tapping into decades of family gifting experience to bring you a cringe-free Christmas!

1. Showing gratitude under EXTREME circumstances

It's present time and the relatives are relaxing and sipping sherry. It's your turn to open that special box and when you do, you are unable to stifle the cry of disappointment that this garish gift is not even close to what you want, despite months of not-so-subtle hint dropping!

Denise's tips:

• Spend time in front of the mirror or pet practicing beaming smiles, looks of pure wonderment and overly enthusiastic messages of thanks. These will come in very handy to hide your disappointment when you open the offending item.
• Tell them that you're speechless and start crying - they will never know you mean it in a bad way. Take it one step further and appoint a spokesperson on your behalf to do the thanking for you.
• Have handy, and ideally consume 30 minutes prior to present time, a bottle of bubbly that will assist you in relaying that the gift is pure genius.
• If the same perpetrator repeatedly persists with the unwanted gifts you'll have no choice but to fight back by seeing etiquette point #2.

2. The Mantras on re-gifting

You've received the same vase twice and you hate that pharmacy perfume. You have a sneaking suspicion these look strangely like gifts from three years ago, so it's time to even the score and perpetuate the items' re-gifting voyage!

Denise's tips:

• Re-gifts should be wrapped in lavish paper with fluorescent ribbon for extra flair.
• Be mindful of tense pitfalls, such as accidently giving someone something they gave you. Establish a dedicated re-gifting cupboard at home and keep a strict inventory using a logbook and citing date received, recipient and occasion.
• Ultimately the best way to ensure nothing YOU ever give is re-gifted is to give them something from Darrell Lea. They won't last through the day, let alone until the next year, but that's a separate issue altogether. Speaking of which...

3. Shirking on sharing

You've just been presented with a box of Darrell Lea festive chocolates. Twenty other family members in the room look over expectantly. Once everyone has taken their pick, there'll be none left for you!

Denise's tips:

• Leverage this as an opportunity to compliment the host on the lovely spread of food that's available today. Suggest that everyone must be so full that they couldn't POSSIBLY consume chocolates and it's best to save them for a later occasion. Then go home and scoff the lot.
• Alternatively, a large, loud and wet sneeze over the box should do the trick. Perhaps also make quick reference to your recent bout of gastro.
• If you want to play it safe-as-houses, lock yourself in the host's bathroom and consume them all in one sitting. To avoid people suspecting your plot, remember to not dispose of the box in the bin; just tuck it away in your bag.
  

4. Overly-generous guests

Unexpectedly your neighbours pop round for Christmas cake on Boxing Day. They have huge presents for you and all your family. Even the dog has a Chistmas bone! But alas, you have not bought presents for them. How do you save face amongst friends?

Denise's tips:

• Revert to re-gift cupboard!
• Ply unexpected guests with alcohol until they're unsure of their whereabouts and don't know whether they are coming or going. Perhaps not one for the children...
• Distract and mobilise. While enthusiastically welcoming your guests in, you send your partner to 'pick up some nibbles' (read: 'buy emergency gifts for all in attendance').
• Stock up on enough Darrell Lea treats to be sure you'll have something for everyone who pops in!

5. The snooty gift snob

Your filthy rich sister-in-law has everything she could ever want and more. Every year she is increasingly difficult to buy for and every year she turns her nose up at your gift. How do you politely put her in her place?

Denise's tips:

• Buy yourself a luxury designer item - something you've been coveting for some time - and hold onto the box and bag. Then proceed to purchase a small inferior product, remove its tags, repackage in the designer dressings and hand over with a great big smile on your face. Have camera handy for the ensuing fireworks.
• Volunteer her to a local charity for 20 hours of community service that will surely get her in the spirit of giving back.
• For moderate offence, purchase a T-Shirt three sizes too big for her and shriek out aloud that you've kept the receipt in case it's too tight.
• Remember you can't go wrong with food. No one will mind an over supply of sweet treats, even the snobs!
  

To avoid the pitfalls of present etiquette, make sure Darrell Lea chocolates are top of your shopping list this Christmas. Their extensive range of unique Christmas gifts will be available in store now!